7 Courses for your Golf Bucket List

This week’s blog is a guide to six courses for your golf bucket list. These six golf courses are known for their unique layout and the incredible challenge that they offer, making them must-play courses for any serious player. Many of these are widely considered to be amongst some of the most prestigious in the world so you know you will be in for an unforgettable round.

The Stadium course is widely viewed as one of the best golf courses in Spain and even Europe, therefore has rightly been announced as the host for the 2031 Ryder Cup! Camiral is known for its stunning views, invigorating challenge and its impeccable quality.

The challenge here is characterised by the regular undulations of the greens as well as the many uphill fairways. The 6^th hole is the signature hole here, a tricky par four that demands excellent golf course management as players must anticipate a lengthy uphill drive. Golfers must balance the length of their shot whilst maintaining accuracy in order to avoid the huge tree positioned in the centre of the fairway, however, they must be sure to avoid the many hazards in doing so.

Despite the many golf courses in the Costa Brava region, the Stadium course does not fail to stand out. Since its opening in 1998, it has certainly made its mark on golf in Europe. Set deep in the heart of the rolling hills, golfers can enjoy a fantastic round of golf in an idyllic atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts in the south. 

The greens here are known for the notorious placement of bunkers which have caused even lower handicappers to feel grateful for walking away from several holes with a bogey. While the Stadium Course undoubtedly poses a challenge to even the most experienced golfer, those with a less refined game should not pass up on the opportunity to play one of the most prestigious courses in Spain.

For a true bucket-list experience, nothing compares to the dramatic arrival at Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club. Your round begins with a scenic five-minute boat shuttle across turquoise waters to a private island off the East Coast of Mauritius, where a Bernhard Langer-designed masterpiece awaits. Carved out of an old sugar plantation and framed by dark volcanic rock, this 38-hectare championship course offers a breathtaking panoramas of the Indian Ocean from every single hole. It is a stunning par-72 layout that challenges your precision with nine sprawling lakes and lush tropical vegetation, a true bucket list course for any golfer.

The Fancourt Links golf course has been described by Gary Player as one of his biggest achievements as a leading golf course architect; that statement alone is a big enough reason to include Fancourt Links in your golf bucket list. With a beautiful landscape and many well-designed holes, it is hardly surprising that Fancourt Links has been voted the Best Golf Course in South Africa by Golf Digest Rankings.

Fancourt Links has set the standards for the future of golf in South Africa, and it is known and loved for its classic coastal links layout that never fails to attract golfers back, year after year. The golf course’s stunning scenery only adds to its character, as players can marvel at panoramic views of the neighbouring Outeniqua Mountains.

Those that enjoy many of the UK’s best golf courses, such as St Andrews, will enjoy Fancourt Links due to the several similarities the two courses share, including spacious greens and rolling fairways with severe undulations.

Bulgaria is an up and coming golf destination in Europe and setting the bar for the future of golf is Thracian Cliffs. Known for its beautiful coastal scenery with panoramic views across the Black Sea, it is consistently ranked in the Top 50 Golf Courses in Europe.

Like any Gary Player designed golf course, Thracian Cliffs offers a unique round of golf with a new challenge to be overcome in every shot. Gary Player made the most of the direct coastal landscape and with strong prevailing winds from the Black Sea, golfers must play with consistently in order to score well.

Despite the course offering an undoubtedly stern test of golf, with multiple tee options, even amateur golfers do not have to miss out on a round of golf here. The views are unparalleled to anything else in Europe; it is truly unique to have a golf course that offers stunning sea views from every single hole. Due to its direct coastal location, it is heavily advised that players bring plenty of balls as any wayward shots will be carried away further than originally anticipated.

The front nine holes are positioned directly on the cliffs, therefore the best views can be enjoyed here, however, the back nine holes wind through the resort more and are generally considered to be the most challenging on the course.

