11 Golf Courses with the Best Views in the World

May 28, 2014

Golf courses are always situated on the most beautiful spots with the best views of either the bush, city or ocean around it. Most have been built to perfectly fit into their surroundings and to be at one with nature. Most courses around the world area beautiful and unique for different reasons. We have made a lists of courses that are famous for their scenic and historic views. These courses are unique because of where they are situated and what you can see from their fairways, lets have a look at these beautiful spots.

Leopard Creek, South Africa

This exclusive golf course has consistently been ranked as the best course in South Africa, and one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The course is only open to members and guests of members, not to the general public. They do however make exceptions for those who do not mind paying a small fortune. The club has agreements with some luxury hotels and lodges in the area that allows you to play the course if you stay at these selected places, green fees are not included in your accommodation price.

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The experience of playing this course makes paying the green fees well worth while. For foreigners one might say it’s extremely cheap when one considers the exchange rate. The most beautiful views on the course are from holes 13, 15 and 18. The elevated green on the 13th overlooks the Crocodile River and the Kruger National park. From here one can usually see elephants and hippo’s swimming in the water, on a lucky day you might even spot a white rhino.

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From the elevated 15th tee you have a spectacular view over the course and the Kruger National Park which stretches for miles and miles across the horizon. The view from the 18th fairway down to arguably the most beautiful clubhouse in South Africa and the island green of the 18th is one of the most iconic views in South African golf.

Pebble Beach, USA

What more can be said about this world renowned golf course that has not been said before? World class golf course with beautiful views that consistently hosts some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, Pebble Beach is the essence of what every golf course in the world strives to become. In 2001 it was named the best golf course in America, in the process becoming the first public course to be given this accolade.

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The professional events that are held here annually are the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the First Tee Open. It has also played host to six men’s major championships, five U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship. The view from the 9th, 10th and 11th holes are constantly named as the best views in golf and among the best holes in golf. The ocean views over the Pacific are spectacular and it is well worth the green fees which are among the highest in the US.

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Mena House Oberoi Golf Course, Egypt

Properly one of the least know courses on this list but certainly one with the most historic view. This course does not have a lot to offer for the serious golfer but for the weekend golfer the course will be enjoyable as it is a straightforward layout with no surprises. The 18 holes is played on 9 fairways with 18 different tees.

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The course is one of the oldest and most mature in Egypt. It is owned and operated by the Mena House Hotel, the only hotel in Cairo that has its own golf course. What makes this golf course so special then you may ask, well it is the view. The course is situated in the town of Giza right next to the Great Pyramid of Giza.

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All of the holes offer an unrestricted view of the Great Pyramids, one often has to take a second glance at the pyramid to actually convince oneself that you are playing golf next to one of the oldest and most famous ancient structures in the world. If you have the pleasure of playing this course take a minute to think about the fact that you are playing one of the oldest sports in the world next to some of the oldest buildings in the world. This course should tickle the fancy of all the history buffs.

Liberty National, USA

Liberty National country club is situated in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. The club is still very young as it was only established in 2006 at a cost of over $250 million, making it one of the most expensive golf courses in history.  The club is very exclusive with membership accepted by invitation only, the course is only open to members and guests of members. The facilities on offer at Liberty National include an onsite helipad, yacht services and a Spa to cater for those who either do not play golf or who would like to relax after a round.

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Despite the exquisite condition of the course and the professional layout, Liberty National is known more for its view and its proximity to New York City. The fairways of this course offer unrestricted views of the New York skyline. The view of the Statue of Liberty is however what makes this course so unique. The famous French woman standing with the flame of liberty in her hand welcoming all to the city of New York can be seen from the fairways of Liberty National. Viewing the skyline of New York as well as the world famous Statue of Liberty while you chip and putt onto the greens of a world class course is a truly unique experience. liberty2

Kilimanjaro Golf Estate, Tanzania

Tanzania’s best kept secret lies a few kilometres from the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro. The Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife estate is home to the best golf course in Tanzania as well as some of the best views. The course is both fun and challenging for the avid golfer and the casual weekend golfer. The view of Kilimanjaro however is what draws the crowds to this establishment.

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At 5,895 metres above sea level, Kilimanjaro dominates the horizon from the course, it’s hard to miss. The mountain can be seen from almost all of the fairways, tees and greens on the course. It being the highest mountain in Africa this is to be expected. For those golfers who enjoy the luxury of the golf cart, who will never dream of climbing up the famous mountain, this might be the perfect way to experience the beauty of Kilimanjaro without having to break too much of a sweat.

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Milnerton Golf Club, South Africa

The Milnerton Golf Club is situated about 15 kilometres outside of Cape Town on the western coast of South Africa. This links course underwent a major face-lift in 1995 which made it one of the best links courses in South Africa. The cold Atlantic Ocean that boarders the course on the western side and the windy weather of the Cape gives one an identical experience to that of true links golf played in Scotland and Ireland under the same conditions.

