Author: Maria Alfano
Every year sporting fads come and go but the best public golf courses have been trending for decades. Golfing is the favorite pastime of professional athletes during their downtime, for retirees, and for everyone in between. It is not unusual for Granddad to have his young grandson on the golf course with him teaching him the rope. You never know, their grandchild could be the next Tiger Woods or Jin Young Ko.
It’s no secret that there is a brother/sisterhood among golfers with their exclusive memberships to exclusive golf clubs. That said, you can enjoy golf and many amazing courses around the world that do not require you to be a member of the club.
Golf fees can be expensive on their own. Add club membership dues on top of the fees, and golfing could be considered a sport only for the rich and famous. Or is it? There are so many award-winning courses around the world that will welcome you with open arms – no membership required or a very small membership fee. Bring out your inner golfer at any one of these spectacular courses.
The best sports in life are free – well almost! Membership free, that is, at most of these beautiful and best public golf courses worldwide.
This post will take you on a trip across the globe to the best public golf courses in both 9 and 18 holes and some new accessories you need to make your experience complete. It’s an experience you have to try to believe.
7 Most Beautiful & Best Public Golf Courses Worldwide
I have to admit, my golf game leaves a little to be desired but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it or the views these amazing links offer. You will be mesmerized by their beauty and the skill required to play golf at some of these locations around the world. Whether you want to play a full round of 18-holes or only have time to play 9 holes, one of these golf courses will be just what you need. Come along for the ride and enjoy the views.
9-Hole Best Public Golf Courses
This executive or short course, can increase skills and reduce the stress of missing that one difficult shot. Feel like playing more…repeat the rounds and get in a full 18 holes.
Cruit Island Golf Course – Donegal, Ireland
Located in Donegal in the far north of Ireland, Cruit Island GC is a 9-hole 68 par course overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t get too close to the edge or you might fall off the massive cliffs into the frigid rough waters of the Atlantic. There is definitely no recovering any lost balls that fly over these edges.
Golf.com rated this natural links course #65 in the top 100 courses in Ireland. International memberships are available but visitors are welcome anytime.
Isle of Harris Golf Course – Scotland
Scotland is made up of over 700 islands and is home to St Andrew’s Links which is commonly referred to as the home of golf. Scarista Beach is the premier location of the Isle of Harris GC in southern Scotland. Built on the Sound of Taransay which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, this beautiful 9-hole course is found. Experience awesome scenery of rolling hills and grounds with natural wild greens.
The weather is unreliable and unpredictable. You can count on 12 degrees Celius being daytime highs in mid-July. Annual memberships are not required but if you are inclined to become a member, the fees are only $170 USD per year. That’s less than green fees for a day at most US golf courses. 
Northwood Golf Course – Monte Rio, California
Designed in 1929, Northwood Golf Course is nestled between the giant redwood trees in California. It was ranked #30 best golf courses in the world by golf.com. You will have spectacular views through the clearings between the trees which can also cast some eerie shadows depending on the time of day and where the sun is in the sky.
With so many things to see and do In Monte Rio, Sonoma Valley offers wonderful summer events like boating and swimming in the Russian River along with golfing. You can purchase stay and play packages for the Casa Secoya resort. This club does have membership fees ranging from $700 USD for seniors 75+ and $1,750 for couples.
18-Hole Best Public Golf Courses
USA
Manele Golf Course – Lanai, Hawaii
Lanai is the 6th largest of the populated Hawaiian islands formed from an extinct volcano. Lanai is well known for its luxury beach resorts and fantastic golfing. Manele Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus signature course. Perched high up overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this course is built on lava rock. Three of the 18 holes are built directly above the Pacific. Enjoy scenic views of the natural vegetation and ravines intertwined throughout the course, with the cliffs and the greens.
This course is located on the grounds of the Four Seasons Hotel and requires no membership fees. Note – if you are planning a long weekend getaway, these links are closed on Mondays.
Stay and play at this luxurious resort that was rated best new international golf course in 2014 by Golf Magazine.
Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course – Gold Canyon, Arizona
Dinosaur Mountain and its sister golf course, Sidewinder is part of the Gold Canyon Resort amenities. Emerging in the background is the spectacular Dinosaur Mountain. The 316-yard 4-par opener isn’t the only exciting thing about these links. A giant rollercoaster is snaked over the dramatic elevations.
Hone your skills on the upward, downward elevations along the course. Stay and play packages are available. This course does have membership fees. The dues are not standard. The resort believes dynamic pricing gives their members a fair price for playing.
International
Take your game on the road and visit some of the world’s most beautiful and best public golf courses you will ever experience. Mother Nature is the backdrop for these amazing links. One more spectacular than the other, you can go ‘around the world in 18 holes’.
Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
This par 71 course was completed in 2004. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course is built on a ridge 140 meters above sea level. Bunkers have steep drops right into the ocean below. This range has a putting green, chipping greens, and a practice range. While there are no membership fees to play a round of golf here, the fees range between $150 and $250 USD. 
Quivira Golf Course – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
On the other side of the Pacific Ocean from Manele, Quivira is also built atop a cliff overlooking the ocean. Cabo San Lucas is a popular hot spot for American tourists. Located on the southernmost tip of the Baha Peninsula, it is surrounded by the most beautiful scenery from the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Quivira has magnificent views of the ocean, a historic lighthouse, along with deserts and hillside rock formations. It boasts of a par 4 opening hole. Enjoy the practice facility that sits parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Quivira awaits you.
Golf Accessories
You can’t play a proper round of golf without the best accessories. These three items would be top of your list. Take them with you to any of the above locations. I can’t promise they will improve your game, but you will be the most stylish person around.
Golf grip trainers – long gone are the days when grips were a golf fashion accessory. They are a must for any golfer today. Grip trainers ensure you hold onto your club correctly to have better posture and a better shot. Grippers align your wrists and give you control over your swing yet do not hinder your flexibility.
Sunglasses – the bright sunshine makes driving a car difficult, let alone tracking a tiny white ball across the clear blue sky. Proper blue-blocking sunglasses will make a world of difference to your game. Removing the sun’s harmful rays will relieve the stress on your eyes, give you better focus, and increase the contrast of colors making it easier for you to spot that golf ball way up in those clouds.
Blue-blockers have had yellow lenses for many years. Maui Jim has revolutionized the look, style, and comfort of blue-blocking sunglasses.
Gloves – so why do golfers only wear one glove? The weak hand grips the club better with a glove. The gloves help with keeping the golfer’s hands at just the right temperature no matter what the thermometer reading is. They protect from the elements, like rain that would make the club slippery when wet. And, they save the golfer’s hands from blisters. While the tradition has been to wear only one glove, many top-name golfers, like Tommy Gainey and Aaron Rai are now wearing gloves on both hands.
In Summary
The avid golfer may know exactly where he/she wants to play. The novice needs a little nudge to explore some of the the world’s best public golf courses. Nonetheless, these are so spectacular that you cannot miss out on the opportunity to play these links.
We would love to hear from you. Have you been to any of these golf courses? Which one is your favorite? Tell us about one that is not listed here.