The World’s Most Instagram-Worthy Golf Courses

Golf courses can offer much more than a challenging round. Some courses sit beside dramatic coastlines, while others wind through mountains, deserts, forests, and historic landscapes. These settings create views that can make almost any golf photo worth sharing.

For golfers who enjoy documenting their trips, choosing the right course can add another dimension to the experience. The scenery can become part of the story, whether you are standing on a cliffside tee box, looking across a mountain valley, or watching the sun set over the ocean.

Here are some of the world’s most Instagram-worthy golf courses, each offering a memorable combination of golf and scenery.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, California

Pebble Beach Golf Links remains one of the most recognizable golf courses in the world. Located along California’s Monterey Peninsula, the course provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the round.

Several holes run directly beside the coastline. The cliffs, rocky shoreline, and deep blue water create excellent photography opportunities, especially on the famous finishing holes.

The scenery also changes throughout the day. Early morning light can create soft colors across the ocean, while afternoon conditions often provide stronger contrast between the fairways and coastline.

Old Head Golf Links, Ireland

Old Head Golf Links in County Cork offers one of the most dramatic settings in golf. The course occupies a narrow peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean.

Large cliffs surround much of the property, giving golfers views of open water from many holes. The combination of green fairways, rugged cliffs, and ocean scenery makes the course particularly appealing for golf photography.

Wind also plays an important role in the experience. A calm day can create a peaceful coastal scene, while stronger winds highlight the exposed nature of the course.

Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers sits on a dramatic peninsula overlooking Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. The golf course occupies elevated land with enormous cliffs surrounding several holes.

The views can make you stop before hitting your next shot. From above, the fairways appear to sit between steep cliffs and open countryside.

The course also provides plenty of opportunities for wide landscape photographs. Instead of focusing only on your golf swing, you can capture the scale of the surrounding landscape.

Banff Springs Golf Course, Canada

Banff Springs Golf Course combines golf with the scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Located near Banff National Park, the course features mountain views from almost every direction.

Towering peaks rise behind the fairways, while forests surround many parts of the course. The changing seasons also give photographers different opportunities throughout the year.

Summer provides lush greenery, while autumn adds vibrant foliage to the landscape. The mountains remain the dominant feature in almost every photograph.

TPC Sawgrass, Florida

Not every Instagram-worthy golf course needs dramatic mountains or cliffs. TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, creates memorable golf images through its design and famous landmarks.

The 17th hole, with its island green, provides one of the most recognizable photographs in golf. Players can capture the green surrounded by water before attempting one of the most talked-about shots in the sport.

The hole also creates plenty of memorable moments. A successful tee shot can become the centerpiece of a golf trip photo album.

Whistling Straits, Wisconsin

Whistling Straits sits along the shores of Lake Michigan and features a landscape designed to resemble a traditional Irish links course.

The property contains rugged terrain, tall grasses, bunkers, and expansive views across the lake. The combination gives photographs a distinct character compared with traditional parkland courses.

The shoreline provides another strong backdrop. Photos taken from elevated areas can capture both the course and the massive lake behind it.

Golfers who want to photograph their equipment alongside the landscape can also take advantage of the wide open surroundings. For example, checking out the TaylorMade golf balls can help players prepare for a memorable round at a scenic course.

Cabot Cliffs, Nova Scotia

Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia offers a combination of rugged coastline, forest, and ocean views. The course sits above the Gulf of St. Lawrence and uses the natural terrain throughout its layout.

Several holes provide elevated views of the coastline. From these positions, golfers can see the ocean stretching toward the horizon.

The course looks especially striking when the surrounding landscape changes color during autumn. The contrast between the fairways, trees, and coastline can create impressive landscape photographs.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Yas Links Abu Dhabi offers a completely different visual experience. Located in the United Arab Emirates, the course combines traditional links-style design with a modern Middle Eastern setting.

The course features views of the Arabian Gulf and the Abu Dhabi skyline. Palm trees, manicured fairways, and modern architecture create a distinctive backdrop.

Sunrise and sunset can produce particularly strong photography conditions. The changing light adds depth to the landscape and highlights the contrast between the course and surrounding development.

Players preparing for a trip to a course like this may also want to review the Callaway driver options before traveling.

Fancourt, South Africa

Fancourt in George, South Africa, sits near the Outeniqua Mountains and provides a scenic combination of mountains, forests, and carefully maintained fairways.

The surrounding mountains create a strong background for photographs. Depending on the weather, clouds can also settle around the peaks and change the appearance of the landscape.

The area provides plenty of opportunities beyond the golf course as well. A golf trip to Fancourt can easily become a broader travel photography experience.

Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand

Kauri Cliffs offers another spectacular coastal golf setting in New Zealand. The course overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the Cavalli Islands, creating panoramic views from several elevated points.

The natural landscape remains the main attraction. Fairways move through native vegetation before opening toward the ocean.

For golfers who enjoy taking photos during their rounds, the course provides plenty of natural stopping points. A photograph from an elevated tee can capture the fairway, coastline, and distant islands in one frame.

Comfort also matters when you spend several hours walking a scenic course. Wearing the best spiked golf shoes can provide the traction needed for different course conditions while you explore the layout.

Turn Your Golf Trip Into a Photo Story

The most Instagram-worthy golf courses give you more than attractive backgrounds. They provide different views throughout the round, which allows you to create a complete visual story of your trip.

Try photographing more than your scorecard. Capture the first view from the clubhouse, your approach to the first tee, interesting features along the fairways, and the landscape surrounding the final hole.

Timing also matters. Early morning and late afternoon usually provide softer natural light. Before taking photos, check the course rules regarding mobile phones and photography.

A good golf photograph does not always require expensive equipment. A smartphone can capture excellent images when you pay attention to composition, lighting, and the surrounding landscape.

For golfers who enjoy traveling, these courses offer an opportunity to combine the game with memorable photography. Whether you prefer dramatic coastlines, mountain scenery, desert landscapes, or famous golf holes, there are courses around the world that can make your next round worth remembering long after you leave the 18th green.

About the Author

Jordan Fuller is a golf expert, writer, and experienced player who shares practical golf advice, equipment insights, and course knowledge with golfers worldwide.