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There's still the tendency for Jones to overly landscape his designs -- instead of the course looking as if it's always been there - it gives the impression of being superimposed upon it. The presentation of the bunkers at Victory Ranch is a good example of this -- they are plentiful but they often stand apart -- giving the appearance of being created from an architect's office rather than blending in more naturally with what the site provides.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Kamas, Utah⠀ 📐 Rees Jones⠀ 📸 @dwill8⠀ ⠀ (at Victory Ranch)

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What tee box do you hit from? Crafted by Rees Jones, the bent grass fairways of the Victory Ranch & Conservancy golf course undergo a 400-foot elevation change during the round.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Kamas, Utah⠀ 📐 Rees Jones⠀ 📸 @victoryranchut⠀ ⠀ (at Victory Ranch)

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Cruden Bay is an inspirational golf course, regarded by some as quirky and considered by others as a masterpiece. Either way, this is a thrilling place to play golf because the designers used the original lie of the land to fantastic effect. Rugged linksland, pebble-dashed with sand dunes as high as three-storey buildings. Elevated tees cut high into the dunes, humped and hollowed fairways bumping their way along to punchbowl greens, nestling in attractive dells. And all set against the backdrop of the steely North Sea.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Aberdeenshire, Scotland⠀ 📐 Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler⠀ 📸 @crudenbaygolf⠀ ⠀ (at Cruden Bay Golf Club)

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Some say golf was played at Cruden Bay way back in the 18th century, but Cruden Bay Golf Club wasn’t formed until at least 100 years later. Old Tom Morris and Archie Simpson were commissioned by the Great North of Scotland railway company to design the course and it opened for play in 1899. In 1926, Tom Simpson and Herbert Fowler remodelled the layout. Little has since changed.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Aberdeenshire, Scotland⠀ 📐 Old Tom Morris, Archie Simpson, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler⠀ 📸 @jnav2701⠀ ⠀ (at Cruden Bay Golf Club)

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Lester George knows a thing or two about designing top Virginian golf courses. He left a legacy at the Kinloch Golf Club in 2001 and his creation at Ballyhack has the potential to follow suit.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Roanoke, Virginia⠀ 📐 Lester George⠀ 📸 @ballyhack_golfclub⠀ ⠀ (at Ballyhack Golf Club)

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Ballyhack is a name to remember. The Lester George designed golf course, which opened for play in 2009 is billed as a Scottish Highland-type design, but the course at Ballyhack is nothing like anything we’ve seen in Scotland. Nevertheless it’s likeable and memorable to say the least.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Roanoke, Virginia⠀ 📐 Lester George⠀ 📸 @ballyhack_golfclub⠀ ⠀ (at Ballyhack Golf Club)

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"The Bay Course is sculpted out of the earth and rock of Greek soil, much like the marble statues of the ancients," says Jones. "Those deities were noble and graceful, and the golf course now reflects the same sense of beauty."⠀ ⠀ 📍 Costa Navarino, Greece⠀ 📐 Robert Trent Jones Jr⠀ 📸 @costanavarino⠀ ⠀

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Situated ten kilometres to the south of the Dunes course, the Bay course opened at the end of 2011, shortly after its sibling made its debut. And with a third course – The Hills – in the planning process, Costa Navarino seems set to provide Greece with a top class golfing destination on its Peloponnese western coast.⠀ ⠀ 📍 Costa Navarino, Greece⠀ 📐 Robert Trent Jones Jr⠀ 📸 @costanavarino⠀ ⠀ (at Costa Navarino)

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Another look at Boulders. 5th Hole – 545 Yards – Another incredibly impressive boulder formation is found at the end of this hole and features one of the most attractive views from the tee. A double fairway is offered with the safe play being to the fairway on the right while long ballers may choose to challenge the forced carry up the left side in an effort to shorten the hole and reach the green in two. Saguaros frame the fairway as it narrows and climbs uphill to a green site that you won't soon forget. Golf Course Gurus. (at The Boulders Resort & Spa)

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Boulders (South) in Scottsdale, AZ. Designer is Jay Morrish in 1983. 2nd Hole – 150 Yards – The short 2nd hole is features a trio of bunkers around the putting surface that pair with a pile of boulders in front of and behind the green. It is a quick introduction to the unique Arizona desert landscape that will be highlighted throughout the round. Golf Course Gurus with another gem. (at The Boulders Resort & Spa)

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Looking back at the tee box of the long par 5. From the back tee there is a bunker 370 yards away in the middle of the fairway and stands as a great aiming point. From the tee there is little indication of the drama of this hole which quickly unfolds when you reach the center bunker and suddenly see the fairway plummet downhill and are afforded an inspiring view of the golf hole and mountain backdrop. From the forward tees players will have an opportunity to hit their drive past the center bunker on the right side and enjoy a whopping 150 yards of roll down one of the steepest fairways I've ever encountered. Photo credit belongs to golf course gurus. (at Moonlight Basin)

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Moonlight Basin is a stunning layout located on the back side of the mountain where most of the development has occurred near the ski hill of Big Sky. 17th Hole – 777 Yard Par 5 – That is not a misprint, the 17th is an astounding 777 yards but is much easier to reach then you might think considering you are at 7,500 feet elevation and the fairway tumbles a couple hundred feed downhill to the green. Photo credit belongs to the golf course gurus, one of the best websites out there. (at Moonlight Basin)

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The Course at Glenwild, designed by Tom Fazio, features a unique, natural layout that embraces the topography, creating an almost seamless transition from course to countryside. Recognized by Golf Digest as the Best Course in Utah, Glenwild's 7,541-yard, par-71 masterpiece presents golfers of all skill levels with both a challenge and reward in every round. Photo credit belongs to the legendary @rren01. (at Glenwild Golf Club & Spa)

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The par 5 16th at Glenwild. With superb routing, awe-inspiring scenery, and a fine staff of caddies, the course features a meandering creek with a series of lakes and shot values that enhance its playability and scenic appeal, ensuring that it will become known as one of the finest golf courses in America. And that’s just the beginning. Photo credit belongs to @instagregs. (at Glenwild Golf Club & Spa)

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There are not enough adjectives available to accurately describe the private Glenwild Golf Course. Designed by Tom Fazio, one of the most celebrated golf course designers of our time, this 7,541-yard, par-71 championship course challenges players of all levels while complementing the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Photo credit belongs to @americasguest_ap. (at Glenwild Golf Club & Spa)

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1st Hole – 440 Yards – I love when the opening hole at a course starts things off with a bang and sets the right tone for the round. If you are like me and think that having a warm up hole is overrated, then you are going to enjoy what Victory Ranch throws at you right out of the gate. The opening shot is from a severely elevated tee box to a fairway that features fescue grass on the left and a pond on the right. The exhilarating tee shot is exposed to the wind and elements and requires the golfer to be sharp right from the start. The green creates a mild peninsula formation in the pond featured to the right and behind the putting surface. It is a great start to a great golf course. Photo credit belongs to golf course gurus. (at Victory Ranch)

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6th Hole – 235 Yards – Victory Ranch’s second par three on the front nine is a heroic gem with tee boxes lined along a gorge that must be carried to reach the green. A pair of bunkers sit left of the green, a single bunker fronts the right side of the green, and one additional bunker behind the right half of the green. Although it can’t be seen from the tee, there is some forgiveness short and right of the green, but with the terrain around the green sloping back towards the gorge, the only real safe place to be is on the green. Photo credit belongs to golf course gurus. Check them out. (at Victory Ranch)