Carnoustie is where Ben Hogan won the only Open Championship he ever played in. The par-five sixth hole "Hogan's Alley" was named after him because of the tight driving line he took in all four rounds on it.
Carnoustie Golf Links (Scotland) —
Carnoustie is where Ben Hogan won the only Open Championship he ever played in. The par-five sixth hole "Hogan's Alley" was named after him because of the tight driving line he took in all four rounds on it.
courtesy Carnoustie Golf Links
You'll follow the footsteps of some of the game's greats here. If you want to try your hand at emulating Hogan's drives at the sixth hole, aim between the fairway bunkers and the out-of-bounds fence.
Carnoustie Golf Links (Scotland) —
You'll follow the footsteps of some of the game's greats here. If you want to try your hand at emulating Hogan's drives at the sixth hole, aim between the fairway bunkers and the out-of-bounds fence.
courtesy Carnoustie Golf Links
Even at a shortened length, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina is a tough challenge. Whichever tees you choose, a round here is a heavenly experience.
Ocean Course, Kiawah Island (S.C.) —
Even at a shortened length, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina is a tough challenge. Whichever tees you choose, a round here is a heavenly experience.
courtesy Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Possibly the toughest course in the world, the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was the stage for the 1991 Ryder Cup -- the notorious "War On The Shore," in which the European team lost by the narrowest of margins to the United States.
Ocean Course, Kiawah Island (S.C.) —
Possibly the toughest course in the world, the Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was the stage for the 1991 Ryder Cup -- the notorious "War On The Shore," in which the European team lost by the narrowest of margins to the United States.
courtesy Kiawah Island Golf Resort
The "Home of Golf" and probably the most famous course in the world, the Old Course at St. Andrews Links has hosted 28 Open Championships, with another one due in 2015.
Old Course, St. Andrews Links (Scotland) —
The "Home of Golf" and probably the most famous course in the world, the Old Course at St. Andrews Links has hosted 28 Open Championships, with another one due in 2015.
courtesy St Andrews Links
At St. Andrews, it's impossible not to be inspired by the history -- the Swilcan Burn, Hell Bunker, the Road Hole, the Old Course Hotel and the huge double greens that can leave you with putts of over 100 feet on 14 holes.
Old Course, St. Andrews Links (Scotland) —
At St. Andrews, it's impossible not to be inspired by the history -- the Swilcan Burn, Hell Bunker, the Road Hole, the Old Course Hotel and the huge double greens that can leave you with putts of over 100 feet on 14 holes.
courtesy St Andrews Links
"If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach," said Jack Nicklaus. The iconic course overlooking the Pacific Ocean is one every golfer should hit.
Pebble Beach Golf Links (California) —
"If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach," said Jack Nicklaus. The iconic course overlooking the Pacific Ocean is one every golfer should hit.
courtesy Evan Schiller
With nine holes that hug the rugged coastline, this is what the golf courses must be like in Heaven. Though hopefully not as expensive. A round at Pebble costs $495, not including the cart.
Pebble Beach Golf Links (California) —
With nine holes that hug the rugged coastline, this is what the golf courses must be like in Heaven. Though hopefully not as expensive. A round at Pebble costs $495, not including the cart.
courtesy Joann Dost
The Pinehurst Resort has eight courses, four designed by Donald Ross, including the legendary No. 2 course, which has hosted one Ryder Cup, one PGA Championship and two U.S. Opens.
Pinehurst No. 2 (North Carolina) —
The Pinehurst Resort has eight courses, four designed by Donald Ross, including the legendary No. 2 course, which has hosted one Ryder Cup, one PGA Championship and two U.S. Opens.
courtesy Pinehurst
In 2014, the No. 2 course will make history by becoming the first course to hold the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open in successive weeks.
Pinehurst No. 2 (North Carolina) —
In 2014, the No. 2 course will make history by becoming the first course to hold the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women's Open in successive weeks.
courtesy Pinehurst
Though it's never hosted a professional major, Royal County Down is a worthy inclusion on any golfer's wish list. The magical links course is perennially voted one of the best in the world.
