We have both written many times, and still genuinely believe, that there is so much wonderfully varied golf throughout the UK&I that, should you be so inclined, you would never need to leave. There are about 3,000 courses, of which we have between us played around 40%, including the entire Top 100 in the UK & Ireland.

We are constantly adding new and very delightful entries to our swelling spreadsheets. However, we have also both been lucky enough to travel extensively for Golf Monthly, sampling golf, sights and experiences you would never encounter at home, much of which has informed our thoughts in this video on golf course design misconceptions.

We recently put our heads together and realised we'd now played in 57 countries – not just obvious golfing strongholds like the best golf courses in Spain, Portugal and the States, but also others more off the beaten track. One of our more complex - and unresolved - discussions was around what actually constitutes a country.

Take the beautiful Tierra del Sol course in Aruba, for example. This tropical Caribbean island is often described as a country, but also comes under the auspices of The Netherlands.

Closer to home, we both know golfers who tend not to think of the UK as separate countries but rather one glorious golfing whole. Try explaining that to anyone at an England-Scotland rugby match or screaming at the TV! Then there are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, both self-governing British Crown Dependencies but not countries as such, and not part of the UK.

But for the sake of this article, we believe we've played in about 57 different ‘countries', depending on how you interpret such anomalies! Here, we each take a look at five of the more unusual, impressive or simply less well-known trips we have enjoyed and how they have enriched our golfing lives...

Bulgaria

Rob - While moonlighting for Volvo at its tour events, I visited Bulgaria in 2013 for the penultimate World Matchplay Tournament at Gary Player's Thracian Cliffs. Set on the western shores of the Black Sea, its relative inaccessibility may be why this is not yet a bucket-list destination. Its outrageously visual and dramatic layout is one of the most exciting I have ever played. I had no choice but to include it in a feature on my favourite ten courses.

Nearby, I greatly enjoyed the appallingly named but otherwise lovely BlackSeaRama – another Player design – and Ian Woosnam's adjacent Lighthouse. They would combine to make a brilliant tour, and I returned to the country in 2019 to play at the fine resort of Pravets, under an hour from Sofia.

The Netherlands

Rob - A real advantage of golf in The Netherlands is that you can take your car. Despite an immaculate pedigree, it's still not well-known as a golfing destination and I think this is simply because its historic and more prestigious clubs are really not too fussed about marketing their many delights.

On one trip, I enjoyed the best of the old (Utrecht de Pan… spell it as you wish; there are many variations) and the best of the new (The International). I loved the 27 holes at Kennemer, where Colt designed the original 18, and Hilversum was great, Colt again, and very tight off the tee. If you're after informal and local, then Houtrak, Purmerend and Zaanse are all well worth a visit.

Greece

Jeremy - My solitary trip to Greece came in 2022 when I was invited to the Olazabal and Friends Charity Pro-Am at Costa Navarino in the Messinia region of a country that, perhaps surprisingly, still has just ten golf courses. The Spaniard's two new layouts had opened there earlier that year and this is surely one of Europe's most spectacular golf destinations.

His International Olympic Academy Course enjoys a stirring back-nine run along an inland cliff edge with mesmerising ocean views, while the Hills course plays past old olive trees, ancient rock walls and stunning ravines in the Kinigou Hills. It was a real thrill to finally get some time with Jose Maria, who had always proved quite an elusive interview target for individual journalists hoping for a chat. Perseverance rewarded!

Norway

Jeremy - You've probably drooled over the photos and, following my 2015 trip to the Lofoten Islands in the 68th parallel of northern latitude in Norway, I can confirm that Lofoten Links is almost certainly the most dramatic golfing canvas over which I have ever played. Yes, it took three flights and half an hour by road to get there, but boy, was it worth it. Lush green oases of fairway and green weave through deep-coloured rocks and lakes, wedged between the Arctic and the rugged mountains.

The visual drama carries on hole after hole and there is a deep sense of admiration for the imagination that led to a golf course being created in this unimaginably spectacular, yet at times hostile, landscape. I've not yet returned to play elsewhere in Norway, but the love affair with the country that this trip triggered has seen the family spend the week before Christmas in Tromso for the last two years. This must surely be the only world Top 100 golf course where you can play under the midnight sun.

Finland

Jeremy - Finland has around 190 courses and my only visit came in 2014 with a game at Linna Golf an hour from Helsinki, ranked No.1 in the country in some lists. I remember feeling at home immediately as, slightly to my surprise, it felt similar to UK courses such as Woburn, Gleneagles and even Swinley Forest right from the opener, a beautiful uphill par 4 playing through stands of pine and birch.

The trees often frame holes from a respectful distance rather than too claustrophobically, so you reap the benefits of their beauty without having to venture in among them too often. My trip continued with a ferry across the Baltic to Estonia, one of two east European countries I've played in. Poland is the other.

Kenya

Rob - I jumped at the chance to fly to Nairobi where the colonial background means there is real history at some of the clubs. Muthaiga dates back to 1913 and was a regular host of the Kenya Open, won by no less a legend than Seve Ballesteros in 1978. I greatly enjoyed Sigona, designed by Tom Simpson in 1938, plus the excellent course at Windsor Golf Hotel, with its monkeys and yellow-billed kites going about their business paying scant attention to the golf.

My favourite was Great Rift Valley up near Lake Naivasha where I enjoyed two days of sensory overload thanks to the challenging course and the magnificent wildlife, including zebras, giraffes and an encounter with a pod of hippos out on the lake. If you fancy combining golf with safari, this is exactly the country for it.

South Africa

Jeremy - My only visit to the continent of Africa happened by accident when a colleague was called up for jury service and I was drafted in. I was already due in Abu Dhabi the week after, so it ended up being my longest ever trip for Golf Monthly, flying to Durban then on to the Middle East before returning home 12 days later. I was there to cover the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions event at Durban Country Club and play three rounds in KwaZulu-Natal province at Selborne Park, Prince's Grant and Cotswold Downs.

After golf at Selborne, photographer Kevin Murray and I were plied with more Springboks than were wise (Amarula layered over Creme de Menthe in a chilled shot glass) and were treated to an impromptu table-side Ladysmith Black Mambazo-style performance from the bar staff. The course at Prince's Grant enjoys excellent ocean views, while the 5th at Cotswold Downs is the steepest drop-hole par 3 I've ever played.

Japan

Jeremy - In 2018, a decade after my time in the equipment editor's chair, I got called back for a trip to Japan to visit the Honma plant around the time of Justin Rose's short-lived dalliance with the brand. Part of the trip took us on the famous Shinkansen 'bullet train' to Atami, then on to Kawana, where we played the resort's world top 100-ranked Fuji course.

The dramatic opener plunges down 100ft to the fairway and the visual drama never lets up with several holes along the clifftops, although Mount Fuji was sadly partly shrouded in mist. Our friendly female caddie looked after all four bags on one power-assisted trolley and, once or twice, our transport from green to tee involved a driverless buggy. An incredible experience.

Vietnam

Rob - Asia and the Far East offer some of the most exotic golf in the world and I had a wonderful time exploring the central-eastern coastal region of Vietnam around Da Nang. Delicious local food was the hors d'oeuvres to a banquet of golf that included coastal games at Nick Faldo's dreamy Laguna Lang Co, Robert Trent Jones Junior's amazing Hoiana Shores and the Nicklaus and Norman courses at Legend DaNang.

Slightly inland, I also loved the Luke Donald design at Ba Na Hills and a stay-and-play at Colin's eponymous Montgomerie Links. Together, the five offered unbelievable variety, endless new and different experiences, and as much entertainment as you could possibly wish for on one golf trip. My visit here prompted me to wonder whether this is the most exotic coastline in golf?

New Zealand

Rob - I visited this staggeringly beautiful country to cover the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Wellington. It's an exceptionally long way to go, but the juicy carrot dangling before me was the opportunity to explore the North Island and play a handful of its best courses.

We started at the host venue, a sumptuous course that I absolutely loved, and from here flew up the east coast to spend two nights at Cape Kidnappers, a dream come true. Moving inland to The Kinloch Club and Wairakei near Lake Taupo, both excellent, we ended up at Auckland and Windross Farm. The scenery, the golf, the wine… this will live with me as one of, if not the, best trips of my golfing life.

The Numbers

So for completeness, here are our various counts at the time of preparing this article in May, 2026. As you might expect, they are still creeping up...!

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

• GF: 18 holes: $160-$224
• Stats: par 72, 6,635 yards
• W: whistlermountaingolf.com

From coast to coast through mountains and lakes, Canada is home to some of the most scenic and dramatic golf in the world. Towards its western reaches in British Columbia and the Coast Mountains range, Fairmont Chateau Whistler is a real beauty that opened for play in 1993.

It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and runs on an impressively grand scale through ancient, majestic and wildly undulating forests of Douglas fir.

Rocky outcrops, rivers, ponds and the magnificent trees define the challenge, as does the architect’s trademark bold, visual bunkering. The signature hole is the gorgeous par-3 8th, played from an elevated tee.

Everything is presented in excellent condition with holidaymakers and enjoyment very much in mind – testing but never too demanding. Open from early May to mid-October, a GPS-enabled cart is mandatory but recommended anyway due to the elevation changes. If you’re lucky, you may even see wild bears on this striking, Audubon-certified course.

The hotel is perfect for skiers and golfers alike, and lunch on the patio overlooking the beautiful par-5 18th is a treat on its own.

The Boulders - South Course

• GF: 18 holes: $289-$329
• Stats: Par 72, 6,726 yards
• W: theboulders.com

Scottsdale is an oasis in the Sonoran Desert that is home to an incredible variety of fascinating and different golf. Towards its northern reaches, Boulders Resort & Spa is blessed with not one but two remarkable courses. Each was designed by Jay Morrish, an architect who worked with some of the industry’s greatest including Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus.

While the North is for members and their guests, the South is a thrilling and very beautiful adventure through the rocks that is open to all. Benefitting from full bunker and greens renovations in recent times, the course runs through some prime real estate that is largely so far from the playing lines and so well screened by nature that you would hardly know it was there.

By contrast, the amazing rock formations that give the resort its name and the course its definition are very much in evidence. They are beautiful to behold and breathtaking in their stature. The star of the show is perhaps the brilliant par-5 5th with its split fairway which plays to a green towered over by Boulder Pile, but there’s endless invention, intrigue and fun all the way.

There are plenty of other really strong holes such as the par-3 7th where the back tee is actually nestled right up in the rocks.

There is also a really strong finish with back-to-back short holes at 15 and 16 before a thrilling par 4 at 17 that crosses a gulch, and finally a scenic par 5 back to a green protected by water.

With its excellent and stylish accommodation, delicious food and friendly service, the Boulders Resort and Spa is a fabulous resort, sympathetically designed in every way to fit in with its environment.

I am lucky enough to have played golf in almost 50 countries all over the world including 1,000 courses in Britain and Ireland. But until just three months ago my tally in the States was a surprisingly feeble 20 courses.

Of these, the only really big name was Torrey Pines in California. Possibly English Turn, for those of you who used to watch the New Orleans Open a very long time ago.

I was therefore delighted to accept an invitation from Experience Scottsdale to play a handful of courses there, including the host of this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.

Amazingly, there are more than 200 golf courses in the area, and while a good number are private, there are more than enough that are open to all keen golfers to last a lifetime of trips.

While it gets super-hot in the Summer months, buggy play is pretty much the norm here, so it’s a year-round destination packed with plenty to do both on and off the course.

TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)

Let’s start with the course that is staging this week’s PGA Tour event, one that reputedly attracts the largest crowds in world golf.

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish were engaged to design something specifically to host the Phoenix Open, a historic tournament which dates right back to 1931.

The event moved here in 1987 and has returned ever since producing winners such as Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, although oddly not Tiger Woods!

The opening holes run adjacent to some prime real estate that includes the excellent Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel. You constantly change direction, but what surprised me most on the front nine was that there is no water.

Instead, there are dry gulches, and plenty of waste bunkers, and I was pleased to par three of the opening holes, including the only par 5 on the way out, the 3rd.

It’s the back nine where the course really takes off, with more changes in elevation, and water in play on the majority of the holes. The tough par-4 11th runs alongside a lake which then almost surrounds the green at the short 12th.

But it’s the run for home that really impresses and will live long in the memory. The fifteenth is a par 5 to an island green and you then play a fairly benign par 3 that has actually become world-famous due to its reinvention as a key spectator hotspot, surrounded by vast corporate stands and extremely vocal enthusiasts.

It's actually something of a sheep in wolf's clothing. Just 163 yards, the back tee was closed to preserve it for the event, so even for me it was only a 9-iron which happily I hit to 20 feet before leaving my birdie putt inches short.

The 17th is a driveable par 4 where water laps up on the left and behind, and the excellent and demanding closing hole has the same lake on the left, some church-pew bunkers and a tough approach to a well-protected green.

If the front nine on the Stadium Course left me underwhelmed, the finish delivered more than enough punch to make up. The second course, the Champions, has less water and more sand, and is a more wallet-friendly alternative.

Grayhawk (Raptor)

Just a couple of miles up the road from the two TPC courses, Grayhawk has its own pair that are pleasingly different in nature.

The Talon is desert-style, but I played the Tom Fazio-designed Raptor Course which is lush, very green and beautifully manicured. It is characterised by plenty of very well-protected greens, many of which are raised as well as guarded by deep and scary bunkers.

My favourite holes included the beautiful par-3 8th with the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains, the lovely par-4 10th which works its way right to left up the slope across a serpentine stream, and the thrilling par 5 that concludes the round with water waiting to swallow anything going too far right.

This is a sumptuous course I would love to play again. Immediately over the road, Isabella’s Kitchen is a lively and informal diner with delicious food.

Troon North (Monument)

Wary of courses that run through housing - more for their sake than mine - I needn’t have worried about Troon North. They are so far from the playing lines, even mine, and so well screened by cacti and other foliage, as well as changes in elevation, that you feel you are way out in the desert.

From the off, I really enjoyed the Monument Course; another Weiskopf and Morrish collaboration that opened for play in 1990.

Each hole seems separate and quite different from the others, with one or two scary carries from the tee the first time you play here where you can’t quite be sure of the perfect line.

The par-5 3rd is both memorable and very photogenic with a huge rock formation guarding the middle of the fairway, while the 8th calls for a brave approach over an arroyo, an attractive, dry stream bed filled with plants.

For me, the stars of the show are the brilliant short par-4 15th played to an infinity green, and the dramatic par 3 that follows, played from up high with fantastic far-reaching views.

Nearby, I thoroughly enjoyed spending three nights at the first-class and very stylish Four Seasons Scottsdale, ideally positioned for Troon North and offering easy access to many other courses in the area. The food, service and accommodation were all outstanding.

Papago

Close by Sky Harbor, the international airport at Phoenix, Papago is a really strong course and one of the oldest in the region. It was designed by Billy Bell, the architect of Torrey Pines, and is home to the Arizona State University team whose practice facilities are up there with the best I have seen anywhere in the world.

It is also an extremely friendly club and I can thoroughly recommend the food - and the beer - at the onsite Lou’s Bar and Grill. As for the course, it is a strong, no-frills test of golf that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The fairways are generous, but you need to be in the right place for the best approach to the green. Water only really comes in to play on the opening three-shotter and the short 11th, and even I managed to keep the same ball all the way round.

Stand-out holes include that opening par 5, the short par-4 2nd played up the slope with an atmospheric red rock backdrop, the long par-3 17th and the very demanding closing hole that works back up the slope from left to right to the clubhouse.

We-Ko-Pa (Cholla)

Out in the Sonoran Desert, We-Ko-Pa is yet another venue with two excellent courses. The newer Saguaro Course is a Coore/Crenshaw design that opened in 2007 and unusually for Scottsdale is geared towards non-buggy play, but I headed out over the very distinct Cholla Course… in a buggy.

This expansive course opened 25 years ago and was designed by Scott Miller. Before playing it I had been told by several people that it was one of the area’s best kept secrets. They were not wrong!.

The course opens with a lovely short par 4 played from a greatly elevated tee round a huge waste bunker, and each hole from here on is a new and fresh challenge with the desert breeze a particular factor. With the backdrop of the enticingly-named Superstition Mountains, this is a real desert adventure with plenty of memorable holes.

The par-5 8th is one of many highlights, a sweeping three-shotter that eases down the slope to a green beside a gulch, and the closing hole is an absolute beauty with an elevated drive down to a wide fairway protected on the left by a wide bunker, and then a long approach over a lake and more sand.

A perfect finish. As with all of these two-course venues, I would love to go back and play the other eighteen.

The Boulders Club (South)

I’ve saved this one for last as I have to confess that although it’s a tight call, it was my favourite of the week. While the North Course at The Boulders is reserved for its members and their guests, the South is happily open to all.

The whole resort is defined by the amazing rock formations on and off the courses, and I was very taken by this Jay Morrish creation which uses the landscape to the maximum and most dramatic effect.

It would be very hard to recommend the best holes as there are probably 12 or 13 contenders! However, it's impossible not to mention the par-5 5th with its split fairway that works its way to a green right below a small number of casitas in the rocks. It was actually in one of these that I was also lucky enough to spend a couple of nights, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

The Boulders Resort and Spa is a fabulous resort, sympathetically designed in every way to fit in with its environment. The closing four holes are also very memorable, back-to-back par 3s followed by a thrilling par 4 at 17 and a scenic par 5 back to a green protected by water.

Oh, and I simply cannot miss telling you that while playing the 3rd hole, we saw this gorgeous wild bobcat out hunting jackrabbits. He could not have cared less about us and didn’t even glance our way despite being just a few yards behind the green. For all sorts of reasons, the South Course at the Boulders is high in my list of personal favourites.

There is no doubt that Scottsdale is a golfer’s paradise - brilliant and extremely varied courses, great accommodation and dining, stunning weather and endless fun! For more information, visit experiencescottsdale.com.

Reserva Conchal

• GF: $155-$175
• Stats: Par 71, 6,558 yards
• W: reservaconchal.com

Costa Rica is an outstandingly beautiful country with a wealth of wildlife and a very healthy approach to the environment and sustainability. This ethos extends to the Reserva Conchal resort and particularly its Audubon International Certified golf course which is situated on the north-western coastline and stretches out between the mountains and the shimmering Pacific Ocean.

With the onsite hotels, private accommodation, and all manner of health, wellness and leisure facilities, this is a wonderful holiday destination, especially for those with birds, or indeed birdies, in mind. Play at this award-winning course is restricted to resort guests and property owners, and the lush, tropical layout was designed in 1996 by Robert Trent Jones Junior whose creation at Adare Manor will host the 2027 Ryder Cup. There are two loops of nine and the multiple tee placements mean it is playable by all.

A real feature of a round here is the chance to observe white-tailed deer, howler monkeys and iguanas, as well as many, exotic and colourful bird species. Water comes into play on a number of holes, with two memorable highlights being the par-3 17th which plays over a lagoon, and the closing hole where anything to the left will sink without trace.

While Costa Rica is not renowned for its golf, Reserva Conchal is a lovely course in an extremely beautiful country that is sure to enhance an eco-minded holiday for any keen golfer.

Barnbougle - Lost Farm

• GF: approx £130
• Stats: Par 78, 6,673 yards - 20 holes
• W: barnbougle.com.au

Tasmania is a ruggedly beautiful island state off the south-eastern coast of Australia, getting on for the size of Scotland but with a total population of fewer than 600,000. Its north coastline is home to the sensational Barnbougle Resort, whose original Dunes course opened just over 20 years ago and was designed by Tom Doak and Mike Clayton. Not only is it one of the most beautiful golf courses you will find anywhere, but it also features on many lists as one of the best links courses in the world.

Immediately across the Great Forester River, its second course, Lost Farm, opened in 2010. It is blessed with not 18 but 20 holes of utopian golf from the brilliant and very creative partnership of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The two are currently working on the eleventh course at Pinehurst, set to open in 2027. Considering its proximity to The Dunes, it could hardly be more different. Here, the sand dunes are significantly more dramatic and visual, but the wide fairways are inviting meaning that unless the wind is really strong, it is very playable and just that bit more forgiving.

The bunkering is both visually and strategically strong, the greens will make you think, and the views are to die for. The two extra holes - 13a and 18a - are both par 3s and were simply too good to miss out from the design or for any golfer to play. Compared to many of the world's leading courses, golf here is also surprisingly good value.

• GF - Approx £125
• Stats - Par 72, 6,728 yards

Royal Wellington

Dating back to 1895, the club shares a birthday with several courses in the Golf Monthly Next 100, including Crowborough Beacon. It relocated to its current site a few miles to the north of the capital alongside the beautiful Hutt River in 1908. It has hosted the New Zealand Open seven times, and in 2004 became the first club in the country to be awarded Royal patronage.

Despite being highly-rated, it was generally felt that the course didn’t quite live up to its potential. As a result, there was a long-term upgrade by Turner Macpherson Golf Design which officially opened in 2014. There are now 27 holes, the 18-hole championship Heretaunga course, and the Terrace nine.

This lush course offers a terrific mix of the old and the new on an ever-changing landscape. Many holes run through mature trees and all manner of exotic flora. The bunkering throughout is visually striking.

Each of the four par 3s is excellent and different from the others, and one of the most significant features is the characterful, undulating greens. This is especially the case at the par-3 8th where there is a valley of sin between the front and back.

