We golfers have dreams, don’t we?

That elusive hole-in-one. Breaking 80, 90 or 100. Putting together that favorite foursome. But where would you want to actually make any — or all — of those wishes come true? The local muni? Understandable. The course you grew up on? Fitting. But what if those milestones took place in a location that has seeped into your golf dreams over the years? Famous places. Fancy places. Far away places.

Think big my friends. I’m talking about the supermodels, the Division I scholarship players, the American Idol finalists…wait ... scratch that last one. Let’s just say these are the places you, well, dream about at night. Or during the day when you are supposed to be working. You know, the “Holy crap, I cannot believe I am actually here!” kind of places.

Don’t get me wrong. Arizona, Pinehurst, Whistling Straits and parts of Canada, England and Mexico are close runners-up. But like the cut at a tournament, this roster only has room for a handful. Plus one, actually.

These six ultimate golf destinations are home to famous courses and spectacular settings. Take it from someone lucky enough to have teed it up in each of the following dreamy golf destinations. The grass really is greener in each of them. And a lot of green is required to play them. Here’s the best part though: You can actually make these dreams come true. Or at least you have better odds to do so than making a hole-in-one (12,000 to 1 for the average player, according to Golf Digest).

Now, in no particular order, start dreaming.

IRELAND

Ireland will always cast a spell on me, since all of my grandparents grew up there before coming to America. But the golf is brilliant, indeed. My travels have taught me there may be no finer front nine in all the world than Royal County Down, no more fun short par 3 than the 14th at Doonbeg, no more spectacular setting than Old Head in good weather and no better place for a post-round pint than in a pub — any pub. The only drawback is the distance you have to drive between the great layouts, but the scenery along the way is not too shabby. And the Irish are experts in hospitality, making a trip here sure to be remembered fondly.

ST. ANDREWS

I could live the rest of my life playing the courses within a 30-mile radius of St. Andrews and never get bored. But then you could say the same about the Highlands, East Lothian, Ayrshire and the western islands (hello to Machrihanish and The Machrie). Scotland is the ultimate golf dream for most of us, and the first tee at the Old Course has reduced grown men to tears, induced scratch golfers to miss their balls and led almost all to shake their heads in amazement at their good fortune for playing there. Fast rounds, match play rather than stroke play, accessible British Open courses and a genuine respect for the game only add to the experience.

BANDON DUNES

Less a dream destination and more an ethereal experience, Bandon Dunes is the place to rediscover why you love golf. Walking only, simple lodgings, good caddies, ocean winds, links golf. What more could you want? The property’s newest course — Old Macdonald — opened up this year to rave reviews, creating a foursome of layouts you would never get tired of playing.

HAWAII

Killer sunsets and funky bounces off lava rocks lining fairways go hand-in-hand in Hawaii. Playing there is like being in an oversized golf spa, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, caressed by gentle breezes, and soothed post-bogey by fragrant native scents. There are few golf destinations where your scores matter less. Hang loose bruddah and hit another one.

THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

You have seen Pebble Beach plenty of times on television, but that rarely does it justice. Catch it on a sunny, blue-sky day and there is no place like it. Expensive? Oh yeah. Incredibly so, just for a tee time alone. Throw in a room at The Lodge or The Inn at Spanish Bay, a round at the latter and Spyglass Hill, plus a few burgers and beers at the Tap Room, and we’re adding a good chunk of frequent flyer miles on the credit card. But you won’t regret a penny.

MELBOURNE'S SANDBELT

Would you fly at least 7,500 miles for golf? You should. Australia offers the greatest big city golf experience in the world with Melbourne and its Sandbelt courses like Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne and Metropolitan among others. Sydney is no slouch either with New South Wales Golf Club, and Royal Adelaide makes that smaller city worth a visit. Their summer is the opposite of ours, so there’s your winter golf trip. Cross the equator, pile up more flyer miles and enjoy a few VBs, Lamingtons and Tim Tams while there. No worries indeed, mate.

In the end it takes money to make these golf dreams come true. So start saving — or spending — now. Because life is definitely too short not to dream. Especially when it comes to golf.