10 Bucket List Golf Destinations You Must Visit

Golfers are dreamers at heart. We all have visions of courses we want to play, milestones we hope to accomplish, and even destinations that we're forever keen to experience.

When it comes to bucket list venues, we are spoilt for choice, but there are those that stood out among the more than 1,200 people who shared with us the places they most dream of visiting.

And you can make these golfing fantasies a reality - courtesy of our travel partners Golfbreaks.

Here are ten bucket list golf breaks that you must embark on - why not make it this year?

St Andrews

(Image Credit: Kevin Murray Golf Photography)

It goes without saying that the spiritual Home of Golf, St Andrews is the place that a majority of you are keen to visit at least once. The streets are historic and oozing with character, and the ancient game is the centrepiece here, with the legendary Old Course being the first of a family of celebrated layouts that also includes the New, Jubilee, Eden and Castle. 

There is something in St Andrews for every golfer. Sample the unique and cosmopolitan atmosphere, spend an evening or two in one of the town's famous pubs, and etch your own little chapter into a golfing story that dates back to the 15th century.

St Andrews is the ultimate bucket list destination for many golfers - and Golfbreaks has the best packages and deals to make it happen for you.

Pebble Beach

(Image Credit: Joann Dost)

Home to many a US Open and the annual PGA Tour stop, California's Pebble Beach is one of the most iconic golf courses on the planet, and it remains open to the public, meaning that you could venture along the Monterey Peninsula and take in those stunning views across the Pacific Ocean.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has shared his memories of playing Pebble, saying: "You always know you have played a special golf course when, 17 years later, you can remember not only specific holes but many of the shots you played."

It's not an inexpensive trip, but the rewards are obvious as you take on the famous par 3 seventh, and round back to tackle the revered par 5 18th, which Derek described as a "masterpiece."

Create your own memories by seeing what Golfbreaks has to offer.

Carnoustie

There are three courses at Carnoustie Golf Links, which sat at the summit of your golfing bucket lists. The Championship Course is naturally the main draw - having crowned the likes of Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington and Anna Nordqvist with major titles.

Renowned for its challenge and testing layout, the Championship boasts arguably the greatest finish in the game.

Beyond that, the Angus venue is also home to the Burnside and Buddon courses, both of which complement the Championship superbly and are worth playing in their own right. 

Fancy testing yourself at Carnoustie? Golfbreaks can take you there.

The Belfry

Located a short drive from Birmingham, The Belfry is a highly accessible destination that is famed for its substantial Ryder Cup history, with many a regular tour event being staged here too.

Undeniably one of England's finest golf resorts, the Brabazon Course is the highlight here, with so many indelible moments having been recorded on a layout that was designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss.

The short par 4 tenth is the most memorable hole, as the Golfshake Team sampled for themselves, but both the PGA National and Derby Course also provide a tremendous golfing experience.

Walk in the footsteps of Ryder Cup icons by seeing what Golfbreaks can offer you.

Gleneagles

Another place with Ryder Cup history - not to mention the most dramatic of Solheim Cups in 2019 - Gleneagles is a jewel in the heart of Scotland and is one of the most revered hotels on the planet. 

Designed by the great James Braid, both the King's Course and Queen's Course are ranked alongside the best inland layouts in the UK, while the more modern PGA Centenary (laid out by Jack Nicklaus) is the stage that hosted those memorable contests between Europe and the United States.

The golf is special - but there is even more to experience here beyond that, making Gleneagles one of the most intoxicating and unforgettable places that you could ever visit.

Why not make your way to glorious Perthshire - courtesy of Golfbreaks - and enjoy the golf trip of a lifetime?

Turnberry

Part of the glorious Ayrshire coastline, Turnberry's Ailsa Course has hosted four Opens, a Women's Open and seven Senior Opens, giving it championship pedigree that is hard to beat, but the layout itself, re-designed a decade ago, is widely believed to be one of the finest in the world. 

Its companion course - King Robert the Bruce - is rather good too, while the hotel itself delivers superb accommodation and luxury for its guests.

This is an expensive place to visit, and you can book today through Golfbreaks, but there is no question that it will leave memories that will be forever in your mind.

TPC Sawgrass

Returning to the United States, Florida's TPC Sawgrass has etched its place in the hearts of golf fans after staging the PGA Tour's flagship Players Championship for over 40 years. Given their private status, you can't play many of the most famous courses in America, but you can stride the fairways of Pete Dye's Stadium Course.

The signature par 3 17th - a contribution from Alice Dye - is undoubtedly one of the most recognisible holes in golf and standing on that tee must be one of the most thrilling things you can do in this game.

Beyond the Stadium, Dye's Valley Course is an excellent sibling layout, making Sawgrass a complete experience for all golfers who visit, including those who make their way there after booking with our friends at Golfbreaks.

Ballybunion

There is so much to love about golf in Ireland, but when it came to your bucket lists, Ballybunion is the place that stood out above the rest. 

Located in County Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Old Course at Ballybunion was first laid out in 1893 but gradually evolved into an 18-hole layout in the 1920s and has become widely regarded as one of the world's finest links courses.

The Cashen Course - created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. - opened for play in the 1980s and is a fine companion to the Old Course, making Ballybunion one of the most exciting and memorable venues to visit and the ideal taste of what Irish golf is all about.

Golfbreaks has packages that will secure your place here alongside many other classics throughout Ireland.

Celtic Manor

Positioned on the outskirts of Newport, Celtic Manor has been bringing golfers to Wales for years, especially since it was the site of Europe's dramatic victory over the United States at the 2010 Ryder Cup. 

The Twenty Ten Course is the big attraction here, but many visitors also relish the chance to play both the Montgomerie Course (yes, designed by Colin) and the Trent Jones laid-out Roman Road Course.

With three excellent layouts and a plentiful choice of accommodation, Celtic Manor is a place that comes recommended by our travel partners Golfbreaks.

Pinehurst

(Image Credit: Kevin Murray Golf Photography)

Finally, we're venturing back across the Atlantic to the United States, specifically North Carolina, where you will find Pinehurst, which is a historic venue that is now home to ten 18-hole golf courses and one, fabulous nine-holer.

Donald Ross' No. 2 (brilliantly renovated by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw) ranks among the best in the United States, a reputation that has been enhanced after staging several US Opens, most recently Bryson DeChambeau's 2024 triumph, and has seen this destination become known as the Cradle of American Golf.

Golfers worldwide flock to this small town and its famous golf resort to play the numerous courses and sample the local hospitality.

Pinehurst might be the equivalent of St Andrews in America - and a golf trip there resides on many a golfing bucket list.

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