TPC Sawgrass - Florida, US
Jacksonville, Florida, is home to the magnificent Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass. Famous for hosting many tournaments and some of the best, most well-known players, TPC Sawgrass is a bucket list option for many gold enthusiasts. It's also known for being quite the challenge to conquer, as it was designed to challenge each style of golfer. This makes it quite prestigious to play on, alongside its title as the best golf course in Florida.
This all adds up to create quite the hefty price tag. With players the likes of Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer having graced the course, it's understandable that a single round of golf will cost around $375.
Bridge Golf Club - New York, US
Rees Jones had a passion project to create one of the most unique golf courses in the world. Built into a former raceway on Long Island, the Bridge Golf Club course takes players down the old race track, leaning into the old racing themes. Crisscrossed grass designs, race car-themed clubhouses, and decor that speaks to the old racing history of the area, the project to create this golf course added up to $25 million in the end.
Given the Bridge Golf Club is a private and exclusive court that took millions to create, the initiation fees are pretty steep at $750,000. The yearly dues compound on this, adding up to $20,000, and tax adds an additional $62,000.
Adare Manor - Limerick, Ireland
Widely considered one of the most stunning locations to play golf, Adare Manor has been host to many national and international golf tournaments. Designed by the mastermind Tom Fazio, who also created famous courses like the Firestone Country Club West Course and Pelican Hill, Newport Beach, California, it boasts excellent views of the Irish countryside and historic buildings that decorate the edge of the course. The course is 170 acres of low-cut grass decorated with around 120 well-kept trees to break up the terrain.
While the golf course itself is pretty prestigious and exclusive, known for its overall good mix of challenging and easier holes that can cater to players of all skill levels, its prestige comes with a hefty $400 cost for a single round, with a standard $80 caddie tip.
Madison Club - California, US
Tom Fazio is well known throughout the golfing world for his many famous golf course designs. His name is often attached to some of the most famous and exclusive clubs and courses; the Madison Club is no exception. Found in La Quinta, California, the Madison Club boasts several courses of his design, each of which has earned many awards since its establishment in 2007. The course spans 7,426 yards and offers one of the best views of the Californian mountain line, and is frequently placed in the top 20 of all courses across the States by various respected reviewers.
This massive size, breathtaking view, and desert locale make the price ticket quite expensive, with initiation fees reaching $200,000. This grants access to several perks, one of the best of which includes custom-order meals by the 10th tee.
Pebble Beach Golf Links - California, US
Pebble Beach Golf Links is another golf course that should be on the bucket list of every golf enthusiast. Perhaps one of the best-known worldwide, Pebble Beach has been the host of some of the biggest golf tournaments, such as the Ryder Cup and the US Open. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the picturesque waters crashing against the cliffside the course is built upon offers one of the most breathtaking views on this list. With a portion of the course extending onto the peninsula that reaches out to the water, it's also considered to be one of the most exciting.
That all being said, while Pebble Beach Golf Links might be one of the greatest courses in America, the price tag sits at around $575 per round of golf, making it a luxury course for those who save.
Barton Creek Foothill and Canyon Golf Clubs - Texas, US
Located in Austin, Texas, the Barton Creek Foothill and Canyon Golf Clubs are known for their picturesque views along their lengthy, challenging courses. Cascading waterfalls and creeks, limestone caves, and rocky cliff faces surround the course, creating one of the more experiences from courses on this list. This is, of course, necessary to give struggling players a break when the challenge gets a bit too frustrating, as it's also infamously challenging for even the most skilled of players. The two partner courses are said to be one of the best experiences for those looking to put their golfing talents to the test.
Thankfully, for those who are up to the challenge, Barton Creek Foothill and Canyon Golf Clubs aren't as expensive as some of the others on this list, with a single round costing $298 per person.
