Rapsodo offers more than 30,000 courses within its simulation setting. Some I have played in real life and others are courses that I have always wanted to play. Not all courses are made equal and there are many which didn’t live up to the hype. However, I found 10 that are definitely worth checking out.
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way. There are, of course, many of the so-called “best” courses such as Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits, The Old Course at St Andrews, Bandon Dunes, Streamsong, Tara Iti and many more that are well known and what I would argue overplayed on sim rounds.
These will not be included. Instead, I will be recommending other stellar courses from all around the globe. My list for the best courses takes a different turn. Some of these courses you will have heard of and several will be new to you. All are fun, offer variety and present different challenges that are worth checking out and playing the next time you fire up your Rapsodo MLM2Pro.
Rapsodo Sim Options and Features
The simulation options the Rapsodo MLM2PRO offers are extensive. Golfers can use them at the range or into a net as well as choosing the ball they are using for improved sim results. There are a few key options to turn on to make sure the experience is more rewarding.
These are, for starters, to ensure elevation is turned on. Without it, all courses are flat and boring. Next is to set penalties for lies. Same thing. With it turned off, it is just hit and hope and then move on to the next one with little punishment for wayward shots.
Finally, I prefer to set putts at 10 and 20 feet. This is larger than the standard eight and 16 feet but, given the sensitive nature of how some greens react, it is reasonable to leave it at this. If you want a greater challenge, then bring that into six and 12 feet.
Best Courses To Play: Canada
Tobiano – Kamloops Canada
I have never played this course. I wish Rapsodo had one of my favorite courses to play in person: The Rise in my hometown of Vernon, B.C. Alas, they don’t, so we head up to Tobiano, a stunning course that offers a true Okanagan Valley golfing experience.
Kamloops is located in a semi-arid desert valley where conditions are dry but surrounding hills and lakes offer stunning views with an exceptionally challenging and fun golf course.
Digby Pines Golf and Resort and Spa – Digby Nova Scotia
Heading to the other side of Canada, we visit Digby Pines Golf and Spa Resort. Another course I have real-world experience at and have found a renewed passion for with Rapsodos simulator setting.
This is not the hardest course nor does it pop with views in real life. However, on Rapsodo, it offers an excellent challenge with elevation changes on par-3s, sweeping doglegs on par-5s and short par-4s that make hitting a driver that much more fun. This is definitely a fun course that should go top of your list for virtual play and in real life.
Best Courses To Play: New Zealand and Australia
Arrowtown Golf Course – New Zealand
Arrowtown is unlike any golf course I have experienced. There are no bunkers! When it plays firm, balls can bounce any which way. The course is carved into the land and plays among rocks with weird slopes that sometimes punish even the best of shots. Doesn’t quite seem fair but adds to the challenge.
While I loved playing this course in person, the experience while playing on Rapsodo is much easier and more fun. No crazy bounces that punish good shots and much easier target lines allowing for plenty of birdie opportunities.
Arrowtown is a tight course that will help improve driving skills and make a golfer think about what club to use off the tee. It is an excellent course to hone your skills on during virtual play.
Half Moon Bay – Australia
Back to the southern hemisphere we go to Half Moon Bay in the Queensland region of Australia. In an area known for saltwater crocodiles and the Great Barrier Reef, Half Moon Bay is as much about placement as it is distance. Having played here, the course beat me up and I wanted revenge.
Half Moon Bay is not a long course and neither does it have the prestige of many other courses in Australia. But it is firm, fast and has a great deal of variety in the holes with penal bunkers that make approach shots a real challenge. The other benefit of playing virtually is not having to deal with the crocs that are lurking in the waters around the course.
Best Courses To Play: Europe
Thracian Cliffs Golf and Beach Resort
I did say I wouldn’t mention Pebble Beach in this,but I didn’t say I wouldn’t mention the Pebble Beach of Bulgaria. This course pops up on my instagram constantly and is one I am desperate to go visit.
Until then, I will have to play it virtually. The holes are fun but challenging and, while I am sure the in-person experience brings it to another level, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing this course virtually.
Heidental Golf Club – Switzerland
A little bias here. I just played a tournament here last week and fell in love with the course, particularly the front nine On the Rapsodo MLM2PRo, this is a course that anyone can score on. It has some spectacular holes that require different clubs off the tee, appropriate shot placement and offers drivable par-4s for the long hitters.
Eichenheim – Kitzbuhel
Another fantastic and likely unknown course on list is one that continues to invade my social media for the right reasons. It looks stunning in real life. Rapsodo may not do the course full justice but the elevation changes make this a really fun course and will leave you wanting to hop on the next flight to play in person.
Austria is filled with great courses and Eichenheim is a great virtual course. Difficult tee shots, hole variety and elevation changes make this a top course to play on Rapsodo in the mountain region of Kitzbuhel.
Goswick Golf Club – Scotland
I was supposed to play here in person but it never came to fruition. Thankfully, I have gotten plenty of rounds in (virtually) at Goswick Links Golf Club and, in truth, no “best golf course” list would be complete without at least one proper links course.
That is exactly what this is. No wind burn or stormy weather here while playing virtually but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t play like a links course. It does play a little easier with good-sized greens and fairly generous fairways. The course is not overly long and does have some troublesome bunkers but it can also offer plenty of opportunities to score well. If you are looking for a great links course to play next time with Rapsodo, give Goswick Links a try.
Best Golf Course: Japan
Fujinomiya Golf Club – Japan
I have always dreamed of playing in Japan. Thanks to the Rapsodo MLM2PRo, I have been able to get a hint of what it would be like and it does not disappoint! There are more than 2,000 courses in Japan so narrowing or even finding a single one to list is very difficult.
That said, Fujinomiya is an excellent place to start. It has fun terrain, doglegs, some tricky approach shots and enough variety to keep you wanting to come back. I could only imagine the views in person but the Rapsodo version stays true to form and provides an excellent golfing experience.
Best Golf Courses: United States
Royal New Kent Golf Club
I have to be truthful. I saw this course on a YouTube video and fell in love with the idea of playing it. Thankfully, with a Forum outing in Williamsburg, Va., we planned an additional round at Royal New Kent so I will finally get a chance to play in real life, instead of only virtually. That said, I cannot get enough of playing this course on Rapsodo and it is my most played course.
It is hard, one of the hardest courses I have played virtually, which can only speak to how difficult it would be in real life.
Conclusion
As I mentioned, there are 30,000 courses on Rapsodo‘s simulator mode and, with options of E6 and Awesome Golf, it opens even more opportunities. It is so easy to get pigeonholed into the same well-known courses that are, of course, classics but with so many incredible courses worldwide, I feel it is best to explore all regions of the world.
Whether you have had the chance to play them before and want revenge. Or the feel of that nostalgia going back to a course for the memories, the Rapsodo library is full of options. Or maybe you have courses you are dreaming of going to and maybe never will have the chance to play. The ability to play these courses virtually on the Rapsodo MLM2PRo is a real treat and can offer a great way to experience a course.
What courses have you played that are your favorites? Have you explored courses outside your usual area of play or in other parts of the world?
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