Streamsong Resort - Blue golf course - hole 7
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Streamsong Resort - Blue golf course - hole 7
The seventh hole on Streamsong Resort's Blue Course already ranks as one of the best par 3s in Florida. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Ko Olina Golf Club - hole 8
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Ko Olina Golf Club - hole 8
The scenic eighth hole at the Ko Olina Golf Club on Oahu tests the ladies of the LPGA Tour. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
The Hills Golf Club - Lydia Ko - hole 13
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The Hills Golf Club - Lydia Ko - hole 13
The syrupy-smooth swing of New Zealand star Lydia Ko looks even more gorgeous framed against the mountain backdrop at the 2013 New Zealand PGA Championship. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
The Hills Golf Club - wolves
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The Hills Golf Club - wolves
An incredible set of sculptures, featuring more than 100 wolves attacking a swordsman, lines the 18th hole of The Hills Golf Club, home of the New Zealand PGA Championship. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Jack's Point Golf Course - hole 7
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Jack's Point Golf Course - hole 7
The par-3 seventh hole at Jack's Point Golf Course overlooks Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand's south island. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Kauri Cliffs golf course - hole 18
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Kauri Cliffs golf course - hole 18
The views stretch for miles overlooking the 18th green at Kauri Cliffs on New Zealand's north island. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Tidewater Golf Club - hole 4
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Tidewater Golf Club - hole 4
The fourth hole at Tidewater Golf Club may be the best par 4 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
Monday After The Masters - Jim McMahon barefoot
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Monday After The Masters - Jim McMahon barefoot
Former NFL quarterback Jim McMahon putts barefoot on the ninth green at the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort & Golf during the 19th annual Monday after The Masters. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Muirfield - gates
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Muirfield - gates
Getting inside the gates to play Muirfield in Scotland isn't easy. Visible is the flag at no. 18. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Ducks at Kilspindie House - Donald's Bar Bistro
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Ducks at Kilspindie House - Donald's Bar Bistro
Owner Malcolm Duck shows off his putting skills from a stool inside Donald's Bar Bistro at the Kilspindie House in Aberlady, Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
North Berwick Golf Club - hole 14
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North Berwick Golf Club - hole 14
There's a reason the 14th hole at North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland, is called "Perfection. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Musselburgh Links - Old Golf Course - knickers
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Musselburgh Links - Old Golf Course - knickers
Golf writer Darin Bunch breaks out the knickers and hickories to play Scotland's Musselburgh Links, the oldest course in the world. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 3
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Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 3
The third hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville on Kauai plummets downhill. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - Kiele Moana nine - hole 4
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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - Kiele Moana nine - hole 4
It's an idyllic scene near the fourth green of the Kiele Moana nine at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 10th
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Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 10th
The championship tee on the 10th hole of the Ailsa Course at Scotland's Turnberry Resort sits in the shadow of the iconic lighthouse. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Royal Troon Golf Club - Old Course - hole 11
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Royal Troon Golf Club - Old Course - hole 11
The 11th hole on the Old Course at Royal Troon Golf Club, called "The Railway," looks spectacular when the gorse blooms in Scotland's summers. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Bay Harbor Golf Club - Quarry nine
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Bay Harbor Golf Club - Quarry nine
The Quarry nine at Bay Harbor Golf Club in northern Michigan can be quite photogenic. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Prince Golf Course at Princeville
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Prince Golf Course at Princeville
Some of the vistas on the Prince Golf Course at Princeville on Kauai are spectacular. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Forest Dunes Golf Club
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Forest Dunes Golf Club
The sandy soil and waste areas are part of what make the Forest Dunes Golf Club in northern Michigan so special. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club - hole 14
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Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club - hole 14
The par-3 14th hole at the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club in Scotland overlooks the water. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Machrihanish Golf Club - hole 1
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Machrihanish Golf Club - hole 1
A golfer tees off on the famous first hole of the Machrihanish Golf Club in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Apple Tree Golf Course - hole 17
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Apple Tree Golf Course - hole 17
Everybody gets excited about hitting the signature 17th green at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Firecliff Course - Desert Willow Golf Resort - 18th
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Firecliff Course - Desert Willow Golf Resort - 18th
This view of the 18th green of the Firecliff Course at California's Desert Willow Golf Resort comes from near the clubhouse. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
PGA West - Pete Dye Stadium Course
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PGA West - Pete Dye Stadium Course
The Stadium Course at PGA West is a feared venue in La Quinta, Calif. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Over The Top - tee off on the Remarkables Mountains
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Over The Top - tee off on the Remarkables Mountains
An Over The Top helicopter pilot tees off from the peak of the Remarkables Mountains in Queenstown. The company uses biodegradable golf balls for this unique experience. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Shadow Creek Golf Club
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Shadow Creek Golf Club
Getting inside the gates at Shadow Creek reveals Tom Fazio's amazing creation in Las Vegas. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Wolf Creek Golf Club - 1st hole
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Wolf Creek Golf Club - 1st hole
The first hole at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev., will inspire and intimidate. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
27 Images

The camera doesn't lie: Jason Scott Deegan's golf photos of the year in 2013

Taking pictures was a snap in 2013.

When you're hanging out in exotic locales like New Zealand, Kauai, Scotland and Mexico's Riviera Maya, Mother Nature does all the hard work painting the exquisite backdrop. All I did was point and shoot. All my globetrotting -- as I noted in my 2013 travel awards column -- allowed me to collect a kaleidoscope of great golf images.

When my obituary is written, I'll make sure my hole-in-one on the stunning Ailsa Course at Turnberry Resort in Scotland is included.

Even a tropical paradise like Hawaii can't compare to the beauty of New Zealand, especially the Remarkables Mountains of the south island and the coastal cliffs of the north island.

Golfers don't have to travel the world to find such scenery. America has more picturesque golf destinations than any other nation. Courses from Nevada (Wolf Creek Golf Club), South Carolina (Tidewater Golf Club), Michigan (Bay Harbor), Florida (Streamsong) and beyond struck perfect poses for my camera that would make any fashion model jealous.

Enjoy my favorite golf photos of the year. Maybe they'll inspire you to tee it up in my footsteps.

-- Jason Scott Deegan

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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The camera doesn't lie: Jason Scott Deegan's golf photos of the year in 2013