With Father’s Day quickly approaching we thought it was time to take a look at some of the best golf courses in the world. Here are 15 of the best golf courses from the U.S. and abroad…

1. The Pine Valley Golf Club, New Jersey

The Pine Valley Golf Club is considered by many to be the best in the world. It’s located in Southern New Jersey, and was founded by a ground of amateur golfers from Philadelphia in 1913. It’s a challenging course to play, but is well worth it, if you can get into it. It’s a private club, and nonmembers can only play if invited and accompanied by another club member.

2. The Old Course – St. Andrews, Scotland

The Old course at St. Andrews is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. It is also the oldest, and it is located in beautiful Scotland. The first written evidence of golf being played at the course was from the 1500’s, and over 500 years later, the course is still going. It’s also one of the few courses with this much prestige that is open to the public.

3. Muirfield, Scotland

Muirfield is another great golf course located in Scotland, and it has also hosted The Open Championship over 15 times. Some of the world’s best golfers have played, and won The Open there like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, and Nick Faldo. It’s a links course, and is a bit unusual as it has two loops of 9-holes; one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise.

4. Pebble Beach, California

Whether you’re an avid golfer, or just a weekend player, chances are you’ve heard of the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. This beautiful course is located in sunny California, and has been featured in magazines, top 10 lists, and even video games. Playing at Pebble Beach isn’t cheap, as the green fees are around $500 per person, but you won’t find a better golfing experience on the West Coast.

5. The Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Scotland

Scotland strikes again taking the 5th spot on the list with The Royal Dornoch Golf Club. This club has two 18-hole courses, and was established back in 1877. It’s been consistently ranked in the top 10 for years, even though it’s never hosted any major modern tournaments.

6. Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina

The Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina is a great place to play golf; it’s also the only course on this great list I’ve had the privilege to play. There are eight courses in all, but course No. 2 is the most famous by far. If you’re looking for a great place to play on the East Coast of the United States, Pinehurst is the best choice.

7. Bethpage Black Golf Course, Lond Island

The Bethpage Black golf course is one of five courses at Bethpage State Park in Long Island. It’s the most difficult of the five, and also has the distinction of being the first publicly owned & operated golf course to host the U.S. Open.

8. Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania

If you like prestigious, old golf courses, you’ll love Oakmont Country Club. It’s the oldest top-ranked golf course in the United States; holding its first U.S. Open in 1927, and has had many other top events held there. If you’re ever in Pennsylvania, it’s a golf course you will want to check out.

9. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Lond Island

Speaking of prestigious, let’s take a look at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. This great looking course is located in the town of Southampton on Long Island, New York. It’s on the national register of Historic places and is the oldest formal organized golf club in the United States.

10. Royal Portrush Golf Club, Ireland

Now we’ll head back across the Ocean to beautiful Ireland for Royal Portrush Golf Club. It’s a private club, and the only club outside of Great Britain to host The Open Championship. The course is also overlooked by the ancient Dunluce Castle, which certainly adds an air of prestige to the already famous course.

11. Seminole Golf Club, Florida

Want to play some golf at the beach? You may want to check out the Seminole Golf Club which was designed by Donald Ross in 1929, and is located in sunny Juno Beach, Florida. Since its inception, it has been consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 courses in the U.S.

12. Prairie Dunes Country Club, Kansas

This next course just goes to show, that golf is popular everywhere. Prairie Dunes Country Club was founded in the mid-1930s, and is located outside of Hutchinson, Kansas in the U.S. It’s frequently hosted several U.S.G.A. events, and has consistently been ranked as one of the top courses in the U.S.

13. Ballybunion Golf Course, Ireland

We go back to Ireland for the next entry, which is Ballybunion Golf Course located in County Kerry, Ireland. Its remote location has kept it from being selected for some major events, but people that have played the course never forget it. Ballybunion was founded in 1893, but redesigned in 1995 by pro golfer Tom Watson into the course that is there today.

14. TPC Swagrass

TPC at Sawgrass, otherwise known as The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, is one of the most well-known golf courses in the U.S. It’s also the home of the PGA headquarters, and hosts The Players Championship every year.

15. Royal Country Down Golf Club, Ireland

The Royal Country Down Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in Ireland, dating back all the way to 1889. It has two 18-hole links courses, and the Championship course measures over 7,200 yards from the back tee. Royal Country Downs is generally been considered one of the best golf courses in the world.

