These locations boast some of the most impressive golf courses that can be found worldwide. Be sure to take a look and consider these places for your next trip if you are a golf enthusiast.
South Africa
This product was recommended by Mark Whitman from Golf Assessor
South Africa is home to 465 golf clubs, many of which are championship level quality. South Africa’s natural beauty and warm climate combined with its rich golfing culture make it one of the best spots for golf enthusiasts in the world. Of particular note are the golf courses in the Western Cape and those up the Garden Route. These include Pearl Valley, Arabella and the number #1 course in South Africa, the Fancourt Links.
In addition to being a great place for a golfing holiday, South Africa also offers non-golfers amazing travel experiences, like wine tasting in the famous Cape Vineyards, sun-bathing on the pearly white sands of the Cape Town beaches and epic safari excursions in the Gauteng region.
Cascais, Portugal
This product was recommended by Wesley Trigg from Elixir Fitness
I’m an Englishman living in Cascais and participate in many sports including golf. Within Cascais itself there are 3 golf courses all with 4/5 star hotels attached to them. You have the views of the Atlantic Ocean with excellent quality courses. The town of Cascais is buzzing day and night with plenty of restaurants to choose from if you venture from the hotels. Within 20 minutes drive, there are another 4 top class golf courses, two of them with hotels attached again.
When people think of golf and Portugal, everyone talks about the Algarve in the South but within 30 minutes of Lisbon (and the airport), you have golf courses on a level par with the quality in the Algarve with more reasonable green fees.. Courses: The Oitavos, Quinta da Marinha, Estoril, Penha Longa, Beloura, Belas and Lisbon country clubs.
Kulm Golf St. Moritz
This product was recommended by Sue Heady from Heady Communications
Switzerland, with its breath-taking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and piercing blue summer skies, is one of the most spectacular mountain locations in which to play golf. The oldest nine-hole course still in existence in Switzerland, which was built in 1891, stands in the grounds of the legendary Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, making it the perfect base from which to enjoy a golfing trip to the Engadine. At 1,860 metres above sea level, the par-3 Kulm Golf St. Moritz course offers magnificent views over Lake St. Moritz and the valley, as it weaves its way in and out of pine forests and up and down undulating slopes, making it physically and mentally challenging for players at every level of the game.
A course upgrade in 2001 by local designer Mario Verdieri improved the quality of the greens whilst bringing the layout up to date in order to keep pace with the recent technological advances in golf equipment. In addition to complimentary green fees, guests staying at the Kulm Hotel benefit from access to the driving range and practice facilities as well as priority tee times and golf lessons. For those wishing to play at the Engadine Golf Club, which is less than a 30-minute drive from St. Moritz, the hotel concierge will happily arrange discounted green fees. The Engadine Golf Club has two courses: Samedan and Zuoz-Madulain.
The 18-hole course at Samedan is the historic one, having been established in 1893. It is a classic parkland course with an interesting flavour of links. Though mainly set on the flat valley floor, the course does offer some gently undulating holes as it winds its way in between valley streams and ponds that ensure a testing round of golf. Uniquely, its wide fairways are flanked by imposing giant larch trees, some of which are over 700 years old. Sister course at Zuoz-Madulain – or simply Zuoz – presents a totally different experience. Opened in 2003, it is one of only five courses that the prolific Canadian architect Les Furber has designed in Europe.
This relatively-young course is a challenging prospect that places a premium on course management and distance control. Golfers face demanding elevation changes, undulating fairways fringed by delightful meadow flowers and an array of tricky doglegs as it weaves its way along the side of the mountain through pine forests and past a fast-flowing river. After the trials and tribulations of the various golf courses, the Kulm Hotel provides a welcome retreat in which to relax and recuperate.
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property has 164 luxurious rooms and suites and a lavish 2,000 square metre spa that includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool, various steam and sauna rooms (perfect for easing aching muscles after a round or two), relaxation areas, treatment rooms and a gym with studio room.
Platinum Coast, Barbados
This product was recommended by George Hammerton from Hammerton Barbados – Luxury Villas
With world famous golf courses including Royal Westmoreland, the soon to be reopened Apes Hill, and three stunning golf courses at Sandy Lane – which hosted Tiger Wood’s wedding in 2002, Barbados’ Platinum West Coast is the perfect place to travel for an exceptional golfing trip. With stunning beaches, restaurants, and cultural attractions for those travelling with friends and family, it’s the perfect destination for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Puerto Rico
This product was recommended by AbdullahAl Mamun from All Day Shoe
With nearly two dozen golf courses, many on the Caribbean Sea, combined with terrific resorts, culture, nightlife and warm weather year-round, Puerto Rico can be an ideal golf vacation, especially for Americans and Canadians in the eastern half of North America. Americans don’t need a passport to get there (Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and its residents are U.S. Citizens) so it’s easy to travel. Located just east of the Dominican Republic in the warm waters of the Caribbean, P.R. is just a two-hour flight from Miami, for example.
