Our 18 favorite major tournament venues

Established in 1860, the famed Bay Area venue is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in America. It has played host to five U.S. Opens, most recently in 2012 when Webb Simpson claimed his only major title to date. However, the course on the southwest end of the city saw Jack Fleck beat Ben Hogan in a playoff during the 1955 Open and Billy Casper outlast Arnold Palmer at the same event in '66. 

The best golfers in the world will take to Long Island for this month's PGA Championship. It will be the third major hosted on the Black Course, the first public venue to hold a U.S. Open, in 2002. Tiger Woods won that year, then seven years later Lucas Glover won the event that needed a Monday finish due to rain.

The Merseyside links have hosted the Open Championship 10 times, most recently in 2017 when Jordan Spieth claimed the title, Some of the game's legends have won the tournament on this course. Watson, Trevino, Palmer. Founded in 1889, Royal Birkdale has also hosted the Women's British Open and the Ryder Cup twice.

This Donald Ross-designed courses (the East is the championship one) has welcomed the U.S. Open and PGA Championship three times each. It will host the PGA again in 2023 and the Senior PGA Championship this year. The East course has seen various upgrades and redesigns over the years, but it hasn't lost its old-school charm and remains a challenge to golf's best competitors.

Another designed by Donald Ross, the No. 2 course has been one of the most prominent tracks in tournament golf history. It hosted its first major with 1936's PGA Championship and three U.S. Opens. The first, in 1999, was won by Payne Stewart, just four months before his tragic death. No. 2 will be host to the event in 2024.

Another Donald Ross gem, the suburban Detroit club's South Course has played host to the U.S. Open and PGA Championship nine times since opening in 1918. Past winners of those events at Oakland Hills include Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. It also was the site of the 2004 Ryder Cup and is arguably the finest championship course in the Midwest. 

Nestled on the Firth of Forth, Muirfield is one of the most unique tracks that's been among the Open Championship rotation — mainly because the layout of the holes ensures that the wind likely won't be the same on any two holes. Muirfield has hosted the Open a total of 16 times, most recently tamed by Phil Mickelson in 2013. Nick Faldo and James Braid also won the tournament twice on this legendary course.

An ode to the legendary links courses of the United Kingdom, Whistling Straits has blossomed into one of the most respected and challenging courses on the major scene. Beginning in 2004, Whistling Straits has hosted the PGA Championship three times, most recently in 2015. It will also be the site of the 2020 Ryder Cup, with Wisconsin native Steve Stricker captaining the U.S. team.

The exclusive club, which includes President Donald Trump on its membership list, opened in 1923 and has been host to the U.S. Open on five occasions, most recently in 2006. It will do the honors again in 2020. The West Course is tough, playing at a par 70 for championship play and featuring one of the longest and most challenging holes in major history: the 514-yard ninth hole. 

Baltusrol is closing in on its 125th anniversary (2020) and remains one of the most prestigious and truest tests of golf on the planet. Its seven U.S. Opens rank second all time, though the most recent was played there in 1993. Jimmy Walker did win the 2016 PGA Championship on Baltusrol's legendary Lower Course. Jack Nicklaus won two U.S. Opens at the New York City area club.

In 2020, Royal St. George's will host the Open Championship for a 15th time. Darren Clarke claimed an emotional Open Championship victory there in 2011, the last time the course held the tournament. Its sand bunkers are regarded as some of the deepest and toughest in the Open rotation, specifically at the treacherous fourth hole.

The Long Island club exudes history, from its grand clubhouse to its role within the USGA. It's hosted five U.S. Opens, including last year when Brooks Koepka completed his repeat. The track is open and wind can be an issue, along with the brutal rough and fescue — not to mention the difficult greens that can give even the hardened competitors nightmares.

Neighbor to the legendary Prestwick Golf Club, Troon hosted its ninth Open Championship in 2016, crowning Henrik Stenson as champion. The winding course, which plays massively tough when the wind kicks up, is one of the more unique and creatively designed courses in all of major golf. From the 600-plus-yard sixth hole known as "Turnberry" to the 123-yard "Postage Stamp" eighth hole, Troon is always an adventure for its participants.

Though Carnoustie has hosted the Open Championship a mere eight times, it's considered one of the hardest tests in major championship golf. The legendary "Carnoustie effect" has been known to break the hearts and hopes of even the most battle-tested professional golfers after experiencing how the elements — particularly the wind — can wreak physical and mental havoc on a competitor.

No course has hosted the U.S. Open more than Oakmont's total of nine. It's a historic venue that features the Pennsylvania Turnpike running right through it. Consistently ranked one of the best courses in the world, Oakmont is famous for its large, difficult greens and bunkers that golfers must avoid at all costs. Dustin Johnson won the most recent U.S. Open there in 2016. It has also hosted the PGA Championship three times and the U.S. Women's Open twice.

There's arguably no more scenic of a golf course in the United States, and it's certainly one of the most iconic. From its beauty to overall difficulty, Pebble Beach is often considered the best public golf course in America. The picturesque par-3 seventh hole and iconic 18th are two of the most recognizable holes in all of golf. It will host its sixth U.S. Open this year and first since 2010. It was the site of Tiger Woods' dominant and historic U.S Open victory in 2000.

It's an American golf tradition. The Masters is the only golf major to be held on the same course each year, and as many who have played or visited can attest, Augusta National is the closest thing to golf heaven. Co-founded by the legendary Bobby Jones, people have had their issues with Augusta's strict and somewhat outdated membership policies, but when it comes to the Masters, there isn't much better in American sports.

From its famous clubhouse to the Swilcan Bridge to the "Hell Bunker" and The "Road Hole," there's arguably no course more internationally famous than St. Andrews. It's said golf was played there as early as the 15th century, leading many to consider this the birth place of the game. The Old Course has hosted the Open Championship a record 29 times, most recently in 2015, and will again have the honor for the 2021 tournament.