My Top 3 Favourite Golf Courses in the World
by: Greg Eason, former PGA Tour Player
Having competed at the highest level on the PGA Tour, I've been fortunate enough to play many of the world's greatest golf courses. While every iconic venue has something unique to offer, three courses stand above the rest for me. They each demand a different style of golf, reward precise shot-making, and leave a lasting impression long after the final putt drops.
1. Real Club Valderrama – Andalucía, Spain
Valderrama is, in my opinion, the ultimate test of strategic golf. Every hole asks a question, and every shot requires complete commitment. Unlike many modern championship courses that rely primarily on length, Valderrama places a premium on precision, positioning, and course management.
The fairways are framed by cork trees, the greens are among the fastest and purest in Europe, and missing your target by even a few feet can leave you scrambling for par. As a professional golfer, I love courses that reward discipline over power, and nowhere exemplifies that better than Valderrama. It's a course that forces you to think your way around every hole, making every successful round incredibly satisfying.
2. Isleworth Golf & Country Club – Orlando, Florida
Isleworth represents championship golf at its finest. The conditioning is simply world-class, with immaculate fairways, flawless greens, and a level of presentation that rivals any course I've ever played.
What makes Isleworth special isn't just its beauty—it's the variety of shots it demands. Every club in the bag comes into play, and the course continually tests your ability to shape shots, control distance, and stay mentally engaged. Having spent considerable time in Central Florida, Isleworth has always felt like the perfect blend of challenge and luxury. It's a place where elite players can truly appreciate the subtle design features that separate great golf courses from exceptional ones.
3. Muirfield Village Golf Club – Dublin, Ohio
Jack Nicklaus created something truly special with Muirfield Village. Every detail of the course reflects his philosophy of championship golf—rewarding intelligent decision-making, precise iron play, and patience.
What I admire most is how balanced the course feels. There are scoring opportunities if you're playing well, but every mistake is punished appropriately. The greens are exceptional, the bunkering is strategic rather than penal, and the layout continually challenges players to execute under pressure.
As someone who played professionally, I appreciate courses that don't rely on gimmicks or excessive difficulty. Muirfield Village simply asks you to play great golf, and that's exactly what makes it one of the finest championship venues in the world.
Final Thoughts
Each of these courses offers something completely different. Valderrama is the ultimate chess match, demanding precision and strategy on every shot. Isleworth combines pristine conditioning with championship-caliber design, while Muirfield Village showcases timeless architecture that continually rewards intelligent golf.
Having played at the professional level, I've learned that the best golf courses aren't necessarily the longest or the most difficult—they're the ones that challenge every aspect of your game while rewarding great execution. For me, these three courses do exactly that, which is why they'll always be my favourites.
Greg Eason