There is no shortage of beautiful and challenging golf courses across the globe. Courses can be found in picturesque locations in California, Scotland and the Caribbean that would make a memorable highlight of any vacation.
However, if you want an experience that you will never forget, visit one of these unbelievable golf courses with features, surroundings and challenges that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.
Brickyard Crossing Golf Course – United States
This high-octane course features a prestigious Pete Dye-designed 18-hole course, four holes of which are inside the oval of the most famous racetrack in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The course is closed for major race events, which means you can’t play through the Indy 500 or NASCAR’s Brickyard 400. However, the course is used year-round by practicing race teams, designers testing new models and visitors paying for the chance to drive the performance car of their dreams. Trying to make par while a race car roars past you at 200 mph is an experience you won’t forget.
Legend Golf Course – South Africa
The Legend Resort's golf course boasts three unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. To begin with, the beautiful African landscape surrounding the course is part of an active wildlife preserve, as the course is a part of the Legend Safari Resort.
Second, all the course’s 18 holes are designed by a different golf legend, lending a unique challenge to each. Third, the course boasts the world’s longest and highest par 3 in the world, the Extreme 19th.
The Extreme 19th tees off from the top of adjacent Hanglip Mountain, which sits 1,200 feet above the greens below. The tee is reachable only by helicopter and gives you the opportunity to take in the stunning African bushland that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Nullarbor Links Golf Course – Australia
If you want a destination that will let you take your time on the course, then the Nullarbor Links Golf Course is what you are looking for.
Nullarbor is the longest course in the world, stretching across 848 miles, and the average game takes the better part of four days and crosses two time zones. The 18 holes are situated near the small towns and service centers of the Nullarbor Plain of Australia, letting you experience the harsh realities and stark beauty of the Australian countryside.
Merapi Golf Course – Indonesia
On the other hand, if you feel like a little tension helps you play your best, then the Merapi Golf Course might be more your speed.
Merapi Golf Course is situated at the base of Mount Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia. Mount Merapi is so active that it emits smoke over 300 days a year and has had two major eruptions since 2006. While not for the risk-averse, Merapi Golf Course is a tough, well-designed course that offers a lush jungle setting and is well worth the trip.
Uummannaq Greenland Golf – Greenland
Situated 500 miles north of the arctic circle, Uummannaq Greenland Golf offers its own unique set of challenges, not the least of which is keeping track of a golf ball on pure white snow.
As the host of the World Ice Golf Championship, Uummannaq staff have figured out that bright red golf balls can be helpful. However, you still need to keep an eye open for crevasses and seal dens while making sure that you are staying warm in temperatures that can reach 50 below freezing.
These are only some of the unique golf courses you can find around the world. We also found courses maintained by prisoners and courses that straddle active conflict zones. What is the most unique golf course you have ever played on?