Golf Courses in Different Continents
Golf is played almost everywhere on the planet, but the experience changes dramatically depending on where you tee it up. Climate, course design philosophy, cost, and accessibility all vary from one continent to the next. Whether you're planning a golf trip or just curious how the game differs around the world, here's an honest look at the pros and cons of golfing on each continent. And if you're wondering where to play close to home, you can browse courses near you to get started.
Golf Courses in Europe
Europe is the birthplace of the game, and it shows. The links courses of Scotland and Ireland offer golf in its rawest form: firm turf, deep pot bunkers, and wind that changes everything. Continental Europe adds variety, from the heathland courses of the Netherlands and Germany to the sun-soaked resorts of Portugal and Spain.
The pros: history, variety, and walkable courses where trolleys are the norm rather than buggies. The cons: green fees at famous courses can be steep, tee times at the classics book out months ahead, and the weather in Northern Europe is, let's say, character-building. Pack layers.
Golf Courses in North America
North America has more golf courses than any other continent, which means choice at every price point. From municipal tracks costing next to nothing to bucket-list destinations like Pebble Beach, there's something for every budget and skill level.
The pros: sheer volume, excellent course conditioning, and a strong public golf culture in many regions. The cons: rounds tend to be slow (five hours is not unusual), buggies are often mandatory, and distances between destinations are enormous. A golf trip here usually means a lot of driving, and not just off the tee.
Golf Courses in South America
South America is one of golf's best-kept secrets. Argentina alone has hundreds of courses, many built during the British railway era, and Buenos Aires has a genuinely deep golf culture. Colombia, Chile, and Brazil offer dramatic settings, from mountain courses at altitude to seaside layouts.
The pros: value for money, uncrowded courses, and stunning scenery. Playing at 2,600 metres above sea level in Bogotá, where the ball flies noticeably further, is an experience in itself. The cons: infrastructure outside the major cities can be thin, many top courses are private, and you'll need local connections or a bit of persistence to access them.
Golf Courses in Asia
Asia is where golf is growing fastest. Japan has a deep, almost ceremonial golf tradition, South Korea has produced world-class players and immaculate courses, and Thailand and Vietnam have become genuine golf tourism powerhouses with caddies included as standard.
The pros: outstanding service, modern facilities, and in Southeast Asia, year-round warmth at reasonable prices. The cons: humidity in the tropics can be brutal, golf in Japan and Korea can be expensive and time-consuming (a full day affair with a mandatory lunch break), and courses near big cities get very busy on weekends.
Golf Courses in Africa
South Africa dominates African golf, and for good reason. Courses like those along the Garden Route combine championship quality with wildlife you won't find anywhere else. Morocco and Egypt add desert and resort golf to the mix, and Kenya offers highland courses with views of the Rift Valley.
The pros: exceptional value, dramatic landscapes, and the occasional zebra crossing the fairway. The cons: golf infrastructure is concentrated in a handful of countries, travel between destinations takes planning, and outside South Africa the choice of courses is limited.
Golf Courses in Oceania
Australia and New Zealand punch far above their weight. The Melbourne Sandbelt is home to some of the finest course architecture in the world, and New Zealand's remote clifftop courses like Cape Kidnappers regularly feature on world top-100 lists.
The pros: world-class design, welcoming clubs, and courses set in landscapes that barely look real. The cons: getting there is a long-haul commitment from almost anywhere, the sun is fierce, and the top destination courses charge accordingly.
Where Will You Play Next?
Every continent offers something different, from the wind-blasted links of Scotland to the sandbelt perfection of Melbourne. Wherever you are in the world, nearme.golf helps you find a course nearby, so the next round is never far away.
