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A Quick Nine: Most picturesque golf spots in the world

By T.J. Auclair, Interactive Producer
Published on
A Quick Nine: Most picturesque golf spots in the world

The 2011 golf season is coming to a close for many of our PGA.com Facebook friends... especially if you live in the northeast -- like this guy -- and woke up to over a foot of snow on Sunday.

With the change in season and the reality that there won't be many rounds, if any, left to play this year, it's time to start that winter-long daydream. You know what I'm talking about? You sit in your favorite chair, sip your hot drink of choice to keep warm, stare outside at the cold and then try to slip away to a much warmer, much more pleasant place... a golf course, perhaps? Which one?

This week's, 'A Quick Nine,' feature certainly wasn't limited to our friends in the northeast -- though we might appreciate it a little more than those of you in places where you're not waking up with a stuffed up and runny nose and peaking out the window to a layer of snow on your front lawn that fell BEFORE Halloween! Not that I'm bitter or anything.

OK, enough complaining.

Here are the best answers we received when we asked you the question: Where is the most picturesque golf spot in the world?

Editor's note: If you've played any of the courses listed below, be sure to click its name to leave a review.

9. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club in Arcadia, Mich. Ranked as the No. 1 course in Michigan by Golfweek, the aptly-named Arcadia Bluffs is built on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Michigan. The place is absolutely gorgeous and the best part is that anyone can play.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Fifth at Arcadia Bluffs, Michigan!" -- Stephane J DeBusschere

"Arcadia Bluffs in Michigan by far... doesn't compare to Harbour Town or Pine Valley." -- Ben Kleiman

8. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind. And you thought the only thing to write home about from French Lick was Larry 'Legend' Bird. I had the chance to play this course in 2010. Difficult? No doubt. However, it's evident as soon as you pull in that you're in a special place. I can't even imagine what it must be like now with the foliage.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The Pete Dye Course at French Lick, Ind. during the fall." -- Ed Winders

"Pete Dye Course, French Lick, Indiana." -- Steve Kratzberg

7. No. 18 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hey, this week's topic isn't limited to an entire course. Sometimes, it can be just one particular hole or stretch of holes. In this case, No. 18 at Harbour Town sure is a great nominee. With the lighthouse behind the 18th green, the hole feels as though you've stepped into a painting.

Facebook fan quote:

"18th at Harbour Town, hands down the best." -- Leland Kover

6. Old Head Golf Links in Ireland. When you have, "golf," and, "Ireland," in the same sentence not much more needs to be said. Located on the southwest coast of Ireland, it's one of those places where anyone who loves golf dreams of teeing it up.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Old Head Golf Links, Ireland." -- Vince Navarro

"Old Head in Ireland." -- Chuck Wilson

5. Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. The No. 1 course, in particular, is an Open Championship qualifying site. With views of the Firth of Forth Edinburgh and Fife from this links course, it's no surprise that Gullane made this list.

Facebook fan quote:

"The seventh tee at Gullane Golf Club in Scotland overlooking the Firth of Forth. If you have been there you know... if you haven't, put it on your bucket list." -- John Godwin

4. Kapalua Golf Club, Maui, Hawaii. Never been? Well, let me just tell you what you're looking at as you hit a downhill tee shot on the first hole: the Pacific Ocean with whales jumping out of the water putting on a show and a volcano in the background. You could get used to it, believe me.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Kapalua. Any hole." -- Brett Jose Rohlfsen

"Kapalua has absolutely breathtaking views! If there is a course with better views I want to tee it up there too." -- Kevin J Walsh

3. No. 7 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. OK. This hole -- famously -- is one of the shortest par-3 holes in championship golf. It's also one of the most breathtaking. With waves crashing into the cliffs that line this hole, there are few places in the world of golf that will awe you like this one.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Pebble Beach No. 7 as the sun is setting. If you have never seen it at this time, you're missing the most awesome view of your life." -- Billy Wright

"No. 7 at Pebble Beach." -- Jenn At Cardita

2. Nos. 15-17 at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, Calif. One of the most exclusive courses in the world, the Alister MacKenzie-designed Cypress Point features three successive holes that are among the most famous in golf -- Nos. 15-17. All three, two par 3s and a par 4, are along the Pacific Ocean.

Facebook fan quotes:

"The 15th tee at Cypress Point is the most beautiful golf spot I have seen." -- Ed Oldham

"Nos. 15, 16 and 17 at Cypress Point it's not even close." -- Bill Atwood

"Cypress Point. Amazing." -- Mike Oberg

"No. 16 at Cypress Point." -- Nick Warren

1. Amen Corner at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. OK, this week's No. 1 may not feature ocean views like most of the others that made our list. However, it was the overwhelming No. 1 and I can't say I disagree with the assertion. Consisting of the second shot at No. 11, the entire par-3 12th and the tee shot at the par-5 13th, Amen Corner is picturesque, no doubt. It's also loaded with Masters history and gives me the chills each and every time I have the honor of walking its grounds.

Facebook fan quotes:

"Amen Corner, where else?" -- Hal McCauley

"The green at the 13th hole of Augusta National Golf Club - Azalea." -- Troy Dalziel

"Amen Corner, Augusta National. 'Nuff said!" -- Mike Ziebka

"Azalea. Hole No. 13 at Augusta National. Aptly named and beautiful." -- Mike Osterbur

"ANGC - Amen corner without a doubt, come on people!" -- Jon Roberts