Royal County Down Golf Club (Northern Ireland) —
Though it's never hosted a professional major, Royal County Down is a worthy inclusion on any golfer's wish list. The magical links course is perennially voted one of the best in the world.
courtesy The Royal County Down Golf Club
Royal County Down is a par 71 that measures 7,186 yards from the championship tees, 6,878 yards from the medal tees and 6,675 yards from the stableford tees.
Royal County Down Golf Club (Northern Ireland) —
Royal County Down is a par 71 that measures 7,186 yards from the championship tees, 6,878 yards from the medal tees and 6,675 yards from the stableford tees.
courtesy The Royal County Down Golf Club
The 1969 Open here was the first Major won by Tony Jacklin, ending an 18-year drought without a British victory in their own Open and signaling the beginning of the rise of European golf.
Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (England) —
The 1969 Open here was the first Major won by Tony Jacklin, ending an 18-year drought without a British victory in their own Open and signaling the beginning of the rise of European golf.
courtesy Mark Alexander
Royal Lytham has hosted 11 Open Championships, many of them historic, including its first, held in 1926 and won by Bobby Jones.
Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (England) —
Royal Lytham has hosted 11 Open Championships, many of them historic, including its first, held in 1926 and won by Bobby Jones.
courtesy Mark Alexander
Royal Porthcawl hosted Tiger Woods when he played for the U.S. team in the 1995 Walker Cup and has been the venue for six Amateur championships, the most prestigious tournament in amateur golf.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club (Wales) —
Royal Porthcawl hosted Tiger Woods when he played for the U.S. team in the 1995 Walker Cup and has been the venue for six Amateur championships, the most prestigious tournament in amateur golf.
courtesy Royal Porthcawl Golf Club
On this magnificent links course, the sea is visible from every hole. It can be played at various lengths, from 7,065 yards par 72 from the black tees down to 6,303 yards from the yellow tees.
Royal Porthcawl Golf Club (Wales) —
On this magnificent links course, the sea is visible from every hole. It can be played at various lengths, from 7,065 yards par 72 from the black tees down to 6,303 yards from the yellow tees.
courtesy Royal Porthcawl Golf Club
St. George's is the first course outside Scotland to hold the Open. It's hosted 14 Open championships, 13 Amateur championships, the Walker Cup in 1930 and 1967 and the British PGA Championship in 1975, won by Arnold Palmer.
Royal St George's Golf Club (England) —
St. George's is the first course outside Scotland to hold the Open. It's hosted 14 Open championships, 13 Amateur championships, the Walker Cup in 1930 and 1967 and the British PGA Championship in 1975, won by Arnold Palmer.
courtesy The Royal St. Geroge's Golf Club
This wonderful course was also the setting, under the name "Royal St Marks," for James Bond's golf match against Goldfinger in Ian Fleming's novel "Goldfinger."
Royal St George's Golf Club (England) —
This wonderful course was also the setting, under the name "Royal St Marks," for James Bond's golf match against Goldfinger in Ian Fleming's novel "Goldfinger."
courtesy The Royal St. Geroge's Golf Club
Troon's most famous hole is the short par-three eighth, known as "'the Postage Stamp," which measures just 123 yards from the back tees. It gets its name from the smallness of the green, which is surrounded by deep bunkers. Many top golfers have come to grief at this course, home to the shortest hole at any Open Championship venue.
Royal Troon Golf Club (Scotland) —
Troon's most famous hole is the short par-three eighth, known as "'the Postage Stamp," which measures just 123 yards from the back tees. It gets its name from the smallness of the green, which is surrounded by deep bunkers. Many top golfers have come to grief at this course, home to the shortest hole at any Open Championship venue.
courtesy Royal Troon
Royal Troon is another course with a great history of winners among its eight Open Championships, including Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf and Tom Watson.
Royal Troon Golf Club (Scotland) —
Royal Troon is another course with a great history of winners among its eight Open Championships, including Bobby Locke, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf and Tom Watson.
courtesy Royal Troon