Some of the Best Golf Courses All Over the World

Golf is a sport that is played on an international basis. Players are spoiled for choice in that they have a great choice of golf courses to play. It might be that they play locally, or it might be that they go on golfing holidays to find the famous golf courses of the world to test their skills on. Whichever a player decides to do, they need to understand that there are better courses out there that can help to increase their golfing skills.

Ireland is a place that has been well known in the past for great golf courses. Among the best here is The Royal County Down Golf Club. This course has been around since the 19th century and still offers players today an extremely challenging and exciting course. The course features a long drive on the first hole, totalling a huge 540 yards. For players that want to check out golf in this area, this is certainly going to be a safe bet.

Across the water and into New Jersey, The Pine Valley Golf Club offers some the best golfing in the world. This club is based in Pine Valley and has been the place where a lot of professionals in the area practice, because it is so challenging. The course is a 70-par course that has an extremely strange yet rewarding design, ensuring that every player walks away from the green feeling like they have achieved something and improved their game.

The great thing about this course is that it is not too challenging for new golfers, but not easy enough for experienced golfers to get bored. The par-3 fifth hole is one of the best holes on the course, making players drive 220 yards.

Moving over to California, The Cypress Point Club that is based in Monterey is possibly one of the candidates for the best golf course in the world. This course is a par-72 course that totals over 6,300 yards long and is extremely challenging for all sorts of players. This course has been designed professionally and is generally designed for the more experienced player, although new players are welcome to test their mettle any time they like.

There are hundreds of different golf clubs throughout the world that offer players the chance to improve their skills. These courses that have been mentioned above are definitely some of the most impressive. Some are big, some are small, but they all offer players the chance to walk away feeling like they have learnt a lot, which is what all players want to do.

Great Golf Courses Just 25 Minutes From Orlando International Airport

Don't wait one extra minute to start your Florida golf vacation. Hop straight from baggage claim into the rolling greens of Orlando and keep playing through the day of your departure. These top Florida courses offer great tee times and are located less than 25 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. They are perfect for rounds on the day of your arrival or departure. Let Florida's warm, tropical breezes whisk away your worries and remind you why those long plane rides are so worth the trip.

1. North Shore: 17 minutes

North Shore is just ten miles from the airport -- if you keep an eye out your window during landing, you can probably catch a few golf carts cruising over the greens! The Mike Dasher layout features two distinct styles in the Modern nine and Classic nine. Experience Florida's native wetlands right away on the Modern's links style, winding course. The Classic nine is carved through a beautiful grove of oaks that are centuries old. The course is one of the easier ones near the airport, with a beautiful layout, lots of birds, a full service bar, and a friendly staff. North Shore offers refreshing showers that are perfect for golfers leaving straight from a game to catch an airplane.

If you're catching a taxi or using a GPS, North Shore's address is 11507 North Shore Golf Course, Orlando, FL 32832. If you've got a rental car, make sure you have change for the toll roads and head south on Airport Boulevard onto Jeff Fuqua Boulevard. Merge onto FL-528 and take Exit 15. Merge onto FL-417 Toll S and take Exit 23. Turn left onto Moss Park Road, right onto North Shore Golf Club Boulevard, and the course will be on your left.

2. Eagle Creek: 20 minutes

Eagle Creek is also just ten miles from the airport. This course has been a customer favorite for years. Golfers rave about the friendly staff, great food, beautiful birds, and the small gator inhabiting the course lake. The European-style design was planned by Ron Garl and Howard Swan. It includes top-notch amenities and complimentary showers. The Audubon Silver Signature Course uses technologically advanced Mini-Verde grass, has lush landscaping, over 90 white sand bunkers, water hazards, and more than 1,500 trees. Play is challenging and the clubhouse is luxurious. Eagle Creek is a quality choice for golfers looking for a course that will give them a jump-start back into their game, but also relaxing enough after a long morning of traveling.

Eagle Creek's address is 10350 Emerson Lake Blvd., Orlando, FL 32832. To drive to the course from the airport, go south on Airport Boulevard onto Jeff Fuqua Boulevard. Merge onto FL-538 and take Exit 13. Turn right onto Narcoossee Road and left onto Emerson Lake Boulevard.

3. Shingle Creek: 23 minutes

Many golfers first play Shingle Creek because it's only 14 miles from the airport, but then find that it was their favorite course of their whole vacation. Golfers return again and again to the David Harman-designed fairways, which are surrounded by breathtaking waterways. The course is very challenging and has received awards for being one of the toughest courses in Orlando and being among the top courses in the country. Amenities are all first class and include showers. Course conditions, layout, and guest service are all outstanding. Arrive to or leave from your Florida golf vacation feeling like a king - or at least a pro - when you play at Shingle Creek.

Shingle Creek Golf Club's address is 9939 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 3219-8701. To drive there, head south on Airport Boulevard and continue onto Jeff Fuqua Boulevard and South Semoran Boulevard North. Take the ramp onto FL-528 West and take Exit 2 to Universal Boulevard. The course will be on your right after half a mile.

4. Hunter's Creek: 25 minutes

Hunter's Creek is fourteen miles from the airport and offers a beautiful, long course if you have some extra time before or after your departure. This Lloyd Clifton course recently came under new management and is eager to prove its commitment to customer service and ideal conditions. Its spacious fairways roll through majestic, towering pines and thirteen sparkling lakes. It has been very popular with recent golfers and is rated one of the "Top 75 Courses to Play" by Golf Digest.

Hunter's Creek is located at 14401 Sports Club Way, Orlando, FL, 32837-6902. To get there, go south on Airport Boulevard and continue onto Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, South Access Road, and Boggy Creek Road. Take the I-4 ramp onto 417 Toll Road South. Then, take Exit 11 for Orange Blossom Trail, turn right onto Falcon Trace Boulevard, and take your second right onto Sports Club Way. Hunter's Creek will be on your right.

30 Minutes or Less

If you're looking for some more course options that are half an hour from the airport, be sure to also check out Remington and Osprey Ridge. For more information, travel tips, customer reviews, stats, and rental car information, be sure to check out Tee Times USA's online directory of Orlando golf courses.