Course Review: The most Picturesque golf courses by continent

Being located among some of the most sculpted and well-maintained real estate in the world, any golf course has a scenic aspect to it and different courses will appeal to different player’s ideals.

There are some courses, however, that are universally acknowledged as being the most picturesque of all.

In North America Cypress Point almost always takes top spot in the beauty stakes. Towering cypress trees and forests are a major feature of this course, along with mischievously deceptive bunkers, a beautiful bay, rocky cliffs, foaming waves and gorgeous views in every direction.  Of course, Augusta’s familiar azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias and pines ensure that this course makes an appearance on the list too.

Bonville Golf Resort is considered to be Australia’s best-looking course by unanimous agreement amongst those in the know, and with seasoned pro-golfer, Peter Mc Whinney, describing it as “the most beautiful golf course in Australia, if not the world”.  This is no doubt due to the immaculate fairways winding between massive forests at the foot of the Great Dividing Range on the picturesque Coffs Coast.

South Africa embraces golfing more than any other country throughout the African continent.  Here there seems to be a toss-up between the pristine wilderness and extreme wildlife golfing hazards of Leopard Creek, bordering the renowned Kruger National Park or the dramatic seascapes and Clifftop Fynbos golf course of Pinnacle Point, at Mossel Bay in the lovely Western Cape Province.

The world’s largest continent, Asia, has several contenders in the stakes for most picturesque venue. The Bali Handara Golf & Country Club Resort boasts a riot of colourful flowers and jungle vegetation at its location in the centre of an extinct volcano, while Ria Bintan also comes up in conversation regarding the most scenic spots to sink a putt. Seven holes in this course are placed on the oceanside, accompanied by breath-taking views.

In Europe, the United Kingdom is most commonly associated with golf and here, The Ailsa Course at Turnberry is widely acknowledged to be the most picturesque, with a rugged coastal landscape revealing views of historic buildings.

In many cases, beauty is more than skin deep, and the attraction of some courses, such as the old course at St Andrews, despite being no slouch in the looks department either, lies in their deep-rooted traditions and historic appeal.

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