From every perspective, this is a fabulous course to play, and if you are lucky enough to visit this lovely part of the world, a game at Royal Wellington Golf Club comes highly recommended. This is undoubtedly one of the best golf courses on the North Island, and there are plenty more to try out in the area.

Jordan is a beautiful and mountainous country in the Middle East, much of which is desert. It is largely landlocked other than where it borders the Dead Sea and its southernmost outlet into the Red Sea.

Packed with history, especially up in the hills at Petra and Wadi Rum, it is ideal for those wishing to combine this with golf and relaxation. Ayla is a resort in Aqaba that makes for the perfect place to stay and play. Due to its relatively more inaccessible location, the course is seldom busy with the bonus that it is therefore presented in pristine condition throughout the year.

There are film-set backdrops on either side looking to the mountains where the light constantly changes, while the Red Sea shimmers to the south. The Greg Norman design has been created with both holiday golf and competition in mind, and in 2019 it hosted the groundbreaking Jordan Mixed Masters with competitors from the Challenge, Legends and Ladies European Tours. Norman's other designs include Trump Links Ireland.

There is plenty of variety and interest all the way at Ayla Golf Club, and the 9-hole par-3 Academy course is floodlit and also great fun.

It is blessed with one of the most distinctive clubhouses in golf, and along with its luxury accommodation, Ayla makes for a pleasingly different golfing destination.

• GF: £90-£110
• Stats: Par 72, 6,656 yards

The PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship had been held at El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba since its inception in 2007. However, that all changed in 2023 when bitter rival LIV Golf secured the course for the Mexico leg of its big-money League.

Undeterred, that March, the PGA Tour unveiled a course designed by one of its all-time greats, Tiger Woods, as the new home of the FedEx Cup Fall tournament, El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas.

The course, which opened in 2014, was Woods’ maiden foray into design. Woods promised the course would "remind people of the old-style California courses” where he had grown up, while challenging players to “think and make choices.”

While that was the intention, it had mixed reviews after the event. Players including Andrew Putnam, Kelly Kraft and Michael Kim all had their say. Putnam remarked that the course was too easy, while Kraft suggested the PGA Tour hadn’t made the best choice to replace the Mayakoba course.

Thomas Detry also came a cropper at the par 3 16 when his ball rolled off the front edge of the green and into a steep native area below. That led some fans to question the design while others argued it was to do with the course set-up for the tournament,

It wasn’t all bad, and Kim perhaps had the most balanced view. While he said the fairways "could be some of the widest fairways on tour, if not the widest” he complimented Woods' design on the varied layouts of the greens, while he felt the 15-time Major winner had designed a course that "fit his own game," something "famous players" often do when turning their hand to design.

Whatever the pros and cons, it was retained for the 2024 tournament, and it’s likely to remain part of the PGA Tour for some time to come, with the arrangement set to hold for five years.

The course was never meant to be particularly penal, and Woods has admitted he had his pro-am partners in mind when conceiving it. However, it is also intended to test players of most abilities.

The wide fairways were a conscious choice to ensure options and leeway for players with higher handicaps, while its length – a hefty 7,452 yards off the back tees, including the 601-yard sixth – is meant to challenge even the best players.

Its location is also a talking point, with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean, while it has mature vegetation and utilizes the area’s natural arroyos and native dunes. The course also has cacti and palo verde trees, while it’s hilly too, with a 240-foot drop between the 17th tee and third fairway.

During his appraisal of the course, Kim also wondered how it would play on a windy day, and that is definitely a factor capable of making a round one day an altogether different experience to one the next.

Ultimately, perhaps the only way to assess the merits of the course is to experience it, and the good news is that it’s open to the public.

The course is part of the luxury Diamante resort, which has another Woods layout, the Oasis Short Course - a 12-hole par-3 course - on-site. There is a second championship course at the location, too - the Dunes Course by Davis Love III.

To play El Cardonal, you need to be a guest of the resort, with tee times to be arranged once your reservation is confirmed.

There is a minimum three-night stay at the resort, and El Cardonal has a green fee of $400 per player, with a mandatory forecaddie.

Rental of a four-seater golf cart costs approximately $120, with a cost of approximately $140 for a six-seater golf cart.

The par-3 course costs $35 per round.

Rates to stay at the Golf Villas vary, but they typically start at $1,450 per night depending on the season.

El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas

El Cardonal at Diamante Cabo San Lucas Location

Golfers looking for their next break away to discover some of the world's most scenic courses along with incredible culture should look to Thailand for their next long haul adventure.

Thailand is one of the world's most beautiful countries, from its bustling cities like Bangkok to the culture and history in Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai, its stunning mountains and nature in Chiang Rai and Khao Yai to its beaches and islands in the south like Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Phuket and Khao Lak.

But did you know that it's a haven for golf? It's where Major winners like Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit hail from, as well as former World No.1 Atthaya Thitikul, eight-time European Tour winner Thongchai Jaidee and four-time European Tour winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

The country is home to over 300 golf courses that come in all shapes and sizes no matter your ability, including one in the middle of Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport! You'll also find incredible layouts with backdrops of the mountains, national parks, beaches and islands, as well as many courses that have hosted professional tournaments.

The Thailand Open, Thailand Classic, Thailand Golf Championship and Honda LPGA Thailand are all prestigious events that have been played on the country's top courses, which include recent hosts Black Mountain in Hua Hin, Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok, Siam Country Club in Pattaya and Riverdale Golf Club in Pathum Thani.

There are a number of hotbed areas for golf, including Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya, where you’ll find luxurious resorts and courses with premium facilities and service that have been designed by renowned global architects.

Away from the course

And as well as the world class courses and huge variety, there are plenty of other reasons to choose Thailand.

It's one of the most scenic countries on earth with plenty to keep you busy away from the golf course. Whether it's the hustle and bustle of the cities that you're looking for or perhaps the serenity of the beaches and islands or adventure of the mountains, you're sure to find what you’re looking for in Thailand to enjoy a holiday to remember.

It's also where you'll experience the most authentic Thai cuisine as well as top hospitality and the famous Thai smile from the welcoming locals. There's great shopping and nightlife to keep you entertained in the evening, including colourful night markets, street food stalls and Michelin star dining. By day, when you’re not on the course, you can simply relax on the beach with an idyllic view, swim, snorkel, hire bikes to explore local neighbourhoods or indulge in a relaxing massage.

The country is also extremely affordable to visit, especially compared to the UK, Europe and the USA, so you can have the luxury 5* experience for less. It's easily connected, too, with flights to Bangkok available from most Major global cities.

Domestic flights and trains are plentiful too with connections nationwide meaning you can tick off as many courses as you like with relative ease of travel.

So whether you're looking to get away in a large group or in just a couple, you can find your perfect golfing getaway in Thailand. There really is a Thailand golf holiday for everyone.

Book a Thailand golf holiday with Golf Breaks

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To many of my peers, Turkey is often the butt end of a joke thanks in part to it being a popular destination for Brits searching for discount cosmetic surgery. However, when I told them I wasn’t heading to Turkey for a new head of hair or teeth, they were somewhat surprised to hear of the wealth of quality golf courses located on the country’s southern Mediterranean coast.  

You wouldn’t blame them either. Turkey isn’t particularly famed for its golf, with the whole country only having 20 golf courses to its name - stunningly sparse for a nation of nearly 85 million people. Over half of Turkey’s 20 courses are located in and around the purpose built Belek region, which has embraced its tag as the home of golf in Turkey with the likes of Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo designing some of the courses in the area. 

All 11 of Belek’s golf courses are attached to one of the many luxury hotels that dot the coastline and I had the pleasure of playing both courses at the brilliant Antalya Golf Club and staying at the Kempinski Dome which it is attached to. 

Sultans of Swing

The main course at Antalya Golf Club, The Sultan, hosted Justin Rose’s 2012 victory at the Turkish Airlines World Final in 2012 and was my first slice of Turkish golf for the week. An immaculately maintained facility, the clear cuts from fairway to semi rough to rough was a welcome sight as I escaped the mud and rain of my home course - contouring, carpet-like green complexes took some getting used to when the flat stick came out. 

On the particular day I was playing, the wind was gusting upwards of 40mph, making what was already a tough test of golf that bit harder. Six of the first nine holes featured some kind of water hazard, while the second par-5 played directly into a howling gale, where I successfully hit driver, 3-wood, hybrid, wedge onto the green, and then duly three putted. Measuring 6477 meters, the course requires strong play off the tee and an equally strong long iron game to make the most of the layout - but plenty of teeing options mean you can adjust the difficulty to your liking. 

The middle of back nine briefly takes you away from the water and 12 and 13 in particular present two beautifully tree lined holes, with 12 claiming to be the toughest par-4 in the country. The 16th hole, my favourite, gives golfers the tantalising ability to either access the green in two, or face finding one of two water hazards protecting the long but narrow green. The 18th, a brilliant finishing hole dog legging over water, sees you turning back towards the Taurus mountains and the art deco clubhouse in the distance, a facility that many will be glad to see if the wind whips up quite as much as it did on that particular day.  

Antalya GC’s second course, the Pascha, is a more friendly test of golf. No less well maintained than its bigger brother, it measures in at an inviting 5731 meters and, as a par 72, offers up plenty of birdie opportunities. Mercifully, the wind had subsided by this point, and some slightly warmer weather made the game feel easy in comparison to the previous day. Long hitters needn’t get their driver out more than a couple of times, but it still makes for an incredibly enjoyable round thanks to its clever dog legs, sunken green complexes, tree lined par-4s and par 5s hugging the lake on the back nine. Drivable par 4s are one of golf’s great joys, and the Pascha features two that will tempt plenty to try and find the dance floor in one. After my battering on the Sultan, it was a wonderful antidote and an equally enjoyable, but wholly different, golf course to its sibling. 

I spent my time off the course exploring the vast extremities of The Kempinski Dome hotel. Only one of the region’s 11 courses benefits from sea views, with the beachfront being allocated to the hotels. The views from the sea-facing rooms are stunning with the vastness of the Mediterranean and the towering figure of Taurus mountain range to the east offering plenty to gaze out at in the mornings. Accompanying the pool facilities is an extensive spa, highlighted by a decadent Turkish Hammam, which was a quick and easy way to banish any physical or mental demons you may have accrued from a day on the golf course. 

I barely had to move for food during my stay and the all inclusive Kempinski Dome boasts 12 restaurants and bars serving food and drink from dawn until well after dusk. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is well served by a large buffet offering a range of international cuisine with fresh fish, meze, calamari, sushi and Mexican food all making its way onto my plate over the course of my stay. Another option for lunch, and a popular post-golf spot, is the Palm Lounge & Bar offering up an al fresco dining experience on the beach with a huge choice of options. 

Outside of meal times, a swim-up bar and indoor cafe offer snacks and drinks while, in the high season, the Pier Bar is open from afternoon until late evening, offering a stunning view for a drink above the ocean. Back in the hotel, the Piano Bar and Karaoke Bar offer an evening’s entertainment accompanied by music while Putters Bar is a stylish golfers-style bar popular with guests for after dinner drinks and a game of pool while sport plays in the background. 

Solo traveling

I was tagging onto a group who were traveling out with the travel agency Solos. Founded in 1982, Solos has been the go-to agency for solo travelers either looking for some winter sun or organised trips with tennis, walks & treks or golf. The only thing guests need in common is a zest for life and a desire to travel. The agency is keen to challenge the assumption that solo travel is purely for single people. Irrespective of age, ability, circumstance, background, gender – there really is something for everyone. Perhaps this could be the key to maintaining a healthy relationship – allowing each other the freedom to find their own path, embrace their differences, and make new friends. Its modern remit is likely what took me - aged 26 - on this particular adventure. 

Its golf program is award winning, and rightly so, with the ever younger clientele providing a real mixed group of solo travelers with ages ranging from mid-40s into the 70s. Some single, some married and some widowed, around 40% of the group already knew each other from other Solos adventures to places like South Africa, Morocco and Cyprus. 

This still made me the youngest there by some 20 years, something that was duly noted much to my own and everyone else’s amusement. However, by the end of the opening evening’s cocktail hour, I headed to dinner feeling like one of the Solos regulars. It’s a testament to the like minded Solos travelers, all of whom were deeply welcoming and friendly, as well as the tour leader, Nick Fletcher, for making myself and any other newbies on the trip feeling warmly welcomed from the outset. 

Many of the group members have been so enamored with the Solos experience that they’ve attended Solos trips once or twice yearly - and I could quickly see why. Camaraderie, competitive golf on beautifully maintained courses, and friendly company - I couldn’t think of a better way to enjoy a golf holiday as a solo traveller. You don’t have to be a social butterfly to enjoy the company either. There was plenty of time to enjoy your own company between golf and dinner and I made sure a nap by the pool or a trip to the spa filled my afternoons truly riding solo. 

My trip in late November greeted me with sunny skies and temperatures topping out in the low 20s, ideal golfing weather and a perfect escape from the British winter. Regular travelers to the area recommend visiting golfers to avoid June-August due to the searing heat, with March-May and September-December being the ideal times to visit the region for the best golfing weather. 

The Kempinski Dome temporarily closed just a few weeks after my visit for an extensive refurbishment program and reopened again on March 1st, and is due to return to the Solos program in 2025. In the meantime, the company will still be running trips to the Belek region, staying instead at the Sirene Hotel just up the coast. 

Having sampled less than 20% of Belek’s array of golf courses and having quickly made around 25 new friends, three of whom were called Steve, hopefully I’ll be able to pop back and see the Solos regulars once again and try out some more of the wealth of golf Belek has to offer. 

You can check out all of the Solos golf programmes via its website. 

Early on in my journey working in the golf industry I became aware of Sentosa Golf Club and it has been on my bucket list ever since. I finally managed to tick it off recently during a vacation to Singapore and South East Asia, where I got to play the club's iconic Serapong Course.

The Serapong is regarded as Singapore's greatest course and renowned as one of Asia's best, too. We think it's one of the world's most incredible golf courses. It recently won Singapore’s, Asia’s, and the World’s Best Golf Course awards at the World Golf Awards, too.

It has hosted multiple Singapore Opens, with the both The Serapong and The Tanjong courses taking turns in hosting the HSBC Women's World Championship since 2013. It also played host to the 2023 LIV Golf Singapore event won by Talor Gooch.

The Serapong opened in 1982 and was the brainchild of Californian architect Ron Fream, who has designed dozens of courses across the world including Tanah Merah's Garden Course on the Singapore mainland.

For those unaware of Sentosa itself, it's an island to the south of the city that is essentially a place of recreation. It's small and home to the golf club as well as Universal Studios Singapore, a waterpark, a number of hotels, beaches and other activities like a 'luge' downhill karting experience and a hub for the cable cart. It's easily accessible via a road bridge, the cable cart or a monorail.

Transport on the island is also completely free and Sentosa Golf Club is one of the stops on the free bus, it couldn't be more convenient.

Once you arrive at the grand clubhouse, you're greeted by a caddymaster ready to take your clubs before you walk into a reception area where helpful staff are able to assist you with your booking and your locker key. It was a pleasant welcome versus your traditional empty entrance at European clubs where you're usually left to find your own way. 

The locker rooms are seriously impressive, with hundreds of lockers (I had three-time Singapore Open winner Adam Scott's locker), refreshments, memorabilia and excellent facilities including a steam room. First impressions are important and Sentosa's first impressions are 'wow'.

The reception area features signed clubs from every single professional winner at Sentosa through the years, from Adam Scott to Sergio Garcia, Inbee Park to Paula Creamer, Jin Young Ko, Ian Poulter and many others. They've each signed a club and ball from their victories. The reception and corridors are a museum in themselves and you can easily spend half an hour taking it all in and reading the impressive honors boards.

The veranda area is vast and has views out onto The Tanjong course, which looks to be a treelined routing that is more favored by the members to the demanding and showpiece Serapong. It has hosted the majority of the HSBC Women's World Championships.

The outdoor area features robot waiters, TVs showing the golf (including the day's green speeds - never seen that before!) and an impressive menu - I'd recommend the chicken katsu rice. The feel of the place isn't stuffy at all and gives an interesting insight into the golf culture in Singapore, and probably Asia too. It's tough to describe the vibes other than relaxed and golf mad, and the number of women certainly seemed to be higher than we'd see in Europe, perhaps evidence that there is less of a divide in Asia. Myself and my partner noticed this in the golf stores too in both Singapore and Thailand - women seem much better catered for on this side of the world.

The Serapong is a short cart drive away with its own clubhouse and excellent halfway hut, and it gets underway with a strong dogleg-right par 4. The key defence of the course is its bunkering. I genuinely found more bunkers around the Serapong in a single round than I can remember, and the lush bermuda grass makes it a very stern test for those not used to it.

The 1st green is flanked by impressive, man-made waterfalls and the downhill par 3 2nd is where the iconic views of the Singapore Straits start to come into play. Hole three is another strong par 4, again with stunning views, where you're faced with a downhill dogleg-left before the course's two signature holes.

The 4th is a split-fairway dogleg-left par 5 that wraps around a huge lake before the straight par 4 5th takes you to the corner of the property and has jaw-dropping views of the city including the world famous Marina Bay Sands hotel.

I'm writing this all by memory some two weeks later - it's notable that I remember every single hole of the Serapong Course. There's really not a weak hole.

Six is a stunning par 4 that plays along the water to the right, with one of the tougher drives on the course where it almost forces you to play down the right towards the water due to bunkers down the left, which I obviously found.

It doglegs left before you head to the par 5 7th that plays all along the water too. Eight is a par 3, a stern test playing uphill before the 9th that heads back up to the clubhouse with a huge lake to the right, playing parallel to the 18th hole across the water.

The front nine is truly exhilarating and you'd be forgiven to think that the back nine won't be anywhere near as good. Spoiler alert - it is.

After the water-filled front nine with views to die for, it was actually 10-12 that were some of my favorite holes. They play within mature trees and feel really old school.

The 10th is a short, downhill par 4, 11 is a dogleg-right par 4 with a huge green and drop off to the front-right and 12 is a slightly downhill, long par 5. It's a real two-tee start course where either nine could be played first. I think the routing is best as it currently is as the 18th is a better closing hole than the 9th, giving the course a stronger finish.

Once you come out of the mature trees, the 13th is a dogleg-right around a lake, with views of the Straits coming into play again. The bunkering is impressive off the tee down the left before you play into the green where you can just about make out Shrek's Far Far Away castle poking through the trees, yes you read that right, from the nearby Universal Studios - it's very cool, especially if you are going there the next day like we were.

The 14th is one of the standout holes on the course, with the short par 3 playing right along the water again with a lake short and right. Opposite to the front nine, water is on your left side as the routing takes the west side of the property vs the east side for the front.

It's almost a triangle layout with the front nine going out to the right before coming in and the back nine staying left and coming back in parallel to the front.

The par 4 15th follows the spectacular par 3, again playing right along the water before the 16th turns back towards the clubhouse. It's an impressive dogleg-left and plays over a fast-running stream to the green that is flanked by gorgeous flowering. 

Bryson DeChambeau is said to have driven this green during the LIV Golf event according to one of the local caddies - that's mightily impressive as I went driver-8 iron.

The 17th is a short par 3 heading back out to the water, again with huge bunkers that I found, before the epic finishing hole. The long par 5 flanks the water left and is heavily bunkered before the vast green in front of the Serapong clubhouse.

It's a truly spectacular golf course and its easy to see why it's regarded so highly. The views and variety throughout ensure you have serious fun out there but the bunkering makes it extremely difficult to make a score. It's a ball striker's course in that regard but you need a sharp short game too with the huge, undulating greens. Golfers from the likes of Florida and southern Europe will be well accustomed to the bermuda grass, which is an added test if you play your golf in the UK or colder climates.

The golf club is grand, historic (dating back to 1974 when Singapore's late Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew opened it) and very well renowned, especially in Asia, making it a bucket list destination for me and a must-play for any serious golfer heading out to Singapore.

I feel very lucky to have ticked off the Serapong, and now will make it my goal to tee it up on The Tanjong next time I'm in Singapore.

Go and play Sentosa, you won't regret it.

As a couple we have travelled the world, and now we have set ourselves the ultimate challenge - to play 100 African golf courses, across 13 African countries over the next 12 months - travelling in our ‘bush ready’ adapted Land Rover Defender.

Steve, my husband, and myself are lucky enough to have experienced South Africa a number of times over the last 30 years. Our last foray into this wonderful diverse rainbow nation country was taking a month out last year to play some of the Garden Route courses, which we loved. To whet our golfing appetite even more, we played The River Club - arguably the best and prettiest golf course in Johannesburg, before setting off for the Kruger National Park to play Skukuza; a wild golf course in the middle of the National Park; without boundaries, fences or security. You’re literally playing in the wild with any off target shots being left in the bush!

But I think the ‘why’ goes even further back than that.  I can’t tell you exactly when the idea happened, or whether it was Steve or myself who came up with it, but the journey itself was certainly cemented when we bought our ex-military Land Rover Defender Wolf we call Andi.

As if we didn’t have enough to do - with moving house multiple times, the enforced ‘time stood still’ break called Covid, we also now had the project of getting Andi ready, de-spec’ing the vehicle and making it our civilian ‘home on wheels’.

