Just like any other sport, golf is a tapestry, interwoven with the history and culture of many countries. The realm of golf is a testimony to many such courses that have stood the test of time and continue to transcend the game itself. The unique designs along with their storied past, serve as portals to the rich legacy of golf.

Here are 5 most celebrated golf courses of the world, that have left an indelible mark in the world of golf, thanks to the challenging yet beautiful course that they possess.

1. THE OLD COURSE, ST. ANDREWS

Picture 1: Old Course, St. Andrews

Established in 1552, the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, is also known as the Grand Old Lady or Old Lady, and is considered to be the oldest golf course in the world. The Old Course was designed by Daw Anderson and Old Tom Morris. Its unique design and layout complement the legendarily beautiful landscape in which it is situated. The game of golf was played in this golf course for the first time 600 years ago. Even though it has great historical and heritage value, this iconic golf course remains open for one and all despite its grand status. Golfing stars like Jack Niklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have played in the Old Course at St. Andrews and feel that there is no other golf course in the world that is remotely close to this one.

2. THE ROYAL MELBOURNE GOLF CLUB AT WEST COURSE, BLACK ROCK, AUSTRALIA

Picture 2: The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, West Course

Located in the Sandbelt region of Australia, which is known for some of the world’s most beautiful golf courses, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Black Rock, is one of Australia’s most magnificent golf courses. Designed by Alister McKenzie, this golf course was opened for play in 1931. Framed by indigenous vegetation, the West Course is home to wide fairways and contoured greens. The best part of the West Course is its specially designed sandbelt style bunkering. The Royal Melbourne Golf Club was founded in 1891 and in 1895, Queen Victoria granted the club the privilege of a “royal” prefix. Celebrated golfers like Peter Thomson and Tom Crow have played the best game of their lives in this golf course.

3. AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A.

Based on the architecture of the course, the Augusta National Golf Club, located at Augusta, Georgia is famous for hosting the greatest numbers of golf championships all over the world. The club began its prestigious journey in 1899, and was established by the forefathers of the Bon Air Hotel. Hence, in its initial years, the Augusta National Golf Club was called the Bon Air Golf Club. Alister McKenzie, partnering with William Marquis designed this golf course. The fairways are decked up with royal pine trees on both sides, and the course is blessed with immaculate greens. But the Augusta National Golf Club poise perils to golfers in the form of plateaus, swirls and sneaky false edges, and the hilly terrain only adds to the difficulty of the golfers who play in this course.

4. OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A

Picture 4: Oakmont National Golf Club, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Oakmont Country Club is one of the most reputed golf courses as it has been the second golf course in the U.S.A to host the major championships than any other courses in the U.S, the first golf course to hold the greatest number of major championships, being the Augusta National Golf Club. Designed by Henry C. Fownes in 1903, the club was opened for playing in the following year, 1904, and since then, it is considered to be one of the best and toughest golf courses of the world. The Oakmont golf course, apparently barren, with few trees, no hazards and massive greens, is famous for its bunkers, like the “Church Pews”, or the “Big Mouth” are two of the deepest bunkers in the world. Jack Niklaus and Johnny Miller have played in this golf course.

5. ROYAL PORTRUSH GOLF CLUB, NORTHERN IRELAND

Picture 5: The Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland.

Located in the County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the Royal Portrush Golf Club has two links courses, namely the Dunluce Links and the Valley Links. Established in 1888, as the Royal County Club, it was renamed as the Royal County Club in 1892 under the patronage of the Duke of York, and later got its present name in 1895 under the patronage of the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). One of the most celebrated championships of the world, the Irish Open Championship was first inaugurated here in 1892. Initially built with 9 holes, this golf course was extended to 18 holes in the year that followed after its inauguration. Sir Harry Colt designed the golf course between 1930 and 1932, and this golf course is famous for its magnificent natural landscape, scenic beauty, sandhills, rolling hills and the Atlantic Ocean.

These golf courses continue to allure golfers across the globe to explore the challenges that they have in store for the players, and also celebrate the legacy that is associated with them for centuries now. Thus, with every swing that a player takes, they set a record for themselves, and connect them to these cherished pieces of history, culture and traditions.