Royal Melbourne - Victoria, Australia
Australians love their golf, and Melbourne, Australia, is home to many famous courses, but Royal Melbourne takes the trophy for the best course in the territory. Divided into two sections, the Royal Melbourne ranks as one of the top courses in Australia for its picturesque design and intentionally tricky terrain. Its sand base creates a unique experience for players not used to it, and the trees and shrubs strategically placed to throw golfers off will test every player's skill.
The sheer size and maintenance, as well as the droves of attention it draws, make the price tag look more reasonable, with a single round of golf costing $300.
Archerfield Links - East Lothian, Scotland
Archerfield is one of the older courses on this list, and to have remained popular for so long really puts into perspective how luxurious this course is. The first ever recorded player was an anonymous bowman of King Edward I over 100 years ago, which set the mark on how upscale the course is. Membership costs $12,304, with some package options requiring an upfront fee of $38,625. Archerfield is as much a resort as it is a golf course.
Archerfield Links offers two courses, the Fidra and the Dirleton, both of which afford beautiful views of the lakes and pine forests of the area, with the Fidra going so far as to take players to the coast and island's bird sanctuary.
Mission Hills Golf Club - Shenzhen, China
Guanlan, a town located in Shenzhen, China, is home to the world's largest golfing facility. The Mission Hill Golf Club has earned its title as the largest since 2004 and has hosted twelve major championships, such as the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. Four brilliant designers put their heads together to create this course: Ernie Els, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus, all names associated with great projects like this.
In 2000, the membership fee was a whopping $150,000, with the fees skyrocketing to today's $2 million. The club is also considered to be quite exclusive, given that roughly 0.7% of China's population even play golf regularly.
Whistling Straits - Wisconsin, US
The Whistling Straits is another divided course. The two halves that make up this Wisconsin golf course are the Straits and the Irish, and together, they are said to be some of the best golf courses the States have to offer. Whistling Straits has been the host of many famous golfing events, such as the Palmer Cup and the 2010 PGA Championships, all of which have showcased the breathtaking sights and scenery that make this course so famous.
Hugging the Lake Michigan coast for two miles, the course was shaped to resemble Irish-style dunes and grass to both add a unique look and create a new challenge. A mandatory caddie fee of $65 is added to the single-round fee of $300.
Sunningdale Golf Club - Berkshire, England
Another one of the older golf courses on this list, Sunningdale Golf Clubs, offers two 18-hole courses that have been around since the year 1900. This course is considered one of the most exclusive in the world since it requires connections even to play. Membership fees are quite high, and there is the additional requirement of playing with a current committee member, creating a system that only allows those approved by the committee to enjoy the beautiful fields.
If you're lucky enough to know someone on the committee willing to bring you along, the initiation fees after approval start at $100,000, with annual dues of $8,000.
French Lick - Indiana, US
One of the greatest American golf courses that has reached international fame is at the French Lick Resort in Indiana. Called the Pete Dye Course, it stretches over 8,102 yards, giving it one of the longest tracks in the US, ranking at number 3, just behind Promontory Club and Painted Valley. Not only is it lengthy, but each hole presents its own unique challenge, making it yet another bucket list experience for enthusiasts.
Of course, this experience comes at a price, though it isn't the most expensive on this list, with a $254 single round cost and a $100 caddie tip.
Singapore Island Country Club - Singapore
The Singapore Island Country Club is a paradise for golf enthusiasts looking for an island getaway. Boasting what many believe to be some of the best courses Asia has to offer, the country club has six individual courses and two driving ranges that accompany them. Even before their renovations in 2019, these courses were well-renowned for their perfect grass and lake views, making it one of the best "classic" experiences.
Depending on the day you play, the price to play a course can range from $140 to $290. This price can go up by up to $75 for 18 holes and a rental golf cart.
East Hampton Golf Club - New York, US
The most sought-after golf course in New York was founded by potato farmer Pete Bistrian back in the 1940s. Originally a nine-hole course, it was later expanded to 18 holes, starting off on a flat field that eventually begins to take you up a hill through a pine forest. This offers you one of the most magnificent views of the forests of New York state. Despite its humble beginnings, the golf club has now become one of the most exclusive courses, with an extremely limited number of members.