The climate is ideal for anyone looking to escape the doldrums of winter or anxious to try something different. As for golf, there are plenty of choices. From the more mountainous El Conquistador Resort to tournament-tested layouts like Coco Beach Resort or TPC Dorado Beach to the spectacular Royal Isabella with a string of oceanfront holes on the northwest coast, there’s something for everyone.
Puerta Cortes in La Paz, Mexico
This product was recommended by Laura Corrigan from TheAgencyRE
Located in La Paz, steps from the shores of the Sea of Cortez, Puerta Cortés is home to the only Gary Player Signature Golf Course in Mexico.. The exclusive Gary Player Signature Golf Course offers sweeping ocean views from 17 of the 18 holes. At El Cortes Golf Club, immerse yourself in the dramatic landscape that contrasts the green of the grass with the desert, the vegetation and the sea. It is a fantastic and challenging tour. This golf course on the Sea of Cortez is par 72, along its 7,082 yards, it has 18 holes and panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez at 17 of them.
It has a shooting range, practice green, short game and a Scenic Halfway House between holes 6 and 14. Renowned for its calm, swimmable waters, incredible snorkeling, and authentic shopping and dining on the Malecón, La Paz, the capital of Baja Sur, is one of the most desirable resort locales in Mexico. The property features a boutique collection of oceanfront and hillside residences, a resort, as well as a host of luxury amenities, including a world-class marina, beach club, sunset lounge and more to be enjoyed while not on the green. It is the ultimate golf-retreat or golf lover’s dream destination.
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
This product was recommended by Rachel Riley from Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
Montgomery County, PA is home to more than 50 golf courses, that’s 300,000 yards to play, including some of the most top-ranked, and historic clubs. Plus, Montco also offers 80 hotels with 9,200 guest rooms, and plenty of other amenities and attractions like the King of Prussia Mall, the Valley Forge National Historical Park, more than a dozen other historic sites, 1,600 restaurants, more than 30 award-winning breweries, wineries, and distilleries, more than 200 arts and culture venues, and almost 100 miles of trails to make it the perfect golf getaway. That’s why we promote the Montco Golf brand.
Pinehurst/Southern Pines, NC
This product was recommended by Martin Armes from HomeofGolf
As “The Home of American Golf,” the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of North Carolina has a storied legacy of golf unlike any other place in the country. In 2014, it made golf history again when the U.S. Open and U..S. Women’s Open Championships were played back-to-back on the same golf course for the first time ever. Here, you’ll find North Carolina’s best golf courses, world-class dining and shopping, and more.
East coast of Scotland
This product was recommended by Will Shaw from Golf Insider UK
I doubt many golfers need persuading why they should visit Scotland – the home of golf. But, a short trip away from St Andrews you can find some golfing gems that offer charm, character and challenge that can’t be matched anywhere else in the world. St Andrews has seven courses, which for true golfing fans must be explored. You will also find Kingsbarns golf club a short walk up the coast – another premier course to play. However, my top tip would be to travel south and visit the other side of the estuary.
North Berwick offers 18 holes that rival most you will find at St Andrews. Kilspindie Links provides seaside views in a setting that makes you feel like you have travelled 200 years back in time. Even courses such as Glenn GC provide stunning views, at great value, as you attempt to keep your golf ball on the cliff tops.
Hawaii
This product was recommended by Siera Duiser from Spreading Magic
Hawaii is arguably one of the best places to travel for golf. We specifically love the Ko Olina Golf Club. Ko Olina is located on the west side of Oahu and away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. Ko Olina has beautiful resorts including the Four Seasons and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. There is a free shuttle to the course, which is also a stope on the LPGA tour. With Hawaii’s beautiful weather, it’s the perfect course to visit year round.
Mesquite, Nev
This product was recommended by Christian Adderson from CasablancaResort
Located just 80 miles north of Las Vegas, Mesquite, Nev. is a growing resort destination and Mesquite Gaming – owner of both the CasaBlanca Resort and Virgin River Hotel – is renowned for their beautiful, challenging golf courses. The destination boasts two championship golf courses including the 95-acre CasaBlanca Golf Club and the 110-acre Palms Golf Club, which are established along the northern edge of the Mojave Desert and near the southern edges of the Great Basin, offering challenging styles of desert, arroyo, vista, and canyon play.
The Cal Olson-designed CasaBlanca Golf Club lies etched into the wetlands of the Mesquite Valley. This beautiful 18 championship hole-course winds in and out of the Virgin River basin offering a new experience on every tee. A challenge for all levels of players, the Palms championship course offers a 6,804-yard, par 72, with a breathtaking view and a vertical drop of 114 feet at hole 15. There are a total of 11 courses in the surrounding area. Each year, Mesquite Gaming is proud to host the Nevada Open Golf Championship and the Mesquite Amateur, which is one of the largest handicapped amateur tournaments in the nation, drawing more than 600 participants.
Golfers can stay and play at the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, a 43-acre destination featuring 480 rooms, a vintage Vegas-like casino, lively nightly entertainment and superb amenities at a great value including a large, resort pool with a cascading waterfall, and a world-class spa, and the critically acclaimed Katherine’s Steakhouse, a 2020 Diners’ Choice Award recipient and named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America from 2017-2019 by OpenTable.
