12 gorgeous golf courses with ocean views

Makena Beach and Golf Resort Maui, Hawaii, United States As the highest-elevated course on Maui's south shore, the Makena Golf Course gives players stunning views of Mount Haleakala, the island's dormant volcano, and the Molokini and Lanai islands. Like the Wailea Golf Club's Emerald and Gold courses, the 18-hole Makena course is designed by famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. But the 6,914-yard Makena, with its narrow fairways, is considered the most challenging of the three. (Oyster)

Casa De Campo La Romana, Dominican Republic Casa De Campo's signature golf course, Teeth of the Dog, is arguably the best in the Caribbean. It, along with the two other courses on the property -- Dye Four and The Links, was designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Pete Dye. Each course has 40 groundskeepers assigned to it, which doesn't come as a surprise -- not a blade of grass is out of place. (Oyster)

<a href="http://www.oyster.com/san-diego/hotels/the-lodge-at-torrey-pines/">The Lodge at Torrey Pines</a> La Jolla, San Diego, California The two golf courses at the Lodge at Torrey Pines are stops on the PGA Tour and offer misty, romantic ocean vistas. The South Course -- remodeled about a decade ago by Rees Jones -- boasts particularly breath-taking views of the Pacific, and challenges players with thick patches of trees, bunkers, and sand traps. (Oyster)

One&Only Ocean Club Bahamas The Tom Weiskopf-designed Ocean Club Golf Course fills up the eastern chunk of Paradise Island. The course has hosted numerous tournaments in the past, such as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, and has one of the most happening club houses we've seen, with a nice bar area. (Oyster)

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Half Moon Bay, Silicon Valley, California Both par-72s and both with fabulous views of the ocean along craggy cliffs, the golf courses at Half Moon Bay offer quite the challenge for golfers, with blustery ocean winds and tight fairways. Many stay at the Ritz simply for access to the courses, but the resort also boasts a luxurious 16,000 square-foot spa and cozy spots such as outdoor fire-pits and gardens. (Oyster)

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Big Island, Hawaii, United States The Mauna Kea Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and updated by Rees Jones, is consistently voted one of the top courses in the nation. Those who'd rather not play the full 18 holes can opt to visit the driving range or putting green instead -- or take a private lesson or group clinic with one of the pros. (Oyster)

<a href="http://www.oyster.com/costa-rica/hotels/los-suenos-marriott-ocean-and-golf-resort/">Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort</a> Herradura, Costa Rica The hotel's lush La Iguana Golf Course was designed by Ted Robinson and features 18 challenging holes. Trees, water hazards, and sand traps are all components in making this course interesting and difficult. One thing it has that many courses don't? Frequent monkey sightings. (Oyster )

Fairmont Southampton Southampton Parish, Bermuda On-site at the Fairmont Southampton, guests will find a highly acclaimed 18-hole, par-three golf course overlooking the ocean. Additional golfer-friendly highlights include a full-service pro shop with equipment rental and storage, membership benefits at the nearby Riddell Bay Golf and Country Club, and even golf-inspired spa treatments at the Willow Stream Spa. (Oyster)

Tortuga Bay Punta Cana, Dominican Republic The 18-hole La Cana golf course at the Punta Cana Estates property, which surrounds Tortuga, was designed by Pete Dye and has been ranked numerous times as one of the nicest courses in the DR; after all, fourteen of the hotels run along the ocean, offering great views and sometimes challenging winds. Guests of the hotel have access to two other courses as well, one of which -- also designed by Dye -- opened in early 2012. (Oyster)

Terranea Resort Beaches - Santa Monica and Venice, Los Angeles, California The Terranea has its own nine-hole course, The Links. The mellow course -- appropriate for all skill levels -- looks over the hotel property and has gorgeous views of the ocean. Golfers who want to play a longer round need not fret; the hotel provides a free shuttle to the nearby Trump National course. (Oyster)

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica Montego Bay, Jamaica At the peak of a mountain, with 16 of 18 holes overlooking the Caribbean Sea, White Witch mocks the low-lying, much easier courses of other resorts below. According to most guests at the hotel (as well as Travel + Leisure), the White Witch golf course is about the best golf course in the Caribbean (although the earlier-mentioned Teeth of the Dog at the Casa De Campo is a worthy challenger). As one guest put it, "Not playing White Witch is like going to California and not playing Pebble Beach." (Oyster)

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows Big Island, Hawaii, United States Mauna Lani Bay Hotel boasts two gorgeous courses, the North and the South. The latter is perhaps the more famous course, built along the rugged cliffs of prehistoric lava, with beautiful ocean vistas and one of the most photographed ocean-view holes in the world. The North course lies along a protected archaeological district, and goats can sometimes be found roaming the links. (Oyster)