Blue-blood elites highly sought these memberships, with costs reportedly ramping up to $200,000. This is, of course, only possible if you have the right connections.
Pinehurst Course Number 2 - North Carolina, US
One of the most expensive courses in the world goes to Pinehurst, which boasts a set of courses that many top players swear by as being the best. Having hosted the 2014 US Open and attracting many professionals, they all quickly discovered that the best of the eight courses offered were numbers 2, 4, and 8. While the other courses have prices considered perhaps reasonable compared to others on this list, course number 2 easily rises above.
A golfer can expect to pay around $430 for a single round, with an additional $55 caddie fee. However, course number 2 can easily reach costs of up to $1000 or more. Staying at the resort can get players discounts that can bring this down to as low as $195.
Pasatiempo Golf Club - California, US
Located in Santa Cruz, California, the Pasatiempo golf course was designed by the very same person who created Australia's famous Royal Melbourne: Alister MacKenzie. Despite having designed and created a few famous courses, MacKenzie has established that this was his personal favorite right up until his passing in 1934, even going so far as to live on at the course itself. Incredibly picturesque with a course that can be challenging with its comparably rugged and rough terrain, it also has a penchant for danger since a portion of the course extends onto Highway 17.
Pasatiempo is quite the experience for those fans of golf history, given the significance of the course's designer. Thankfully, it's relatively cheap compared to other courses on this list, with games costing between $220 and $250.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort - South Carolina, US
The eponymous golf resort is on the eastern side of Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Known as another favorite spot that has hosted dozens of professional tournaments, such as the PGA championships, the course is considered to be one of the toughest in the world. The course's massive 7,873 yards offer a fantastic coastal view that can be a double-edged sword with some famously strong winds that come from the ocean. It was also designed by Pete and Alice Dye, giving it quite the name to advertise.
The Kiawah Island Golf Resort Course is perhaps the most famous outside of the golfing world for featuring in the film The Legend of Bagger Vance. While it might be on the more famous side, a single round of golf costs only $350.
Clearwater Bay Golf - Hong Kong, China
The privately owned Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club is one of the most famous courses in China. Known for hosting the annual PGA Tour China and other tournaments such as the 2020 World Amateur Team Championships. The course itself trails along the cliffside above the South China Sea, offering views of the numerous hotels, clubhouses, and crashing waves while golfing. However, it's also highly exclusive as a privately owned course and is considered to be pretty difficult to play on if you aren't there for a tournament.
Membership fees have a floor of around $64,060 but can reach as high as around $448,421 after being converted to USD.
Loch Lomond Golf Club - Loch Lomond, Scotland
Once known as Rossdhu Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots famously wrote her love letters. In the modern day, it's been turned into the Loch Lomond Golf Club, with a course created out of the minds of Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf. The course is consistently rated as among the top 100 golf courses in the world, with Loch Lomond being one of the most expensive and exclusive clubs throughout Europe. Its expansive views offer a variety of scenes, from the loch to the surrounding forests, foothills, and the famous castle itself.
This exclusivity comes at a steep price, as joining fees can be around $161,000. This does offer plenty of perks, however, such as the 7,100-yard golf course and access to one of the 43 suites at the club.
The Ocean Course - South Carolina, US
Considered to be one of the most challenging courses in the United States, the Ocean Course has a very specific design that takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of the wind direction channeled across the rugged terrain. The challenge is coupled with a gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean, with a bright river that passes parallel with the course, with plenty of shrubbery to add to the scenery. The course has also been the host of numerous tournaments over the years, such as the PGA Professional Nationals and the Ryder Cup.
Despite the great views and the famous challenge that draws many, the Ocean Course has one of the more reasonable price tags on this list, with a round of golf costing around $230 per person.
