Augusta National Golf Course is arguably the best course in the United States, maybe even in the World.  The layout challenges some of the best golfers in the world.  The course has not been changed drastically since 1935, but they are reconstructing 8 holes this year, lengthening holes and adding more challenging obstacles. As you may know, Augusta is host to the most prestigious tournament in golf, the Masters, every year in April. There are many challenging holes, such as the 16th, the long par 3 over the water, the 17th, the challenging par 4, or the 18th, the distinctive home hole, giving the course an excellent finish.

(Shown on the left is the course.)

Pebble Beach Golf Links is one amazing course. Opened in 1919, this course was one of the best things that happened to man. The course is really not a links course, rather tucked onto cliffs towering above Carmel Bay. The 4th through 10th holes-with the exception of the 5th-along with 17 and 18, are all sitting on the craggy rocks overlooking the surf. These are some of the most scenic holes in all of golf. The 18th hole, a 548-yard par five, is perhaps the best-known hole in the world, with water on the left and out of bounds on the right.. The 8th hole runs along the Carmel coast and is open to the hazards. The 7th green is located just a few feet away from the crashing waves of Carmel Bay. This course is home to the U.S. Open. The 9th hole is built above the sandy shore on rocky cliffs. This is one course that is not to be taken lightly. 

(Above left is the 9th hole & on the right is the 7th green.)

The courses shown above are Carnoustie (left), and St. Andrews (right). They are both sites of the British Open. They are both located in Scotland, and as you can see, are almost identical. They don't have many or any trees at all, with the fairways being wide open. This type of courses are links courses. There are a lot of sand traps and mounds in the fairways. The one thing these courses are known for is their gusting winds and their high grass. They are old courses with rich history.