There’s nothing quite like playing golf as the ocean crashes next to you. Add these must-visit coastal golf courses to your bucket list. To create our list, we asked golf coach Jordan Fuller for his opinion (see his bio below).
Golfers are always in search of the next great course to conquer, and there’s something particularly special about playing with the ocean as your backdrop. Coastal golf courses offer not only surprisingly challenging play but also breathtaking scenery that makes every round memorable.
Whether it’s the rugged cliffs of Pebble Beach, the serene shores of Thracian Cliffs, or the historic fairways of St. Andrews, these coastal gems provide an always-amazing golfing experience. From the United States to New Zealand, these courses are destinations in their own right, combining the beauty of the coast with world-class golf.
Pebble Beach Golf Links – California, USA
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world! It’s known for its stunning coastal views, challenging play, and length (7,075+ yards).
Located in Pebble Beach, California, the course opened back in 1919 and it’s been a legendary course since about 10 years after that when favorite Bobby Jones lost at the course’s first ever major.
Pebble Beach has since hosted plenty of prestigious tournaments, including the U.S. Open, which it has done more than any other course in the past 50 years. The course’s signature hole, the par-3 7th, has breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors can also enjoy luxurious accommodations and dining at Pebble Beach Resorts—it’s truly an all-around golfing destination.
Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort – Kavarna, Bulgaria
Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort is a hidden gem on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. It’s one of the most underrated courses in the world, featuring dramatic ocean views from every hole. But it’s not just pretty; it also comes with a challenge.
Steep cliffs, rugged terrain, and a sea breeze make it a tough play. But the gorgeous views make it an absolutely worthwhile round. Not to mention the luxury accommodations, which include a private beach and a full-service spa for relaxing between hard-fought rounds of golf.
St. Andrews Old Course – Scotland
The Old Course at St. Andrews is well respected as the “Home of Golf” and is one of the oldest and most famous golf courses in the world. It has a rich history dating back to the 15th century, and it’s remained fairly similar since then, echoing with a kind of majestic legend.
The Old Course is known for its large double greens, deep bunkers, and the iconic Swilcan Bridge on the 18th hole. Playing at St. Andrews is a dream for many golfers—it’s not often you get a chance to walk in the footsteps of legends on a course that has hosted numerous Open Championships.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Bandon, Oregon, USA
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, located on the rugged coast of Oregon, is a pure links golf experience that feels a lot like the great Scottish courses. The resort features several courses, including the original Bandon Dunes course, designed by David McLay Kidd.
With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the courses are characterized by natural dunes, firm fairways, and challenging greens. Bandon Dunes is a walking-only resort, so it’s ideal for those looking for a traditional golfing experience. The resort also offers luxurious accommodations and a variety of dining options.
Cape Kidnappers – Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Photo Credit: Tony
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, should be on every bucket list for its breathtaking cliff-top views and challenging layout. Designed by Tom Doak, this 18-hole course offers some jaw-dropping scenery, with holes perched high above the Pacific Ocean.
The course is set on a 5,000-acre sheep farm, adding to its unique charm. Golfers can enjoy stunning panoramic views and the challenge of playing on one of the most visually striking courses in the world.
Cabot Cliffs – Nova Scotia, Canada
Cabot Cliffs, located in Inverness, Nova Scotia, is part of the acclaimed Cabot Links resort and looks out over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you can drag yourself away from the stunning views, you’ll find an equally amazing course.
It features dramatic elevation changes, a rugged coastline, and challenging bunkers. Cabot Cliffs is celebrated for its stunning beauty and has quickly become a top destination for golf enthusiasts. The luxury accommodations and fine dining add to its appeal because who doesn’t need a good meal and some relaxation after a round?
The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the premier golf destinations in Mexico. Located in Cabo San Lucas, the course offers stunning views of the Sea of Cortez from every hole. Mexico might be all about sun, sand, and sea, but you’ll regret not playing this course when you get a chance!
The 18-hole course features exciting coastline holes, bunkers that seem to pop out of nowhere, and well-manicured greens. Golfers looking for a “tropical paradise” experience will find it on the ocean course.
The Plantation Course at Kapalua – Maui, Hawaii, USA
The Hawaiian island of Maui is home to this beautiful course. Throughout your round, you’ll be facing either the Pacific Ocean, bringing a fresh, tropical feel to your game, or the West Maui Mountains, giving you even more of a nature-based experience than you might expect.
Don’t think the laid-back nature of island life means this course will be easy. It’s a tough one, throwing every obstacle it can your way—elevation changes, tricky sand traps, and, every so often, an unexpected ocean breeze.
It’s a world-renowned course for hosting the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, so you know it’s a top-class experience.
Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog – La Romana, Dominican Republic
Teeth of the Dog is widely regarded as one of the best courses in the Caribbean. Designed by Pete Dye, this 18-hole course features seven holes directly on the Caribbean Sea, so you’re playing along the rugged coastline, which can be distracting in a nice way.
The greens are particularly challenging but don’t discount the rest of the course. You’ll get your money’s worth here, and when you’re finished, there are luxurious amenities for you to relax in and fine dining to replenish the calories you’ve lost.
Must-visit coastal golf courses
- Pebble Beach Golf Links – California, USA
- Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort – Kavarna, Bulgaria
- St. Andrews Old Course – Scotland
- Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – Bandon, Oregon, USA
- Cape Kidnappers – Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
- Cabot Cliffs – Nova Scotia, Canada
- The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- The Plantation Course at Kapalua – Maui, Hawaii, USA
- Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog – La Romana, Dominican Republic
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Which are your favourite coastal golf courses?
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Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
About the author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.
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