- 1. The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
- 2. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, USA
- 3. Ballybunion (Old), Ireland
- 4. Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
- 5. Kingston Heath, Melbourne, Australia
- 6. Carnoustie, Scotland
- 7. Bandon Dunes Resort, Oregon, USA
- 8. Le Golf National (Albatros), France
- 9. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
- 10. Monterrey Peninsula’s Public Neighbour: Pacific Grove
- Making It Happen
Every golfer keeps a mental list of courses they dream of playing. The good news: many of the world’s greatest courses welcome visitors — if you know how booking works. Here are ten bucket-list courses you can actually play, and how to get on them.
1. The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
The home of golf. Visitors can enter the daily ballot, book guaranteed times through official packages, or queue as a single at dawn. A handicap certificate is required. Walking over the Swilcan Bridge is worth every penny and every early alarm.
2. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, USA
Arguably the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in golf. Tee times are easiest to secure as a resort guest; book far ahead and budget generously — this is one of the priciest public rounds in the world, and almost nobody regrets it.
3. Ballybunion (Old), Ireland
Wild dunes, tiny greens and the friendliest welcome in links golf. Southwest Ireland pairs it naturally with Lahinch and Tralee for an unforgettable week.
4. Royal County Down, Northern Ireland
Routinely ranked the best course on the planet. Visitor days are limited and demand is huge, so plan months ahead. The views of the Mourne Mountains alone justify the trip.
5. Kingston Heath, Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Sandbelt is a pilgrimage: firm turf, brilliant bunkering, pure greens. Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne both accept international visitors with a letter of introduction — ask your home club.
6. Carnoustie, Scotland
The toughest Open venue and proud of it. Booking is refreshingly straightforward for such a famous course, and playing the closing stretch into the wind explains a century of major-championship drama.
7. Bandon Dunes Resort, Oregon, USA
Not one course but a whole resort of world-ranked links golf, walking only, built for traveling golfers. For pure golf immersion, nowhere on earth does it better.
8. Le Golf National (Albatros), France
Ryder Cup 2018 and Olympic host, minutes from Versailles. A true stadium test that is genuinely public — you can book online like any other course.
9. Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
Fairways perched on cliff-top fingers 140 metres above the Pacific. Remote, spectacular and worth building an entire New Zealand itinerary around.
10. Monterrey Peninsula’s Public Neighbour: Pacific Grove
Every bucket list needs a bargain. Minutes from Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove delivers ocean-side back-nine golf for a fraction of the price — proof that dream golf does not have to empty the wallet.
Making It Happen
Most bucket-list rounds fail at the planning stage, not the paying stage: visitor days, ballots, letters of introduction and long lead times catch golfers out. Start planning six to twelve months ahead for marquee venues, and always have a strong second option nearby.
Want a realistic plan — and current prices — for any course on your list? Our Golf Course Concierge handles ballots, visitor policies and bookings, and the Golf Travel Concierge builds the trip around them. Ask the Golf Concierge and we will map out how to get you on the tee.
Related reading: Choosing a Golf Course Abroad • The Best Time to Book a Golf Holiday • Organising a Group Golf Trip
Quick Answers
What makes a course bucket list?
History, architecture, setting and scarcity: Open venues, top-100 regulars and once-in-a-lifetime backdrops.
Are bucket-list green fees worth it?
For a round you will talk about forever, most golfers say yes. Build the rest of the trip around better-value supporting courses.
How far in advance should I book St Andrews or Pebble Beach?
A year or more for guaranteed times; the Old Course daily ballot offers a shorter-notice alternative.