We’d already taken trips up to Shetland and bedded down comfortably in Andi.  As Scotland allows wild camping, we found ourselves in some really wonderful desolate spots, and the golf was pretty good too.

With the benefit of hindsight, I guess our wanderlust is deeper ingrained after living in Papua New Guinea for four years in our early days together.  We’d always been gearing up to do this without probably realising, and pledging to play 100 African golf courses was a natural add-on to us, as a couple who love to golf too.

Maybe we are the type that likes to challenge ourselves and convention. We set off and succeeded in our mission to play every golf course in Mauritius earlier this year, so 100 African golf courses seemed like a nice thing to do. But instead of talking about it, we shipped Andi to South Africa and propped up the South African economy by getting it ‘bush ready’.  We found an amazing roof-top tent company, The Bush Company, who happen to manufacture in South Africa, add that to the winch, upgraded suspension and a whole host of other things and we’re now on our way.

Steve is mechanically handy, anything beyond gaffer tape and a hammer is out of my depth, but I am organised and creative, so together, we kind of make the perfect couple. But after a year bumping along those dusty roads, stopping at various golf courses and most likely various garages to fix Andi, we also know its a big test of any relationship!

After working all his life since leaving school at 16, Steve took early retirement from his day job last year - he was fed up with corporate life, Covid helped make up his mind. Now he can satisfy his keen interest in photography and has taken up videography and drone work too. Me, I just enjoy writing and sharing on social media, YouTube and on our blog. I’ve been fortunate to visit many countries for golf adventures already and always enjoy helping others who want to travel for golf and more.  

Africa, as a continent, remains relatively unknown, more so for golf, so with this, together with showing the basic to the luxury accommodation, plus a whole lot more to do in each country, we think we’ve got a plan, albeit a fluid plan, a plan none-the-less and having the Africa 100 as our challenge, certainly does focus our efforts as we endeavour to show the countries we visit for golf and lifestyle adventures. You can keep up to date with our progress through my blog and via Instagram @TravelLifestyleGolf.

There’s a well known Land Rover mantra - One Life - Live It - so we will!

The last thing any golfer really wants to do when they’re striking the ball really rather badly (in my case, it’s a bout of the ‘unmentionables’), is play in a competition, but sometimes an opportunity comes along that you don’t want to turn down, such as your annual golf tour – or an invitation to play in the inaugural Morocco Golf Cup. Such opportunities have to be taken.

With a growing number of strong golf courses, Morocco is starting to establish itself as a top-class golf destination, with more Europeans beginning to recognise the country, which is situated on the north western corner of Africa, as a wonderfully accessible location for a weekend break, somewhere where you can take your clubs and get a game in with no trouble at all.

My destination was the luxurious Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, a 20-minute taxi ride from Marrakesh Menara Airport – 231 hectares of pure paradise. I’d have happily enjoyed a bit of sightseeing through the countryside, taking in the spectacular views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, but the short journey to this chic hotel is very convenient.

The resort-style course here, which is a real picture when the bougainvillea and oleanders are in full bloom, was designed by Cabell. B. Robinson. Thankfully for me, it doesn’t pose the same kind of threat as some of the firm and fast links courses I have been struggling on back in the UK. This is not to say it’s easy, but the layout is fairly forgiving, and unless you’re consistently finding the lakes, of which there are a few, you shouldn’t find that you’re constantly needing to reload.

Off the yellow tees, and playing Texas Scramble, it’s incredibly fun. The driveable par 4s are particularly enjoyable – and well worth having a go at. The shotgun start sees Team Weston/Garreau on one of these, the short par-4 14th, and allows me to open my shoulders and knock a high, soft draw onto the green – at least that was the plan. I must thank my playing partner, Philippe, for bailing me out on a number of occasions.

There are gains to be made on the par 5s, too. On the 6th we make an eagle – actually, I do, sorry Philippe, but it was my drive, my sand wedge and my putt. The key to making a three here is to take the aggressive line over the lake with a slight draw and, in dry conditions, it will run a mile.

For many of the guests staying at the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, the golf course amongst the olive groves simply offers nice views – no moving from beside the pool, one of which is the largest in Morocco. I join them in the afternoon, after what can only be described as a feast at the clubhouse restaurant, Le Sabra, which includes a wide selection of succulent barbecued meats and vegetables, and the tastiest hummus I’ve ever sampled.

Those who like their breakfast are in for a treat, too. You can set yourself up for the whole day at La Caravane, with plates of fruit, local yoghurt, eggs, pastries and hot and cold meats, best washed down with a fresh orange juice and a couple of mugs of Moroccan mint tea.

Back on the course, and Philippe and I spring into life on the second half of our second round, reeling off birdies like Tour professionals. On 15, you can cut the corner by going over the scrubby vegetation, which we manage, and we birdie the next, too, a cracking par-5 that entices you into taking your tee shot over the corner of a lake in order to make it reachable in two. 

Down our final hole, we allow ourselves to check the live scoring on the app – and we’re atop the leaderboard. Now I’m dreaming of whatever the first prize might be: a week-long stay at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados, perhaps? Even better, a Fairmont hotel of your choice, because Banff Springs in the Canadian Rockies looks out of this world.

In the end, much to our disappointment, we finish outside the prizes. I watch other couples handed giant Fairmont vouchers, the same sort of size as the giant cheques you see National Lottery winners presented with. It matters not, for everyone has had a super time – and the trip is far from over.

First up, it’s a trip to the spa. It’s tough to drag myself away from my air-conditioned suite that’s big enough to have its own postcode. However, I’m keen to rid my game of the shanks, and a PGA pro has told me my stiff back probably isn’t helping. A “strong” deep tissue back massage is required, and although it brings tears to my eyes, I leave feeling a million dollars.

Le Spa Fairmont is everything you’d imagine it would be – treatments and experiences of all kinds. I had a plane to catch early on Monday, but I’m told I really should have tried the Hammam Dada, a 90-minute treatment that takes you to the heart of Morrocan hammam traditions.

There is time, though, for a few hours in Marrakesh. Do factor this in to your own itinerary, as this utterly bonkers city is truly captivating. You’ll need your A-game negotiation skills if you’re to grab a bargain in the sprawling souks – some spices, slippers, a lamp, or in my case, a national team shirt with ‘Hakimi’ on the back for a football-mad eight-year-old.

The money keeps slipping through my fingers. I even indulge in a Tagine pot and some face creams of the anti-aging variety (what's happening to me?), an area of Moroccan expertise, and I slip 200 Moroccan Dirham (approximately £15) to my tour guide, who assures me that he knows all the best places.

He leaves me in a restaurant overlooking the main square. This is the best place to watch other people bartering like mad. I sit back with a cold beer and stew over the few missed putts that cost us a place on the podium. I’m tempted by the Kefta Mkaouara (Moroccan meatballs), but quite enough meat has been consumed.

As my plane takes off the next morning and I catch a glimpse of another golf course below, I’m reminded that Morocco could make one very good golf holiday indeed – another one. It has plenty of pedigree. Royal Country Club de Tanger was formed well over a hundred years ago, proof of its strong golfing tradition, and there are many others that can boast a rich history.

The DP World Tour’s presence here – the old Moroccan Open was first played at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, the capital, in 1987 – has probably helped put Morocco on the golfing map. This course also hosted the Trophée Hassan II five times between 2010 and 2019, as did Golf du Palais Royal. As is stands, with just one course ticked off in in the Kingdom of Morocco, I have many more courses to explore here – and so, probably, do you.

By the time I touch down in a rain-threatened Manchester, I’m already thinking about a winter escape, or a non golfing city break here at a time when the weather is a little too hot for hitting balls (it can touch 50 degrees in August). The food and drink may be reasonably priced, but I’m going to need more money for the souks – my bargaining skills are diabolical. Sir Alan Sugar (the angry guy from The Apprentice) would not have been impressed. 

Mexico is a popular tourist destination, but should It be on your golf trip bucket list of places to go? I certainly think so. 

I was fortunate enough to head over to Mexico and experience a course like no other - El Tamarindo. The 'Jurassic Park'-like course has to be up there with some of the world's most incredible courses with thick jungle and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

It's part of the Four Seasons Tamarindo resort and is located just north of Manzanillo on the west coast of the country. 

El Tamarindo

Just a short golf cart ride from the lobby of the Four Seasons resort and you find yourself at the clubhouse of the golf course – in the middle of the jungle.

The course itself was opened in 1995 and designed by golf architect, David Fleming. The design of the course guides you through the lush jungle and along the Pacific coast.

It plays as a par 72 at 6,682 yards and whilst it's tricky, there are definitely some opportunities out there to make some low scores.

When you play the course you will notice two types of grass are used, Zoysia grass for the fairways and Bermuda grass for the greens. If you are not used to Bermuda greens, you have to take into account the direction in which the grass has been cut, aka the 'grain', as this can have an effect on your putt. 

The advice from the course professionals is to take a cart, so this is what I did and riding around the layout you can understand why, from the vast changes in elevation to the distance between greens and tee boxes, you would be out there for a while if you braved walking it.

The golf management team make sure to get you teeing off with no one pressuring you from behind or slowing you down from in front to make it truly feel like it is your own private course. 

From the moment you arrive at the Four Seasons Tamarindo, the staff will offer to take your clubs and drop them off at the clubhouse for you where they can remain until your round.

If you plan on playing multiple rounds you can even leave them there for the duration of your stay. I played two rounds and this is what I opted to do, it’s something less to think about.

If you fancy a round but don’t have your own clubs with you, do not worry, El Tamarindo have 40 sets of the Taylormade Stealth clubs for you to choose from. 

Before you tee off you do have the opportunity to warm up on the driving range or dial in your putting on the practice green that neighbours the 18th hole.

Playing the course left me in absolute awe, the fairways were in impeccable condition and the greens to match, freshly rolled every morning.

The first few holes take you out around the Four Seasons resort and towards the Pacific Ocean before heading back in to play amongst the jungle.

With tight, treelined fairways the course doesn’t make it easy for you off the tee and it is important to know where to play your tee shot in order to set you up for the finding the green.

I would highly recommend getting at least two rounds in during your stay as it's a course that needs to be experienced a couple of times.

Hole 8 & 9

To close out the front nine you come close up and personal with the Pacific Ocean so make sure you have plenty of golf balls in the bag.

The 8th hole is a drivable par 4 playing straight out towards the ocean. You would be foolish to step up onto that tee box and not hit the big stick, what have you got to lose, besides all your golf balls!

The steep drop-off from the tee box masks the fairway and all you can see is the green pressed up against an amazing backdrop. If you can miss the trouble off the tee you are in with a good chance for birdie.

However, if you do find yourself in a spot of bother you would do well to walk away with a bogey.

The first time I played this hole I was very nervous, I just wanted to keep my tee shot in play, which I did but I missed the green left which short sided myself and brought bunkers into play.

My second round was a new opportunity, I stepped up and hit one of my best drives, it pitched on the green about ten foot short of the flag and would have just missed the hole rolling past to seven-foot. Easy birdie. 

Once you have finished on the 8th hole it is time to round off the first nine on the par 3 ninth hole. One of the most spectacular holes in golf.

It plays right alongside ethe Pacific Ocean with the water cutting in just in front of the green so if you under club you will be reloading.

You are also teeing off from a great height above the green and hitting a wedge and therefore you'll likely generate a lot spin, so even if you do carry the ocean there is still a risk of your ball zipping back and trundling into the big blue. 

Hole 12 – The Signature Hole

As if 8 and 9 weren't good enough, the signature hole at El Tamarindo actually comes later at the par 3 12th. Again, it is nothing more than a wedge off the tee as you play out towards a gorgeous stretch of beach that is off limits to members of the public.

There is not much trouble on this hole, a bunker short of the green which you can find yourself in if you apply to much back spin with your tee shot, something I did.

Over clubbing is not an option, if you do that you will find yourself on the beach and with a mighty bunker shot back up onto the green which you won’t be able to see from down in the sand. It is another gorgeous hole, and it's lined with native palm trees to really enhance the tropical and 'jungle' feel of the course. 

I would have to say El Tamarindo is probably the golfing world's best kept secret.

All 18 holes could be deemed as signature holes. If you don’t believe me you will just have to play it to find out. The layout and views are absolutely breathtaking. You would never get tired of playing there.

There is more to do than just golf

After your round of golf the Four Seasons offers spa treatments so you can go and loosen off before enjoying lunch at one of the onsite restaurants.

If relaxing is what you want to do you can do so at one of the many infinity pools the resort has to offer or if you’ve not had enough exposure to sand on the golf course then you can take yourself down to the beach where you can kick back and enjoy fresh coconut water. 

The Four Seasons resort has plenty of activities to fill up your days from water sports like paddle boarding or a sunrise kayak to going on safaris through the jungle where you get the chance to see the wildlife that reside within the nature reserve. There is also an onsite gym for those who want to get involved in Pilates or spin classes. 

If you are after incredible golf in a quiet, secluded location, El Tamarindo Four Seasons is a must visit. 

It was a miserable winter’s day in the UK when I received the offer to travel to Cape Town, South Africa to play some golf. Was this really happening? Yes. There it was in black and white - the chance to play golf somewhere quite incredible.

Due to some surgery, it had been a while since I had last picked up a golf club, so I made it my mission to make sure I could swing well by the time the trip came around; and I also gave the old golf travel bag a good dusting off.

This golf getaway consisted of playing four golf courses – four top-quality courses at that: Clovelly, Erinvale, Arabella and Pearl Valley. After 12 hours on the big bird, I touched down in Cape Town and was met by the tour guides, who whisked me away and began showing me the sights - of which there were many.

On our way down to Cape Point, we passed through Muizenberg, Fish Hoek Bay, Kale Bay and False Bay. On the return, we stopped off at Boulder Beach, a very popular destination as it offers you the chance to get up close to the African Penguin - definitely something you have to do. I would highly recommend a tour guide. In fact, I would recommend Brian Talbot, a thoroughly nice guy and someone who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the country.

My accommodation for the first two nights was Table Bay Hotel, where you can choose from Sea View or Table Mountain View rooms, the latter of which, unsurprisingly, sell out rather quickly. The 5-star establishment also boasts access to the city mall, a gym, spa and pool and, most importantly, an all you can eat breakfast. I must say, this was well needed. 

Clovelly Country Club

The first course on the agenda was Clovelly, which sits in the Silvermine Valley between Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. Driving in you get a fantastic view looking over the practice facilities, and the clubhouse sits above the course, which offers up more stunning views. What a place to sit and watch golfers teeing off. 

If you're feeling brave, you can definitely take on the corner with a driver at the short par-4 1st; I hit a low, stinging 2-iron with a slight fade that got around the corner to leave me a short iron in. Clovelly rewards accuracy off the tee with tight, bent grass fairways. This type of grass gives the fairway a bit of bounce, which adds to the difficulty of hitting your approach. In other words, it was very easy to get the club caught and catch it heavy. 

The greens use Poa annua grass and they received approach shots like you see on Tour. If you want to feel like you are playing on professional greens, this is the course to play. Nothing beats watching your golf ball rip back towards the hole as you fire a shot in just over the top of the flag. The greens rolled fast and true, too - every golfer’s dream. 

One of my personal highlights of Clovelly was the halfway house. Here, they really do it properly. I tucked into a beef and red wine pie with gravy. Honestly, it was the best pie I’ve ever eaten. Hands down.

Erinvale Country & Golf Estate 

The third day required an early rise as we were to head to the Gary Player-designed Erinvale, which is located 30 minutes from Cape Town on the boarder of Somerset West. I'd soon discover why it has hosted some top golfing events, such as the Golf World Cup in 1996, which was won by Ernie Els and Wayne Westner. 

Erinvale was in immaculate condition with neatly cut Kikuyu grass fairways. The greens are a combination of bent and pop grass, and it was like putting on glass. The first nine is flat and meanders its way through the Erinvale estate, where accuracy off the tee was key. The back nine takes you up to the foothills of Helderberg, where you can look out across False Bay coastline. Simply gorgeous.

This was by far the most well groomed course I have ever played. If you want to experience playing golf in conditions that the professionals play on, this is another one of those.

Arabella Country Estate 

Arabella is situated in Hermanus, 90 minutes from Cape Town. On arrival, you walk into a huge open plan reception, the glass from floor to ceiling allowing you to look out over the golf course and the river that it neighbors - Bot River Lagoon.

I was asked to leave my clubs at the door and they would be taken down to the short game area. This left me time to wander the vast halls of the hotel and clubhouse, before heading to the short game area, where I had a few putts on the bent grass greens. After acknowledging that they meant business, I went to the chipping green and holed two chip shots back-to-back - a good place to leave it and head to the 1st tee.

Arabella is ranked the 4th best golf course in South Africa and the best in the Western Cape. You can see why. The layout keeps you thinking. Holes 8, 9, 17 and 18 bring Bot River lagoon into play, so I would definitely make sure you have plenty of golf balls. The 7th is a par 3 which borders a nature reserve. Here, I ripped a 7-iron with a slight draw - close to a hole in one but, alas, it did not drop.

The 18th hole has been voted the best finishing hole in South Africa. The long, snaking par 4 neighbors the estuary’s shoreline meaning a slice off the tee here will result in a reload. It's a truly a gorgeous finishing hole that plays back towards the hotel. I hit a driver off the tee, followed by a flush 3-wood to reach the green in two. Between the fairway and the lagoon is a bunker that winds itself all the way up the hole, so if you’re lucky your ball may get caught in there before reaching the water.

I was fortunate that my accommodation for the night was the Arabella hotel. Once I finished my round, it was just a short walk back to the hotel where I dropped my clubs off in my room and went straight to the spa. There really is no better way to forget all the bad shots than relaxing in a sauna or chilling in a plunge pool.

Pearl Valley Golf Club

On the last day I got to play Pearl Valley, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course - my number one of the trip. The design is intriguing and keeps you thinking with traps constantly lurking in your ideal landing spots - sand and water. South Africa loves a water hazard, as does Jack.

The clubhouse is magnificent and the service we received was first class. The staff and organisation at Pearl Valley are excellent - they keep to a tight schedule using walkie talkies to communicate so they know exactly where each group is at any one time. Very efficient.

The day started off a little overcast but as the minutes passed, and a few holes went by, the sun burned the clouds away and we were left surrounded by the most spectacular scenery. South Africa’s Top 100 Golf Courses ranked Pearl Valley as the third best in the country for 2023. That’s how good it is.

As you approach hole 7, the buggy pops up with a warning: "You are now entering the toughest stretch of the course, good luck!" That’s just what I wanted to hear having already lost a handful of Pro V1s in the drink. 

Holes 7 and 8 share what I can only describe as an ocean. If you can find the fairways off these tees, you have produced excellent golf shots. On the latter, the next battle is making sure you can carry the water which runs right across the front of the green. There’s no room for error.

Pearl Valley is an excellent challenge for every golfer, and once you finish your round you can browse the extensive range of merchandise available in the pro shop. I did, and my bank balance proves it.

All the courses that I played had one thing in common - fast greens. If South Africa is on your golf bucket list, then make sure your putting is up to scratch, because the greens will test you. No matter which courses you choose to play, Cape Town has a lot to offer golfers of all abilities. A golfing trip to South Africa will guarantee memories that you’ll treasure for a lifetime - that's for sure.

Construction of South Africa’s Sun City Resort began in 1978, and among the ambitious plans was to include a golf course that would rival the best in the world.

The result is Gary Player Country Club. As its name suggests, the nine-time Major winner designed the course. While it is one of around 400 designed by Player, it is the only one bearing his name and is widely acclaimed as one of his best. It is, in fact, one of two courses the South African designed for the resort. The other is the Lost City Golf Course, which includes the famous crocodile hole featuring a green in the shape of Africa.

However, Gary Player Country Club is the most well-known of the two and has hosted the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981. The course, built in an extinct volcanic crater, offers dramatic views of the Pilanesberg mountain as it winds through the bush. Along the way, players will find lakes and strategically placed bunkers. Meanwhile, the immaculate greens play fast, ensuring you need to bring your best putting game to master them.

The toughest hole on the course is arguably the eighth, with dense bush on either side of the fairway and a ditch across it as you head towards the sloped green. Next, the par-5 ninth is the course’s signature hole and features an island green that the longest drivers could be tempted to reach in two shots. For most, though, the relative safety of aiming for the green in three ensures the best chance of making par.

One of the most notable aspects of the courses is its extraordinary length, which, at almost 8,000 yards, is one of the longest in the world. Nevertheless, it is relatively flat despite its challenges, meaning walking is comfortable for most players.

The course is open to the public, and there are two and five-night golf packages available. The two-night package includes a round at each of Sun City Resort’s two courses and a midweek stay in a standard twin room at Cabanas hotel or a luxury twin room at Soho, Cascades or The Palace. Prices start at R5,790 (around £283 or $327). The five-night package features accommodation at the same resorts with two rounds at each course. Prices start at R12,105 (around £590 or $684). Visitors can also play the course after paying green fees of R980 ($48 or $56).

With a population of only five million and comprising more than 700 islands, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt countries in the world as well as some of the best courses. 

Its largest city, Auckland, and its capital, Wellington, are both on the North Island. 

With lush vegetation, national parks, a fabulous coastline and lively tourism activities, it is also home to a wealth of excellent and diverse golf courses. 

We take a look at five fabulous layouts and recommend a few others along the way.

