There are plenty of courses around the world that have reached a legendary status amongst players, with many of them being located in the United States, such as Cypress Point Club, Pine Valley Golf Club, and the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. However, there are plenty of equally interesting courses across Europe, offering varying levels of difficulty, but providing the same level of natural beauty surrounding the greens. Much like how online slots appeal to a wide range of users through their design variety and themes, these courses captivate golfers with their own distinct layouts and settings. So today, we will be taking a look at the top golf courses to visit around Europe.
Royal County Down Golf Club
Located in the picturesque County Down in Northern Ireland, the Royal County Down Golf Club is often amongst the conversation as being one of the best golf clubs in the world, let alone just in Europe. The 18-hole links course was first opened in 1889 and was designed by Old Tom Morris, a prestigious Scottish golfer. The well designed course is complemented by the incredible sea views and mountainous scenery, which is one of the main reasons it was ranked as the number 1 golf course in the world by Golf Digest in 2024. The former host of the Irish Open and Senior British Open Championship is a prestigious course, with plenty of history surrounding it.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Located in the far north of Scotland, the Royal Dornoch Golf Club hosts some breathtaking scenes of the Scottish countryside. The site is extremely historic, with golf being played there for many years prior to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club opening as what we know it today in 1877. The 36-hole course was awarded Royal status in 1906 by King Edward VII, cementing its prestigious reputation. While the course has never hosted any of the modern professional tournaments, it has been home to the British and Scottish Amateur Championship, while also receiving praise from Tom Watson, claiming it was ‘the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course’.
Real Club Valderrama
The Real Club Valderrama can be found in one of the southernmost parts of Spain, and is often thought to be one of the top golf courses in the region. The site features an 18-hole course with an additional 9-hole par 3 course. What makes this course unique is its signature hole, with people around the world attempting to beat it in the fastest time. The 4th hole has become iconic, with a pond to the right of a two-tiered green. Over the years, the Real Club Valderrama has hosted the Spanish Open, Volvo Masters, Ryder Cup and many more prestigious titles.
Oitavos Dunes
Regarded as the number 1 golf course in Portugal, Oitavos Dunes is situated in the west of the capital city, Lisbon. Despite being one of the newer courses, opening in 2001, the impeccable scenery and sandy ground make for a unique experience, coupled with the beautiful Portuguese weather. With it being located on the coast, the sea views are stunning, with plenty of surrounding areas that enhance the experience of playing on the course. It’s highly rated with a quality hotel facility that complements the aesthetic of the course, making it the top pick in terms of golf courses in Portugal.
Bro Hof Slott Golf Club
A relatively underrated golf course, the Swedish Bro Hof Slott Golf Club is often overlooked when it comes to the rankings of the top courses in Europe. The site, considered to host the longest course of around 8,000 yards, is made up of two 18-hole courses, opened in 2007 and 2009. The Nordea Masters was hosted at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club from 2010 through to 2016. The Stockholm golf course is finalised with some great views as a result of the coastal location, enhancing the playing experience even further.
Les Bordes Golf Club
Although Les Bordes may have a new golf course, the old course will forever be remembered as one of the best courses in Europe over the last 30 years. The course was often regarded as a masterpiece that stretched over 7,000 yards through the scenic Sologne forest with various lakes placed throughout. The new course is equally well designed, allowing it to stay as one of the top courses in Europe. It now features a shorter and quicker-paced playing style that sits on sandy soils.
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Situated in the north of Northern Ireland, Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to similar stunning views that can be found at the world-famous Royal County Down Golf Club. As a result of the coastal location, the scenery is equally impressive as the quality of the course that was opened in 1888. It’s a symbol of a classic golf course structure that provides a challenging, yet interesting playing experience, combined with views of the Northern Irish coast that are unmatched. The Royal Portrush Golf Club has hosted a fair share of prestigious events, including The British Open and the Irish PGA Championship, just to name a few. It’s a well-decorated course with prestige surrounding it that players around the world travel to experience.
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