Some say the game of golf began in Scotland around the year 1450 when players would use a stick to hit pebbles over obstacles and along a pre-determined path. Others claim the Dutch invented the game around 1290, calling it “colf.” It was actually banned in Brussels in 1360, with a fine of 20 shillings and forfeiture of the player’s coat for those caught “colfing.” The following are among the best places in the world to play, without fear of losing a coat.
Where It All Began
The oldest and perhaps most iconic of all golf courses, the Old Course at St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland, has been drawing players since the 1400s. Named for the patron saint of Scotland, the course went quiet for a period in the 15th and 16th centuries when the game was banned in the hopes that young men would instead focus on archery. Activity resumed in 1552 when Archbishop John Hamilton nullified the ban.There are two ways to play St Andrews: A round for nonmembers costs $260, assuming you show up at dawn and charm the starter into putting your name on the waiting list. Or, you can establish residency in St Andrews and pay $290 to join the St Andrews Links Trust. Members of the Trust have access to the Old Course with its challenging Hell Bunker and Road Hole Bunker. Trust members also have access to the New Course (1895), the Jubilee Course (1897), the Eden Course (1914), the Strathtyrum Course (1993), the Balgove Course (1993), and the Castle Course (2008). To make the experience even more memorable, consider taking a few lessons at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
The Ultimate Sand Trap
Sand traps are a challenging feature of all courses, but few compare to those of the course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi. Designed by Gary Player and built in 2010 on a 300-plus acre site, the course on Saadiyat Island is bordered by the sandy beaches and waters of the Arabian Sea. The par 72-course is festooned with challenges, including a saltwater lagoon, saltwater lakes, massive sand dunes, and 67 bunkers and tees for a yardage of 5,290 feet, or 7,748 for professional events. The course was voted “Best in the UAE” in 2015, “Best in Abu Dhabi” in 2019, and was the site of the first European Ladies Tour event in Abu Dhabi. With five tee positions, the course is an ideal choice for players of all levels, from first-timers to world champions. To play Saadiyat, check for available tee times and book a round. Bring sunblock and stay hydrated to help cope with the sunny, desert environment.
Tropical Golf
The Legend Golf Course is located on the northeastern side of the lush island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Designed by South African champion Hugh Baiocchi in 1994, the par 72-course winds through an indigenous forest once used as a hunting preserve. The most challenging hole is said to be the 17th, which calls for extreme accuracy and range to clear the creek and avoid the sand traps. The course is the home of the Johnnie Walker Classic, the European Senior Tour, and the Mauritius Open, played on new greens recently installed in accordance with USPGA specifications. The course is only open to guests of the Le Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage hotels, who aren’t charged a greens fee.
Rocky Mountain Golf
Set amidst the splendor of Colorado Springs’s Cheyenne Mountain Foothills, The Broadmoor’s East and West Courses provide an array of challenges and epic scenery. The West Course combines 10 holes designed by Donald Ross, built in 1918, with eight holes designed by Robert Trent Jones, built in 1964. The East Course is one of only a dozen to receive a 5-star rating by Golf Digest. Chosen as the site of the 2025 U.S. Senior Open, the East Course has hosted events such as the 1959 U.S. Amateur, Jack Nicklaus’s first major win, as well as the 2018 U.S. Senior Open. A private club, the courses are open only to members, guests of a member, or guests of the resort. The cost of a round varies seasonally, from $130 to $295.
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