Built in the early 15th century, the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland is the birthplace of golf and the oldest course in the world. Its eighteenth and final hole, a 356-yard par 4, is particularly challenging and considered iconic worldwide. In addition to the historic Old Course, the world is also home to numerous other courses that offer something a little different from the standard golf experience. In particular, Texas’ Roy Kizer course and Nepal’s Himalayan Golf Club can be ranked alongside the Old Course as some of the best and most unusual in the world.
The Old Course, St. Andrews
The Old Course in St. Andrews is one of the most difficult courses in the world, so it’s best suited to experienced golfers who love a challenge. It’s a par-72 course, which spans around 92 acres and offers gorgeous panoramic views of St. Andrews and the Bay. Although each hole poses its own challenge, the 18th hole’s Valley of Sin is an infamous eight-foot depression that’s particularly difficult to overcome. You need to get your ball out of the dip and into the hole beyond — a feat most players can’t manage so easily.
Roy Kizer, Texas
Austin’s Roy Kizer Golf Course, ranked as one of the city’s top courses, has a particularly unique origin story: it was transformed from an abandoned wastewater site into a gigantic 6,749 yard, par 71 links course. The course spans almost 200 acres, which includes 35 acres of lakes and and 22 acres of wetlands that serves as habitat for both resident and migratory waterfowl. Suitable for all players with five tee options on offer (along with gorgeous views), Roy Kizer is a real pleasure to play.
Golf carts here are available to rent, but if you’re an avid golfer, it may be worthwhile to invest in your own cart. Golf carts have an average top speed of 25 miles per hour and cut down how much you walk during your game, which means you’re left with more energy to put into your swing. They’re also fun to drive and come in a variety of colors to suit all tastes. So, research various golf carts for sale to find out which make and model is the right choice for you.
Himalayan Golf Club, Nepal
Located in the picturesque foothills of Pokhara, the Himalayan Golf Club is an impressive pro-championship 18-hole course — in fact one of the only two Nepal has to offer — surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty. The course lies almost entirely within a mostly-dry canyon with a river that runs steadily along the canyon walls. It’s full of gorgeous flora and fauna (which includes buffalo, hawks, and monkeys) and offers mountain views that make a round of golf here unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Notably, the course’s fifth hole is also the only natural river island hole you’ll find anywhere in the world.
A golf trip to any one of the world’s most unique courses is something all avid golfers should do at least once. Whichever course you decide to visit, you’re bound to enjoy an unforgettable game.
