Golf enthusiasts understand the importance of finding the perfect greens on which to play. Well, in most cases the courses are green. In others they’re snowy or sandy – it really depends on where you go to play.

Sound confusing? Not every country has the luxury of green grassy golf courses, but they certainly make due with what they have. Some of these courses are the most popular and renowned in the world and golfers from all over the globe flock to these destinations to try their hand at a game. Forget manicured greens – let’s hit the road.

Uummannaq, Greenland

If you can pronounce the name of the city, you can stay. Remember, Greenland is not green. It’s icy – very icy – almost all year long. Each spring the ice thaws out for just a few weeks and that’s long enough for golfers from around the world to play a round on the snow.

Golfers who are lucky enough to return annually have no advantage over those less experienced with golfing in the area. The design of the course is dependant upon Mother Nature and the way she commands the snow to fall or the ice to form. The course, obviously, changes from year to year.

The World Ice Golf Championship was held in Uummannaq back in 1999 and was an incredible event. Pro golfers, celebrities, and even a few amateurs visit Greenland for an opportunity to play on the 9-hole golf course each and every year.

Quebec, Canada

Quebec is not only the home of the Ice Hotel and Winter Carnival, but also one of the snowiest golf courses on the continent. There aren’t many snow courses in North America and the 30-minute drive from Quebec City makes this one particularly easy to reach.

The temperatures at St. Catherine de la Jacques Cartier are around 30 degrees Fahrenheit through the month of April, so the snow golfing season here lasts a bit longer than in most other destinations.

To be honest, this golf course doesn’t have any spectacular features as compared to many other snow courses. It does, however, have the distinct honor of being located near the famous Ice Hotel. Visitors should stay a night in the hotel or, at the very least, stop in the ice bar for a drink.

St. Moritz, France

St. Moritz has a reputation for being a luxury ski resort and spa retreat, and that hasn’t changed. What they do have, however, is the Engadine Golf Samedan, which supposedly makes the golf course the only one at such a high elevation in all of Europe.

The golf season doesn’t end when the ski season begins in St. Moritz. Instead you’ll find hordes of golfers and celebrities competing in The Chivas Life Snow Gold Championship. Anyone is invited to compete, but amateurs are usually held back by the steep entrance fees.

The event is fun, entertaining, and more laid back than any other golf tournament you’ll ever witness. With nine golfing holes set up along the slopes of the Alps, you never know what might happen – or where the ball might end up.

Kabul, Afghanistan

If you’re tired of hearing about all of these snowy destinations you might want to head on over to the Kabul Golf Club in Kabul, Afghanistan and try your hand at a round of golf in the sand. Back in 1978 the Taliban attempted to outlaw golf and placed landmines on all of the courses. All of the landmines have since been cleared and it’s now safe to play.

Golfers will be given a mat on which they can place their tees throughout most of the course. The course was designed to have conventional hazards, so water rules apply if the ball lands in the water hazard (albeit, there is no actual water) and you are not allowed to use your mat if you land in the sand trap (go figure).

The Kabul Golf Club promises nine holes of golf that are likely to represent the most unique you’ve ever played in your life. Try it, at least once, if you’re ever in the area. Explosions are no longer a hinderence.

Golfers take their games seriously. Pro golfers, celebrities, and even amateurs looking to make it big search the world for golf courses with the best greens and most incredible landscapes. It just so happens we tend to forget about those that aren’t green.

The next time you’re in the mood for a good game of golf, check out one of these incredible golf courses. We guarantee you’ll have a great time, and, if nothing else, learn something new about how to adapt your personal game of golf to new situations!

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