It’s a hard task to pick the best golf courses in Europe because it’s: A) a vast area and B) home to some of the most spectacular courses in the world. Golf lovers will know how tricky it is to point to one course over another when there are just so many stand-out choices!
If you’re living or holidaying in Europe, you have a treasure trove of golf courses at your fingertips. Everything is within reach, and the courses we’ve chosen are well worth traveling for. Here are some of our favorite places in Europe to swing your golf clubs. Don’t miss them if you’re close by.
Old Course at St. Andrews Links, Scotland
St. Andrews is one of the most historical clubs in Europe. Did you know it was commissioned by Mary, Queen of Scots, the first woman to regularly play golf? It’s an icon in the golfing world, and the Old Course is a must to play when you’re in the EU. It’s an absolute bonus that this gem is open to the public.
It’s not the most technical or picturesque of courses, but its history and playability make it a worthy bucket list item. Golfers of all abilities will be able to play a great round here, but it’s knowing that you’re walking on one of the most historic courses in the world that gives it a really special feel.
Adare Manor Golf Club, Ireland
This beautiful course is set out on 800 acres of stunning land, complete with formal gardens and an 18th-century manor house that’s an architectural landmark. It was refurbished in 2018 and meanders along the natural landscape quite pleasingly.
The course has been called predictable, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security! It’s challenging, features plenty of water (including the River Maigue, which flows through the course) and clover-leaf bunkers that catch slightly wayward golf balls.
Royal Birkdale Golf Club, England
The Birkdale opened in 1889 and was awarded “Royal” status in 1951 by King George VI. The club has hosted almost every major tournament in the UK and is well-known amongst the pros. It’s a semi-private club, with visitors allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and some Sundays.
If you drive true off the tee, the course promises to be a fair challenge to all golfers. The true links spirit runs strong through this course — it’s flat, wide open and often treacherously windy. But it features a superb array of holes that make it an interesting play from start to finish.
Royal Zoute Golf Club, Belgium
This club, located on the North Sea coast, features two courses. The Championship course is the main offering, and while it might look straightforward, don’t get complacent! With subtly contoured fairways and hidden curves where you least expect them, you might get more than you bargain for on the fairways.
Once you hit the greens, you’re in for another challenge. Just like the rest of the course, they’re subtle and slight, but one wrong shot can land you in trouble. There are no weak holes in this course. The executive course is a little more straightforward but still a great play.
Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, Sweden
Featuring two superb courses, Bro Hof Slott is a great visit if you’re looking to play a round in Sweden. The idea behind this club is that bigger is better. Long holes, spacious greens, sizable bunkers and ample water hazards make it a larger-than-life course.
The Stadium Course is one of the longest courses in Europe, at just over 8,000 yards. While it’s a cracker of a challenge, the Castle Course is a shorter, links-style course. Don’t let that fool you, though — it still presents a unique playing experience that demands focus if you want to get a good score.
Thracian Cliffs Golf Course, Bulgaria
If you’re after the full package of amazing golf, spectacular views and an unforgettable day on the fairways, Thracian Cliffs deliver it all. Located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, it’s a fantastic golfing experience and one you’ll want to capture on camera as well.
Routed along the cliff tops overlooking the sea, there’s an ocean view on every hole. Don’t let it distract you, though — the course demands accuracy and patient play if you want to get a good score. While it’s not an easy course by any means, it does offer multiple sets of tees, which makes it a fair game for golfers of all levels.
Championship Golf Course, Austria
Laid out in the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria, this course is an absolute beauty. Expansive views of the mountains give you the feeling of being far away from the real world, and mountain scenery makes the course a unique challenge.
Expect to play your way through a wide variety of holes, some open and airy, others intimate and closed in by forest. Along the way, you’ll encounter natural streams running through the course, rock faces that remind you of the mountain’s power and ever-present views of the surrounding scenery. The hotel is also a wonderful place to stay for a vacation, so if you’re looking for a complete, all-inclusive option in Europe that includes fantastic summer golf, Eichenheim should definitely be at the top of your list.
These are just a few of the best golf courses in Europe. While these are the ones we particularly love, there are many more that didn’t make it to this list, but that are just as worthy of a play.
One of the best things about Europe is how easily accessible most countries are. It’s easy to pop over to play a quick round at a nearby course in a neighboring country, which makes it a golfer’s paradise.
If you’re vacationing in Europe and have it in mind to play some amazing golf, consider structuring your travel plans so you can hit more than one of these beautiful courses along the way. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
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