Cape Kidnappers

Roughly halfway down the island’s east coast, at the southern end of Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers is one of golf’s most aspirational bucket-list regulars.

This expansive slice of heaven opened in 2004 and is a complete destination in its own right.

As you arrive at the property south of art-deco Napier, it is still another 15 minutes by car to reach this golfing sanctuary.

The stylish accommodation at The Farm, the food, service, and of course the wine, are all off the charts.

But the golf remains the centrepiece here. This is a course where words cannot speak so loudly as photographs, which in turn cannot capture the dreamy atmosphere of playing one of the world’s most famous and unusual courses.

It was designed by Tom Doak – who has designed many of the world's best courses – whose relatively new Tara Iti to the north of Auckland is also remarkable and gaining universal praise.

Even without the amazing setting, this would be a brilliant course with each hole full of character and memorable in its own way.

The undulations add yet more interest and challenge, and there is something new facing you at every turn.

Throw in the sensational, panoramic views, and it is easy to see why people travel from all over the world to play here.

The aerial views will initially grab your attention but there is far more to the course – which is actually very playable so long as the wind behaves.

The bunkering is superb – strategically and visually – and it is a course that everyone will enjoy no matter how they play.

The Kinloch Club

A three-hour drive from Kidnappers – through photogenic, lush, wooded hills – takes you up to Lake Taupo.

Sitting inside an old volcano, this is the largest such body of water in New Zealand.

On its shores, look out for the ‘Hole in One’ challenge where you hit little more than a wedge to a floating green.

A mile or so from here, the very classy Kinloch Club boasts a fabulous Jack Nicklaus-signature course that covers a vast, undulating site and has 18 very individual and intriguing holes.

This is real Lord of the Rings territory, which is a feast for the eyes and has some absolutely cracking holes, including a closing quartet that is as exciting and attractive as just about anywhere in the world.

There is some seriously impressive accommodation here, the catering is extremely good, and there are many terrific far-reaching views down over the lake from the higher points on the course.

Wairakei

A few minutes away, Taupo Golf Club has two fine courses, while the John Harris design at Wairakei could hardly be more different.

There are elements of traditional parkland, but much more besides.

Opened just over 50 years ago, it runs through what would have originally been dense woodland.

The result is an unusual course of great appeal and genuine diversity with the topography offering up a number of exciting, elevated tee shots.

Yet again there are some very scenic views both internally and externally, and a number of streams and ponds add to these as well as the challenge.

Sleepered bunkering is a particular feature, and there are some excellent holes such as the very pretty short 5th and the landscaped dogleg 8th.

The par-5 14th has an enormous Scots pine to avoid before you play up to a large, boomerang-shaped green.

Windross Farm

As you continue north towards Auckland, one of the best new courses in the country is the fast-maturing Windross Farm.

It only opened five years ago, but within a year it had hosted the New Zealand Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour, won by Brooke Henderson.

This is essentially an easy-walking but tough, modern, inland links. It is exposed to the wind, very strategic, and calls for plenty of chip-and-runs.

The par 5s are particularly strong, and there are marshy, reedy wetland areas to avoid.

There are also low dunes that separate the holes and create more of a visual interest as well as a challenge.

As at the Kinloch Club, there is a very strong closing loop of four. If you get the chance, you can slip through the fence on the 17th tee to the adjacent strawberry farm which serves the most delicious ice cream.

Royal Wellington

This flying visit around the North Island concludes by heading back south to the delightful harbour city of Wellington.

An hour north, Paraparaumu Beach is a genuine, top-notch links, while Royal Wellington is an absolute cracker close to the nation’s capital.

It was almost completely redesigned a few years ago by former tour player Greg Turner and Scott McPherson, a Wellingtonian who designed the Lee Westwood Colt course at Close House.

There is a terrific mix of the old and the new here, with many holes running through mature trees and striking bunkering.

The newer holes closer to the River Hutt offer a wealth of risk-and-reward challenges, while the par 3s are all excellent and extremely attractive.

One of the most significant features is the characterful, undulating greens, especially at the 8th where there is a ‘valley of sin’ between the front and back of the putting surface.

Essentials

Where to play

Cape Kidnappers

Par 71, 6,456 yards

W: robertsonlodges.com/the-lodges/cape-kidnappers

Kinloch Club

Par 72, 6,518 yards

W: kinlochgolf.co.nz

Royal Wellington

Par 72, 6,601 yards

W: royalwellington.com

Wairakei

Par 72, 6,460 yards

W: wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz

Windross Farm

Par 72, 6,378 yards

W: windrossfarm.co.nz

General golf club information

www.newzealand.com/uk/golf

Tim Southwell visits Qatar to experience its original sand courses as well as Education City GC and Doha GC, host of the European Tour's Qatar Masters

Golf In Qatar: From Sandy Beginnings To World Class Championship Layouts

I’m standing on the first tee at Qatar’s oldest golf club. And when I say ‘tee’, I mean a concrete block on which there is a temporary mat. In front of me, the first fairway stretches out some 400 yards. And when I say ’fairway’ I mean concrete runway strewn with sand and rocks. To hit from the fairway you have to place a portable astroturf mat onto the concrete. At least you’re assured of a decent lie. When I arrive at the ‘green’ I will find a large platform covered in sand. It’s actually called a brown. Welcome to bona fide desert golf – Qatar style.

The Dukhan Golf Club consists of an 18-hole, 7,050 yards, 72 par, golf course, decent practice facilities, and a homely clubhouse. Created in the late 1940s and located inside the Dukhan Township, the course is a mixture of sand and oil. Originally a 9-holer, it was expanded to 18 in 1997.

But what’s it doing here in the first place? Simple, to give the oil worker ex-pats (a good hour’s drive from the bright lights of Doha) something to do after their shifts.

In the late 1940s, following the end of the Second World War, the oil boom occurred in what is now the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) that drew oil industry specialists from all over the world. During this period golf was introduced to Qatar and the Arabian Gulf states, mostly as a means of recreation for the American and British expatriates working on the onshore facilities in the petroleum sector. Over the years golf became a very popular sport in Qatar, initially for small groups of dedicated players but in recent years as a part of the growing tourism industry.

As I look around the bleak, oil-stinking surroundings, I am reminded of golf’s sheer resilience. If golf can survive here, it can survive anywhere.

My adversary is my pal, Pogo. That and the golf course. Both first drives go high. And then higher and then higher still. The ball really sails in this heat (it’s a breezy 27 degrees). When my drive hit the fairway it took an expected big jump into the air and then, less expected, the ball settled quickly. There is a bit of give in the concrete, most likely due to the constant film of oil which pervades everything here. After a couple of chops (I hadn’t played for a while, please have mercy) I am on the brown.

A had a 25-foot putt and really didn’t know what to expect. The sand is compacted down but still kind of fluffy, making you think the ball will meander all over the place and probably be very slow. I was delighted to see that the ball travels 100% true on its line. And they’re not that slow, pretty much the same pace as your local course just prior to being cut for competition.

The scores aren’t important. Well, they were in the clubhouse where I had to buy the cokes and sandwiches. Yes, cokes. Qatar is a dry country. No alcohol. Which makes golf’s survival out here even more astonishing.

Dukhan GC has about 137 members. In the past when there were no alternatives, the fairways would be packed from September-May (it’s too hot to play in Qatari summer when temperatures rise over 50 degrees). Now the fairways are mostly empty until the weekend. In 2020, there are alternatives to desert golf. Well, there are two grass alternatives and one more desert classic.

Mesaieed GC is the other sand course. The club was established in 1951 as a 9-hole course, again built with a pungent sand and oil mixture. The golf course was expanded in 1959 into an 18-hole brown golf course to host the Middle East Oil Industry Golf Association (MEOIGA) Trophy Championships. Today, the golf club hosts competitions and championships such as the QP Challenge Trophy and provides facilities such as cafeteria, banquet hall and tennis court for QP staff and visitors.

In contrast to Dukhan, Mesaieed has some water features. Well, there are some scruffy lakes here and there. Mesaieed also lays claim to the Longest (Unofficial) Drive Of All Time. On the 13th of January, 1978, during the Wimpey Trophy Stableford, Mr. A. Brooks stood on the 485-yard, par 5 12th hole. 569yards later, he was reunited with his 35 MPH tailwind assisted golf ball. Boom.

When you’ve putted out on the browns, you have to sweep the area with a specially designed wide broom. The sand may be compacted but your golf shoes leave big prints every step you make. It’s part of the ritual of desert golf. You might not have any pitch marks to repair but you do have to cover your tracks.

The club has a pleasant, modest clubhouse, lounge area, changing rooms, kitchen, barbeque area, and children’s playground. Golf in the desert, it’s an experience that any self-respecting GolfPunk should make a b-line to play at some point.

We’re out here as guests of the Qatar Foundation which has somewhat loftier ambitions than simple desert golf. Education City covers 12 square kilometres and features educational and research facilities.

It also features the very impressive Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre. Long before Qatar discovered natural gas and petroleum, turning it into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Qatar was best known for its Arabian horses.

In fact, horses played a key part in the founding of the country. No more so than in 1893 when Bedouin tribesmen and their horses defeated the Ottomans in a  battle that lead to Qatar’s independence. Subsequently, the horses are treated like royalty. No stone is left unturned in their quest to produce show jumping horses of the highest order and maximum value. They’re worth millions. They even have their own jacuzzis.

Smack bang in the middle of Education City is the Education City Golf Club which is hosting the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters during our stay. Designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, ECGC, the 7,777-yard course is part of a vast complex that also features a 6-hole introduction course, a floodlit par-3 course and what they claim is the world’s most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art golf trainman facility, the Centre Of Excellence.

Education City Golf Club is a landmark project for Qatar. The course was designed in line with USGA standards with all green areas of the golf course including the fairways, greens, tees and rough being USGA Specification. When the wind gets up, as it often does in Doha, the course becomes treacherous. We bumped into Nicolas Colsaerts on the range on Pro-Am day. It was quite windy. “You could see people shooting in the 80s if it stays like this,” he says with a genuine sense of trepidation.

As it turned out the wind behaved itself and Jorge Campillo won a playoff after scoring -13.

ECGC is an impressive golf course. Immaculately groomed and conditioned, it winds around the desert offering up challenge after challenge with its gnarly rough and undulating greens. Olazábal purposely led the first few holes of the golf course alongside an ancient wadi wall, allowing its charm and heritage to set the tone for your round. “Along several holes on both the front and back nine, we continue the reoccurring riverbed theme feature – which, on occasion, comes strategically into play”, Olazábal says.

The Education City Golf Club Centre Of Excellence is every self-respecting golf pro’s ultimate wet dream. As with everything else in Qatar, there is literally no expense spared and the facilities are mind-blowing. The six, eight-metre swing studios open out onto a meticulously cared for driving range, including sloping lie facilities. Here you can get wired up and have every single aspect of your golf swing, posture, and weight transference analysed and played back to you in glorious technicolour. They’ve even catered specifically for lefties with a bespoke left-handed studio which features a left-handed entrance door.

Related: The best golf courses in the Middle East

On top of that, there is a putting lab (with hydraulic shape-shifting greens), TrackMan, gym, and a Ladies-only area. Apparently, the guys here traveled extensively throughout the world talking to people at other similar facilities asking one key question: ‘What one thing would you do differently?’ The result speaks for itself.

“I’ve been in golf for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Mike Braidwood General Manager of the club since 2017. “Under one roof you have all the latest tech you could possibly need to enhance performance. We don’t yet have many elite players here yet so we’re targeting international national teams to come here and use it as a training camp. Some of the tour pros here this week have been down to look at the facility and they use Qatar Airlines a lot so they’ll be stopping off here on route to Europe to and from Australia etc and be using it.

“Accelerated learning has been very evident. People who are taking the game up from scratch and using this technology are finding it easier to learn because they’re getting all this visual land kinaesthetic learning from the technology. Then our members who take lessons with our pros are the ones winning all the prizes in competitions. You’re just seeing people’s handicaps tumbling down.”

The facility nestles in the shadow of the 45,350-seat Education City Stadium, one of eight stunning creations that have popped in no-time for the 2020 World Cup. As with all the recent developments in Qatar, the powers that be are at pains to point out the sustainability of the new builds with 20% of the build materials identified as green. After the world cup, 25,000 seats will remain for use by University athletics teams. Personally I’m most impressed by the fact that the stadium looks like a giant, jagged diamond, glittering by day and glowing by night. Nice.

This is part of a concerted effort to grow golf in Qatar. It’s not going to be easy. Golf isn’t part of their culture and women have only just started playing any sport at all after generations of cultural oppression. There are some 350,000 actual Qataris in Doha to target.

“Golf is certainly not a sport in their culture,” says Mike. “Football is the main sport but the current generation coming through are more active, a lot of guys goers, tennis is becoming more popular. The route in is the youth which is great but you’re competing against a lot of other sports. Having said that we had a retired Qatari wander in last December and said ‘I want to join’. He hadn’t played golf so we said don’t join, just let us teach you. He’s in his 70s and he’s loving it, playing every day. You have to hit both ends of the spectrum. We donate SNAG sets to schools, we teach the school teachers how to teach SNAG and it becomes part of the school curriculum. Then the kids that show an interest come here after school and do golf classes for real.

“Ladies sport here is growing but culturally for years and years, they didn’t play any sport at all. When you go into the offices etc and ask the ladies if they want to try golf their faces light up and they’re like “yes, I’d love to give it a go. Catriona Mathews is working with us and the R&As Women & Golf Charter. The R&A have actually given us a grant of £5,000 to push the ladies game here so when you go to the Centre of Excellence, you’ll see a totally private area for women and we’re using the £5k to go out to Qatari businesses and make sure they know that all Qatari women are welcome here to have private lessons with Rachel our female pro.”

You can’t say that Qatar isn’t making an effort. It’s the only country in the world that has a national holiday for Sport, National Sports Day. Every second Tuesday in February is a public holiday and companies are encouraged to get their employees outside and active. While Qatar is making all the right noises, it’s not been without controversy, with criticism reigning down on the Universities based at Education City (which include Northwestern and Carnegie Mellon) for setting up a campus in a country with alleged links to state-sponsored terrorism and historic human rights abuses. Putting hypocrisy aside for a minute, we’re here to discover the golf. Which brings us to Doha Golf Club, Qatar’s first grass-based golf course and host to the Qatar Masters for the last 17 years prior to Education City GC taking up the reigns this year.

Did I say that Qatar is dry? I may have been a bit previous there. You can drink in the hotel bars. And you can drink at Doha Golf Club. In fact, it’s pretty much a pre-requisite here. Which is one of the reasons it’s become a vibrant social hub every Friday and Saturday (weekend). When Pogo and I rock up to the golf club on Friday morning we suddenly realise we have come to the right place. The place is buzzing. Golfers are chatting and laughing as they get ready to hit the course and the sun-drenched terrace area is alive with Qataris and ex-pats toasting a great round of golf and the fact that they’re basking in one of the world’s most luxurious hot spots.

Be warned though, Qatar is a very expensive place to lubricate with alcohol. They may have acquiesced in terms of allowing westerners to drink in certain places, but they know how to charge: €14 for a beer anyone? Ouch.

The golf course itself is a pleasure. Designed by Peter Harradine (Abu Dhabi GC, Golf Cortina, Jebel Sifah, etc) Doha GC is one of the longest par 72 tracks on the tour, coming in at 7,374-yards. Eight strategically positioned lakes await mis-hits, 65 giant cacti imported from Arizona frame fairways and there are numerous imposing limestone rock formations. The stunning Doha skyline frames much of the course. It must look crazy from above. All this greenery and drama right in the middle of a giant desert.

The ninth hole is a staggering 639-yards of the tips and even off the whites measures up to 597-yards. There are some really nice features on the course including a plethora of water hazards, many of which creep up on you without too much warning. The fairways are quite narrow in places but you can usually find your ball in the light rough. It might be light but it can get very sticky in places. And fluffy in others. Meaning when we were off target we were sometimes whiffing the ball not very far or getting the club tangled in the thicker stuff. So we decided not to go in the rough. Much…

Gentle dog-legs abound and the course sets out in front of you in a very pleasing way to the eye. The par-3 eighth hole is a favourite, played almost entirely over 160-yards of water. The ninth was our 18th, having started on the 10th. Up to this point, I was rather pleased with myself that I still had the same ProV that I started with (word of warning, bring your own golf balls, a dozen ProVs cost us nearly €100…), but that all came to an end when I tried to finish my good work after getting to within 200 yards of the green in two shots. The less said about my rescue club shot the better. Suffice to say it got wet.

It has to be mentioned that the greens are a bit messed up due to the fact that local regulations changed a couple if years ago meaning the course had to take on recycled sewage water in which the saline content is very high. They’ve been unable to tackle to the green situation here until now. Before ECGC was established, Doha GC was the only ‘proper’ golfing option so shutting the course for renovation wasn’t really an option. Rest assured, they are putting in their own water polishing plant soon and the greens are going to be replaced with paspalum grass.

Golf, although very slowly, has come a long way since the late 1940s. There will be more and more fancy golf courses created out here in the next few years and it may well become something of a golfer’s paradise. But when it does, don’t forget to check out Qatar’s desert golf roots. It’s an experience. Let’s also hope that FIFA’s insistence on setting alcohol prices during the World Cup will have a long term effect on Qatar.

There’s no doubt about it if Qatar wants to become a true golfing destination and fill all the hotels that will quickly empty after the World Cup, they are going to have to build more golf courses. And that is the plan. Qatar Airways flies to 180 destinations and about 12-14million people go through Hamad International Airport. So the footfall is there. And so is the cash. Not only does the Qatari government have virtually unlimited funds, but they also know that the golf tourist is the highest spending tourist of them all. There is talk of a links course (step up, Pete Dye please!) and there are some amazing mangrove areas that could be superb for a golf course.

From the modest, haphazard fairways on the dusty desert oil fields to the opulence of Education City Golf Club, golf in Qatar is starting to take off.

We take a look at some of the best golf courses in India.

The Best Golf Courses In India

Many travelling golfers now look for something new and and different from their golfing expeditions and India is one such location that should be a growing port of call in this regard.

Acknowledging this, we have looked at some of the best golf courses in the country below.

DLF

DLF Golf & Country Club started in 1999 with an Arnold Palmer designed layout and then more land became available which led to Gary Player being commissioned to build another layout there.

This took the form of nine new holes and a slight refashioning of nine of Palmer’s which has created a facility with 27-hole world class holes. Player’s design is dramatic in every sense of the word and have some truly incredible bunkers, as shown by television coverage during the DLF Hero Indian Open hosted there each year on the European Tour.

Prestige Golfshire

A beautiful but tough golf course, Prestige Golfshire in Bangalore has a huge lake alongside it with several holes playing near its edges. Mountains and countryside also provide incredible backdrops as well.

Classic (Ridge & Valley)

Classic Golf & Country Club was the first Jack Nicklaus signature design in the country back in 1998.

There are three loops of nine, with the Ridge and Valley close to the airy clubhouse. Each is a standard par-36, and there is plenty of width off most tees with the trademark Nicklaus bunkering waiting to punish mis-hits.

Royal Calcutta

Founded in 1829, this is the oldest golf club in the world outside the UK. And whereas history doesn't always lend itself to a quality course, this oasis in the city is a genuine pearl scoring highly in terms of design, challenge, beauty and atmosphere.

It runs over what were originally paddy fields, but subsequent planting has resulted in fairways lined by mature and attractive trees.

Delhi (Lodhi)

The Delhi Golf Club, a municipal course in the early 1930s became a corporate entity in 24th February 1950.

The Course, comprises of the championship 18 hole Lodhi Course, part of the Asian PGA Tour, and the shorter 9 hole Peacock Course.

Golden Greens

Martin Hawtree is responsible for the inland links at Golden Greens.

The club credits the Aravilli hills as co-designer, and it is a very popular course running over a large dune-scape. The main defence is strategic bunkering and some jungle-like undergrowth on several holes which calls for straight driving.

Kalhaar Blues & Greens

Kalhaar Blues and Greens is another Jack Nicklaus designed course which regularly gets talked about as one of the toughest in India.

The site is massive and the course can stretch to nearly 7,500 yards off the back tees!

Notable Mentions: Jaypee Greens, Karnataka, Royal Springs, Ootacamund Gymkhana, Boulder Hills, Hyderabad, Oxford Golf and Country Club

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The country of Morocco has some excellent golf courses and in this piece we list some of the best.

The Best Golf Courses In Morocco

Situated a mere twelve miles from Europe, Morocco is the closest exotic country to Britain and with the combination of an excellent climate, and great value, the country is growing as a golf destination.

Below we have taken a look at some of the best golf courses in the North African nation.

Golf du Palais Royal d'Agadir

Given this course lies within the ramparts of the Royal Palace in Agadir, the chances of walking up and getting a game are rather slim. But if you were lucky enough to receive a royal invite, you’d be in for a treat.

The Robert Trent Jones layout was used for the European Tour’s Trophee Hassan II between 2011 and 2015 and the players were in raptures about the quality of the layout. If you’re ever given the opportunity to play on this most exclusive of tracks, be sure to take it.

Mazagan

This huge links course (6,843 metres) has the typical undulating layout you'd expect by the sea, toppled with premium paspalum grass, keeping the greens and fairways fantastically consistent.

