A Golfer’s Paradise: Top 10 Destinations

The Top 10 Destinations You Need to Try In 2025
Calling all golf enthusiasts! People who consider golf courses with beautiful landscapes and testing challenging holes among their paradise picks will find remarkable experiences. From rolling seaside links kissed by ocean breezes to challenging mountain layouts surrounded by dramatic peaks, and tropical escapes shaded by swaying palms, this list covers it all. These top 10 courses for 2025 aren’t just places to play—they’re destinations that promise unforgettable experiences both on and off the green.

1. Lisbon, Portugal
Golfers wishing to play excellent courses in scenic landscapes should visit Lisbon in Portugal where golfers will find cultural heritage locations alongside world-class golfing opportunities. Since its public opening in 2023, the Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta south of town has gained universal acclaim as a contemporary links design.

Terras da Comporta - Dunas course

The Praia D'El Rey Golf Resort near Lisbon features West Cliffs golf course towards the Atlantic while presenting another magnificent golf course to its north. The golf resort developed by Seve Ballesteros at Royal Òbidos Spa and Golf Resort features expansive bunkers and lakes as well as rolling fairways within its layout. Dolce CampoReal Lisboa positions itself among urban suburbs thanks to its tree-lined path that winds between mountain slope elevations along the Socorro mountains.
The Penha Longa Resort in Sintra provides visitors with a golfing and luxurious experience through its Atlantic Championship course which features ancient ruins and panoramic views while boasting a past as the venue of the Portuguese Open.

2. Muskoka, Ontario, Canada
The Ontario region of Muskoka offers both nature lovers and golfers the perfect escape through its environmental beauty of Canadian Shield landscapes, peaceful lakes, and vibrant forest areas. Summer visitors flock to this destination that provides outdoor recreational options such as hiking and fishing alongside top-quality golf facilities and local breweries.
The golf course at Muskoka Bay features a design by Doug Carrick that follows intense rock outcroppings and forested areas. Boat travelers access Bigwin Island on Lake of Bays to play a golf course whose final holes end at a beautiful lakeside location.
The golf course at Deerhurst Highlands tests its golfers across an uneven terrain featuring rocky outcroppings but Rocky Crest features granite formations as part of its landscape design.
Golfers at Taboo can experience a distinctive combination of water and stone features during their games while the private Lake Joseph Club presents a professional golfing challenge in its picturesque lakefront location.

3. Vietnam
Vietnam quickly became an elite golf destination that provides golfers access to mountaintop views together with jungled areas and beachfront sights. Along the northern region close to Hanoi there is cooler weather but the southern section around Ho Chi Minh City enjoys tropical conditions where famous golfers designed exceptional resort courses. Tourists should visit Phoenix Resort’s Champion Course in Northern Vietnam to experience golf amid limestone karsts and Stone Valley’s jungle path that gained fame for being used in "King Kong" film production. Sky Lake together with BRG King’s Island presents spectacular views of mountains and reservoirs. The seaside region of Central Vietnam features essential golf courses at Montgomerie Links together with BRG Da Nang Resort Dunes and Nicklaus and Laguna Golf Lang Co which borders mountains and ocean views. The mountain landscapes of Ba Na Hills stand opposite the oceanfront views at Hoiana Shores. FLC Beach & Golf Resort and KN Golf Links Cam Ranh offer stunning coastal vistas as well as dramatic dune landscapes in their southern location. Greg Norman’s The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip represents the flagship golf course in Vietnam for its difficult gameplay against the backdrop of stunning ocean views.

4. Ireland’s North and Northwest
Links golf lovers find the North and Northwest of Ireland as their ultimate destination due to its combination of windswept coastline and impressive sand formations. Royal Portrush leads the way as it prepares to host the Open Championship in 2025 alongside Portstewart Golf Club which boasts spectacular opening holes and Castlerock Golf Links which offers players a variety of challenges including Bann course with its fun 9-hole layout. Westward from Royal Portrush lies Rosapenna's three outstanding courses followed by Ballyliffin with its charming Old and Glashedy Links and Narin & Portnoo Golf Links shaped by Gil Hanse. Portsalon and Donegal present contemporary designs among their golf courses alongside Enniscrone with its rugged dunes and Carne's breathtaking Wild Atlantic Dunes golf course keeping players on their toes. For a warmup, Dublin’s Jameson Links and County Louth offer excellent introductions to this link's golf haven.

5. Morocco
Visitors find Morocco an exceptional golf destination that brings together brilliant cultural expressions and brilliant viewpoints with premium course facilities. This destination delivers special golfing experiences through its splendid surroundings alongside famous markets as well as famous food. Three top golfing destinations exist in Morocco: Al Hourra is located in Tangier with ocean views while Royal Golf Dar Es Salam hosts the celebrated Red Course in Rabat and Michlifen Resort operates in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Two golf courses along Atlantic Ocean waters stand out with scenic views: the Tony Jacklin Casablanca Course and the Gary Player-designed Mazagan found in El Jadida. Holding the title of a golf haven Marrakech offers outstanding golf courses such as Assoufid, Samonah, and Noria which showcase revolutionary designs placed in colorful areas.