Liberty National Golf Club - New Jersey, US
The dazzling Liberty National Golf Club has drawn golfers since it opened in 2006. The course was in design for fourteen years prior, with US champion Tom Kite and architect Robert E. Cupp helming the project. This sparked a great deal of suspense, and when it was finally unveiled, it did not disappoint. A 7,353-yard course takes players on a sort of tour, with views of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan Skyline, and the Hudson River. The $250 million cost to build the course should give an idea of the expected quality.
As a membership-only club, it remains quite exclusive, with other famous golfers such as Rudolph Giuliani and Christie Kerr being notable members. The annual fees end up being around $25,000 per member.
Cascata Club - Nevada, US
Nevada is home to some of America's greatest attractions, and the Cascata Club and golf course is another you shouldn't overlook. "Cascata" is Italian for waterfall, with the course itself designed to mimic flowing cascades that sit between the boulder rocks in Boulder City. With the inclusion of actual waterfall decorations and great views of the rocky hills of Nevada, it's no wonder why the Cascata Club course is one of the most famous in the entire world with its unique design.
The Cascata Club is also quite popular with the elite, with many famous golfers and celebrities being regulars here. Uniquely, Cascata also offers "Dynamic Pricing," meaning they offer unique quotes to every member looking to play.
Congressional Country Club - Bethesda, Maryland
The Congressional Country Club is considered one of the world's most prestigious and elite golf clubs, with a rich history tied to Bethesda, Maryland's history. First opened in 1924, it's since been the host of many famous and prestigious tournaments, such as three US Open Tours and a PGA Championship. The club has two beautifully sculpted courses that are easily recognizable by golf enthusiasts as the Blue and Gold Course.
Another exclusive country club, the Blue Course and Gold Course can be fairly pricey and are open only to members of the club itself. Initiation fees start at $120,000, and the club has a notoriously long waiting list.
Address Montgomerie - Dubai, UAE
Another city that has a lot to offer those with money, Dubai is the home of the Address Montgomerie Resort. Among many other attractions, the Address Montgomerie offers a five-star, award-winning 18-hole course that was designed by Colin Montgomerie. The leisurely choice for many pro and celebrity golfers, it's well known for the many amenities that can increase the price of your stay. As they say, nothing for nothing in this world.
An afternoon at the course will cost you upwards of $150, though this doesn't include any rental equipment. The three international restaurants are one of the biggest attractions here, however.
Wynn Golf Club - Nevada, US
In 2017, the old Wynn Golf Club was shut down, and many never thought it would return. However, after a massive $1.5 billion investment, the club and course were renovated and redeveloped, putting the club back on the map. Tom Fazio, the designer of both the old course and the newer designs, reinvigorated life for the club and turned it into quite the attraction for both new and old players. It's also a welcome break amidst the craziness of nearby Las Vegas.
Depending on the time of the year, players can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $550, as it gets pretty popular in the peak season.
Shadow Creek Golf Course - Nevada, US
The founder of Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas, Steve Wynn, also has his own golf club and course. The Shadow Creek Golf Course is built right in the middle of the desert, with the intention of both providing privacy and exclusivity and creating a more comfortable getaway from the business of Vegas and The Strip. Over 200 trees help give the course its name, creating comforting shade amidst the hot desert sun, and it's the recommended course of the nearby MGM Hotel that takes advantage of the course's popularity.
A round of golf at Shadow Creek goes for $500, with the caddie fee being anywhere between $50 and $100. Anyone who regularly plays here will always say that the beautiful gardens, creeks, and privacy are well worth the price.
Hirono Golf Club - Kobe, Japan
Kobe is considered to be one of Japan's most beautiful historical cities to visit, and the Hirono Golf Club emulates that energy perfectly. Many swear that it provides one of the most memorable golfing experiences in the world with its stunning, lush greenery and sculpted gardens that are sporadically placed throughout the holes. Opened first in 1932 and designed by C.H. Alison, the Hirono Golf Club is one that anyone looking for a beautiful golf getaway should consider.
The beauty comes at a pretty steep price, however, as a single round of gold here will cost around $550, though it's well worth it according to those who were swept away by the views.