Add this to a clever layout and the spectacular views over the Atlantic as you traverse the back nine and this is possibly the finest course in the country.

Royal Marrakech

Dating back to the 1920's, the original 18 holes at Royal Marrakech were remodelled in 1933 by a group of golfers including former Open champion Arnaud Massy.

They run through very mature woodland featuring pine, eucalyptus, palm, olive and even oranges.

Royal Dar Es Salem

Commissioned by King Hassan II, Robert Trent Jones designed three layouts on a 1,000-acre site and in doing so created probably the finest course in all of Africa.

The Red is a par 73 of immense proportions, 6,741 metres from start to finish, full of splash bunkers, raised greens and tight dog legs as you'd expect from a RTJ course.

Scenery includes sparkling lakes complete with bright pink flamingos and water lilies, and there are even two Roman columns transported by royal command from Volubilis.

Fairmont Royal Palm

The Cabell Robinson designed Royal Palm is another beauty in Morocco. Whether or not you stay at the luxury hotel, the golf here is a joy, with the testing par 3 at the sixth and the par 4 tenth that tees from an island particular highlights.

Samannah

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Samannah has the Golden Bear's trademark mounding, several attractive water hazard and demanding greens.

La Noria

Designer Steve Forest has drawn inspiration from the surrounding traditional villages and you'll play through fields of lavender, olive groves and a traditional Moroccan irrigation.

The stand out hole is the 8th - 175 metres off the tee to the Biarritz green which is sandwiched between a rectangular pond and traditional Moroccan bell tower.

PalmGolf Ourika

PalmGolf Ourika is another whopper, from the back tees it measures a shade under 6,700 metres.

Just ten minutes from the city centre, the course opened late 2015. With a choice of five tees on every hole, wide fairways and beautifully designed greens this is a course that can be played by golfers of any standard and still enjoyed.

Assoufid

Assoufid has only been open since 2014, but it has already established a reputation as one of the finest courses in the country.

The holes blend subtly with the gently undulating landscape creating a course that is always challenging without losing its fun.

And like many courses in Marrakech you have the stunning Atlas mountains a a highly distracting backdrop.

Michlifen

There is a real feel of the mountains in everything about Michlifen, with the course surrounded by and overlooking forests of evergreen oak as well as the Atlas cedar that dominates the region.

From start to finish, there are absolutely wonderful, wide and expansive vistas, and internally the course is distinguished by its many mature, specimen trees and rocky outcrops.

As you would expect from a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, the bunkering is very dramatic and distinctive, but at the same time the aim was to create a course in complete harmony with its surroundings and nature.

Mogodor

Golf de Mogodor is a 36 hole Gary Player special with large fast greens, plenty of local vegetation and strategically placed rocks and stones to punish the careless.

Notable Mentions: Al Maaden, Tazegzout, El Jadida Royal, Amelkis, Golf du Soleil, Palmeraie, Montgomerie Marrakech, Royal Golf Mohammedia

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The United Arab Emirates has become a hotspot for quality golf. Here are some of the best courses there.

The Best Golf Courses In The UAE

The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven emirates with the two most well-known being Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The two cities have shot from the sand out of nowhere and the same can be said of any world class golf courses that frequently host big tournaments in the professional game.

Additionally there are plenty of quality layouts that add to resorts too.

Below we have taken a look at some of the best.

Yas Links, UAE

Designed by Kyle Phillips, the architect responsible for the majestic layout at Kingsbarns on the Fife coast, Yas Links on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi takes influence from those British and Irish seaside courses.

With rolling fairways, pock-marked with clever bunkering, stunning views of the sea, an ever-present breeze and challenging green complexes, the course captures the rugged essence of links golf and delivers a blend of tradition and modernity.

The course offers something a little different from most tracks in the Gulf and with teeing options from 7,450 yards right down to 5,800, it’s a course that all can enjoy.

Saadiyat Beach, UAE

Situated on raised dunes just outside Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach was designed by Gary Player and it is a serious championship test which means you need to choose your tees accordingly. Having said that, it is a sumptuous feast of golf all the way. Several of the holes would serve as the signature design at most other courses, and the finishing few are simply terrific.

Els Club (Dubai), UAE

With generous landing areas off the tee, fresh prevailing winds and undulating greens, The Els Club is one of Dubai's top golfing venues. Set amongst the Victory Heights residential development, the course is set in a sporting oasis just 20 minutes from the city centre.

Ernie took his inspiration from his world wide golfing experience.

Al Zorah, UAE

Just along the coast about 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport is the Al Zorah golf complex. The golf course has been designed by Nicklaus Design to flow around two large lakes, with wide fairways a feature of the layout.

Abu Dhabi (National), UAE

The luxurious Abu Dhabi golf resort has made a name for itself as one of the most stunning and well maintained golf resorts in the Middle East. Its championship course, the par 72 National Course, is a natural inspiration with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens to challenge golfers whatever their handicap.

Emirates (Majlis), UAE

Emirates GC has the first all-grass championship course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. It first hosted the Dubai Desert Classic the following year.

The course is laid out among the sand dunes a dozen miles away from the city centre. Lakes adorn the design and provide some tight challenges at times, such as on the 7th, a par-3 over water, and the 18th, where the approach to the long green is over another lake.

Dubai Creek, UAE

The two years that the Dubai Desert Classic went away from the Emirates Majlis course was in 1999 and 2000, when Dubai Creek staged it instead.

The course is much praised, not least for its two closing par 4s on 17 and 18, which hug the creek on the left, with palm trees and bunkers to the right of the fairway.

Jumeirah (Earth), UAE

The Earth course was built specifically for the European Tour finale and has some generously wide fairways leading to some large flamboyantly sloping greens. The course designer, Greg Norman, is proudest of the closing four holes, which he calls 'the most challenging mile in golf'.

Emirates (Faldo), UAE

The second course at the Emirates is now called the Faldo after a redesign by the six-time Major winner.

The original course name was Wadi after the valley that runs the length of the course. other noticeable features of the course are 14 lakes and dramatic bunkering.

Address Montgomerie, UAE

Address Montgomerie sits right next door to the Emirates Club and yet is remarkably different in style.

The long 18th is quite probably the most thrilling or intimidating closing hole in the country. Water eats in on either side of the fairway, and as if that isn’t enough, there is a large pond sitting right in front of the green, which even then has bunkers for protection. Dubai’s stunning architecture provides a fabulous backdrop, and in a way this hole encapsulates something of everything that is golf in the UAE.

Notable Mentions: Jumeirah (Fire), Al Hamra, Trump International Dubai, Arabian Ranches, Jebel Ali

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South American has some world-class courses across the continent. Here are some of the best.

The Best Golf Courses In South America

Football might be the main sporting passion across the continent of South America, but there are hundreds of excellent golf courses situated throughout.

From Argentina to Uruguay, lets take a look at some of the best.

Olivos, Argentina

Traditionally regarded as one of the best golf courses in the country, Olivos has an English flavour to it thanks to a resemblance to heathland courses in Britain. The large and quick greens in particular add to the difficulty.

Jockey Club, Argentina

Perhaps Argentina's most famous course is the historic Jockey Club, which was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie in between his work on a couple of other half decent tracks by the name of Cypress Point and Augusta National.

But while these veritable cathedrals of golf have been tweaked and altered over the years particularly in the case of the Masters venue, Jockey Club is thought to be the one MacKenzie design that remains true to his architectural principals.

The green complexes are as demanding as they are stimulating, with heavily contoured putting surfaces surrounded by all manner of humps and hollows, swales and borrows. It's no surprise to learn that accuracy and placement is paramount at this picturesque 36-hole venue.

Chapelco, Argentina

Located down in the Patagonia region of Argentina is Chapelco, a golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack. They have fashioned a course that rivals the mountainous backdrop for the attention of those fortunate enough to play it.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Another excellent layout in Argentina is Buenos Aires Golf Club which hosted the 2000 World Cup, won by none other than David Duval and Tiger Woods.

El Potrerillo de Larreta, Argentina

Tom Doak has said in the past that the only thing holding this golf course back from being one of the very best in the world, is having a world class set of greens. Praise indeed.

Ushuaia, Argentina

For the intrepid golfer the only real option is to press on to the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego where the shabby but endearing nine-holer at Ushuaia, the most southerly course on the planet, lies in wait. It's a long way down so unless icebergs and penguins are your idea of perfect playing partners, don't try it in winter.

La Paz, Bolivia

The course at La Paz has some remarkable geography. At up to 10,650 feet above sea level, this is the highest golf course on the planet. The club was founded in 1912 and the course established at the current site in the 1940s.

Luther Koontz, an American associate of the great Dr Alister MacKenzie, was responsible for the design and it’s a pretty memorable one. The terrain is quite incredible, with canyons and cliffs to negotiate. The island tee on the 12th is reached by two separate bridges.

Santapazienza, Brazil

Tom and Logan Fazio were asked to construct this golf course and they have created a design that uses the spectacular land to great effect. Combined with water features and importantly, the freedom to express themselves, Santapazienza is truly unique.

Be careful after putting out on the 5th though as the cart part to the next tee goes right into a lake. In fact there is a sturdy path just below the surface which gives the illusion you are driving on water!

Rio 2016 Olympic Course, Brazil

Built for the 2016 Olympic Games, this layout is located within the lush Marapendi Natural Reserve, and has a North American links feel to it.

Designer Gil Hanse embraced the openness of the land and the stiff breeze is often a troublesome foe.

The greens are firm, very large and mainly undulating, and when combined with the significant amount of bunkers and water, you’ll find it unforgiving to the average golfer.

Terravista, Brazil

Probably the most iconic golf course in Brazil, Terravista compares favourably to Pebble Beach. It's remote location in the northern state of Bahia and spectacular clifftop setting make the arduous journey well worth it.

Sao Paolo, Brazil

Founded in 1902 by British railway engineers and designed by Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones, this place has serious pedigree. Regularly rated in the top five in Brazil, the course conditions match its historic credentials. Located in the heart of the city and surrounded by a bubbling metropolis, the course is a sparkling oasis.

It’s a tight, surprisingly undulating parkland layout with water featuring regularly.

Established trees line the fairways and are a real feature – their vivid colours mean pleasant views in all directions.

Los Leones, Chile

Golf has been played on this land for nearly 90 years after Santiago Golf Club moved its location a couple of times. It is situated right next to one of Santiago's major boulevards and has a truly eccentric and cosmopolitan feel to it.

The par-5 4th is particularly interesting as it measures 560 yards but goes in a dead straight line for its entirety. Never has it been more important to hit the ball straight!

El Rincon, Colombia

Thanks to being located in an area at 8600 ft with a tropical latitude, Bogota has one of the best climates in the world for golf.

As a result there are lots of golf courses in and around the city of Bogota in Colombia with El Rincon often recognised as the best of the lot.

Robert Trent Jones designed this world-class layout which hosted the World Cup in 1980.

Lomas De La Dehesa, Chile

The landscape here is dominated by one overwhelming feature. Looming to the east, the imposing Andes mountains tower 23,000ft above sea level, creating one of the most breathtaking vistas in South American golf. The severity of the terrain is obvious and feels like it casts a shadow over the fairways below.

The quiet course allows plenty of opportunities to take in the panorama and enjoy the walk. Precision is king here, as length is not a problem. The course is a mere 6,300 yards and at an elevation of 25,000ft, the ball will fly half a club further than usual.

Quito, Ecuador

Your mind may not immediately go to Ecuador when thinking about great golf but that shouldn't be the case given the quality of Quito.

Established in 1947 it has a beautiful mountainous backdrop, and given you would be playing at 9,000 feet, you will be playing with the length of Rory McIlroy!

Carmelo, Uruguay

Uruguay may not be famed for its golf but there are several good courses worth any players attention. The Four Seasons resort at Carmelo has a really good American-style course whereas the purists may prefer the Alister MacKenzie design below.

Club de Golf de Uruguay, Uruguay

After completion of Cypress Point, MacKenzie was asked to travel to Argentina which was booming economically heading into the 1930's.

Whilst there he produced several designs, one of which was extending the nine-holer at Club de Golf Uruguay, situated near the city of Montevideo, to 18 holes.

As expected with a MacKenzie design, it is aesthetically pleasing but challenging for any golfer who seeks to be adventurous and daring in their play.

Notable Mentions: Cordoba (Argentina), El Desafio (Argentina), Ellerstina (Argentina), Mar del Plata (Argentina), San Andres (Argentina), Nordelta (Argentina), Gavea (Brazil), La Serena (Chile),Patagonia Virgin (Chile), Valle Escondido (Chile), TPC Cartegena at Karibana (Colombia), Carlos Franco (Paraguay), Yacht and Golf Club (Paraguay), Lima (Peru), Los Inkas (Peru), Cantegril (Uruguay), Club de Golf del Cerro (Uruguay), Laginuta (Venezuela)

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A region with some excellent golf on offer, we take a look at some of the best golf courses in the Middle East here.

The Best Golf Courses In The Middle East

Golf in the Middle East has exploded in the last 20 years or so with many world class courses being designed by some of the worlds top designers.

The professional game has also taken itself to the region which has resulted in many more great golf courses being built too. Here are some of the best.

Yas Links, UAE

Designed by Kyle Phillips, the architect responsible for the majestic layout at Kingsbarns on the Fife coast, Yas Links on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi takes influence from those British and Irish seaside courses.

With rolling fairways, pock-marked with clever bunkering, stunning views of the sea, an ever-present breeze and challenging green complexes, the course captures the rugged essence of links golf and delivers a blend of tradition and modernity.

The course offers something a little different from most tracks in the Gulf and with teeing options from 7,450 yards right down to 5,800, it’s a course that all can enjoy.

Al Mouj (Championship), Oman

Greg Norman’s layout, home of the European Tour’s Oman Open, lies at the heart of a luxury leisure and residential complex, with the course beautifully positioned along a stunning stretch of coastline.

Steep humps and mounds line the fairways over the first few holes, but it’s the bunkering that represents the biggest challenge throughout. It has proved a huge success as host of the Oman Open with several tour players peaking of the course favourably. “Al Mouj is a must-play if you’re ever in Oman,” says Eddie Pepperell. “I’d say it’s the best course I’ve played in the Middle East.”

Saadiyat Beach, UAE

Situated on raised dunes just outside Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach was designed by Gary Player and it is a serious championship test which means you need to choose your tees accordingly. Having said that, it is a sumptuous feast of golf all the way. Several of the holes would serve as the signature design at most other courses, and the finishing few are simply terrific.

Els Club (Dubai), UAE

With generous landing areas off the tee, fresh prevailing winds and undulating greens, The Els Club is one of Dubai's top golfing venues. Set amongst the Victory Heights residential development, the course is set in a sporting oasis just 20 minutes from the city centre.

Ernie took his inspiration from his world wide golfing experience.

Al Zorah, UAE

Just along the coast about 45 minutes from the Dubai International Airport is the Al Zorah golf complex. The golf course has been designed by Nicklaus Design to flow around two large lakes, with wide fairways a feature of the layout.

Abu Dhabi (National), UAE

The luxurious Abu Dhabi golf resort has made a name for itself as one of the most stunning and well maintained golf resorts in the Middle East. Its championship course, the par 72 National Course, is a natural inspiration with lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens to challenge golfers whatever their handicap.

Emirates (Majlis), UAE

Emirates GC has the first all-grass championship course in the Middle East when it opened in 1988. It first hosted the Dubai Desert Classic the following year.

The course is laid out among the sand dunes a dozen miles away from the city centre. Lakes adorn the design and provide some tight challenges at times, such as on the 7th, a par-3 over water, and the 18th, where the approach to the long green is over another lake.

Dubai Creek, UAE

The two years that the Dubai Desert Classic went away from the Emirates Majlis course was in 1999 and 2000, when Dubai Creek staged it instead.

The course is much praised, not least for its two closing par 4s on 17 and 18, which hug the creek on the left, with palm trees and bunkers to the right of the fairway.

Jumeirah (Earth), UAE

The Earth course was built specifically for the European Tour finale and has some generously wide fairways leading to some large flamboyantly sloping greens. The course designer, Greg Norman, is proudest of the closing four holes, which he calls 'the most challenging mile in golf'.

Emirates (Faldo), UAE

The second course at the Emirates is now called the Faldo after a redesign by the six-time Major winner.

The original course name was Wadi after the valley that runs the length of the course. other noticeable features of the course are 14 lakes and dramatic bunkering.

Doha (Championship), Qatar

It opened in 1997 and constructed by Peter Harradine. It's a testing layout, particularly when the wind blows. There are eight lakes to negotiate as well as numerous outcrops of limestone rock. The course features 65 giant cacti that were imported from Arizona while more than 10,000 trees and bushes were planted along the fairways to add definition and to act as additional hazards.

Address Montgomerie, UAE

Address Montgomerie sits right next door to the Emirates Club and yet is remarkably different in style.

The long 18th is quite probably the most thrilling or intimidating closing hole in the country. Water eats in on either side of the fairway, and as if that isn’t enough, there is a large pond sitting right in front of the green, which even then has bunkers for protection. Dubai’s stunning architecture provides a fabulous backdrop, and in a way this hole encapsulates something of everything that is golf in the UAE.

Notable Mentions: Ayla, Royal Golf Club (Montgomerie), Muscat Hills, Al Hamra, Trump International Dubai, Al Badia,

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The region has some of the most stunning courses in the world. Here are some of the best.

The Best Golf Courses In The Caribbean

The Caribbean consists of hundreds of islands, big and small that have reefs, coves, stunning blue water and amazing views out to sea.

Because of this, the region has some incredible golf courses and here we have taken a look at some of the best. Strictly speaking Bermuda is not a Caribbean country but given its proximity to other countries in this list, we have included some of its brilliant courses.

Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) - Dominican Republic

The number one layout at the wonderful Casa de Campo resort on the south coast of the Dominican Republic is a Pete Dye design called ‘Teeth of the Dog’. Carved by sledgehammer and pickaxe through the rocky coastline, it’s an 18-hole masterpiece, with seven stunning holes that hug the coastline.

With the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea lapping the edge of the layout on one side and palatial villas overlooking the other, this is a luxurious place to play golf and knocking shots around a course of such exceptional quality is really rather special – true millionaire’s golf.

Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda

Mid Ocean is a delight and is regualrly in the conversation for the best in the Caribbean. From the first hole where a decent drive invites a startling approach to a green that seems to be hanging in the ocean to the 18th where a slight dog-leg right takes you past the clubhouse and a verandah filled with the sort of people who like to laugh at your misfortune, Mid-Ocean is top class.

Punta Cana (Corales), Dominican Republic

Tom Fazio's Punta Cana (Corales) course opened in 2010 and it has everything. With some of the low yellow flowering bushes and overcast skies, you rally could be playing a links course in Scotland when you play along the Caribbean se holes - well, apart from the manicuring of the course, and the warm breeze instead of the biting cold of the North Sea. It's a must-play course, and there really isn't a weak hole on the track.

Albany, The Bahamas

The ‘Big Easy’ has added a touch of magic to this links-style layout that blends in effortlessly with the natural surroundings. His signature is evident with five par 5s and five par 3s. The windswept dunes, some of which reach 30 feet in height, are a dramatic feature, similar to those at Royal Birkdale and Els Club Dubai.

Royal Westmoreland, Barbados

The world-famous Royal Westmoreland resort on the west coast of Barbados is home to a Robert Trent Jones Jr course of the same name. The par-3s in particular are noteworthy with Ian Woosnam saying it has the strongest cast of one-shotters he's ever played. 

Punta Espada, Dominican Republic

Many people eulogise how good this Jack Nicklaus layout is and when you peek at the vistas and the land the course traverses, it is easy to see why. Stepping onto the elevated 1st tee – which looks down on a perfectly manicured fairway with a slight dogleg to the left with the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean as a back drop – you would struggle to hit a bad shot if you tried.

Royal Blue - Baha Mar, The Bahamas

The Golden Bear’s first venture in the Bahamas, Royal Blue doesn’t disappoint. The front nine features dramatic views of rolling white sand dunes, undulating fairways and the Atlantic Ocean, before a significant change on the back nine sees golfers face dense jungle and steep downhill terrain. You’ll have been wowed long before arriving at the island green on the 16th, which borders Lake Cunningham.

Green Monkey, Barbados

Lots of interesting photographs and visuals can be found at Green Monkey in Barbados like the one above with the famous Green Monkey in a huge bunker. Tom Fazio designed this course and you would not know it has been built in a quarry.

Ocean Club, The Bahamas

Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the course offers a stern challenge, not least because of its crosswinds. They can prove a distraction, as can the wonderful views of the Atlantic and the Nassau Harbour, where one or two luxurious yachts are bound to catch the eye.

Port Royal, Bermuda

Port Royal is a stunning golf course situated on the island of Bermuda. A very undulating course that hosts the PGA Tour’s Bermuda Championship tournament, the par-3 16th hole in particular is a hole that stands out in terms of visuals and when playing

Abaco Club, The Bahamas

Abaco Club is regarded by many as the finest in The Bahamas. The links-style layout, designed by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, enjoys a tranquil seaside setting, but unlike a number of other courses on the island, there’s a ruggedness here more akin to what British golfers experience at home, even if it is of a tropical kind.

