Deciphering Tiger Woods' single favorite golf course isn't as straightforward as you might think, but there is a clear winner. We’re going to get right to the answer and then explore the other legendary layouts he cherishes, giving you a complete picture of where the 15-time major champion feels most at home. This article breaks down his official number one choice, the course everyone *thinks* is his favorite, and other contenders he’s dominated, giving you insights into the mind of a master strategist.
If you polled a hundred golf fans, nine out of ten would likely say Augusta National is Tiger’s favorite course. And it’s an understandable assumption. Augusta is the stage for his most iconic moments - the stage where he truly became Tiger Woods.
From his record-shattering, 12-stroke victory in 1997 that shook the world, to the improbable, triumphant return for his fifth green jacket in 2019, his career is inextricably linked to Augusta's pristine fairways and treacherous greens. He speaks about the course with deep reverence, acknowledging the genius of Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie's design. It’s a second-shot golf course that demands precision, creativity, and an incredible short game - all hallmarks of Tiger's peak abilities.
So, while he loves Augusta and its unique demands have showcased his greatness better than perhaps any other venue, it's not his number one. The honor of his undisputed favorite golf course in the world belongs to a much older, much browner, and much windier piece of land across the Atlantic.
Tiger Woods has stated it clearly and consistently throughout his career: his favorite golf course is The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland.
In a 2018 press conference, he was unequivocal: "My favorite course is St. Andrews. That's my favorite course in the world."
This may surprise fans who associate him with the lush, manicured parkland courses of the PGA Tour. But for a golf historian and a pure shot-maker like Tiger, The Old Course represents golf in its rawest and most strategic form. It's the "Home of Golf" for a reason. Here's a deeper look into why he loves it so much.
Unlike most American courses where the "play" is dictated by the architecture (e.g., carry this bunker, attack this pin), St Andrews presents you with a massive canvas and asks, "Alright, how do you want to play this hole?"
There are often a half-dozen ways to navigate a single hole, depending on the wind, the hole location, and your shot-making preference.
As a coach, I tell all golfers that this is a key lesson: the best players see multiple options. At St Andrews, you are forced to. You can't just play "target golf" – you have to think, imagine, and execute. This mental challenge is what a genius like Tiger thrives on.
The beauty of The Old Course is that它的危险是隐蔽的 and requires deep thought to avoid. The bunkers are a perfect example. They may look random, but each of the 112 pot bunkers is placed with surgical precision.
The genius lies in the fact that the hardest bunkers to avoid - the ones "in the middle of the fairway" - are often only on the ideal line to the green. To get the best angle for your approach, you must flirt with danger. This creates a fascinating risk-reward scenario on nearly every tee shot.
Think about Tiger's famous run in the 2000 Open Championship, where he won by eight strokes. In 72 holes, he didn't hit a single shot into a bunker. That isn’t luck. That is an almost superhuman display of planning, discipline, and execution. He dissected the course, taking what it would give him but never falling for its traps. This is the ultimate test of course management.
St Andrews cannot be overpowered in the traditional sense. You can't just bomb it anywhere and gouge it out of thick rough. The rough is fescue and gorse, which can lead to a lost ball or a forced chip-out sideways.
The firmness of the course and the ever-present wind mean that controlling trajectory and ball flight is paramount. Tiger is arguably the greatest iron player of all time, famous for his "stingers" and his ability to flight the ball in any conditions. The Old Course allows that skill to shine more brightly than anywhere else. It rewards a player who can visualize a low, hooking 3-iron and a high-fading 7-iron, and then actually produce both on command.
While St Andrews holds the top spot, a few other courses hold a special place in Tiger’s heart, mostly due to deep personal history and success.
Pebble Beach Golf Links: If any American course could rival St Andrews, it’s Pebble. He won the 2000 U.S. Open there by an astonishing 15 strokes, arguably the single most dominant performance in the history of golf. He loves the small greens, which reward elite iron play, and the strategic challenge presented by the winds whipping off the Pacific Ocean.
Torrey Pines (South Course): How could he not love a course where he has won eight times professionally? The most famous victory came at the 2008 U.S. Open, where he battled through a torn ACL and two stress fractures in his leg to beat Rocco Mediate in a playoff. That week cemented Torrey Pines' place in his legacy. He knows every bounce, every break, and he's more comfortable there than almost any player alive.
Muirfield Village Golf Club: As the host of "Jack's tournament," The Memorial, Muirfield Village is always talked about in an extremely positive light. Tiger has five wins there, and he has always praised Nicklaus' design for being a tough, fair, and exceptionally conditioned test of golf. Respect for the host has a lot to do with his affection for this iconic a course.
In the end, while Tiger Woods’ career is defined by his legendary wins at Augusta National, his heart belongs to The Old Course at St Andrews. He admires the course for the quality of thought it requires, its testament to creativity, and its unfiltered connection to the origins of the game. It’s a course that rewards the most complete golfer, and for two decades, that was Tiger.
This strategic mindset - thinking about angles, misses, and shot shapes - is what separates great players from average ones. While you may not have Tiger's physical skills, you can start developing his thought process. The on demand advice that I have developed on our coaching platform, Caddie AI, will provide you with the same a smart, simple strategy to navigate those challenging holes so you will quickly start thinking like a tour Pro, every single round. For those tough spots, when you’re facing a tricky lie, our Caddie AI has and always will have your back by analyzing the entire surrounding situation & will tell you the best way to get play the shot as if a a PGA tour pro were standing right there with you helping you play the ideal shot with the highest probability odds so you can feel confident on every shot or decision again
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
