No matter where you are in the world, finding a golf course to play a round or two at, isn’t usually a problem.
The time-honoured sport has transcended everything from geography, politics and the environment to the point where lovers of the sport have found a way to beat the odds and establish courses at even the most extreme ends of the spectrum.
Be it landmines or the Taliban, race cars or angry hippos, keen golfers have come up with a solution to these obstacles – their creations being some of the most unique courses in the world. Take a look at these 12 worldwide courses, some of which will single-handedly redefine your understanding of the term ‘crazy golf.’
St. Andrew’s, Scotland
St. Andrew’s is unmistakably the golfing Mecca of the world, which earns it a mention here as the home of golf. It’s the sport’s oldest turf, with playing in its current form at the site dating back to the 15th century. It’s also Europe’s largest course.
Nullarbor Links, Australia
Here we have the world’s longest golf course, which also happens to be in our own backyard. The 1365 kilometre-long course stretches across both South Australia and Western Australia. It takes around four days to finish, with players also experiencing a time change upon completion, as the course is spread over two different time zones.
Ile Aux Cerfs, Mauritius
This has to be one of the most picturesque courses you’ll ever come across. It’s a little hard to tell from this picture, but the entire course is actually on its own island.
Uummannaq, Greenland
You’ll find the Uummannaq Golf Course a chilling 600 kilometres inside the Arctic circle, where temperatures regularly drop below 30 degrees Celsius. You’ll only ever be able to play in the ‘summer’ while using bright orange balls to keep track of your slices. The course also changes each day, as it is naturally dependent on weather and snowfall.
Furnace Creek, USA
On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, Furnace Creek Golf Course, found in the infamous Death Valley National Park, is the lowest course in the world at 214 feet below sea level. Summer temperatures can reach a staggering 54.4 degrees Celsius, also making it the hottest course in the world.
Coober Pedy Opal Fields, Australia
At least Furnace Creek had grass. Coober Pedy’s desert course is quite literally just that – completely grassless and covered in sand and rock. The sand on the greens has to be oiled down to keep them from blowing away, and it’s the only club in the world to have reciprocal playing rights with St. Andrew’s in Scotland.
Kabul Golf Club, Afghanistan
Unsurprisingly, this course in Kabul, Afghanistan is not well kept. The course’s owner who built it was threatened by the Taliban at the time for encouraging Western influence. This course doesn’t have greens, either.
Camp Bonifas, DMZ, Korea
There’s only one hole on the world’s most dangerous golf course. Nestled inside the Korean Demilitarised Zone, the course is surrounded by minefields on three sides and lies between two warring countries.
Skukuza, South Africa
This is the only course in the world to find itself inside a national park – Kruger National Park, to be specific. Players may be surrounded by hippos, baboons or other wildlife while they have a hit.
Coeur D’Alene Resort, USA
This course surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Idaho plays host to the only floating green in the world. It can be moved about 200 yards by winches and cables, and can only be reached by a small boat.
Brickyard Crossing, USA
Known for the sport’s peculiar crossover with motor racing, Brickyard Crossing is both adjacent to, and part of, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Golfers can play four holes inside the track to the sound of engines roaring past at up to 320 km/h.
Legend Golf Resort, South Africa
Legend golf course has the world’s highest par 3, sitting 1200 feet above an ‘Africa’ shaped green. You need a helicopter to get 19th hole, making the usual money saving choice between buggy or cart a little irrelevant for those with a budget.
