Golf on all continents

North America: Variety Without Equal

North America offers perhaps the greatest diversity of golf anywhere in the world. I've played desert courses in Arizona, mountain courses in Colorado, oceanfront layouts in California, and windswept links-inspired designs in the Northeast. 

Canada introduced me to dramatic landscapes and a deep appreciation for the game. Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic demonstrated how spectacular golf can be when paired with turquoise water and warm hospitality. 

Yet whether I was playing a municipal course in a small American town or a world-famous resort, the conversations after the round were remarkably similar. Golfers everywhere wanted to talk about great shots, bad breaks, favorite courses, and the next trip they hoped to take.

South America: Passion and History

Argentina surprised me. 

The golf is excellent, but what stood out most was the pride members took in their clubs and traditions. At clubs such as the Jockey Club near Buenos Aires, golf felt deeply woven into the local culture.

The architecture, the history, and the camaraderie created an atmosphere that felt both familiar and uniquely Argentine. Despite language differences, golf once again became a common language.

Europe: Walking Through Golf's Living History

No continent connects golfers to the game's roots quite like Europe. 

Standing on the first tee at a historic links course in Scotland, Ireland, or England is a little like stepping into a time machine. The names are legendary, but what remains with me most are the moments: watching weather roll in from the sea, listening to stories from caddies, and discovering that many traditions have survived for generations.

In Northern Ireland, I found some of the most dramatic golf landscapes I've ever seen. Royal County Down, Royal  Portrush, Portstewart, and Ardglass each offered unforgettable experiences. Along England's Golf Coast, courses like Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool, and Royal Lytham & St Annes reminded me why links golf continues to captivate players around the world.

Even in Ukraine, where I played before the current conflict, I found golfers who shared the same passion for the game despite living in a very different environment.

Africa: Golf Beneath the African Sky 

South Africa delivered one of the most unique golfing experiences of my life.

The golf itself was outstanding, but what stood out most was the pace and rhythm of the day. Unlike the rush often found on American courses, a round in South Africa was meant to be savored. Stopping for lunch at the turn with fellow players and caddies was not an interruption to the round—it was part of the experience. Conversations flowed easily, stories were shared, and the game became as much about companionship as competition.

The combination of exceptional golf, remarkable scenery, and warm hospitality made every round feel like a special occasion rather than simply another tee time.

Asia: Precision, Respect, and Hospitality

Golf in Japan and South Korea introduced me to a different golfing culture.

In Japan especially, golf is often viewed as a full-day experience. A round commonly pauses after nine holes for lunch with your playing partners and caddies before continuing the back nine. At first, the break felt unusual to someone accustomed to grabbing a quick snack and finishing eighteen holes in less than four hours. Before long, however, I began to appreciate the tradition.

The meal created an opportunity to relax, reflect on the front nine, and enjoy the company of the group. The pace encouraged conversation and reinforced the idea that golf is not merely a sport but a social occasion. Combined with impeccably maintained courses and extraordinary attention to detail, the experience offered a refreshing contrast to the faster pace common in North America.

Oceania: Golf at the Edge of the World

Australia and New Zealand offered some of the most visually stunning golf I've ever experienced.

Australia's famed Sandbelt courses introduced me to a style of golf that was both strategic and visually dramatic. Massive sweeping bunkers cut across fairways and surround greens in ways that are both intimidating and beautiful. The sandy soils create firm playing conditions that reward creativity and imagination, while kangaroos often watch quietly from the edges of fairways as if they are members enjoying the day's play. It is a uniquely Australian experience to discuss club selection while a mob of kangaroos grazes nearby.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand presented a different but equally memorable setting. Courses such as Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, Te Arai, and Waitangi seem to emerge naturally from the landscape. Towering cliffs, rugged coastlines, and endless ocean views create golf experiences that feel almost cinematic. More than once, I found myself standing on a tee box simply admiring the scenery before remembering there was a golf shot to play.

Together, Australia and New Zealand demonstrated how golf can become an extension of the natural environment, creating experiences that are every bit as memorable as the scores recorded on the scorecard.

Antarctica: The Final Frontier

Antarctica remains the one continent where I have not played golf.

While there are no traditional golf courses, special events and charity golf exhibitions have occasionally been held on the frozen continent. The idea of golfers hitting balls across ice and snow may seem unusual, but perhaps it serves as proof that golfers will find a way to play almost anywhere.

Whether I ever reach Antarctica or not, I enjoy knowing that even there, golf has managed to leave a footprint.

What Golf Taught Me About the World

The scorecards eventually fade. The birdies and bogeys become harder to remember. 

What lasts are the people, the places, and the realization that a game played with clubs and a little white ball can connect us across oceans, languages, and continents.

Laurie and I often find ourselves standing on a distant tee box, looking out across a landscape neither of us has ever seen before, and saying the same thing: "How lucky are we?" Golf may have given us a reason to visit these places, but the real gift has been sharing those experiences together.

After six continents and hundreds of courses, that may be the greatest lesson golf has taught me: the game opens doors to remarkable places, but it is the people beside you—and the memories you create together—that make the journey worthwhile.

What's your favorite continent for golf?