TraderLife Guide To: World's Best Golf Courses

Get into the golfing spirit and sharpen up your swing at one of our favourite golf courses from around the world.

From exclusive members-only clubs to courses that scale mountains and spread across safari parks, The TL Guide to: Golf Courses is sure to inspire you...

London Golf Club

The London Golf Club is home to two spectacular courses, and has played host to some prestigious competitions including The European Open. Escape from the city and your trading screen for a round on 'The International', a championship-level course that's both challenging and breathtaking. Or maybe you'll go for 'The Heritage', a classic Jack Nicklaus course that will test your skill. And of course, round it off with a beverage or two in the bar afterwards.

Where is it? Nr Brands Hatch, Kent, UK
Green fees: From £70
Top tip: Forgotten to bring your gear with you? No need to worry- you can swing by the Proshop and get kitted out in no time.

Find out more or make a booking.

The Heritage Golf & Spa, Killenard

The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort

The Heritage boasts a 72-par, 300+ acre course incorporating five lakes, a stream and 7,000 trees. It was created by golf legend Seve Ballesteros and is playing host to this year's Seve Trophy. And it won 7th best parkland course in Ireland, voted by Backspin and Golf Digest magazines. Afterwards, you can head to the bar or restaurant (prime Irish beef is the speciality- you heard it here first) or kick back on one of three outdoor terraces and take in the panoramic views (and try to spot the best - or worst - golfers on the course).

Where is it? Killenard, County Laois, Ireland, UK
Green fees: From €25
Top tip: If you've had enough of trying to coax out your inner Tiger Woods, you can give up and head to the spa to recover.

Take a closer look or get booked in.

Shinnecock Hills

Shinnecock Hills Golf Course

Shinnecock Hills is the oldest incorporated golf course in the United States and was founded in 1891, making it a part of history as well as an impressive course. It has played host to the US Open five times, most recently in 2015. It's an old club with old traditions, so you'll need to have a member in tow to access the course. It's considered to be one of the toughest courses in the US, so if you're feeling brave, let it test your skills.

Where is it? Southampton, New York, US
Green fees: From $60 with a member
Top tip: Every year, the course's Project ALS charity day, usually held in May, will give you the opportunity to play the course even if you're not a member - for a cool $2,500.

Find out more about the course here.

Ile aux Cerfs Golf

Le Touessrok

Okay, so the traditional famous courses are impressive, challenging and definitely on your list. But if you're after something a little more unusual, head to Mauritius to play a round golf on a private island. Take a short boat ride from the 5-star Le Touessrok resort and you'll find yourself on the Ile aux Cerfs (which means 'Deer Island'). It is no longer home to the deer that gave it its name, but now boasts a 72-par championship golf course set on its own beautifully picturesque island.

Where is it? Le Touessrok, Mauritius.
Green fees: From €119
Top tip: If you want to explore the island before you tee off, book a tour of the island - you'll get boat transfers, a 3-course lunch and a relaxing day spent swimming, sunbathing and strolling around the island.

For more information on Le Touessrok hotel and Ile aux Cerfs, click here.

Himalayan Golf Course

If playing golf on a paradise island doesn't take your fancy, maybe you'd rather scale a river canyon? The Himalayan Golf Course is a pro-championship, 18 hole course with panoramic views of the Annapuma Himalayan mountain range. A snowfed river runs through the course, which runs along the canyon walls. You might even see monkeys, foxes, hawks and eagles while you play- they are just some of the resident wildlife on the course. It will definitely be a golf trip worth talking about.

Where is it? Pokhara, Nepal.
Green fees: From $50
Top tip: If a round of golf in 27 degree heat doesn't sound ideal, avoid the hot summer season and take a winter trip, when the average temperature will be a much more playable 12 degrees.

Find out more and book up now.

Legend Golf Safari, Extreme 19th Hole

Legend Golf Safari

Okay, so once you've ticked off 'private island' and 'river canyon' on your list of must-play golf courses, you may be struggling to imagine where to head next. Enter Legend Golf Safari, unquestionably one of the world's most impressive courses. It has a stunning Signature Course as well as the renowned Tribute Course, which plays homage to 10 famous golf holes. But the real showstopper is the Extreme 19th, the longest and highest golf hole in the world. The tee is set some 400m above the green on the Hanglip Mountain and can only be reached by helicopter - and 2008 Open Champion Padraig Harrington set the par at an impressive and as-yet undefeated 3. Are you up for the challenge?

Where is it? Mookgopong, South Africa.
Green fees: From 650 R
Top tip: This isn't just a golf trip: The Legend Golf Safari resort is also home to numerous other activities including a spa, sports such as football and tennis, helicopter flights and of course safari trips.

Find out more about the resort or email to book.

Cape Wickham

Cape Whickham

This King Island golf course has been two years in the making and is now finally open for business. With amazing cliff top views and holes overlooking beautiful sandy beaches par for the course (no pun intended...) it's definitely one to add to your list.

Where is it? King Island, Tasmania
Green fees: TBC
Top tip: Contact golf@capewickham.com.au to get more information or to arrange a package including transfers, meals and accommodation with 6-star island views.

Get more information or book up here.

TPC at Baha Mar

If you should find yourself in the Bahamas, don't leave without squeezing in a round of golf at the brand new TPC golf course at Baha Mar. The first TPC course to grace the Carribean, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is really two courses in one, with the front nine holes offering ocean views and water features and the back nine winding through inland forests.

Where is it? Baha Mar, Nassau, The Bahamas
Green fees: From $350 (discount for guests staying at Baha Mar)
Top tip: Book a vacation package and top off your round of golf with a stay at the $3.5 million Baha Mar resort - custom quotes available here to suit your requirements.

Click here for more information or to book now.

Shadow Creek

Shadow Creek Golf Course

Last but definitely not least is Shadow Creek, just a stone's throw from Vegas and sculpted from the Nevada desert. It used to be super-exclusive and open only to a privileged few. Now, you can get access by staying at one of the MGM Resorts in Vegas, which include Mandalay Bay, New York New York and Monte Carlo. You'll be taken from your resort to the course by private limousine and escorted by a personal caddie for a truly luxurious golf experience.

Where is it? Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Green fees: Contact your MGM resort for details
Top tip: What happens in Shadow Creek, stays in Shadow Creek...

Click here for more information.