Every hole is dramatic and your favourite is likely to change all the way, until another spectacular offering at the last – a par 5 that might just be the best closing hole in the Caribbean.

Casa de Campo (Dye Fore) - Dominican Republic

These terrifically different holes are situated up in the hills overlooking the deep gorge through which the Chavon River has carved its way. The first 18 were designed in 2002, over 30 years after Teeth of the Dog, with the Lakes nine added in 2011. The original two loops are now known as Chavon and Marina, and they are packed with interesting, undulating, exciting golf.

Old Quarry, Curaçao

Curaçao is part of the Dutch Antilles and home to Old Quarry Golf Course on the Santa Barbara Plantation. Architect Pete Dye is famed for his distinct and stylish courses, and this scores very highly on both fronts. It is also a real toughie, especially if the wind is blowing, which is the norm here.

The course opened in 2010 and starts with two holes that hug the ocean. If the wind is from the north, then difficult is an understatement.

Sandals Emerald Bay, The Bahamas

Designed by Greg Norman, Emerald Bay is stunning layout that winds its way through seaside dunes along a beautiful peninsula. The holes that hug the coastline are truly breathtaking, but such dramatic scenery comes at a price for golfers. When the wind blows, good scoring on this long course becomes more than a little difficult.

Notable Mentions: CuisinArt, Bahia Beach, Royal St Kitts, Coco Beach, Cinnamon Hill, Four Seasons Nevis, Tuckers Point, Tierra del Sol, Half Moon, Blue Bay, Playa Grande, Lyford Cay, Royal Isabela, White Witch, TPC Dorado Beach, Tryall

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We take a look at the best golf courses in a country rich with golfing landscapes and vistas.

The Best Golf Courses In China

With its huge population and variable landscapes, China is a country that could explode with golfers and courses in the future.

Indeed it has many excellent golf courses right now with many more set to be built over the coming years.

Let's take a look at some of the best.

Shanqin Bay

As far as fun rounds go, Shanqin Bay delivers on all fronts. It is quirky, difficult and yet wide in other parts, so your game best be on if you’re lucky enough to get a round there. Bill Coore designed the course and it has some truly incredible views.

The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula (East and West)

Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith designed both the East and West courses at The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula. Both courses are situated near the South China Sea and have some excellent bunkering. There are debates over which course is the better design but they are often used as a composite for tournament play.

Lan Hai International (Yangtze Dunes)

A man made links course that sits right next to the Yellow Sea, Jack Nicklaus designed this course before Michael Clayton was brought in to add more links contour to the fairways. The blow-out bunkers and waste areas give a stunning aesthetic as you can see above.

Stone Forest International

The 'C' course at Stone Forest International actually crept inside the Stone Forest Scenic Area which resulted in the course being abandoned.  There are two other courses at Stone City, the 'A' and 'B' which are not as visually amazing as the 'C'.

Weihai Point

Weihai Point is a course comparable to something like Nefyn & District in Wales. Its front nine runs out on the peninsula that juts out into the Yellow Sea, and the back nine winds its way back towards the clubhouse in dramatic fashion.

Mission Hills (World Cup)

This course is the star attraction on the Shenzen Mission Hills golf development with lots of water and bunkers.

It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and hosted the World Cup between 2007 and 2009.

Mission Hills (Blackstone)

The finest design on the Hainan Island Mission Hills complex is the Blackstone which was created by the Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley design team that did several others at the club.

The course winds itself through woodlands, around water, and takes advantage of elevation changes to create a dramatic set of holes. It hosted the World Cup of Golf once in 2011 which was won by Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland.

Sheshan International

It is said Donald Ross' Oak Hill was the design inspiration for this course just to the west of Shanghai.

It has a distinctly modern design and hosts the WGC-HSBC Champions every year which Rory McIlroy won in 2019 in a playoff against Xander Schauffele.

Notable Mentions: Tiger Beach, Spring City (Lake and Mountain), Lion Lake, Shanghai Links, Jian Lake Blue Bay, Reignwood Pine Valley, Genzon, Chung Shan Hot Springs, Mission Hills Resort, Meadow Lake.

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What are the best courses in the land of the rising sun? Let's take a look here.

The Best Golf Courses In Japan

A country that has produced some quality golfers in the men's and women's game, Japan probably does not get that much recognition in terms of its golf courses.

Given the Olympic Games is heading there in 2021, we have looked to rectify that somewhat by taking a look at some of the best golf courses in the land of the rising sun.

Hirono

Often called the Pine Valley of Japan, Hirono is believed to be the best golf course in Japan and the finest work by C.H. Alison.

The design is spectacular thanks to the hilly pine forest dissected by gulley’s, valleys and the occasional green complex perched on top of a ridge.

Kawana (Fuji)

This very pretty part of south Japan hugs the coast, with Kawana enjoying splendid elevated views out over the Pacific. The Fuji course came after the original Oshima course and opened in 1936. It is the handiwork of Charles Alison, a close associate of Harry Colt.

Yokohama (West)

Founded in 1960, Yokohama Country Club has two courses, the East and West, with the latter being of higher quality. Architect Takeo Aiyama designed both and the West would go on to host several professional tournaments, such as the 1978 Japan Open which was one of Seve Ballesteros' first wins as a professional. Architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have been tasked with renovating the course.

Naruo

Naruo is one of the oldest courses in Japan. It was founded in 1920 but it was 11 years later that it became more prominent with C.H. Alison working on it. Naruo is famed for its small greens and irregular shaped bunkers.

Oarai

Oarai is located right on the shores of the Pacific to the North-east of Tokyo and despite having ample trees on site the winds can occasionally howl through the course to drastically affect scoring.

It was designed by Seiichi Inoue and opened in 1953.

Abiko

Founded in 1930, the Second World War drastically affected the course as much of the land was handed over to farming and an air defence position was erected on the 13th hole too.

It was then rebuilt and has had several restoration projects on it, the latest of which was by Brian Silva in 2012.

Koga

Originally a rudimentary nine-hole course, Koga was then extended to 18-holes in 1957 by Osamu Ueda.

It is an incredibly tough test of golf as shown by the scores posted at professional tournaments played there.

In 2019 it hosted the Japan Open for the third time and the winning score was +1 posted by Chan Kim.

Tokyo

Tokyo Golf Club was founded in 1913 but only moved to its current site after two relocations. The current layout was designed by Komyo Ohtani who studied in England and was a huge fan of the sand belt courses situated in the Surrey region.

This influence can be found in the design which has stood the test of time for decades. Gil Hanse was brought in to do renovations recently.

Kasumigaseki (East and West)

If we’re taking a world tour, then certainly we should make a stop at the course that will play host to the next Olympic golf competition.

The East is preferred by many of the members and was opened in 1929. It was designed by Kinya Fujita and Shiro Akaboshi. It is the East that will host the Olympic competition in 2021.

The West opened for play in 1932 and was designed by Selichi Inoue with Fujita once again involved.  

Both are attractive and established tracks with pine-lined fairways leading to fast, yet receptive, greens. Both are strategically demanding layouts with water hazards and the encroaching trees asking for precise placement from the tee.

Ono

Another Osamu Ueda creation is Ono Golf Club which is often regarded as the sister course to Hirono.

It is a lovely wooded course that has change in elevation and numerous ponds that come into play in spectacular fashion. For example the final two holes are fitting closing holes for the round.

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Home of many great golfers, we take a look at some of the best courses in South Africa.

The Best Golf Courses In South Africa

South Africa is a country that has had a long relationship with the game of golf. Not only has it produced some of the best golfers ever in Gary Player, Ernie Els, Bobby Locke and countless others, but the country also has some world class golf courses too.

Here we have taken a look at some of the best.

Fancourt (Links)

On South Africa’s south coast, midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Fancourt is at the heart of South Africa’s famed ‘garden route’. It’s a supremely beautiful stretch of coastline with a moderate climate and incredible array of flora and fauna. Fancourt has three courses, all designed by nine-time Major Champion Gary Player.

The premier track is the Links, venue for the 2003 Presidents Cup and the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions event won by Branden Grace. It’s an incredible design inspired by the great links tracks of Scotland and Ireland and is generally regarded as one of the very best courses in South Africa.

Leopard Creek

Leopard Creek offers safari golf with the course located on the southern edge of Kruger National Park, about 200 miles east of Johannesburg.

There are numerous water features and even if you are not enjoying the golf, which would be very hard to do, there is a good chance of spotting crocodile, hippo, antelope, buffalo, or even a lion. The course is also an excellent test of golf.

Durban Country Club

The course is one of the country's oldest dating back to 1922. It's little more than a stone's throw from the Indian Ocean, and laid out over what would once have been sand dunes.

Although it perhaps doesn't really have the feel of a links in terms of its grasses and firmness, it certainly does in the way many fairways play over rumpled, mounded terrain the like of which you will rarely have experienced, especially the 17th were the rollercoaster fairway drops and rises.

Humewood

Along the coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa there stretches mile upon mile of classic links land with towering sand dunes he equal of anything Scotland or Ireland have to offer. And yet despite this fabulous natural resource South Africa can lay claim to only one authentic links golf course.

Humewood, on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth at the eastern end of the famous Garden Route, owns the distinction. It is one of the few truly great links courses that exist outside of the British Isles and inevitably it has strong British connections running through its history.

It was built in 1929 in a stunning location amid low dunes where the land meets the crashing rollers of the Indian Ocean and the wind seems to howl incessantly.

Gary Player and Lost City

Hotel and casino giants Sun International has two fantastic courses in the Sun City resort.

Gary Player County Club was designed by the legend himself as well as the Lost City course which is nearby. The former stretches to almost 8,000 yards off the tips and has hosted the Nedbank Challenge since 1981.

The par-5 9th would be a top candidate for one of the world's best finishing holes should it not just mark the end of the front nine. Tour players are often tempted to go for the island green in two.

Lost City may well be overshadowed by its famous neighbour, but its a world-class venue in its own right. Beware the crocodile put on the downhill 13th.

Legends

It does not have the history of the other courses on this list but for sheer extremity, Legend Golf and Safari Resort is unlike any other course in the world largely thanks to the Extreme 19th which you can see above.

The tee sits on top of Hangklip Mountain and requires a helicopter ride to it before you hit down to a green shaped like the continent of Africa. It sits 1,300 feet below and measures 395 yards.

Notable Mentions: Royal Johannesburg & Kensington, St Francis Links, Glendower, Arabella, Fancourt (Montagu), Simola, Pearl Valley, Pinnacle Point, Royal Cape, Kimberley, Erinvale, Pezula

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A country with a rich array of outstanding golf courses, we take a look at some of the best in Australia.

The Best Golf Courses In Australia

Australia has become a must-visit for all true golf fans because of the sheer quality of golf course on offer. Many of its layouts feature in world ranking lists and some iconic designers have produced some of their finest work down under.

What adds to the allure even further is the fact that many of the best courses are situated close to one another - Royal Melbourne, Victoria, Metropolitan, Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath and countless other courses are right next to each other!

Here we take a look at some of the best golf courses in the country.

Royal Melbourne (East and West)

The West course at Royal Melbourne is rated as the best course in Australia and one of the very best in the world. Set on what has become known as Melbourne’s Sandbelt, the course is one of the very finest examples of the work of Dr Alister MacKenzie.

With firm fairways and tremendous green complexes, Royal Melbourne’s West course delivers a pure and near-perfect golfing test.

The East may not have the same level of reverence but it is still a world-class layout with several of the holes used in the composite track that regularly plays host to big tournaments and events.

Kingston Heath

With 50 hectares of fairly flat virgin land to work on, Dan Souter started construction on Kingston Heath, when word had it that Dr MacKenzie was working down in Black Rock. An invitation for him to visit and make some observations was proffered and to the delight of all accepted.

After his visits he tweaked the fairways, some lengths and rendered the greens a little less severe. Bunkering had already gained his stamp after the club gained the services of Mick Morcom.

Barnbougle Dunes

A Tom Doak and Michael Clayton design, Barnbougle Dunes has become known as one of the very best courses in Australia and one of the top-50 layouts anywhere in the world. Set on Tasmania’s striking north east coast, the track has been laid out across the stunning, rolling coastal terrain, between the impressive sandhills. This is a great golfing venue delivering wild and dramatic golf.

Barnbougle Lost Farm

It was not an easy task to create a course that can compete with the original design at Barnbougle, the Dunes course. But Coore and Crenshaw’s Lost Farm does just that with its two extra par-3s that mean their are 20 holes for you to enjoy.

New South Wales

MacKenzie designed this gem in 1928 which looks out over Botany Bay. It may not technically be a links course, but it most definitely plays like one thanks to its rugged terrain, strong winds and lightning fast greens.

Cape Wickham

Situated on the island of Tasmania along with the two world class tracks at Barnbougle is Cape Wickham. Created by Mike DeVries, the course starts by moving around the Cape Farewell headland before switching into the holes set amongst the sand hills.

The final few holes move towards the Cape Wickham Lighthouse and the final hole wraps itself around the cove.

Victoria

From the short 250-yard par-4 opening - to the 18th a birdieable par 5, all the holes at Victoria are protected by high trees which block out sight and sound of local traffic.

No consecutive holes are played in the same direction, and the wind, a regular factor here, has a major influence on club selection. The most splendid set of par 3s adorn Victoria - all are uphill either severely, like the 14th and 16th, or gently at the 4th and the superbly bunkered 7th.

Ellerston

How exclusive is this club? On average, just three foursomes tee it up. Not per day. Per week. It was created in 2001 at the behest of Australia’s richest man, the late media tycoon Kerry Packer.

Set in the rugged bush country of the Upper Hunter Valley, a four-hour drive northwest of Sydney, the muscular, drama-filled Greg Norman/Bob Harrison design features plentiful forced carries over deep gullies and ravines. Most of the course is set in a valley, with Pages Creek influencing play on half the holes.

Immaculate conditioning pairs with Norman’s Sandbelt-style bunkers and chipping areas, tangles of buffalo grass and a collection of ridge-top targets, to form a beautiful if brutal test of any player’s golf skills.

Royal Adelaide

MacKenzie was involved at Royal Adelaide as well as he made a four-day visit to the site in 1926. The original layout is thought to have been created in 1905 by Cargie Rymill and Club Secretary C.L. Gardiner. Kingston Heath creator Dan Souttar was also asked by the club to make alterations in 1906.

Currently it is surrounded by the suburbs of Adelaide but the sheer size of the dunes combined with the native grasses and roughs create a lovely experience.

National (Moonah)

There are 3 courses at The National Golf and Country Club - the Old, the Ocean and the Moonah, the last of which is the pick of the bunch. Created by Greg Norman and Bob Harrison the course has links-like land to it with the bump-and-run shot being a must particularly if the wind is up.

St Andrews Beach

The course that Tom Doak says he wish he could have in his backyard, St Andrews Beach opened in 2005 and was the work of Doak and Mike Clayton.

Doak said in his Confidential Guide To Golf Courses Book; "From the day we mowed out the native grasses the course was more or less there...only one hole required any earth moving, so it was just a matter of digging bunkers and finishing trees to get it built."

Metropolitan

Metropolitan is probably the best Australian golf course that nobody has heard of. Adam Scott believes it to be on a par with Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath and Greg Norman reckons it to be “second to none” and wishing courses in the USA would “take note.”

Metro is famous for having some of the best fairways in the world, along with bunkers that eat into the edges of the greens and some extremely fast greens.

Yarra Yarra

Designed by Alex Russell, the course opened in 1929 and remains substantially the same. Sitting on undulating ground, surrounded by indigenous Eucalyptus trees, the holes generally follow a North/South routing with notable tee shots coming on the par 3s.

Notable Mentions: Cathedral Lodge, Newcastle, Woodlands Golf Club, The Dunes Golf Links, Commonwealth, The Lakes, The Australian, Peninsula (North), Joondalup, Lake Karrinyup, Alice Springs, Hope Island, Royal Queensland, Concord, Barwon Heads,

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With some stunning picturesque courses, we take a look at some of the best layouts in Canada.

The Best Golf Courses In Canada

Golf may not be as big in Canada compared to its large southerly neighbour but that does not mean there are not some great and world class golf courses within its borders.

Here we have taken a look at some of the best.

Cabot Cliffs

Cabot Cliffs has been compared to Cypress Point, Sand Hills and Pebble Beach so that gives you some indication of how highly regarded the 2015 design is. It was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and has shot up world ranking lists thanks to its incredible beauty and clever design. The 16th in particular is a jaw dropping hole (image at top of page).

Cabot Links

The second course at the Cabot resort is Cabot Links which was designed by Rod Whitman, a man who created many courses in Canada. It may not have the wow factor compared to Cliffs, but that doesn't mean it isn't a world-class layout because it most definitely is.

Banff Springs

Stanley Thompson does not get the recognition he deserves in golf. The unheralded nature of Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada shows that quite clearly.

Set amongst tall trees, huge mountains and along the Bow River, the course is a feast for the eyes with the 4th hole, the Devil’s Cauldron, being the pick of the bunch.

St George's Golf and Country Club - Ontario

Thompson was again involved on this course situated in downtown Toronto which opened for play in 1929. Over the years it has hosted the Canadian Open several times and has had renovations/tweaks made to it by people like Tom Doak.

Jasper Park Lodge

Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta is yet another Thompson creation and it is spectacular indeed thanks to the fairways weaving their way through valleys and underneath snow-capped mountains.

National Golf Club of Canada

George and Tom Fazio's brief for the design of this course in the 1970's was to build one of the toughest courses in the world. The undulating and tree-lined fairways play a role here but the courses main defence are the greens which divide opinion because of their difficult and severity.

Capilano

Yes believe it or not Stanley Thompson was once again the designer at this course located neat Vancouver in British Columbia. Large trees and sloping fairways create narrow targets here so accuracy is key if you want to score. More importantly it has a stunning set of par-3's and many of the holes will give views across Vancouver Harbour.

Hamilton

There are three loops of nine holes at Hamilton. The West and South came first were created by legendary designer Harry Colt in 1916. Robbie Robinson then designed the East loop which opened in 1975. It has a storied history of hosting the Canadian Open with the most recent edition being in 2019 where Rory McIlroy shot 61 on the final day to win by seven.

Toronto

Colt was again involved at Toronto Golf Club which in 1911 had purchased some new land on the banks of the Etobicoke River. Colt was tasked with creating the new layout and it quickly became a yardstick to which many other championship layouts were measured.

The Links At Crowbush Cove

Situated on the northern coastline of Prince Edward Island is Crowbush Cove which has undulating fairways and contoured greens, plenty of water and pot bunkers.

Highlands Links

Highland Links is a lovely wooded masterpiece in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Golf here is great value, and driving between the courses is easy with the only thing likely to slow you down the constant photo opportunities.

Notable Mentions: Essex, Kawartha, Lookout Point, Redtail, Glen Abbey, Summit, Sagebrush, Muskoka Bay, Shaughnessy, Beacon Hall, Tobiano, Devil's Pulpit, Devils Paintbrush, Victoria, Memphrémagog

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We take a look at the best golf courses in a country rich with golfing landscapes.

The Best Golf Courses In New Zealand

New Zealand is a country that regularly features among conversations on the most beautiful countries in the world and as a result its landscapes have created some truly incredible golf courses.

Below we have taken a look at some of the best.

Tara iti

Get used to seeing the Tom Doak-designed Tara-iti, which debuted in 2015, among world ranking lists. Set alongside the Pacific Ocean in Mangawhai, 90 minutes north-east of Auckland, this outstanding but private course opens its doors to the public.

You have to send a letter from your own club, speak with the management team and you have to stay on-site too which is all a small price to pay for such an incredible experience.

Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers is another Doak design worth playing. It lies just south of Napier on the North Islands east coast and as you can see above the scale of this amazing property is almost overwhelming.

Jacks Point

A 20-minute driver from Queenstown, Jack's Point has dazzling scenery thanks to being surrounded by the aptly named mountain range, The Remarkables. It is the kind of golf experience where scores do not matter.

Paraparaumu Beach

Alex Russell, the man who often gets overshadowed by design partner Dr Alister MacKenzie, created this fantastic links course which has features that would look at home in the rolling hills of Scotland.

The fairway contours are incredible; random humps and bumps which vary in severity and height create differing lies and new problems for the golfer to solve. The winds of the Kapiti coast are always lurking too.

Kinloch Club

Jack Nicklaus created this course at the centre of the North Island. It has over 100 bunkers, heavily contoured fairways and elevated greens which all combine to make it one of the country's toughest tests. The views out to Lake Taupo are stunning too.

Kauri Cliffs

Some parts of the planet are just so ridiculously attractive that it would seem wrong to do anything to change them.

Kauri Cliffs, in the extreme north of New Zealand, is one such place, but the resulting David Harman design is so outstandingly lovely that any golfer will be won over.

It would be hard to imagine a better setting – this is simply spectacular clifftop golf. Six holes hug the precipice edge, and the views out over the Pacific and the Cavalli Islands are the stuff of fantasy.

Arrowtown

The only bunker at Arrowtown Golf Club is next to the practice green and given it is less than 6,000 yards, many have falsely assumed the course is a pushover.

It most definitely is not thanks to tight fairways, rocky outcrops and small greens.

Notable Mentions - Arikikapakapa, Titirangi, The Hills, Royal Wellington, Wainui Golf Course

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Michael Weston discovers a hidden golfing treasure at Al Mouj Golf Resort in Oman.

