It’s almost impossible to narrow down the world’s best golf courses into just five, but arguably these are the five courses you should play at least once during your life. For some of these, you will have to be a member, be invited to play by a member, or otherwise have excellent connections. And on any of these courses, if you don’t play your best round, it makes no difference - you have enjoyed the golfing experience of a lifetime.

The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland. Par 72.

The home of golf and the one course that every golfer longs to play, regardless of their handicap. Golf has been played here since the 16th century and the course hosted its first British Open in 1873. It isn’t just the sense of history and tradition that make the Old Course special, it’s also the unusual features, including its famous double greens and the fact that the course can be played clockwise or anti-clockwise. Its most famous hole is the Road Hole, overlooked by the historic Old Course Hotel and the site of many a bogey or worse.

Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California, USA. Par 72.

Surely one of the world’s most beautiful and scenic courses, Cypress Point is a private golf club, designed in 1928 by noted golf architect Alister Mackenzie. In 1956, the course was the scene of a famous four-ball match, which resulted in the great Ben Hogan shooting a 63.The course hugs the dramatic coastline, particularly the well-known and much photographed 15th, 16th and 17th holes. The tee shot on the par three 16th is actually hit over the ocean and has been described as the world’s best par three hole.

August National, Augusta, Georgia, USA. Par 72.

You may have to wait to play here; its one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world. August was founded in the 1930s by Bobby Jones and ever since, has become the home of the Masters and the coveted Green Jacket. The course is just as well known for the rather quirky names of some of its landmarks – Sarazen Bridge, Amen Corner and the Eisenhower Tree – as it is for its beautiful landscaping, immaculate greens and challenging water hazards.

Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Par 67.

There are many historic links courses in Ireland; Royal County Down is also one of the most scenic. “Old” Tom Morris was paid 4 guineas to design the course in 1889; in later years it was redesigned by Harry Vardon and officially named a royal course by King Edward VII. A round here is made challenging by the wind and the towering sand dunes and you may also be distracted by spectacular views of the Mountains of Mourne and the Irish Sea.

Pine Valley Golf Club, Pine Valley, New Jersey, USA. Par 70.

Consistently ranked as one of the best courses in the world, Pine Valley was founded in 1913 by a group of amateur golfers. The designer, George Crump spent years realizing his dream of a course where a player would have to use every club and where no hole was laid out parallel to the next. Today, Pine Valley is one of the most challenging courses anywhere, with its undulating fairways, its need for skillful approach shots and the huge bunker on the 7th hole, known as Hell’s half-acre. It’s also a member’s only club and has hosted no major championships.