The Bear's Club - Florida, US
Professional golfer Jack Nicklaus founded the Bear's Club in Florida with his wife in 1999. Inspired by his professional nickname, The Golden Bear, it's since become one of the best courses to be played. With professional play in mind right from the get-go, this 7,164-yard course spans a variety of challenging terrains, from oak and pine forests to wetlands to old cypresses. Not only will it cater to different challenges, but the Melbourne Golf Club-inspired course has its own 102 strategically-placed bunkers that players will need to work around.
A Tuscan-style clubhouse sits just beyond the par-5 holes, a great spot to have a break, which offers all the amenities you'd need as a member. Speaking of membership, members will have to pay an annual fee of $25,000 annually.
Koganei Country Club - Tokyo, Japan
The suburbs of Japan's capital city, Tokyo, hide one of the most expensive and sought-after golf courses in the world. The Koganei Country Club was designed and created by Walter Hagen back in the 1930s and has, since its inception, been a highly exclusive private course. With golf being one of Japan's most popular sports, it's pretty full and has one of the longest waiting lists around. It's so popular, in fact, that hundreds of brokerage houses work with prospective golfers to try to become members.
Even if you can make it past the waitlist, the course remains incredibly expensive, as membership costs up to $3.57 million.
Kingsbarns Golf Links - St. Andrews, Scotland
Another set of golf courses to make the list of "best golf courses in the world," Kingsbarns Golf Links in St. Andrews, Scotland, offers one of the best golfing experiences a club offers. Another course famous for hosting various tournaments, such as the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Kingsbarns Links, have been popular since 1973 when they first opened. Part of the experience is the world-class on-site resort and caddy service, which offers a fully refundable caddy fee if you aren't satisfied - a refund that rarely ever occurs.
This great service and beautiful views of the coastline and distant fields come at a comparatively great price, with a single round costing only $300 for the exceptional quality of the trip.
Morfontaine Golf Club - Mortefontaine, France
Also known as Golf de Morfontaine in French, the Morfontaine Golf Club is one of France's most elite clubs and one of the most elite and exclusive on the continent. Designed and created by Tom Simpson in 1913, the course was created by converting an old, unused polo park into an 18-hole layout. The elegant pine forest that surrounds the course keeps things quite private for its 450 members, creating an air of mystery.
The Morfontaine keeps its pricing incredibly private, and it's only ever possible to play there if you're invited in the first place, which only lends further to the exclusivity of the club. It's almost assuredly incredibly expensive.
Links at Spanish Bay - California, US
The Links at Spanish Bay are located on Pebble Beach in California, near the actual Pebble Beach Golf Links. Designed in a joint effort between Robert Trent Jones, Tom Watson, and Sandy Tatum, the golf course is quite spectacular, even if the Pebble Beach Golf Links often overshadow it. With a unique set of views along the Pacific Ocean coastline, the Links at Spanish Bay is also notoriously challenging for even professional players, which further makes it less popular with more casual players.
However, a round of golf here will go for upwards of $295 for those up for the challenge and interested in the views.
Yas Links - Abu Dhabi, UAE
It's estimated that around 6,000 acres of land in the Arabian Gulf is devoted entirely to golf courses, all of which is taken up by the Yas Links golf course. Originally opened in 2010, the course immediately began to attract many of the world's professionals and elite, setting the bar high for entry. This immediately raised the bar for admission, creating another exclusive club that offers excellent views of the gulf, a restaurant around the 9th hole, and a clubhouse that overlooks the 18th.
All of this, of course, adds up to make it quite an expensive course to play, with membership fees being around $19,000. A single run goes for upwards of $700, though clever players can manage to work that down to around $325 with discounts.
Old Head Golf Links - County Cork, Ireland
Old Head Kinsale's resort houses the Old Head Golf Links courses, offering some of the best views southern Ireland has to offer. Designed by John and Patrick O'Conner, the course makes excellent use of the rugged, natural terrain and often misty, foggy conditions to create a challenging set of holes. With the challenge matched with classic Irish hospitality, the resort offers a bar and restaurant known as the Lusitania, named for the ship that sank off the nearby coast in 1915.