Al Mouj Golf Resort Review

Sandwiched between the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains lies the ‘Middle East’s best-kept secret’. You won’t find any swanky skyscrapers here, like those dominating the skyline in many of its extravagant neighbours.

Muscat, Oman’s understated capital, offers tourists an altogether different experience, but with its magnificent mosques, golden sands and mesmerising views, it won’t remain a secret much longer. Travelling golfers are spreading the word, too, for Al Mouj Golf is one of the very best courses in the Middle East.

Greg Norman’s layout, home of the European Tour’s Oman Open, lies at the heart of a luxury leisure and residential complex, with the course beautifully positioned along a stunning stretch of coastline. It’s tough – any tour player will tell you that – and when the ocean breeze picks up, it’s probably the most difficult course on the ‘desert swing’. But for its 300 members, it’s paradise. Likewise for visiting golfers, as nowhere is ‘millionaire’s golf’ more spectacular.

Steep humps and mounds line the fairways over the first few holes, but it’s the bunkering that represents the biggest challenge, for Norman’s large, deep sand traps are a constant feature.

At the par-5 3rd, for example, the green is surrounded by traps that will punish anything but the near-perfect approach. This is often the case – merely good shots won’t always cut it, especially as the slick, sloping greens have severe run-off areas.

Into the middle of the front nine, and holes 4, 5 and 6 play alongside and over a large lake. The island green on the par-3 5th can look quite small when the wind is up, making good club selection crucial to avoid a visit to the kind of drop zone even tour pros wouldn’t much fancy under pressure.

Related: Golf Monthly Travel Homepage

Right by the shore

Then come the sea views. The par-5 7th hugs the shore, as does the 9th, a long par 4 where the tee box sits just yards from the beach. Up ahead, deep bunkers await, along with a treacherous green, all of which makes par a very good result as you head into the back nine.

The par 3s at 11 and 13 both feature beautiful ocean backdrops; both make a strong case for ‘most memorable hole’, although Al Mouj has many – and they keep coming.

These stunning short holes are separated by the par-5 12th, which plays along the coastline. Stray a fraction too far left over the rocks and your ball will end up on the beach.

Water comes into play again on the par-4 15th, which makes for a tough drive, before the finishing stretch looms into view.

You just know the coastline will have one final say, and it’s there on the right all the way down 18. If you choose to play from the tips, you’ll face a carry over a section of beach, before Norman asks one last question with a huge green that’s heavily protected by bunkers.

“Al Mouj is a must-play if you’re ever in Oman,” says Eddie Pepperell. “I’d say it’s the best course I’ve played in the Middle East.” Golf course superintendent Steve Johnson may be biased, but he’s also been wowed by Norman’s masterpiece. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work at some very, very good golf courses, and the way the golf course is now, this is up there,” says Johnson, whose 25 years in the industry have included stints at Gleneagles, Sandy Lane in Barbados and Port Royal in Bermuda.

It’s an impressive layout, and not just from a course design perspective. Winner of the 2019 IAGTO Sustainability Award for Community Value, Al Mouj is regarded as a thought-leader in eco-friendly golf course practices. Conservation, resource efficiency and community engagement lie firmly at the heart of everything here, for which Johnson and his team deserve enormous credit.

Local culture

Away from the course it’s very easy to fill your days. From the sumptuous Kempinski hotel – absolute heaven for breakfast lovers – the marina is just a short walk away.

In a little over half an hour, you can be dolphin watching and snorkelling with turtles around the breathtaking UNESCO-protected Daymaniyat Islands. A guided tour is thoroughly recommended; it’s the best way to explore the city’s many castles, forts and museums, as well as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a marvel of Arabian architecture.

No trip to Oman would be complete without a trip to the Wahiba Sands, a four-hour drive from the capital but certainly worth the effort. Watch a golden sunset before setting up camp for a night’s stargazing in the desert.

A tour of the mountains is another eye-opening experience. Villages such as Balad Sayt are not exactly tourist hotspots – part of the appeal – but rather fascinating short stops where you can gain an understanding of what mountain life is like for Omanis. Should your guide take you for refreshments at Misfah Old House, sample the local coffee and dig into your pockets for a few rial in exchange for a pot of delicious local honey.

Back on the road and the adventure continues; there’s always more to see and do in Oman – and a warm welcome is extended wherever you go. Essentials

How to get there

Oman Air (omanair.com) operates daily flights from Heathrow to Muscat, which take around seven hours. Manchester also serves Oman’s capital. Once there, navigating the new $1.8 billion passenger terminal is gloriously stress-free. Tourist visas cost around £10 and you can apply for them online via various agencies.

Where to play

•  Al Mouj Golf W: almoujgolf.com
• Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club W: muscathills.ecommune.com
• Ghala Golf Club W: ghalagolf.com

Where to stay

• Kempinski Hotel Muscat W: kempinski.com
• Mysk by Shaza W: myskhotels.com

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Just a five hour flight from the UK, Egypt offers a golf experience like no other...

A Guide To Golf In Egypt - The Jewel In Africa's Crown

One day you could be lost in your own thoughts cruising down the Nile, the next on the vibrant streets of Cairo, soaking in the city’s ancient wonders. Egypt’s magnificent monuments, tombs and famous pyramids attract millions of tourists every year, as do the sandy beaches along its stunning Red Sea coastline.

In recent years, Egypt has strengthened its growing portfolio of world-class golf courses, too, while offering travelling golfers superb value for money. With a favourable year-round golfing climate, it makes visiting a must.

Katameya Heights

Should Cairo be stop number one on your itinerary, there are a number of wonderful courses worth visiting. It’s always an enticing view when the lush fairways come into sight – that green glow against the desert backdrop giving you the itch to head straight to the course.

Katameya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort is one such place, thanks to designer Yves Bureau, who, in the early 1990s, was responsible for turning a desert landscape into a lush golfing oasis.

You’ll find the whole package here: 18 championship holes, a nine-hole course, an expansive practice area and extensive leisure facilities, including one of Egypt’s premier tennis academies.

Golf-wise, there are many stand-out holes. The signature par-5 15th may just top the lot; its elevated tee offers stunning views across the capital, while the fairway below doglegs to a well-protected green.

A demanding finish follows, with a lake and out of bounds making the par-3 17th a fearsome challenge for us all.

• To help start planning your dream golf adventure, visit www.egypt.travel.

Health club and Spa

With so much more on site, you could be forgiven for staying put. A well-timed visit to the health club and spa is highly recommended, especially after having negotiated the hilly fairways. You can take a dip in the jacuzzi, de-stress in the steam room or book a relaxing massage.

Even if you choose to relax, you should  tackle Cairo’s ‘must see list’ the next day. Or, maybe you’re ready for another 18?

Over on the west side of Cairo, The Allegria, which opened in 2010, is a strong contender as far as Egypt’s number one goes.

Greg Norman and his team have worked their magic here in using the setting’s natural lakes, streams, rock features, vegetation and undulating topography to create a beautiful layout.

With its large, undulating greens and sprawling bunkers, your short game will need to be razor sharp to score well.

Consider it a job very well done if you manage to play anywhere near your handicap, especially during your first visit. It’s a course you’d certainly want another crack at, armed with a little extra knowledge. If so, you’ll be warmly welcomed back by the friendly staff.

Elsewhere, the aptly named Dreamland Golf Resort is just ten minutes from the Pyramids of Giza, so there are more fantastic photo opportunities to be had.

The Open Championship of Egypt has been hosted here on three occasions, as well as several other tours, including the Alps Tour in 2015, when the Karl Litten-designed layout challenged a top field in the Dreamland Pyramids Open.

While the championship course could be considered a bit of a brute off the tips – measuring over 7,000 yards – the 27-hole complex can be enjoyed by players of all abilities, with a number  of tee positions.

For those who like a challenge, Dreamland is one of Egypt’s toughest tests, its fairways often narrower than they appear. Then there’s the water – scenic, but a constant danger, especially down 9 and 18.

The resort has plenty more attractions, including a Spa & Wellness Centre, which offers a range of treatments, and the Dreamland Equestrian Club, where you may discover latent riding skills you didn’t know you had under the watchful eye of an international French trainer.

Then there’s the amusement park and shops – perfect for those who get a little restless after too much downtime. Built over 150 acres, Dreampark is one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East.

• To help start planning your dream golf adventure, visit www.egypt.travel.

Mirage City

Heading back east, across the Nile, the JW Marriott Cairo’s award-winning Mirage City golf course features a majestic and challenging 18-hole championship course, as well as a nine-hole course ideal for amateur or casual golfers. There’s no excuse for poor putting here, with its greens consistently rated among the best in Cairo.

Back in 2010, Rory McIlroy opted to tee it up at Mirage City for the Challenge Tour’s Egyptian Open. Coming off victory at the Ryder Cup in Wales, the 21-year-old Ulsterman finished 12th in a strong field – one that included English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Eddie Pepperell.

Designed by Peter Harradine, water comes into play on 13 of the 18 holes. The pick of these comes at the par-5 17th, where a large fairway bunker guards the left and water encroaches down the entire right side. If you just fancy nine, the par-32 Executive course is great fun, plus the floodlit range is top-class.

Like many of the courses in Egypt, green fees are very reasonable, in this case a little over £30. It’s worth paying just to sit back and relax in the clubhouse, an elegant retreat. The Cactus Bar, which overlooks the 9th and 18th greens, is particularly well geared for sports enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy the odd frame of snooker.

Also off course, JW Marriott’s Mandara Spa features a tantalising list of treatments, while at the Mirage Cafe, which offers an array of international cuisines, you can enjoy panoramic views of the golf course. Elsewhere, you can tuck into mouthwatering Australian beef at JW Steakhouse, sample some Lebanese flavours at Ahlein or enjoy a taste of Japan at the exotic Sushi Bar.

The hotel also offers a prime location in the Heliopolis district – a more relaxed suburb you won’t ever find – and it’s the perfect place for an evening wander.

Desert Oasis

Also to the east, within the city of New Cairo, the Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa, Katameya Dunes is a 27-hole desert oasis. The pristine championship course was designed by Nick Faldo and Brian Curley. Palm trees line the fairways that wend through a succession of lakes, streams and spectacular duneland. It provides a stern test, but the sound of running water in the background helps to keep you calm if you’re not at your best.

“The courses I design are very much aimed at the thoughtful, imaginative golfer, and it’s precisely these players who will get the most out of playing at Katameya Dunes,” said Nick Faldo in 2006 as he was selected to start work on his first design project in North Africa.

No two holes here have the same feel. The fairways are generous and there’s an abundance of water features and strategically placed bunkers. The buildings of villas, the clubhouse and hotel have been carefully considered so as to not take anything away from the course. It’s a spectacular achievement by Faldo and his team, and a must-play course when exploring Cairo’s outskirts.

The hustle and bustle of the capital call for a relaxing hideaway, which is what you can expect at Marriott Mena House, the spa of which transitions beautifully from the adjoining gardens. With six massage suites and a lavish relaxation room, it’s a good place to recharge and get you back out on the fairways.

Established well over a century ago, Mena House, which has further renovations planned, is one of Egypt’s oldest courses. Located right below the Pyramids of Giza, there’s an atmosphere here quite unlike anywhere else.

Red Sea Riviera

Head towards the coast and you can swap the pyramid views for yet more stunning vistas on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera.

Located on the western Red Sea coast, just south of Hurghada, Soma Bay is home to The Cascades championship golf course. When this Gary Player-design layout opened in 1998 it gave Egypt a real gem to boast of, with its lush green fairways hugging the peninsula and providing stunning views against the backdrop of the Red Sea. Such glorious vistas are evident on the short 5th, as well as a few more holes on the inward nine, where it’s a job to keep your focus.

Meanwhile, The Cascades Spa & Thalasso is recognised as one of the best in Egypt, with 65 treatment rooms offering everything from traditional massages and beauty treatments to the latest technology for aesthetic treatments and hydrotherapy.

You won’t have any problems relaxing here, especially when staying at any of Soma Bay’s luxurious hotels, which include the Kempinski, Robinson Club and Sheraton, to name but three. Soma Bay’s 300 days of wind a year may be a challenge for golfers, but it’s a kite surfer’s dream and one of the best spots in the world for a wide range of water sports.

Not far from here, Madinat Makadi Golf Resort, which opened in 2007, is built to test the best players in the world, measuring over 7,500 yards from the back tees. Risk versus reward will challenge your course strategy as you negotiate a series of tricky ponds, while a more undulating back nine will push your fitness and technique to the limit.

• To help start planning your dream golf adventure, visit www.egypt.travel.

Twelve of the 18 holes overlook the Red Sea, and for five consecutive years, American John Sanford’s layout has been voted Egypt’s Best Golf Course in the World Golf Awards – some feat given the country’s impressive list of candidates.

Negotiate the 137 bunkers and your post-round drink will taste extra special.

El Gouna

Staying on the Red Sea coastline, but heading north of Hurghada, the ever-expanding El Gouna resort, with its boutique shopping, restaurants and bars, offers a luxurious stay among the lagoons and waterways. Such a beautiful peninsula setting makes for an equally picturesque course.

Designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples, the mountain views and those across the Red Sea are quite something.  With carefully placed bunkers, lagoons, and desert rough, the course may sound treacherous, but it’s designed in such a way to appeal to holiday golfers as well as more accomplished players. 

Adventurous residents are perfectly placed to embark on a day trip. It’s hard to resist the allure of all the tiny islands surrounding El Gouna, best explored with a relaxing boat trip. If you’d rather head inland, you can venture into the Eastern Desert for a visit to the nearby Bedouin village or a tour of a desert monastery.

Sharm El Sheikh

Across the Gulf of Suez, Sharm El Sheikh is a purpose-built resort on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Some of the world’s most stunning underwater scenery makes it another spot popular with divers, but it also ticks a lot of boxes for families.

The Maritim Jolie Ville Resort & Casino is one such place, its Thai Spa Wellness Centre providing a relaxing stay.

Jolie Ville golf course offers stunning views of the Sinai Mountains and Red Sea vistas that will live long in the memory.

• To help start planning your dream golf adventure, visit www.egypt.travel.

The course has hosted the European Challenge Tour and European Senior Tour, and has man-made lakes, 18 of which were added during its construction in the nineties. The water hazards also provide a safe haven for exotic birds.

Wherever your dream holiday in Egypt, there’s a wonderful golf course nearby. From the deserts in Cairo to the beaches of Soma Bay, booking a tee time is easy.

If you’re seeking glorious golf and guaranteed sunshine, The Bahamas – located just to the south-east of Miami – is worthy of some serious consideration...

Golf In The Bahamas - Paradise Islands

The Bahamas is home to a number of spectacular golf courses that promise to provide an unforgettable experience for anyone fortunate enough to walk their fairways.

It’s not surprising, really, given this archipelago, which comprises 700 islands, is an ecological oasis, boasting the kind of blue seas and ocean views that take your breath away.

If the Hero World Challenge at Albany caught your attention, then perhaps it’s time you found out a little more about what The Bahamas has to offer.

Tiger Woods and co. could have teed it up at any number of spectacular courses on the Grand Bahama Island – often referred to as ‘heaven on earth’.

There’s now a further reason to visit, too, thanks to a certain Jack Nicklaus.

Royal Blue

Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar is the newest addition, with Nicklaus’ championship layout opening for play last year.

Baha Mar itself is a multi-billion dollar integrated resort development along the pristine beaches of New Providence.

Besides Royal Blue Golf Club, which features a unique ‘two courses in one’ design, guests can expect a luxurious stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, as well as fine dining at a number of superb restaurants throughout the complex, such as Conch Shack, which specialises in local flavours.

This is the Golden Bear’s first venture in the Bahamas, and it doesn’t disappoint.

The front nine features dramatic views of rolling white sand dunes, undulating fairways and the Atlantic Ocean, before a significant change on the back nine sees golfers face dense jungle and steep downhill terrain.

You’ll have been wowed long before arriving at the island green on the 16th, which borders Lake Cunningham.

Off the tips, it’s a brute at 7,189 yards, but the beauty of this glorious layout is that it varies from day to day, with any one hole changing by as much as 100 yards.

It won’t ever be a case of a good walk spoiled here, as the natural landscape has been incorporated into the course’s design. Indeed, the area is home to over 70 indigenous bird species.

Nicklaus may just end up beating you, but you won’t mind a jot as you sit back and relax with a cool something at the magnificent Royal Blue Clubhouse, although a drink at the nearby water tower, known as Cable Beach Reservoir, will take some beating. Regardless of how you’ve played, you’ll feel like a winner, and if you don’t, go and try your luck at the Baha Mar Casino, the largest casino in the Caribbean.

Ocean Club

Baha Mar will leave you wanting more – and you’re in luck.

Paradise Island lies just off the northern coastline of New Providence, and as the name would suggest, this ribbon of white sand and azure sea is stunning.

It’s home to another world- class luxury resort, the highlight of which – for golfers at least – is the Ocean Club, now a Four Seasons Resort.

Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the course offers a stern challenge, not least because of its crosswinds.

They can prove a distraction, as can the wonderful views of the Atlantic and the Nassau Harbour, where one or two luxurious yachts are bound to catch the eye.

Lakes, sweeping sand traps and groups of palm trees are a constant danger, but the fairways are generally large enough to allow you to open up your shoulders with the driver, which makes for an enjoyable test.

Abaco

Some courses have the power to attract guests on their name alone – Abaco Club on Winding Bay is one of those.

Besides its alluring name, the course here is regarded by many as the finest in The Bahamas.

The links-style layout, designed by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, enjoys a tranquil seaside setting, but unlike a number of other courses on the island, there’s a ruggedness here more akin to what British golfers experience at home, even if it is of a tropical kind.

Every hole is dramatic and your favourite is likely to change all the way, until another spectacular offering at the last – a par 5 that might just be the best closing hole in the Caribbean.

The world-class golf keeps on coming, with another legend of the game leaving his mark on these beautiful islands.

Sandals Emerald Bay

Greg Norman is responsible for Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course, a stunning layout that winds its way through seaside dunes along a beautiful peninsula.

The holes that hug the coastline are truly breathtaking, but such dramatic scenery comes at a price for golfers.

When the wind blows, good scoring on this long course becomes more than a little difficult.

There are a number of other fantastic courses worth playing here, too. If you’ve had just one round in The Bahamas you’ve done well, but you could enjoy golf and far more besides for many a year.

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Golf Monthly Promotion – In 2006, Egypt was named Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year. Twelve years on and it's home to 20 top-class courses. What a wonderful place to combine your love of the game with a trip back in time, plus an hour or two of pampering...

Golfing Paradise Awaits In Egypt

Temples, tombs and pyramids may well spring to mind when you think of Egypt, but there’s far more to the land of ancient pharaohs than mummies and colossal columns. When Ancient and Modern Egypt collide, tourists are presented with an alluring package, one where it’s easy to combine a beach or golf holiday with a trip to the Pyramids.

The guaranteed sunshine adds to the appeal for golfers and those in search of relaxation, especially at resorts such as Hurghada, located on the shores of the Red Sea. This once quiet fishing village, which spans over 40km of pristine coastline, serves as the perfect base to enjoy seaside activities and is well served by beautiful hotels, where guests can lose themselves with endless pampering and spa facilities.

Golf-wise, it’s worth noting that Egypt was named Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year in 2006. Twelve years later and there are 20 courses well worth discovering. The Cascades at Soma Bay is only 35 minutes from Hurghada City. This championship course, designed by Gary Player, was once described by the legendary South African as “the next Pebble Beach” with a number of challenging holes carved into the peninsula on which it sits. Madinat Makadi Golf Resort also offers views of the ocean and is one of Egypt’s newer courses. At 7,500 yards, it’s a stern test off the tips but a number of tee boxes make it playable for all skill levels.

Arguably Egypt’s finest course is located on the outskirts of Cairo. The Greg Norman-designed Allegria, managed by Troon Golf, offers a unique golf experience with its lush, rolling fairways, beach bunkers and water hazards. Nick Faldo has also left his mark in the area in the form of Katameya Dunes, a beautiful layout featuring palm-fringed fairways, waterfall features and dramatic bunkering.

Katameya Heights Golf & Tennis Resort to the southeast of Cairo is also highly regarded. It was the first commercial venture to combine golf and real estate in Egypt and it'a joy to play, it's lush fairways winding between the luxurious villas. Much further to the south east, Sokhna Golf Club has hosted the European Challenge Tour, its small, undulating greens providing a stern test for the professionals.

Whether golfing or not, there’s no better place to unwind than an Egyptian spa resort, especially if you’ve been out until the early hours at the Ministry of Sound Beach Club.  Egypt has been a healing destination since ancient times largely due to its sunny and dry climate. The resorts take their sumptuous spa services very seriously. The only difficult you'll face is deciding where to start with your treatments. A tough choice? Take your time and lie back in a hammock on a private beach. There's no better place to do this than at Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel in Hurghada before heading to the five-star hotel’s amazing health and wellness area. Or, how does taking a “Cleopatra” bath and plunge into the Red Sea sound?

The standout trip into the ocean for many is the diving – there are few better spots in the world on this front. Hurghada City is known as a top-three diving destination on the planet, although a number of aquatic sports will get the juices flowing. The Giftun Islands are one of Hurghada's most popular boat excursions with plenty of snorkelling opportunities and if you're lucky you'll spot some dolphins.

