Exploring the Best Golf Courses: A Golfer's Paradise

Secession Golf Club, located in Beaufort, SC, is a super exclusive club that offers an experience and sets the standard for low-country golf. Even though Secession might not get the same recognition as other courses such as Pine Valley and Cypress, it should be in the conversation. This course spans just over 7000 yards, is a par 72, and is set on a very flat, calm, and bay-like terrain. This course is stunning because of the history around it, the sheer beauty of it, and even the exclusiveness of it. When someone has the opportunity to play it, they get excited because they know not many people can play. Currently, over 1000 people are on the membership waiting list, and people have been members for hundreds of years. 

Cypress Point Club is one of the most pristine and sought-after golf courses and membership worldwide. This spectacular 18-hole, 6536-yard course lies right in the Monterey Peninsula. The designer of this course is no other than Alister Mackenzie, who was one of the best course designers of all time. Cypress is known worldwide and is argued to be the best course in the world. It's often in world rankings that Cypress is either number 1 or 2, going back and forth with Pine Valley (NJ). Cypress is specifically known for its 16th hole, which is a 231-yard par 3 that is just stunning. People who are multi-multi-millionaires sometimes won't even be considered for membership.

 Bethpage State Park is home to 5 golf courses on property, but one of them shines brighter than the others. Bethpage, known for the famous "Black" course, is one of the hardest courses to score well on. Even though it is a public course, tee times sell out in 2 minutes every day. There are hundreds of tee times. It is also home to the 2025 Ryder Cup, which is a tournament that only happens once every 2 years and is one of the rowdiest sporting events. It is set in September and is about the United States' best golfers vs Europe's best players. This treacherous course will be a true test of skill, even for the best players in the world. 

 Arguably one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world sits in Augusta, Georgia. Augusta National Golf Club was founded by Bobby Jones. Bobby Jones is one of the best golfers of all time, and he designed an absolute gem. This phenom of a course also holds the most recognizable tournament in the world, the Masters. When Jones bought the land back in 1931, it only cost him 70,000 dollars. Nowadays, membership for one person is north of 750,000. It is so highly thought of that even the elite of the elite have to wait 20+ years on a waitlist even for one vigorous interview. In addition to this, it also has one of the most notable logos. 

 In 1896, Hugh Wilson designed a masterpiece. This masterpiece was Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Merion Golf Club was just ranked the #8 course in the world. The Club has hosted more USGA events than any other course in the world. The course is known for being one of the most difficult in the world, stunning even the best of players such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicholas, and even Phil Mickelson. A unique thing about Merion is that instead of flags on the pins, they use wicker baskets instead. This is also incorporated into their logo, which is known around the world due to these wicker baskets. The origin of these wicker baskets remains a mystery, but it is rumored to be because Hugh Wilson got the inspiration from shepherds having wicker baskets on the end of their staffs. 

 About 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia lies Rolling Green Golf Club. Rolling Green Golf Club is a private, 18-hole course for whoever wants to join through a rigorous application process. The course was established in 1926 and designed by William Flynn, one of the best course designers ever. Flynn designed other notable courses such as Pine Valley, Merion Golf Club, and The Country Club. Rolling Green Golf Club has been a very highly respected and admirable club and has also held USGA events such as the US Women's Open, US Women's Amateur, and the 2021 Forme Tour Championship. This course is known for its gruesome and challenging par 3's and vigorously sloping greens.