Golf professionals around the world share a similar sentiment: despite the global nature of the sport, most players have a specific course they return to repeatedly. Whether for the challenge of the layout or the atmosphere of the surroundings, these locations offer a unique connection that home courses rarely match.
Andrew Novak, a PGA Tour player, frequently plays on St. Simons Island and neighboring Sea Island in Georgia. The area keeps him close to his family and provides world-class conditions that rival any international venue.
Novak lives on St. Simons Island with his wife and daughter and has been on the tour since 2017. He earned his card in 2021 before securing his first individual win at the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. For a player constantly traveling, the chance to play where he lives offers a rare sense of normalcy.
The California Dream
Allisen Corpuz, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion, has a clear preference for Pebble Beach Golf Links on California’s Monterey Peninsula. She stated that if she could play only one more round, it would be there.
The course holds a special place in her career after she won the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open there, claiming a $2 million prize. Beyond the victory, the Monterey Peninsula offers a setting that blends ocean views with difficult play, creating an experience many golfers chase but few find.
Traveling across continents changes the game for many professionals. Lee Westwood, one of the most accomplished British golfers of his generation, has played on five continents. He has won tournaments in four different decades, accumulating 44 career victories including 25 on the European Tour.
For players like Westwood, who have seen the game from almost every angle, the “ideal” escape often comes down to atmosphere rather than difficulty. The ability to find a quiet corner of the world where the pace of life slows down is often the defining factor in choosing a destination.
A Korean Homecoming
Haeran Ryu has also found her home on the course. The South Korean professional has had a dominant stretch recently, winning back-to-back LPGA majors during the 2026 season. Her first win came at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, followed by the Amundi Évian Championship at Évian Resort Golf Club in France.
While international titles have brought her global fame, her connection to Korean golf remains strong. The local gems in her home country provide a familiar challenge that international stops often cannot replicate.
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