Myrtle Beach SC
This product was recommended by Diamond Frandsen from Avista Resort
The Myrtle Beach area is known as the Golf Capital of the World. With over 90 active courses just in the Myrtle Beach area every player can find a course that is best suited for them. From Pro’s to beginners, courses in the Myrtle Beach area offer up options to fit all budgets and skill levels. Having warm temperatures the majority of the year make Myrtle Beach, SC a great destination to plan a golf trip or take in a round when visiting the beaches. All local lodging has easy access to the Myrtle Beach International Airport with some offering private shuttles and golf packages.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This product was recommended by Taylor Madigan from Casa Velas
Golf lovers can play their favorite game and enjoy vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The destination features 5+ courses in addition to an average 85’ weather year round. Casa Velas, an adults-only boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, offers guests complimentary golf at both Vista Vallarta and Marina Vallarta Golf Clubs.The 18-hole Marina Vallarta, which nestles against Casa Velas, offers 6,701 yards and a par 71 layout designed by Joe Finger. Vista Vallarta, a short drive from the hotel, has two courses.
The easier Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course is a par 72 with 7,073 yards with grassy hillsides, a dense forest of Palm and giant ficus trees and natural creeks. The Tom Weiskopf course, also 18 holes, is a par 72 with 6,976 yards and a more extreme terrain of dense jungles, deep ravines and swift creeks. Along with the impressive golf offerings, the hotel features 80 spacious suites, some with private pools and Jacuzzis, where guests can go to decompress. When not on the green, guests can relax and enjoy some sun at the hotel’s private Ocean Club, which boasts breathtaking ocean and mountainous views.
The Algarve
This product was recommended by Muhammad Ali Sangi from PureVPN
Based out of Portugal’s southern coast, the Quinta do Lago resort has become the preferred location for most European footballers and celebs interested in golf. The climate, the atmosphere, and the pristine surface provide the best possible golfing experience starting from just €97 per person.
Sotogrande
This product was recommended by Muhammad Ali Sangi from PureVPN
Based out of South-western Spain, the location came to public attention after it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup. The course has gone through numerous makeovers, resulting in an evergreen modernistic look. The course also runs classes ideal for beginners as well as occasional golfers.
Northern Ireland
This product was recommended by Stuart Cooke from My Baggage
Northern Ireland may be a tiny country but it’s home to some of the best links courses in the world. Both Royal Portrush on the north west coast and Royal County Down in the south east are widely renowned as amongst the very best golf courses in the world. You just have to look back at last year’s Open Championship which was held in Portrush to see just how much the players and fans loved the course and the area in general as it’s got the perfect mix of great golf, pubs, restaurants and scenery that makes a perfect golf trip.
Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona
This product was recommended by Melanie Musson from USInsuranceAgents
Because of the climate in Arizona, you can experience the ideal weather conditions for golfing long after the golf courses further north have closed for the season. There are a plethora of courses to choose from and because of their proximity to the sprawling metropolitan area, there are plenty of restaurants and evening entertainment options nearby.
Golf at Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand
This product was recommended by Cassidy Oswalt from Victoria King Public Relations
2020 marks two decades of operation for these legendary links in New Zealand. Designed by the late David Harman, Kauri Cliffs par 72 championship golf course sits high above sea level, north of New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. With cliff-edge fairways boasting breath-taking views of the Cavalli Islands and Cape Brett, it comes to no surprise that Kauri Cliffs is one of the most sought-after golf destinations in the world. Golf Digest currently ranks Kauri Cliffs as #43 in the Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World. The 7,100-yard links-style course has hosted several notable events, including a PGA Tour Challenge, named The Kiwi Challenge, featuring Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, and Sean O’Hair, as well as the Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf match between Fred Couples and New Zealander Michael Campbell.
Taiwan
This product was recommended by Erin Yang from Taiwan Tourism Bureau
Taiwan is a mountainous island nation, and has ample golf courses built on mountain slopes or hills. Diverse landforms enhance the pleasure of golfing, and the spectacular terrain has inspired world-famous designers to create unique fairways that provide golfers with fun and excitement. As a recent host of The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), Taiwan’s subtropical climate is suitable for golfing all year round. After a round of golf, players can enjoy numerous hot springs, local cuisines and a variety of hikes and cultural attractions that are all within close proximity to well-established courses. There are currently more than 60 golf courses in Taiwan.
North Lake Tahoe
This product was recommended by Katie Ashworth from The Abbi Agency
North Lake Tahoe – Lake Tahoe is the crown jewel of the Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails, half a dozen communities, and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport.
Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The age-old sport of golf can be experienced across the globe— but there’s something magical about the dewey, alpine greens and celebrity forefathers that makes golf in North Lake Tahoe spectacular. From rich history and natural beauty, to boutique amenities and diverse terrain, golf in North Lake Tahoe provides an unparalleled experience. Play at one of the region’s 16 golf courses or just few, either way you’re having a great time!
I love the Golf at Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand. This is very beautiful and wonderful place golfing trip.