ASKED to name a famous golf course, more often than not, golfers would throw out the usual suspects like St Andrews, Augusta or Pebble Beach.

All have made their mark in the golf world by hosting major tournaments such as the British Open (St Andrews and a multitude of other first-class courses in the UK), The Masters (Augusta), the US Open and PGA Championships (a number of top US courses including Sawgrass, Pinehurst and Shinnecock Hills).

While these consistently dominate annual 'top golf course' listings in publications like the US-based Golf Digest, there are many others - either newly opened or hidden gems which have been around for a while. They may not enjoy the same worldwide fame, but are nevertheless first-class championship courses. Here are a few worthy of mention.

K Club, County Kildare, Ireland (www.kclub.ie)

This year's Ryder Cup battle between the US and European teams will take place here. Home to two stunning Arnold Palmer-designed courses - the Palmer (built in 1991 and on which the Ryder Cup will be played) and the Smurfit (constructed in 2004) - this award-winning luxurious resort is set amongst 550 acres of beautiful countryside.

The latter course is best described as an 'inland golf links course' - quite unlike the tree-lined, stunning Palmer course - and hosts the Smurfit European Open alternately with the Palmer, the second richest in Europe after the Open Championships.

As well as challenging fairways, the Smurfit course contains 14 acres of water, with most hazards featured in the final six holes.

The Par-5 7th is the signature hole, measuring 606 yards, highlighted by a series of water features. When construction began, the fairway was dropped 60feet below its original height, and a large man-made quarry was developed along the entire length of the golf hole.

Dubai

While Dubai may not boast the rolling green hills of the Irish countryside, it can lay claim to some of the Emirates' pristine, first-class golf courses, such as the Emirates Golf Club which hosted the recent Dubai Desert Classic, won by Tiger Woods.

Nearby, The Montgomerie, designed by - who else? - Colin Montgomerie, is a club which is proving popular with the local and overseas golfing fraternity.An excellent layout, which is in the tradition of a Scottish links course,features 14 lakes and 72 testing bunkers.

The monster 18th hole, at 656 yards, is protected by water and provides a challenge for even the seasoned golfer to hit the green in two. The par-3 13thfeatures the single largest green in the world with a total area of 58,000 sq ft - the equivalent of nine greens - and its island green can be played from a360-degree teeing ground which provides the player with a different golf hole each time.

China

The cooler climes of China's Kunming may be home to a number of more high-profile clubs such as Spring City Golf & Lake Resort; however,neighbouring Lijiang can boast the region's highest golf course. The par-72 Neil Haworth-designed Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Resort is the second highest in the world and one of the longest at 10,000 feet and 8,548 yards respectively, due to the elevation of the land. Golf is on the rise in Yunnan province with 15 more courses due to be built before 2010.

Yangon

Golf is getting more popular in Myanmar, which has around 120 courses. Its top golf club is without a doubt the Pun Hlaing Golf Course in Yangon. The Gary Player-designed par-72 course is stunning with its fairways and greens maintained and groomed meticulously - in fact, the club is closed every Monday for this. Signature holes are the par-3 15th and the par-5 18th, the latter surrounded by water. As it's a popular venue, due to its facilities, it's advisable to book three days at least earlier.

Bangkok

The exclusive IMG-operated Amata Spring Country Club, 45 minutes' drive from Bangkok, recently hosted the Royal Trophy. The 7,400-plus yard, 18-hole course,designed by Lee Schmidt, opened last November and is fast becoming one of Thailand's best courses. The Royal Trophy tournament's par-3 eighth green was a floating island, providing the flexibility of lengthening or shortening they ardage. The players had to board a boat to transport them to the green.

Western Australia

Perhaps a cut above many in Western Australia is the aptly named The Cut located in Dawesville, a 100km drive from Perth. Opened in January 2005, the James Wilcher-designed par-72 course measures 6,385 metres from the back tees,and offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean from many of its holes. The signature one is the par-4 12th, where the green is a mere 35m from the beach.The Cut now ranks in the top 20 courses in Australia, and is one of the country's premier coastal links courses.

Other golfing facilities include 280m of driving range with the latest ball-dispensing machine at the teaching bays, 1,500m square width of putting practice green, as well as bunkers to master sand play and chipping.

Malaysia

Closer to home is Sungai Long Golf and Country Club, located 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur and which is exclusively for members. The Jack Nicklaus-designed18-hole championship course opened in 1993 and played host to the SEA Games golf event back in 2001. The par-3 17th hole is nicknamed 'The Golden Bear' like its designer, and requires a tricky tee shot over water to reach the well-bunkered green.