World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman didn’t just rack up more than 90 professional wins during his golfing career. With the Greg Norman Golf Course Design, ‘The Great White Shark,’ designed over 140 courses around the globe. A few of the highlights include Ayla Oasis in Jordan, Norman Course at PGA West in California, Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course in the Bahamas, etc. 

In 2020, Norman shared his top golf courses in the world for GOLF Magazine’s travel feature. However, his designs didn’t make it to the top three. So, which courses did Norman’s designs lose to?

Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia

Greg Norman placed Royal Melbourne at the top of his list. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, the course was founded in 1891 and has remained a favorite for professionals. The reason? The sandy base forces the golfers to rely on strategic routing and creative shot-making. 

As a whole, it’s a 36-hole course, ranking at #3 in the world. Meanwhile, the composite course consists of six holes from the East Course and 12 holes of the West Course. And every single hole demands that the players weigh risk versus reward. 

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, The USA

Situated in New York, Shinnecock Hills is one of the oldest clubs in the country and has hosted multiple U.S. Opens. Its terrain is demanding. But it rewards the players for strategic gameplay under varying conditions. 

Willie Davis originally designed the 12-hole course. By 1931, William Flynn had revised the course into its current 18-hole state. Now, Shinnecock Hills is slated to host the 2026 U.S. Open, the 2036 U.S. Women’s Open, and the 2036 U.S. Open. 

It ranks at #4 in the World Rankings. But Norman put it at the #2 spot in his personal list. 

St. Andrews Links, Scotland

St. Andrews has been actively hosting golfers for about 600 years, after Archbishop Hamilton’s Charter gave people the right to play at the Links. Needless to say, it’s the world’s oldest golf course. Apart from the historical significance, the course has a unique open-field layout. 

Unlike many modern designs, the Old Course’s vast double greens and shared fairways encourage thoughtful navigation rather than rote power. Its strategic depth and rich heritage make it a perennial favorite among players who value the game’s origins. And in Greg Norman’s list, it ranked at #3. 

But if you had to choose one, which course would you like to hit balls in?

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Joyita Das