This week’s blog topic we’re covering that little bit of heaven on earth…. Bucket List Golf Courses!

As golfers we are always on the hunt for challenging courses to test our skills, and there are some courses around the world that are notorious for being difficult to access. These courses are often tucked away in remote locations or require special permission to play. In this blog, we’ll take a look at five golf courses that are notoriously elusive.

Cape Kidnappers – New Zealand

Perched high above Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand is a golfer’s dream come true. This breathtaking course offers modesty in its entrance, but then a mile long winding country road takes you to the top of the cliffs and the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs, and rolling hills. The exclusivity and seclusion of the course make it a picturesque retreat for those seeking privacy and luxury. Some of the greens perch on the very edge of the cliff tops with little margin for error. Exclusive lodge accommodations, gourmet dining, spa treatments, and stunning cliffside views enhance the experience, ensuring a memorable and indulgent stay for guests. Whether you are there to enjoy a round of golf or to unwind in a serene environment, Cape Kidnappers provides an unparalleled escape.

Royal Melbourne – Australia

There are many picturesque landscapes throughout Australia, but Royal Melbourne’s West course was designed to be a spectator’s paradise. It’s hard not to feel like you’re in the heart of golf with such an array of undulating terrain, lush sandy soil, and rugged sandstone columns along the fairways. Alister MacKenzie’s design seamlessly integrates with the majestic sandbelt land, fitting snugly into the contours of the undulating landscape. The bunkers, with their vertical edges a foot or more tall, chew into the fairways and green complexes, adding to the course’s challenging and visually striking nature.

The ‘Old Course’ – Ballybunion, Ireland

Located on the north-west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find two wonderfully challenging and unique world-class links golf courses at Ballybunion – the Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course. Whatever your choice, every hole, every hazard, and every shot is defined by nature’s infinite presence. The Old Course is perched in a picturesque position on the Shannon Estuary, offering not only a world-class test of golf but also sweeping views of the rugged yet beautiful southwest coast of Ireland. At 6,802 yards, the Old is not long, but there is a genuine premium placed on leaving your ball in the best place with the next shot in mind.

St George’s Hill Golf Club – England

St. George’s Hill, located 18 miles (30 km) southwest of London, is a 27-hole heathland masterpiece designed by Harry Colt. The Red & Blue (the championship combination) is ranked as one of the world’s top 100 courses. The Green, while not as prestigious as the Red & Blue, is a beautiful and challenging layout. St. George’s Hill boasts one of the most beautiful settings of any course in England. The purple heather of summer and early autumn enhances both the allure and the difficulty of the course. Tall pines frame each hole, creating a sense of splendid isolation from the rest of the course. The magnificent castle-like clubhouse overlooks the course. A post-round drink on the terrace, with one of the world’s finest courses laid out below, is the perfect way to end a day of golf.

Pacific Dunes – Bandon Dunes, Oregon

Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2001, Pacific Dunes is remarkably different in character and shot-making requirements from other courses. Described as a little piece of Scotland in the US. Pacific Dunes doesn’t feel like it was built as much as it was discovered. Rippling fairways remain just as they were found, and natural bunkers line the landscape as they have for centuries. The course emerges from shore pines to spectacular 60-foot sand dunes. When the wind blows, precise approach shots are a necessity. Pacific Dunes is short enough to give you hope but rugged enough to test every facet of your game.

If you have had the opportunity to jump on any of these exclusive bits of turf then I salute you, they stay firmly on my bucket list along with Augusta National and maybe one day…the stars will align! Have a great start to the week!

-Coach Tim