Golf, despite being known as the pastime of the elite, is one of the most widely watched and participated in sports in the world. It’s prestigious, and expensive – professional players can earn upwards of $10million (£6.4m) in just one season, and club membership is not exactly cheap. Games can take up much of the day, during which players get to drink in the serene surroundings generally associated with a golf course. Here, we take a look at the seven best golf courses in the world, and what it is that makes them so special.

Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
The other side of the world is a long way to go for a game of golf, but this course makes it worth it. Situated right on the coast (hit a ball over the edge and it won’t hit the Pacific for 10 seconds), this amazing course throws everything at those who attempt it, including ravines, and the greens play fast. Designed by Tom Doak, it costs £115 per person, per round, and you can book a suite for £249 per night.

Doonberg, Ireland
Ireland has the terrain for golf courses, and this course designed by Greg Norman makes the most of its natural setting. It’s a relatively new course at just six years old, and is partially flanked by sand. The clifftop shots are spectacular. The golf club offers two nights in the lodge with a round of golf with green fees, on a half board basis, and even throws in a massage, all for £599.

Pebble Beach, USA
There are several premier golf courses in the US, and most of them are extremely private. Pebble Beach is the exception, and it’s worth paying the green fee for the view over the Pacific alone. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course presents many challenges. Three nights and three rounds of golf will set you back £2,198 (that’s for two people).

Turnberry Ailsa, Scotland
The scenery is beautiful, with far-reaching views across the ocean, and bridges that guide you safely over the deep crevices in the landscape. The first 10 holes on this course (which was designed by golf course architect Mackenzie Ross) take you out to the clifftop, overlooking views of the Ailsa Craig rock and the ancient lighthouse. The 5* hotel is recently renovated, and there are two green fees – £190 during the day, and a twilight fee of just £90.

Green Monkey, Barbados
This course, designed by Tom Fazio, really gets going at the tenth hole, with a 100ft drop into a quarry which is tricky to play out of. The terrain is quite challenging from that point on, so it’s a nice surprise to find the final green is shaped like a Green Monkey. A seven-night stay costs £1799, which includes flights and four rounds of golf.

Royal Birkdale, UK
Golf World voted this course the best in the UK. Originally designed by George Lowe Jnr in the 19th century, and added to by Fred Hawtree in 1932, this course is set in a rolling landscape, with dunes, areas of wild grass and gently contoured greens. The green fee ranges from £120-195.

Canouan, Grenadines
The setting of this course is almost like something out of a Bond film. The Jim Fazio course takes you to the rim of an extinct volcano, 840m above sea level, where you can see the islands of Mustique and Mayreau, across deep ravines and through tricky dog legs. A five-night stay costs £2707, which includes a round of golf and internal flights.

While golf courses around the world have for a long time been the playgrounds of the rich and famous, it’s encouraging that this great sport now appeals to anybody and everybody. Golf provides great entertainment, is a good source of exercise and is great for comradery, as groups of friends strive for the latest in golfing technology and swap tips for maintaining top gadgets like golf trolleys. Just ensure that you have long-lasting batteries from a supplier such as pure drive batteries to save your legs some energy if you are golfing the whole day.