Top golf capitals around the world

The best part about being a modern day golfer is that no matter where you go in the world you can find fantastic golf courses, tournaments and resorts. From immaculate greens in the USA, to staggeringly scenic mountainside resorts in Australia, there are many fantastic opportunities out there for the modern day golfer to enjoy.

1. Scotland

The original home of golf remains today as one of the best places for finding excellent resorts and a culture of passion for the sport. There are over 550 courses in Scotland, meaning that if looking to play, you don’t have far to look. Scotland is also a great country for spectators who wish to watch golf, with many of the largest golfing tournaments like the Open Championship or the Ricoh Women's British Open hosted in the country.

Notable courses: the Muirfield golf course, the Gleneagles hotel, the Old Course at St Andrews, the Royal Troon championship course, Carnoustie golf links and the Trump Turnberry, Ailsa golf course.

2. Sweden

Sweden has become a hot spot for golf in the recent years, with a series of well known professional golfers including, Annika Sörenstam, Carl Petterson and Henrik Stenson emerging as incredible talents. Sweden has over 480 golf courses and an increasingly dedicated golf following. This, in combination with Sweden's startlingly beautiful landscape, makes it a fantastic place to play golf.

Notable courses: Bro Hof Castle, Barsebäck resort, Halmstad golf course, Falsterbo golf club and Visby golf course.

3. Australia

Home of Greg Norman, the Great White Shark , Australia is another country with a rich history in golf, complete with it’s own share of golfing legends. Australia’s land is diverse and beautiful, meaning that wherever you look there is no shortage of unique, fantastic golfing opportunities. Australia is also a particularly inviting place for female golfers, due its frequent and incredibly popular women’s golf competitions. Popular golfing tournaments such as the Women's Australian Open, PGA tour of Australasia and Australian Open are hosted in Australia. These events provide great opportunities for golfers around the world to interact and watch world class golf.

Notable courses: Royal Melbourne golf club, Barnbougle Dunes, Barnbougle Lost Farm golf links and the Kingston Heath golf club.

4. USA

In almost every corner of America you can find world class golf resorts. There is no doubt of golf’s popularity in America, and no matter what you are looking for as a golfer, whether it is world class competitions, scenic golf resorts or local events, you are sure to find it. If you are looking to visit the heart of competitive golf then Augusta in Georgia is a particular highlight city, and home to the Masters tournament. If you are looking for more traditional golf resorts then California offers plenty of scope for golfing opportunities, and the chance to rub shoulders with plenty of like minded golfers. In short there is enough of a golf scene in America to fill several lists, and any golfing aficionado should make sure that they don’t miss out on being a part of it.

Notable courses: Augusta National golf course, Pine valley golf course, Cypress point club, and Shinnecock golf course.

5. Northern Ireland

Though significantly smaller than most of the other golfing capitals on our list, Ireland stands as one of the finest countries for golfing, and hosts a number of what are well regarded as some of the best courses in the world.

The fact that there are around 100 golf courses in Northern Ireland despite the country having a population of less than 2 million speaks volumes about Ireland's standings as a focus point in the golfing community. From lush fairways to majestic mountains, Ireland offers golfers the opportunity to play golf in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Notable courses: Royal County Down golf club, Royal Portrush, Lough Erne and Portstewart golf club. 

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