[ad_1]
Golf is one sport that transcends global boundaries. Unlike American or Aussie Rules football or any number of sports unique to a specific region, everyone plays golf. Golf courses are ubiquitous. Even remote hamlets and villages tend to have a small mashie course. No matter how humble the golfer, or indeed how great, there are courses that inspire dreams and courses that golfers would sell their souls to play on.
St. Andrews (Old Course)
St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland is the home of golf. It is hallowed ground or golf Mecca and even the pros, who play there at least once a year, are in awe of it. There are seven courses at St. Louis. Andrews, but it is the Old Course that is most revered.
Take for instance Jack Nicklaus, who said, "I fell in love with it the first day I played it.
And Tiger Woods, who said, "Without a doubt I like it the best of all the Open ports.
The Old Course is over 600 years old and while it is open to the public, bookings are hard to come by. According to the St. Andrews website, sales of advance Old Course tee times start on the first Wednesday of September prior to the year of play, provided you fill in the application form. Other tee times are available through a daily ballot draw.
If you can not get on the Old Course, you can always console yourself with one of the other six courses; you only need to book a week in advance for those.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach Golf Links is not nearly as old as St. George's. Andrews, but what it lacks in history, it makes up for in prestige. The course is known for its rugged beauty as it plays out on the coastline of Pebble Beach, California. Since the first tee-off in 1919, the course has hosted a number of the world's largest golf tournaments and has the distinction of hosting the US Open Championships five times.
It was the first public golf course to be voted the best course in America by Golf Digest, but it also has the dubious honor of being the golf course with the highest green fees in the world – $ 495 per round.
It's been said that every golfer reads to play "Pebble" at least once in his or her lifetime.
If you do not believe that, regardless you'll believe Jack Nicklaus (who obviously prefers Pebble Beach to St.Andrews):
"If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I've loved this course from the first time I saw it.
New South Wales Golf Club La Perouse
New South Wales Golf Club is located at Cape Banks on the northern headland of Botany Bay, only 20 minutes from Sydney, Australia. Unlike the previous two courses, NSW is a private course, but it does offer limited guest access on certain days of the week. Guests are only allowed to play on weekends if they have been invited by members.
There is a recommended handicap limit of 24. But if you do not make the grade, do not worry, you can always get married at the club, as it is one of the region's favored wedding venues.
Casa De Campo (Teeth of the Dog) La Romana
Casa De Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic consists of three golf courses, the best and most challenging of which is Teeth of the Dog. Teeth of the Dog has been voted the best golf course in the Caribbean and regularly appears on Top 100 lists.
The course was designed by the accused Pete Dye, who said that the opportunity to carve out the course was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. No machinery was used; instead Dye had to rely on sledgehammers, pickaxes and chisels, not to mention the dedication and hard work of the Dominican crew to carve the course out of the coral foundation.
According to Dye, he is only responsible for 11 holes; the other seven were "created by God".
Hirono Golf Club, Kobe
Hirono Golf Club in Kobe is accepted by all and sundry as the best golf course in Japan. It is also the most private and is only available to members (and the very occasional tournament). It was built in 1932 and designed by Charles Alison, who is also responsible for a number of other courses in Japan.
The course is notoriously challenging, as one would expect and the only player of note to tame it is our old friend, Jack Nicklaus.
Leopard Creek
Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga, South Africa is considered by many as the best course in South Africa and, according to Golf Digest USA, it is the 25th best course in the world. The course is very close to the Kruger National Park and is bordered by the Crocodile River; which means that encountering crocodiles is a very real possibility.
The course was designed by Gary Player, who has received as much acclaim for his designing abilities as his talent as a golfer. One of his trademarks when it comes to golf course design is to incorporate architectural and landscaping techniques that enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. In this case it also means that the players are protected from the larger animals that inhabit the area, such elephants and, of course, leopards.
[ad_2]
Source by Phil Smulian