Whether golf is loved or hated by your Dad, Prezzybox.com stock a huge range of fathers day gifts and ideas that are sure to make any dad feel special.

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As a child, I remember sitting there wondering how my father could possibly be enjoying The Masters or any other PGA golf tournament.  He was sleeping on the sofa! I could see why he enjoyed it. It was the 1970s equivalent of washing down a few Ambien with a bottle of Nyquil. Today, I enjoy watching golf while my children sit in wonderment about why I am a viewer. At least I speak to them about the game, The Masters, and just how difficult the game of golf is. I’m not sleeping.

In any event, here we are on opening day of The Masters. The weather is reportedly excellent. Sunny. Warm. Windless. Augusta National Golf Course provides a fairly intense challenge to the professional golfing community.

Tiger Woods is looking (desperately) to regain the form he had when he was far-and-away the greatest player to ever play the game. Along with his fall from grace in the real world have been his plummeting skills at his chosen profession. A new year, a new chance to get back on top. I do have to say that unlike many who believe that Tiger Woods winning nearly everything was what made golf fun to watch – I’m on the other end of that scale. I’m not a big “dynasty” fan in any sport, unless it’s my rooting interests, of course. However, when I have little or no rooting interests, I enjoy seeing a tight competition. Tiger falling back to the field offers viewers that part of the game’s enjoyment again. Perhaps The Masters will be bring about the turnaround.

Phil Mickelson is the favorite this year. With a win in The Masters in 2011, Phil Mickelson can join the exclusive “four (ugly) Green Jacket” club along with the aforementioned Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and the great Arnold Palmer. He’ll also have won The Masters back-to-back.

Other people who appear to be on the contenders list at The Masters this year include Fred Couples, Martin Kaymer, KJ Choi, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, and Lee Westwood.

Gaining some serious attention, if not better odds, is Japanese golfer, teenage sensation, Ryo Ishikawa. Ishikawa has pledged to donate 100% of his earnings to the relief efforts in earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan. Good for him. What an exciting storyline this would be if Ryo Ishikawa can take home the green jacket.

“A tradition unlike any other” resonates from the voice box of Jim Nantz. I’m looking forward to watching it. That tradition occasionally yields a few surprises, just like we witnessed in the Men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Perhaps we’ll be seeing a new, fresh face donning the Green Jacket at The Masters this year.Similar Posts:

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I’ll leave that conversation to people who make more money than me.

Instead, I’ll simply ask a question: which shot was bigger in relation to Mickelson’s victory? The eagle he hit on 14 or his “through the trees” save on 13 in the final round?

First off, the eagle:

And the simply brilliant “through the trees and over the water” shot, one which many are already calling the shot of the year:

On the other hand, the fact he was willing to try his “through the trees” shot means he has at least some belief the shot would work. The fact that it worked almost perfectly shouldn’t take away from the brilliance of Saturday’s eagle.Similar Posts:

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If Tiger’s in contention for the Masters and the green jacket as the weekend draws closer, I would expect to see this commercial about umpteen bajillion times (a bajillion = a whole freaking lot).

Perhaps Nike deserves credit for sticking by their golden goose man, but we shouldn’t be surprised their marketing department is capitalizing on Tiger’s mistakes. Granted, the commercial gives an appearance of disapproval and finger-wagging, but again, they want to sell you golf clubs, and whether or not Tiger’s star has been fractured, his presence, especially now, makes for a compelling approach.

I suppose this method is better than having Tiger celebrate his mistakes by pitching golf clubs with a bevy of scantily-clad golf hotties running around in the background. I’m thinking something along the lines of Doria Baird’s spread she did for Maxim from a few years ago.

You know? Something like this:

Update:

The voicemail version of Tiger’s commercial. Two words: ***king awesome.

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How James became the the face of Tiger’s mistresses is beyond me — I’d much prefer Uchitel — but yet, there she’ll be, asking people to forget about the fact she let tons of dudes rail her for money — at the same time, in many cases — and focus on the fact that “she’s hurting inside since the news of Tiger’s fun broke” or some other such nonsense.

It should be noted I have absolutely nothing against porn or porn stars. I’m simply asking should we be so eager to embrace “the pain” of a person who gets double-teamed for a living?

Or someone who allows herself to be a pathetic marketing tool for local Atlanta strip clubs?