The Earth course is one of two golf courses at the prestigious Jumeriah Golf Estates located in Dubai. It is a gem in the midst of a huge range of golf in Dubai, and never fails to attract players back year after year. Designed by world-renowned golf architect Greg Norman, the Earth course offers a challenging round of golf that can be enjoyed by all players, regardless of their skill set and handicap.

Widely considered to be the best golf course in Dubai, the Earth course is hugely responsible for Dubai’s excellent reputation as a key golf destination in the Middle East. This golf course is undoubtedly a challenge, stretching out to an impressive 7,706 yards from the back tees. Its challenging nature is not the only characteristic that makes this golf course one for the bucket list; the Earth golf course is set in a stunning landscape with the final 18^th hole set on the edge of a breath-taking creek.

Greg Norman had a vision for the Earth course; he wanted to merge all of the best characteristics found at the most famous golf courses in Europe and North America into one course. Therefore, the challenge here is mainly characterised by clever bunkering and undulating fairways, as well as dense areas of greenery and fauna.

During their round, players can enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle that is Dubai and enjoy the naturalistic setting. There are many lakes across the golf course, as well as forest areas. Four of the holes here are centred around a large white creek filled with water, and you will do well to avoid it!

A golf bucket list would not be complete without mentioning Real Club Valderrama; this fantastic golf course has consistently been ranked as the best in Europe, and rightly so. If your budget permits, then Real Club Valderrama should be at the top of your golf bucket list. Despite its creation over four decades ago, Real Club Valderrama has managed to withstand the creation of new modern golf courses in the area and has consistently remained to be considered by many as the best golf course in Spain.

The golf course has been impeccably maintained thanks to regular renovations; however, it has still retained its amazing authentic character that it is known for. With limited tee times available, Real Club Valderrama is never overplayed, therefore it is always in immaculate condition. Real Club Valderrama comprises of some unique holes that demand excellent golf course management as well as the complete focus and patience from all of its players.

Even if golfers feel they can’t play to their maximum potential here, they can enjoy the stunning landscapes and watching their fellow players face their peril. The greens are notoriously fast which makes it even more difficult for golfers to manoeuvre around the many strategically placed bunkers. Players must be sure to keep the best of their skills until the final stretch, as the last few holes are widely considered to be the most challenging. The 17^th hole, named the Los Gabiones, was reconstructed to intensify its challenge by adding a huge water hazard just to the front of the green.

The PGA Centenary Course is one of the three fantastic golf courses at the famous Gleneagles Golf Resort. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the PGA Centenary Course is the most acclaimed golf course in Scotland and is widely known for its beautiful landscapes and the invigorating challenge that it is home to. Jack Nicklaus admitted that he can only take limited credit for the success of the golf course as the original landscape he had to work with was already a “masterpiece” that required minimal construction.

However, Nicklaus sought to create a unique golf course that would attract golfers back year after year. It is fair to say that Nicklaus achieved his vision, and has since been commended for creating one of the highest-ranking golf courses in Europe. The PGA Centenary Course is undoubtedly one for the bucket list and is sure to be loved by all golfers that can appreciate a classic Scottish golf course with all the best characteristics of American courses thrown in. In 2014, the PGA Centenary Course cemented its reputation as one of Scotland’s best golf courses when it hosted the Ryder Cup. Since then, it has received the exposure and praise it deserves.

The golf course is a challenge for even professionals as it measures out to an impressive 7,300 yards from the back tees. Throughout, players can enjoy some truly spectacular views of the idyllic Scottish countryside that are best seen from the two-tiered green at the second hole. Many of the greens here are well-protected, therefore long hitters will do better in their approach shots here than at other technical golf courses.

We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s blog and that you have fresh inspiration for some new additions to your golf bucket list. All six of these golf courses are critically acclaimed, designed by some of the best golf architects in the world and are deserving of your bucket list. To book your tee time or enquire about one of these courses, head over to our contact us page or give us a call on 01342 811777.