Old Head does come at a fairly steep price, however, with a single round of golf going for around $400.
Fancourt Country Club - George, South Africa
With a slogan like "Living the Dream," it's understandable the Fancourt Country Club will be considered to have some of the best courses in the world. Consistently making it into the top twenty courses year and year again, the privately owned club, The Links, is the country's number one golf course. Anyone and everyone who has been here can attest that the slogan isn't just a boast but a promise.
During peak season, the cost to play the private 18 holes can be as high as $2000, though the other courses can be a bit more manageable, going for around $950 each. Despite the cheaper option being public, they still rate highly, being in the top 15 of the best courses in the country.
The Old White Course at Greenbrier - West Virginia, US
Established back in 1914, the Old White Course at Greenbriar was designed by Charles Blair and is largely considered to be a competitor for the top spot as one of the best courses in America. When designing the course, Blair took inspiration from the best courses in Ireland and Scotland, naming the holes after their counterparts across the pond. As a part of the TPC group, Old White Course has hosted all kinds of tournaments. For even non-competition players, the mountains and forests that surround the course make for one of the best views available in the state.
Perhaps one of the best aspects is that, even with this course's prestige among many golfers, it's far more affordable than many others, with a round costing $150 and a caddie fee of $75.
Cordevalle Golf Club - California, US
Combining entertainment and luxury, the Cordevalle Golf Club does its best to offer one of the most scenic courses in the state. The course was established near the Rosewood Hotel and Resorts in 1999 and stretches over 7,360 yards. It has been the host of numerous tournaments, such as the PGA Cup and the US Women's Open. With picturesque views of meadows, streams, and oak trees that spread over 270 acres, the Cordevalle is ranked highly as one of the best in California.
The Cordevalle, being close to a nearby hotel, offering excellent views and scenery, and a fairly large course makes the $360 cost for a single round pretty fair compared to many other courses on this list.
Wentworth Golf Club - Surrey, England
Wentworth Golf Club has been the recurring host of many of Europe's professional tournaments since its conception in 1926. Providing access to three of England's most magnificent courses, Wentworth's original course was conceptualized by Harry Colt, with Bernard Gallacher, John Jacobs, and Gary Players making additions to the other courses. With so many minds making contributions, it's stood the test of many professionals and has been highly recommended by many iconic players like Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, and Colin Montgomerie.
It can be quite expensive as a membership-only club and course. In 2015, a membership went for upwards of $160,000, with the price fluctuating over time to the modern day.
Shanqin Bay Golf Club - Hainan, China
The southeastern coast of the Hainan Islands is the Shanqin Bay Golf Club. Having to compete with some 400 other golf clubs, this private course had to stand out. Created from the minds of Ben Crenshaw, Bill Coore, and a member of one of China's ruling families, Wang Jun, the layout of the course is one of the most unique in the country. Its winding structure creates one of the most unusual and eye-catching views, with sculpted green grass and a white sand beach. The towering trees and concentrated winds can pose a challenge to even the most experienced of players.
Shanqin Bay Golf Club is also one of the country's most expensive, as it's intended to be a private, secret retreat for exclusive club members. Initiation fees will go for around $1 million.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course - California, US
Spyglass Hill Golf Course is near the iconic Pebble Beach and does a great job of competing. With a name taken from the novel Treasure Island, the designed, Robert Trent Jones Sr., was a massive fan and reportedly discovered that the author had spent time in the area in the late 1800s. Taking his inspiration from the novel, the holes are named after different pirates from the story, which gives a fun thing to look forward to while you enjoy some of the greatest scenic views of crashing waves, rocky beaches, and beautiful trees.
The beauty, novelty, and purported challenge of the course come at a surprising price, as the course will only cost you $370 for a single round.