Seven of the world’s most coveted golfing experiences
The appeal of a great golf course begins long before the first tee. It might be a photograph of a green suspended above the ocean, the memory of a championship decided on its final fairway, or a recommendation shared over dinner by someone who knows the game well.
Some of the most sought-after rounds take place behind the gates of private clubs. Others belong to courses whose history makes them a pilgrimage in their own right. From the Scottish coast to the dunes of New Zealand, these seven destinations offer distinctive reasons to make the journey.
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA
Every April, Augusta becomes the centre of the golfing world. Flowering azaleas, immaculate fairways and the familiar contours of Amen Corner provide the setting for the Masters, yet television offers only a partial understanding of the course.
Originally designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, Augusta rewards judgement as much as precision. Its slopes, angles and unforgiving greens give familiar holes a complexity that pictures rarely convey. For those fortunate enough to receive an invitation to play, the fascination lies in discovering the subtleties of a place they feel they already know.
Cypress Point Club, California, USA
Cypress Point reveals itself gradually. Woodland gives way to dunes, the salt air becomes more pronounced, and the course finally reaches the rocky edge of the Monterey Peninsula.
Alister MacKenzie’s design culminates in a sequence of coastal holes, including the celebrated par-three 16th, where the shot across the Pacific demands both commitment and composure. The inland holes are equally integral to the experience, lending contrast to the drama ahead. Reserved for members and their guests, Cypress Point preserves a tradition of walking with a caddie: an ideal way to appreciate its extraordinary setting.
The Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
There is something deeply moving about standing on the first tee at St Andrews, with the town beside you and centuries of golfing history ahead. The shared fairway, double greens and seemingly eccentric bounces soon reveal a course of remarkable intelligence.
Despite its standing, the Old Course remains public, with visitor opportunities including a ballot. That openness is part of its character. A round here connects today’s player with generations who have navigated the same ground, judged the same coastal winds and crossed the Swilcan Bridge towards the final green. Few sporting experiences carry such a tangible sense of continuity.
Beaverbrook Golf Club, Surrey, England
On the former Cherkley Court estate in the Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook offers a more contemporary expression of private club golf. Its country estate setting provides a compelling English counterpart to the coastal and championship courses on this list.
The appeal is easy to understand: a private sporting retreat within a landscape that encourages a change of pace. For golfers who value the atmosphere surrounding a round as much as the golf itself, Beaverbrook deserves consideration. The golf club’s private status is an important distinction when planning a visit to the wider estate.
Golf de Morfontaine, France
North of Paris, Morfontaine has a character shaped by woodland, heather and a long relationship with the landscape. Founded in 1913 by Armand de Gramont, Duc de Guiche, the club began with Tom Simpson’s nine-hole Vallière course. His 18-hole Grand Parcours followed in 1927.
Simpson used the irregularities of the terrain to create variety without overwhelming the surroundings. That sensitivity remains central to Morfontaine’s appeal. Reserved for members and their guests, it offers the pleasure of studying fine architecture while walking through a landscape that feels entirely at ease with itself.
Pine Valley Golf Club, New Jersey, USA
Pine Valley commands attention through the strength of its design. Across sandy ground framed by pine woodland, each hole asks a different question about placement, ambition and restraint.
Its formidable hazards are fundamental to the experience, shaping decisions from the tee through to the green. Frequently celebrated among the world’s finest courses, this private club holds particular appeal for golfers interested in the intellectual demands of the game. A successful round requires patience, imagination and the willingness to recognise when the sensible shot is also the most satisfying one.
Tara Iti Golf Club, New Zealand
North of Auckland, Tara Iti draws its identity from coastal dunes, open skies and the Pacific Ocean. Tom Doak’s design works closely with the natural terrain, creating a course whose beauty is inseparable from its playing character.
Sweeping views provide the immediate attraction; the contours and possibilities of the ground invite closer attention. This private club offers a compelling destination for those drawn to thoughtful architecture and a strong sense of place. It is the kind of golf that rewards a long journey with a fresh perspective on the game.
Discover Golf with Insignia
A memorable golf journey extends beyond the scorecard. Insignia’s Lifestyle Boutique can help shape travel, accommodation and dining around individual preferences, while exploring golfing opportunities subject to each venue’s access arrangements. Speak with your dedicated team to begin planning your next escape.