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The reason this course has made this list is because of the view it has over one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain. The unrestricted view of Table Mountain from this course is very unique as no other course in the world has a better view of any of the new seven wonders of the natural world than Milnerton Golf Course. If you are a golfer who lives in Cape Town or if you might be visiting Cape Town, be sure to play this course and experience the beautiful sight of South Africa’s most famous landmark.

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Merapi Golf Course, Indonesia

The Merapi Course is situated 800 meters above sea level. It boasts a par 72, 18 hole course that is just 30 minutes’ drive from the Ancient Indonesian City of  Yogyakarta. The beautiful course is a masterpiece of design by world renowned course designers Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett. The club has a Club House, Pro Shop and Restaurant with Pick-up Service and online Reservation services also available to members and visitors.

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What makes this course unique is that it is situated next to a live Volcano that last erupted in October 2010, not very long ago. Mount Merapi dominates the landscape in the area and the course offers uninterrupted views of the huge Volcano. The last eruption caused huge problems for course management as the ash covered the fairways and greens closest to the volcano.

They moved swiftly and worked hard to remove the ash, I do not think a lot of courses around the world have to deal with the same problem. The impressive views of the volcano is absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring, playing here is a truly humbling experience.

Punta Mita Golf Club, Mexico

This 18 hole championship course was designed by arguably the best golfer to have ever lived and the winner of the most major golf championships of all time, Jack Nicklaus. The course is one of the best in Mexico and forms part of the most luxurious resort in the country. The environmental care that they have taken during the development and the daily up keep of this course has been extraordinary.

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The resort features a four-system computerized weather station that monitors ground moisture, conserving water by irrigating the course only when it is needed. The onsite nursery rehabilitates trees and vegetation that was removed to build the course. The nursery also grows new plants for the course and the surrounding area. The views of the Pacific Ocean and the Mexican coastline is what gives this course the edge.

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The optional 19th hole at Punta Mita is the most beautiful of the lot. The hole is the signature hole of the course even though it is not part of the championship 18 hole layout. The green is set on a natural rock that is known as a great whale watching spot. “The Tail of the Whale,” is what this 19th hole is called and it features a tee box on the mainland where you tee off to an island green that is 199 yards off the coast. People come from around the world to play this special hole. If you come during the whale watching season you might be lucky enough to see one of these magnificent creatures while sinking your birdie putt.

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, Canada

In the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains lies the world class Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in Alberta. Canada’s most famous golf designer Stanley Thompson designed the original 18 holes back in 1928.  The snaking course runs along the Bow River under the intimidating peaks of the Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. During 1989 the course was upgraded to a 27 hole championship course when designers Cornish and Robinson added an extra 9 holes to the existing 18.

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The views of the Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle is what makes this course extra special, throw in the tranquillity of the Bow River and you have an idyllic mountain scene. The snow capped Mountains around the course tower over the landscape, a sight for sore eyes. During a short spell in the winter months the course closes if it gets snowed over. The Banff Springs Hotel complements the scenic view from the course with its beautiful architecture that rises up just next to the course.
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Cape Kidnappers Golf Club, New Zealand

New Zealand is known for having some of the most dramatic and awe inspiring landscapes in the world. The island has been used as the backdrop for one of the most famous movie trilogies of all time, The Lord of the Rings. Cape Kidnappers is no exception with very dramatic scenery and beautiful elevated views of the ocean. The par 71 championship course was completed in 2004 after which it was named as one of the great modern marvels of golf.

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The par 5, 15th named Pirates Plank, is the signature hole of the course and it also has the best views. The hole is 800 feet above sea level with massive drops on both sides of the fairway. The hole is situated on a cliff that rises up from the ocean below, providing awesome views of the coastline, ocean and the course. Get down to New Zealand to play this magnificent course.

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Le Touessrok Golf Course, Mauritius

The whole world knows that Mauritius is one of the best places to go for an island holiday. The island has some of the most luxurious and exclusive resort in the world. It should then come as no surprise that Mauritius has one of the best golf courses in the world on one of its islands as golf, luxury and exclusivity goes hand in hand.

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The Le Touessrok Golf course is seen as one of the best golf courses in the world, frequently being named under the top 10. The hotel is owned by the Le Touessrok 5 star Hotel and forms part of the luxury Le Touessrok Resort. The boat ride from the hotel to the course that was designed by professional golfer Bernhard Langer gives one a great view of the island and the clear Indian Ocean.

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The par 72 championship course is a challenge for the professional as well as the weekend golfer. The views of the Mauritius coastline and the clear Indian Ocean is absolutely beautiful. Playing this course adds something special to the relaxing experience of holidaying on an island destination, that is if you can keep your cool if you hit one in the water!

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