Golf Master Tips, The List of Top Public Golf Courses - Taking a look at the latest rankings of top public golf courses around the world, as you might expect they are still dominated by golf courses in the United States and in the British Isles.
But there is a sprinkling of courses in Australia, and if you are a golfer intent on playing the top public courses in the world, your bucket list would have to include Ireland, Spain and Scotland. In this piece I will only include courses that are theoretically open to everyone, although for some you almost have to be a lottery winner to have the means to play.
The List of Top Public Golf Courses
Always at the top of the list are Augusta National, home to the Masters Golf tournament, and Pine Valley golf course in New Jersey. However, to play these courses you have to know somebody. So in only discussing public courses, let's break it down by area:
Australia Golf Course
The Royal Melbourne golf course is the ninth-ranked course in the world and number one down under. This course is noted for the number of dogleg holes, so distance is far less important than the angles taken to the greens. The second noted course is actually in Tasmania called Barnbougle Dunes. Although you'll probably never go to Tasmania, if you're the real golf advocate this might be a treat to check out.
The British Isles Golf Course
Northern Ireland and Scotland are well represented, but the top-rated course in Scotland would be, no surprise here, the Old Golf Course at St. Andrews. St. Andrews is a large complex of multiple courses, but the Old Course is still considered the best. Its iconic landmarks are second to none, but if you want to play this course you better be prepared to produce a registered handicap. The top Northern Ireland course is Royal Portrush, and it is a masterpiece. When I played it Rory McElroy still felt the course record set when he was 16 years old.
Golf Courses in the United States
Leading off the top courses in the states is Pebble Beach, but not the one that you probably think. Pebble Beach Golf Links is rated in the top 20, and it has some of the most photographed golf holes in the world. Holes six through eight along with 17 and 18 are five holes that are unmatched in any 18 anywhere. But the neighboring Cypress Point is ranking higher by Golf Digest, and it truly is a masterpiece of sand dunes, fairways and greens along the jagged coastline. Any golf enthusiast should try to experience any of these great golf courses.
The modern-day golf clubs will help the mid and high handicapped golfer, as long as they keep the swing under control. Keeping the swing under control will also have an effect on the short game, including chipping. (Sean O'Kelly is an avid golfer and writer living in Chicago)