6. Costa Navarino, Greece
The Greek town of Costa Navarino experienced its transformation from a non-typical golf location to a high-end travel hotspot starting in 2010. Costa Navarino sits near Kalamata with its collection of four upscale hotels alongside a spa and markets, 40 restaurants, beautiful oceanfronts, and exceptional golf facilities set in magnificent natural environments. Both golfers and spectators will enjoy the Dunes Course designed by Bernhard Langer because it presents a seaside layout that winds through olive groves. Golfers find a rewarding experience at Robert Trent Jones II’s Bay Course due to its amazing vistas overlooking Navarino Bay despite its shorter length. Jose Maria Olazabal designed the Hilltop Hills Course together with the International Olympic Academy Course which offers dramatic bay views and challenging wind conditions for golfers. The latest golf course at Costa Navarino extends to nearly 7,000 yards and players need accuracy around bunkers on the Hills Course. Tourists now consider Costa Navarino an essential destination because of its diverse infrastructure and high-end features.

7. Jamaica
Jamaica offers great tropical golfing facilities where the north shoreline of Montego Bay features four stellar golf courses. The Tryall Club has set its historic championship course across 2,200 acres which matches sea views with sugar plantation ruins. Popular at Half Moon course players find palm-covered fairways perfect for precise play according to the initial design by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Simultaneously Cinnamon Hill offers memorable golf with oceanfront to jungle holes for serene ocean panoramas. The White Witch golf course design provides steep terrain along with elevated changes and mountain winds while guests experience Caribbean Sea views.

8. Surrey, England
The golf destination of Surrey in England stands out as an appealing location because of its elite heathland golf courses and attractive English countryside views. London’s one-hour drive brings visitors to Sunningdale’s Old and New Courses and Walton Heath’s Old Course which hosted the 2023 Women’s Open. Visitors will find Swinley Forest's exceptional par threes at this location and Berkshire's Red Course provides its players with distinct hole experiences. The golfing area includes the historic and picturesque locations of Hankley Common alongside the “Three Ws” golf courses that consist of Worplesdon, Woking, and West Hill. The Wentworth Club offers private parkland golf courses that serve exclusive members of the golfing community.

Woking Golf Club 7

Los Cabos, Mexico
What began as quiet fishing villages in Los Cabos Mexico has transformed into a thriving travel destination that offers upscale hotel resorts seaside along with nightlife in Cabo San Lucas and traditional cultural heritage in San Jose del Cabo. Golfers enjoy a golf heavenly paradise between these towns where they can play on courses shaped by thrilling designs featuring stunning sea displays. Golfers should prioritize visiting Diamante’s El Cardonal by Tiger Woods and Davis Love III’s Dunes course because of their distinct designs. Solmar reveals itself through elegant coastal views while offering an island-green par three historic hole to remember. Meanwhile, Quivira presents Jack Nicklaus's design that follows dramatic shoreline edges. Chileno Bay Club provides golfers with a difficult Tom Fazio-designed course that provides spectacular Sea of Cortez views. Golf enthusiasts should visit Cabo Real and Puerto Los Cabos along with Rancho San Lucas and Twin Dolphin since these courses prove Los Cabos to be a perfect golfing haven.

10. Belek, Turkey
Belek in Turkey functions as a Mediterranean seaside destination that provides luxurious accommodation packages for golf enthusiasts together with complete resort benefits. Lykia Links stands out with its Perry Dye-designed links-style track featuring authentic pot bunkers and Cullinan Links presents two Martin Hawtree courses that showcase seaside views of Taurus Mountain. Sueno's Pines and Dunes challenge golfers with their difficulty level however their courses provide engaging play for all players and Carya creates an unusual heathland layout complemented by its floodlights for evening play under cooler conditions. Golfers seeking top-quality tee times have two excellent choices: the PGA Sultan at Antalya and the Faldo course at Cornelia together with Gloria’s Old course with its seven lakes and Montgomerie Maxx Royal by Colin Montgomerie. Golfers who visit Belek can easily reach Antalya's historical center and explore the Roman ruins at Aspendos while experiencing all the aspects this destination offers.

Golf Etiquette
Respecting golf etiquette at top golf courses is a requirement for a pleasant experience for all. Key practices include punctuality, adhering to buggy rules, staying silent during others' shots, and warning players if your ball nears them. Maintain a steady pace, handle greens carefully, and follow the dress code to uphold professionalism and comfort. These rules foster a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing everyone's enjoyment.



Article Author: Nitesh Rana, freelance writer. Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not to Where2Golf.com, its writers or editors. The author is speaking solely for him/herself, not for the company or as a formal representative of the company.

Find a course

Or

Tournaments

Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).

Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).

Who's Who

Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.

Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

Popular videos

You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.

Bethpage State Park (New York) host of the Ryder Cup 2025

Whistling Straits (Wisconsin, US)

TPC Louisiana host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans