As the world opens up in 2021 and travel becomes permitted, frustrated golfers are starting to book those holidays and vacations that have had to abandoned over the last year and more. If you are travelling overseas to experience these amazing golf courses, travel insurance would be a wise investment which will protect you while you enjoy your time away from home.

But where are the world’s best golf courses, which ones should you be adding to your bucket list and which ones are best value for money?

There are over 40,000 golf courses worldwide, but one of the originals is simply a must-play during your lifetime. St. Andrews Old Course is the oldest publicly accessible golf course in the world and it needs no introduction. 

It has played a role in the history of golf and has hosted countless international golf tournaments, including the Open Championship 29 times. Tee it up at the world famous Scottish venue and you are following in the footsteps of greatness.

Another Scottish course that should be on a bucket list in Muirfield, the oldest golf club in the world having opened in 1744. The scene of Jack Nicklaus’ Open Championship, it is one of a number of Scotland’s best courses.

Cypress Point, located at Pebble Beach in California’s beautiful Big Sur Land, is difficult to get a tee time. But if you can wangle your way onto the course, you will be playing one of the most stunning venues on the Pacific coast. 

On the Atlantic coast in New York State, Shinnecock is worthy of bucket list potential. It was designed in 1903 and more than a century later hosted the US Open in 2018. Think Scottish links combined with US course design.

Augusta National Golf Club, home of the US Masters, in Georgia is one of the world’s most famous. It isn’t accessible for the general golfer, but the Stadium Course at Sawgrass in Florida is, and the chance to play the infamous island green hole is a must.

The Algarve in Portugal is a mecca for golf fans in Europe and the pick of the bunch is the Monte Rei Golf Course, which was designed by Nicklaus.

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club has attracted worldwide attention in recent years as one of the best golf course in the United Arab Emirates. The golf course, newly opened in 1993, has been described as a golfer’s paradise.

It has since been joined by the likes of The Earth Course at Jumeirah Estates, while down the road in Abu Dhabi the famous Abu Dhabi Golf Club with its falcon shaped clubhouse has fast become a must play course.

Hirono is one of the best golf clubs in Japan. Ranked in the top 35 best golf courses in the world, it is comfortably one of the best in Asia. A global treasure, Hirono is a private course that can only be played as a member so expect to cough up for a round.

In Australia, Royal Melbourne is one of the best courses Down Under – if not the best. The West Course knocks spots off the East Course, and must be played whenever head to Australia’s east coast.