23Jan
By: velocitybrands On: January 23, 2018 In: Fitness, Travel Comments: 0

We’re picking the top five golf courses in the U.S. that are on our must-visit list. Golf is one of America’s favorite pastimes, and it offers a lot of benefits to both your mind and body. Getting on the course is great stress relief – just think about all the fresh air and the smell of cut grass. We dare you to not feel more relaxed on the course. If that doesn’t do it, just try walking through the acres upon acres of beautiful scenery. Golf can be a great source of cardio simply because of the distance you need to travel to play. Say no to the golf cart and take a stroll through the beautiful grounds instead. Plus, your mean swing is a total body workout! In addition to a physical workout, golf is a great mental workout. Figuring out your shot, keeping score, and weighing your options all make your brain think. Finally, we love the social aspect of golf. It’s a wonderful activity to do with friends or business connections.

There are so many unbelievable golf courses out there narrowing it down to the top five was tough! We’ve got our sights on playing through these:

#1 – Pine Valley (New Jersey)

Pine Valley Golf Club has a reputation for being the best. Also chosen by Golf Digest as their top course, “Pine Valley’s reputation as the hardest and best golf course in the world is well-earned. Every single shot is a double bogey waiting to happen. The course is brutal unless you can throw it up in the air and hit it a decent distance.” The course architecture is supreme and the grounds are beautiful.

#2 – Pebble Beach Golf Links (California)

Golfing with an ocean view? Yes, please! Pebble Beach is home to some stunning public golf courses, but Pebble Beach Golf Links is the number one public course in America. According to their website, Pebble Beach will be hosting its fifth U.S. Amateur in 2018 and the U.S. Open in 2019. We can’t wait to set foot on this spectacular course and golf to the sound of crashing ocean waves.

#3 – Shinnecock Hills (New York)

Shinnecock Hills is the home of the upcoming 2018 U.S. Open and is one of the oldest courses in America having being founded in 1891. Golf Course Gurus notes, “The course flows over natural rolling terrain and promotes its links layout with fescue grass and just a single water hazard.” The Shinnecock Hills website mentions that it resembles some courses on the British Isles and we’re excited to immerse ourselves in the uniqueness and history of this golfing spot.

#4 – Augusta National (Georgia)

Home of the Master’s Tournament, Augusta National is famous across the world. Top100GolfCourses.com says, “Augusta National Golf Club is one of Earth’s most exclusive clubs and the layout was designed by perhaps the world’s greatest golfer, who teamed up with maybe the world’s greatest architect. Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie were the perfect duo to lay down the consummate golf course.” We love the idea of playing the same course as the Masters and hope to see some Green Jackets while we’re out on the fairway.

#5 – Oakmont (Pennsylvania)

Famous for hosting, Oakmont has been home to the most U.S. Opens, and more USGA and PGA championships than any other golf course in America. As far as the course goes, the website boasts its difficulty by saying, “Oakmont remains perhaps the most difficult course in North America, with 175 deep bunkers (personified by the Church Pews), hard and slick greens that slope away from the player, and tight fairways requiring the utmost precision.” We’re a little scared, but up for the challenge!

These are our top five picks. Have you played through any of these golfing dream spots? What are your top golfing picks?