The luck of the Irish might not bring you a hole-in-one, but you’ll still have a grand time on the huge variety of courses here. There are more than 340 in this tiny country, ranging from championship class to rural links and most of them are fabulously scenic. Some are on superb parkland, others on rolling dune country overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or Irish Sea.
The Irish weather is famously unpredictable, but you’ll find it hardly matters – the thrill of playing on these courses eclipses any of the troublesome elements!
Some of the crackers are Druid’s Glen (“extremely tough”) near Dublin, Lahinch (“the St Andrew’s of Ireland”), The K Club, the dramatic Ballyliffen in the north, the world-famous Ballybunion Old Course, Royal County Down – one of the hardest courses in the UK – and Royal Portrush (Dunluce) in Northern Ireland, and Portmarnock, also near Dublin.
Our trans-Tasman neighbours have an outstanding variety of courses, including the breathtaking Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, Kauri Cliffs, overlooking the magnificent scenery of Matauri Bay in Northland, and the luxurious Millbrook near Queenstown. Also close to Queenstown is the championship course at Jacks Point beside Lake Wakatipu.
Clearwater Resort in Christchurch is the home of the NZ PGA champs and the only USPGA Nationwide Tour stop in the country. Out in the Canterbury High Country, there’s the dramatic scenery of the par 72 Terrace Downs.
Just north of Auckland is the famous Gulf Harbour course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and overlooking the splendid scenery of the Hauraki Gulf. To experience a little geothermal activity alongside the greens, head to Wairakei – the first golf resort in the country. But these are just the tip of the iceberg: you’ll find great golf courses for all levels all around New Zealand – and, best of all, they are very rarely crowded.
A golf safari in South Africa is a unique experience, and one that every dedicated golfer deserves the chance to enjoy.
From Cape Town to Kruger Park, the courses here are fantastic. There’s the splendid Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, the Wild Coast Country Club and Durban Country Club – both by the Indian Ocean – and, of course, the legendary Leopard Creek on the borders of Kruger National Park. Historic Steenberg is a must, and on the Western Cape, beautiful Fancourt Hotel and Country Club with its highly rated links offer a perfect golfing getaway. Also near Cape Town, there’s the new and beautiful Arabella, and, Pinnacle Point on the Garden Route is a challenging, Matkovich masterpiece.
While you tee-up in this country, you might be lucky enough to see giraffe or zebra roaming through the nearby bush (especially if you’re in the Mpumalanga area). South Africa has more than 500 great courses to choose from, and some of the world’s finest scenery to enjoy them in – the perfect combination!
Every golfer wants the chance to play in the country where their game began, and the options here will not disappoint. From celebrated St Andrews to glorious Gleneagles, the canny Scottish courses will both challenge and charm you.
For somewhere right away from it all, head to the Hebrides and the island of Harris, where Scarista’s small but stunningly beautiful nine-hole course lies on the western coast – and can cause surprising damage to your ego! Or, a little closer to the mainland, enjoy views of the rugged Cuillins as you play on the Isle of Skye.
There are so many options for golf in this country that you’ll have a hard time choosing, but we know there are some you simply cannot miss: the Aisla course in Turnberry, overlooking the Mull of Kintyre, the Old Course at St Andrews, the Gleneagles Kings Course, Muirfield, the Kingsbarn by the North Sea, Loch Lomond and Carnoustie. Blairgowerie is another beauty spot, and Taymouth Castle is a stunner.
Here’s another country where the scenery may well distract you from your game! But, of course, this is one very big country, so a little research into your chosen area will go a long way towards helping you make the right pick.
If you’re based in Vancouver, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with several very scenic options, including Westwood Plateau and Newland Golf and Country Club – and in Victoria, there are the 36 holes of the combined Bear Mountain and Valley courses. At Whistler, the views are superb and the golf challenges match them: Nicklaus North, Furry Creek, Big Sky and the Arnold Palmer-designed Whistler Golf Club.
In the heart of the Rockies, Banff makes a great golf base with a host of courses to choose from, and further east, outside Toronto, there’s Deerhurst Highlands with its famous 10th hole, or Ottawa’s the Marshes.
There are countless courses in Quebec – where you might find the need to use your schoolbook French – and Glen Arbour in Nova Scotia won the title of Canada’s best new course in 2000. But really, we’re just skimming the surface – this country is full of fantastic courses. Hop on line and check them out: you’ll be amazed at what’s on offer.
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