The fact that she’s given even the tiniest amount of concern and attention, as if what she’s saying is legitimate and not the musings of a huckster trying to hold on to her newfound mainstream fame, fame she got from letting a married man do dirty stuff to her behind his wife’s back, is boggling. If James feels so “betrayed” by Woods, how does she feel when Mr. Porno Star and his willing partners do their business in one (or all) of her orifices, and then simply get up, wipe off and go on to the next adult movie set?

Does she feel the same pain Tiger caused her? Somehow, I doubt it.

Of course, it could all be me. Perhaps I’m just too jaded. I mean, why on earth would I be so eager to discount someone who is clearly trying to turn a quick buck (link is NSFW), all because she was nasty enough in the sack to satisfy the appetites of Tiger Woods?

In other news, I’ve been hoping for a the concept of “self respect” to return. Obviously, that’s a futile effort — especially when folks like Joslyn James are involved.Similar Posts:

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Granted, with all things Tiger, it’s doubtful the patient wait took much longer than it did for Woods to hit the “enter” key, confirming he did indeed want to publish his post. Here’s part of Woods’ announcement, which was undoubtedly read around the sports world this morning:

“The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta.

“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been awhile since I last played.

“I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I’m returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life…

As indicated, the most popular “instant knee-jerk reaction” software client in the world — Twitter — absolutely erupted when Woods’ statement became public, complete with all the sex/cheating jokes you can handle. A few examples:

Magary delivers

An Internet white knight defends Elin (can’t really blame him)

Shoot the messenger? If they overdo it, I can understand the sentiment

Perhaps the most accurate report about Tiger’s return

I think this one captures the mood of many quite well

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That last one, friends, would’ve been a fantastic idea: Having the Ochocinco News Network interviewing Tiger’s mistresses. I would watch that all day, everyday.Similar Posts:

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Rumors are, he’ll also announce his intentions concerning his golf career.

So yeah, it’s time to welcome back Tiger Woods and the coming tidal wave of news reports, reminding us of what he did, who he did and how various individuals feel about Tiger’s choices.

As if their opinion matters.

Sorry, for me, this is still a personal issue between Tiger and Elin, and if she’s willing to stand by him and accept his apology – although, that’s not quite clear — there’s not much else that needs to be said. Sure, we can use our keyboards to speculate, chastise, and make declarative statements about Woods until our fingers fall off, but that still won’t change the fact that Tiger owes us nothing.

I will say, however, that if he does come back and plays in The Masters, the media wave that follows him will make tomorrow’s look silly.Similar Posts:

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And by wise and just, I mean “stupid.”

If they wanted to use images to hammer their point about Woods’ extracurricular activities, they could’ve simply shown some of his family photos. You know, something like this:

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Not mine, yours, or TMZ.com’s.

I will say, however, it has been fun watching the blogs trip over themselves to be first. First with pictures of the women in Tiger’s life. First to run Tiger’s apology. First to run the voicemails.

I wonder how many of these folks would be so eager to be first if it were their friends, family, or even themselves on the chopping block? Granted, my approach is obviously in the minority — that is, I just don’t care about this story because I’ve always steered this blog towards an approach of, “I’m doing this to celebrate my love of sports” while avoiding the the pop culture side of the things.

Hell, that’s probably a bit naive, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still don’t care about Tiger’s apparent infidelities.

I don’t care about his relationship with Rachel Uchitel.

I don’t care about his relationship with Jaimee Grubbs.

I don’t care about his relationship with Kalika Moquin.

All I care about when it comes to Tiger Woods is whether or not he’ll win the next golf tournament he’s scheduled to be in. If, in the meantime, he decides to bed the woodwind section of the Boston Philharmonic, well, that’s on him. And them.

Perhaps I should hold athletes to a higher standard.

Or perhaps people should mind their own business.

So here we are: $164 worth of traffic violations, a ton of “look at me” photographs of women who fully embrace the Facebook era of taking pictures of every little accomplishment they’ve had since the invention of digital photography because they’re all so deep, and a smashed SUV window later. But what have we accomplished? In what ways did we grow, and/or improve our lot in life?

That’s just it, we haven’t. Now that the cat is out of the bag, the women involved will have fun with their 15 minutes, the Woods’ relationship will undoubtedly change, and we, the readers and reporters, will simply move on to the next salacious story.

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