An opportunity to really immerse yourself in local culture should never be passed up. The Bedouin dinner tours, offered by many of the resorts, are extremely popular. This is the  chance to sample the wholesome Egyptian dishes that never make it onto restaurant menus. There's no better way to sample Egypt's wonderful array of home-style cooking.

Of course, no trip to Egypt is complete without factoring the River Nile into your itinerary. You may choose to stay in a floating hotel, or opt for a relaxing cruise, but the options are plentiful: hop on a felucca for a few hours, or take a luxurious journey over several days, during which time you can enjoy gourmet cuisine whilst taking in the sights, highlights of which include the Temple of Horus and the extraordinary Valley of the Kings.

With over 7,000 years of historic influence, ancient Egypt offers a experience like no other, but you don’t need to be a history buff to find yourself captivated. The attractions are endless, but it’s hard to visit Egypt and not see the pyramids. The Pyramids of Giza also features the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure and the Great Sphinx on the eastern side.

Then there’s the Valley of the Kings. The Kings of Ancient Egypt constructed tombs for nearly 500 years in a valley opposite Thebes (modern Luxor). A total of 63 have been excavated in this valley making it one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

Luxor has been described as the “world’s greatest open air museum.”Luxor Museum itself features the reconstruction of a wall, 18 metres in length, from the temple of Akhenaton in Thebes. It consists of hundreds of small illustrations, including one of the Pharaoh and Queen Nefertiti worshipping the sun.

For further information, and to start planning your perfect trip, visit Egypt.travel.

The contrasting experiences offered by Ancient and Modern Egypt attract holidaymakers from all over the globe. With a growing number of top-class golf courses, the prospect of a trip to this part of the world is mouth-watering. Its appeal is strengthened with its superb accessibility. Flights arrive into Hurghada and Marsa Alam airports on the Red Sea coast and Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba in south Sinai, regularly.

Imagine golfing in paradise on a variety of courses on different islands with your luxury hotel following you around. Rob Smith discovers that golf cruising offers exactly this…

Golf in the Caribbean

Video courtesy of Stepping Stone Media

What could be better than visiting new and different courses playing the game you love in friendly company and the sun? P&O Cruises operate around the world, and last year I was lucky enough to fly out to Barbados to join their flagship, the huge and massively impressive Britannia.

I had assumed, naively, that it would be canteen catering and conveyor-belt service. I could not have been more wrong. The variety and quality of the restaurants and bars, and the entertainment and activities on offer, are massively impressive.

Old Quarry - Curaçao

Our first stop was Curaçao - part of the Dutch Antilles and home to Old Quarry on the Santa Barbara Plantation. Architect Pete Dye is famed for his distinct and stylish courses, and this scores very highly on both fronts. Opened in 2010, Old Quarry starts along the shore.

The course then heads round to a beautiful lagoon and marina which acts as a stunning backdrop throughout. Never before had I been watched by iguanas as I played, but these striking creatures have a significant presence here and really add to the tropical ambience.

Old Quarry is a serious test of golf, packed with strong holes, and a very special place to play.

Tierra del Sol - Aruba

Following a good night’s sleep, we awoke in Aruba where Tierra del Sol is an extremely enjoyable Trent Jones Junior design that is completely different to its neighbour. More forgiving off the tee, it runs over a gently undulating and quite vast sandscape.

There is both a desert- and links-style feel as the front nine runs to and from the lighthouse.

It is on the back nine, however, where the drama really unfolds. Fourteen is a fabulous par 5 running alongside beautiful marshland, and we were lucky enough to see one of the long-legged burrowing owls that live on the course.

The fifteenth is as perfect a par 3 as you will find; a mid-iron over water to the most wonderful and naturally-sited green.

And at the next, a 356-yard par 4, the strangest thing happened! Throughout the week I was playing with Dean Wingrove, the Head Pro’ at Wimbledon Park, and entertainer Jonny Wilkes, both perfect company. Here, perhaps for the first time in my 40-year golfing experience, my 3-ball all birdied the same hole!

St Lucia

Our final golfing port of call was the gorgeous island of St. Lucia where the course at St Lucia Golf Club is on rolling land through old rainforest and plantation. There are some excellent holes with the 8th being a picture-perfect par 3 over water.

The back nine is particularly strong and the eleventh is a wonderful long par 4 with an inviting drive from on high before a demanding approach to a narrow green with a large water hazard waiting on the left.

Doglegs abound, and the round finishes with the prettiest little par 3 over a pond that could sum up the whole trip; lovely, tropical, memorable.

There is no doubt that the Britannia is a first-class ship in every respect, and for any golfers interested in cruising - even more so if they have travelling companions who don’t play - this would be the perfect way to play some lovely and quite different courses all from the same wonderful hotel.

The Abaco Club in The Bahamas is a true paradise, Malcolm Campbell explains why...

The Abaco Club - Where You Won't Want To Leave

In today’s lexicon of grossly abused words and crudely molested phrases, it seems that the noun ‘paradise’ has enjoyed a sudden surge from a disappointingly low rating to a point where it now finds itself in the higher echelons rubbing shoulders with the other victims of the current obsession with rampant hyperbole.

It is not quite yet at the top of the leaderboard, however, a position still held comfortably by ‘awesome’, now the standard description for just about everything under the sun from the arrival of the No 32 bus, if it turns up within 20 minutes of its scheduled time, to the golf commentator’s description of any metal wood shot that actually gets airborne and passes the ladies’ tee box.

Following a recent visit I find myself leaning towards the use of ‘paradise’ to describe a rather splendid outpost of barefoot golfing luxury in the Bahamas known to the wider world as The Abaco Club on Winding Bay.

Mindful of the fact that the Concise Oxford Dictionary would have us believe that ‘paradise’, in its most appropriate usage, suggests a state of supreme bliss, a garden of Eden, even a heaven, to actually lavish the word on a golf course development, however barefoot its luxuries may be, one has to be careful not to get too carried away.

Related: Spieth and Fowler go wild on holiday in the Bahamas

Before running to final judgment on the ‘paradise’ issue there remains no argument at all, however, regarding the question of luxury.

And if one subscribes to the Frank Lloyd Wright philosophy of “give me the luxuries of life and I will gladly do without the necessities” the opportunity to forego the essentials in favour of the epicurean will not be more easily found than here at the northeastern end of the long string of islands that make up the archipelago state that is the Bahamas.

In the search for great golfing outposts with the power to rejuvenate and pamper the golfing soul, the Abaco Club on Winding Bay will find no embarrassment at all in staking a claim to be right up there with the best of them.

Related: Golf In Barbados: A Caribbean Dream

A one-time Ritz Carlton development that has also had Peter de Savery’s name on the title deeds, The Abaco Club was recently acquired by David Southworth, that master of well judged acquisition, whose Southworth Development LLC is a leader in the international golf resort community with properties throughout the United States and notably the glorious Machrihanish Dunes on the Mull of Kintyre on Scotland’s west coast.

Given that the Abaco Club fits right into the Frank Lloyd philosophy, it was no surprise on my recent visit down there to find a rather decent bottle of claret in the company of former Open Champion and Ryder Cup Captain, Darren Clarke.

The game's favourite bon vivant has owned a house at Abaco for more than a decade and spends a deal of time there, happily eschewing the necessities in favour of something rather more indulgent.

And why not? This tropical retreat lacks for nothing at all.

It boasts a very fine Donald Steel/Tom Mackenzie designed golf course, to which David Southworth’s people have recently given a bit of a makeover, with a practice ground that is nothing short of state of the art.

Related: Golf Monthly Top 100 Courses

“The range is one of the many great assets that the Abaco Club has to offer,” says Clark raising a depleting glass in its honour.

Very few take advantage of it more than the Irishman although he may soon have some competition from a couple of South Africans.

Thomas Aiken has recently become an owner and it will get even more crowded if Charl Schwartzel joins him as there is strong speculation that he soon will.

To even suggest that this island club is 'exclusive' is pitching the meaning of the word dangerously close the bottom of the superlative spectrum.

Related: A guide to golf in Bermuda

And yet it remains accessible to the discerning golfing traveler ready to indulge the FLW philosophy.

Guests are made very welcome at the Club, where house rentals, and accommodation in cleverly designed and beautifully furnished cabanas, is readily available.

This is a true sporting club, offering a prize collection of activities.

Apart from the No 1 golf course in the Bahamas The Abaco Club offers a spa and fitness facility, water sports, tennis courts, gourmet dining and the club’s crown jewel, the spectacularly beautiful, two-mile long stretch of powder-soft beach.

Related: Golf in Abu Dhabi: Drama in the desert

In the surrounding waters, club members and guests have access to the area’s world-famous saltwater flats fishing, deep-sea fishing, and the serene boating and sailing waters of the Sea of Abaco.

In fact it’s the availability of salt flats fishing and the hunt for the famed and elusive permit fish that drew Daren Clarke to Abaco in the first place.

“I love to fish,” says the man from Portrush, raising that glass once more to reinforce the point. “And this is one of the best places for permit fishing anywhere. It’s sensational.”

So too is the golf. The Steel/Mackenzie layout has been described as a “tropical links”, which isn’t a bad designation, although allusions to “Scottish-style links” is pushing that particular fishing boat out a little too far.

However, the elements of maritime environment and wind are certainly common to both and the challenge is more than enough even for an Open Champion, as Clarke is swift to point out.

But if you are fortunate enough to make it there as a visitor, make the most of it. After three visits you need to join the Club or, like Darren, become a house owner.

And getting back to the original question; is it “Paradise”?

I don’t know, but if it isn’t you may just have to pass through The Abaco Club to get there.

Jeremy Ellwood spends a few days in a famous owner’s villa at wonderful Royal Westmoreland

Golf In Barbados: A Caribbean Dream

The Caribbean may have eluded me for the first 52 years of my life, but no sooner had I made my maiden journey to the Bahamas late last year than another trip loomed large on my horizon this spring.

This time it was to the world-famous Royal Westmoreland resort on the west coast of Barbados, the small island in the east of the West Indies that is actually surrounded entirely by the Atlantic rather than the Caribbean.

Related: Golf Monthly Top 100 courses

The Caribbean sounds cooler though, doesn’t it, and so it would prove over my all-too-brief three-day visit.

All I knew about Royal Westmoreland was that there had been a Senior Tour event there for many years, and that Ian Woosnam owned a house on the resort.

It transpires that Wayne Rooney is among the other property owners – a very fine villa by the 13th tee in which we were privileged enough to stay during our visit.

Although we would eat out several times at some of the most exceptional restaurants I’ve ever visited, on the night of our arrival a highly proficient in-villa chef rustled us up something very special live on our terrace, with marlin and chicken among the gastronomic highlights.

The next day I tackled a front nine featuring many standout holes in the company of some Canadian visitors.

Related: A Guide To Golf In Bermuda

Among the highlights were the spectacular par-3 3rd playing downhill over rocks and sand towards the ocean; the excellent 4th with its launchpad tee; the dramatic 5th with its green cut into a rockface; and the testing risk-reward 6th with its blind drive towards another exposed rockface before a sharp turn left to a green set in an old quarry.

Later on I played the back nine in the company of director of golf, Bill Longmuir, a now 60-something eight- time Senior Tour winner who still hits a mighty fine ball.

The 10th is a sweeping, almost U-shaped dogleg that proved very tough into the wind, while the 11th proved even tougher, with Bill suggesting a 3-wood for my uphill 191-yard approach into a fierce wind. He was right!

The 15th is then another cracking downhill par-3 (Woosie reckons Royal Westmoreland has the strongest cast of one-shotters he’s ever played) where big trouble awaits short and right in the form of a deep gully.

Of course, it would be a travesty to travel all this way and only play golf, but if the course and restaurants I frequented were pretty special, so too was the Cool Runnings catamaran we boarded on our second full day for a five-hour cruise.

Related: Jewels of the North - Golf in Aberdeenshire

From nine in the morning, the rum punch flowed like water to the strains of Bob Marley, Eddy Grant (and Peter Andre!) booming out of the on-board sound system.

Think Thames cruise, then ramp up the relaxometer and coolness gauge a hundred notches to get an idea of how much fun it was.

I made my snorkelling debut, though I couldn’t do it straightaway as my mind wouldn’t let me believe you could still breathe with your head under water at first.

We visited shipwrecks, and swam with turtles to add to my Caribbean memories of swimming with pigs last time out in the Bahamas.

As for dining out, The Cliff restaurant a short drive away boasted a truly spectacular setting with the outdoor seating areas illuminated by flaming beacons, while the Lonestar restaurant is a former garage set right on the beach where the staff wear petrol attendant overalls.

On the final day, we took lunch at Mullins Beach, where Royal Westmoreland guests can enjoy a private beachfront dining deck right by the lapping waves.

Our whistle-stop tour also took us around the resort for a look at some of the property ownership options for individuals blessed with considerably greater wealth than a humble golf journalist.

Related: Best Hidden Gem Golf Courses UK/I

But, allowing myself to dream just for a minute, a two-bedroom Royal Apartment, complete with balcony and colonial styling at just $600,000, didn’t sound too bad, even if the reality would be a straight choice between that and my home in England.

I haven’t even dared suggest it to my wife!

All that was left to do ahead of the early evening flight home was a morning tour of the island, taking in the only remaining sugar factory, St John’s church, which couldn’t be more Anglican if it tried, and Bathsheba beach on the eastern coast with its extraordinary mushroom-shaped rocks that are actually striking coral reef formations whose bases have gradually eroded away.

As we boarded our 5.45pm return flight to Gatwick, I was left to reflect on another all-too-short visit to the other side of the world, attempting to banish all thoughts of an unlikely early retirement, or even more unlikely unexpected family windfall.

HOW TO GET THERE

Virgin Atlantic and BA both operate a daily direct flight to Barbados from London Gatwick with a flight time of around 81⁄2 hours. W: virgin-atlantic.com W: britishairways.com

WHERE TO STAY

ROYAL WESTMORELAND, ST JAMES, BARBADOS Stay in the Royal Apartments for ten nights and pay for just seven (from £1,890 per apartment). Includes four free complimentary rounds of golf plus 10% off food and 20% off drinks (latest return date December 15, 2016). Stats: par 72, 6,640 yards T: 01524 889587 (holidays) T: 01524 884266 (ownership enquiries) W: royalwestmoreland.com

WHERE TO VISIT

COOL RUNNINGS CATAMARAN CRUISE

A five-hour cruise and snorkel tour, including on-board lunch and drinks plus a swim with turtles, costs US $90 (approx £69) per person. W: coolrunningsbarbados.com

Gloria Old is a tight pine-tree lined golf course with a dramatic opening trio of holes

Gloria Old was the first course at Gloria. It opened in 1996. In those days it was not Gloria Old, of course. It only became so when a new course, named Gloria New (spot a theme?) came into existence.

This new course involved re-jigging the order of the holes at Gloria Old as the clubhouse was moved so as to be able to serve both courses.

The result is what was a testing and dramatic closing stretch has now become the first three holes of Gloria Old. This is a most daunting trio to start off with.

The 1st is a left-turning dogleg with a carry over water to the green. It is a par 5, but longer hitters have a two-shot route to the green made tricky by three pine trees standing between edge of fairway and lake.

The 2nd is longish par 3 with a compulsory carry over water of 175 yards. A greenside bunker to the right of the putting surface ramps up the challenge further.

This hole is stroke index 15. It is at this point you realise that stroke index was designed for use in matchplay, not a strict ordering of how hard the holes are.

The 3rd is a long par 4 which curves between avenues of pine trees.

The course is pine-tree lined and tight holes abound throughout the round, particularly the par-4 6th and par-5 17th.

The 7th is another par 3 over water but it does have a bail out.

The par-3 10th is a bizarre hole in that it does not fit the pattern elsewhere at this course. It is a flat par 3 of 154 yards at is maximum and 140 from the yellow tees. There is nothing between tee and green, although bunkers flank the green. But few of pour party played this hole well.

The rejjgging of the holes has left another fairly mundane par 3 as the closing hole. The course has five par 3 and five par 5s, and the 14th is an attractive par 3 over water with plenty of dry land between lake and green.

In comparison with Gloria New, Gloria Old is harder and tighter. However once you have played the first two holes, the water hazards are less threatening on Gloria Old than Gloria New.

Gloria Old and Gloria New are priced the same and equally popular.

Gloria New is not as tight as Gloria Old, although it does make abundant and dramatic use of water.

Gloria New was the second 18-hole course at Gloria. The first – yep you guessed it – is now called Gloria Old. Gloria Old opened in 1996 and Gloria New in 2005.

The two courses have different characteristics. The prime one, perhaps, is that Gloria New is easier than Gloria Old.

Both the courses have staged professional and top amateur tournaments. In these, Gloria New has played three shots a round easier than Gloria Old.

Gloria New tends to host these tournaments now as the 1st and 10th holes run in parallel, which makes a two-tee start easier logistically here than on Gloria Old.

Gloria New is not as tight as Gloria Old, although it does makes much use of water. Water comes into play on half the holes, most of them late on in the round. (The first seven holes have no water on them).

The most dramatic water hole is the 17th, which is played to a wide, shallow island green.

The most attractive water holes are the 12th and 15th, both par 3s. These holes run in parallel, in opposite directions are much the same design.

Both these holes are played over a lake festooned with reeds. But there is a lot of dry land on the far side of the lake before the green, so the hazard is more a decorative feature than a stiff challenge, making these par 3s relatively easy to play.

The 3rd is another attractive par 3, made so by the decorative boulders which run across the fairway.

Pine trees flank the fairways. This is a course which does not delay those who has miss-hit. You either lose a ball in water or find it under the pine trees, so not much time is spent looking for lost balls.

Gloria Old and Gloria New are priced the same and equally popular overall.

However the two main nationalities whose golfers come to Belek - the Germans and Brits - differ in the choice of courses at Gloria. The Brits prefer Gloria Old; the Germans Gloria New.

That Gloria Old is the harder is, according to David Clare, director of golf at Gloria Golf Resort, the attraction for Brits.

Gloria has a third course, the nine-hole Verde, a 3,245-yard par 35. This can be played either on its own, for either a 9 or 18-hole round, or you can book to continue on to the front nine of the Old or New, both of which are par 37, to give a par-72 round.

Gloria Verde also features pine trees and water hazards, and has 28 bunkers.

India is both beautiful and diverse with sights and tastes quite unlike anywhere else. Although not celebrated for its golf, Rob Smith still finds a mouthwatering selection.

Golf In India

On my only previous trip to India a quarter of a century ago, I managed to sneak in a final-morning round at Delhi Golf Club which hosted this year’s Indian Open. Despite this, I had never really thought of this vast, exotic land as a likely candidate for a golfing trip, but I was delighted to accept an invitation from ITC Hotels to go and see the new and growing appeal for golfers.

My first port of call was the genuinely amazing ITC Grand Bharat a little outside Delhi at the foot of the Aravalli hills. The palatial architecture is inspired by 5,000 years of Indian history, and everything about it radiates taste and style. The food was sensational, whether dining in the sumptuous India Room or out in the Apas Promenade beside the pool.

Adjacent to the hotel is the Classic Golf & Country Club which was the first Jack Nicklaus signature design in the country back in 1998. There are three loops of nine, with the main two - Ridge and Valley - close to the airy clubhouse.

I actually preferred the Canyon nine which was so much fun that I played it a second time. More dramatic than its neighbours, the redstone of the nearby hills is more visible.

From here I took a 2-hour flight over to Calcutta. Not far from the airport is the superb ITC Sonar, an eco-friendly hotel that is perfectly situated for golf and all that the city has to offer. The next morning I headed over to play Royal Calcutta which is the oldest golf club in the world outside the UK and a real oasis which scores highly in terms of design, challenge, beauty and atmosphere.

Later, I thoroughly enjoyed a city tour and after a peaceful night I flew back over to New Delhi and the final hotel of my tour, the very smart and colourful ITC Maurya. It’s not often you stay in the same hotel as the President of the United States, but his was one of many photos of the rich-and-famous that I saw in a behind-the-scenes tour.

The Bukhara restaurant turned out to be a gastronomic highpoint with mouth-watering and superbly presented dishes most of which I had never seen before.

One of our generation’s most highly regarded architects is Martin Hawtree, designer of Trump International Golf Links, Scotland, and he is responsible for the inland links at Golden Greens. Its main defence is strategic bunkering and some jungle-like undergrowth on several holes which calls for straight driving. Although they are not long, I particularly liked the par 3s at 4 and 13, and there are some very good doglegs such as the 2nd, 3rd and the long 11th.

Although my flying visit only allowed me enough time to play in two locations, there are pockets of fine golf throughout the nation and ITC Hotels make for the perfect host. I am already very much looking forward to going back for more.

Kenya is packed with sights, tastes, flora and fauna unlike any other golfing destination. Rob Smith thoroughly enjoys a few days in and around Nairobi

Golf in Kenya

Despite being a fan of golf in Africa’s extremes, north and south, I had never before visited one of its more central countries. It was therefore a thrill to head to Kenya for some golf and a few days based in and around its bustling capital, Nairobi, where the 2-hour time difference means jet-lag is not an issue. My first port of call was the award-winning Windsor Golf and Country Club which is also an elegant hotel comprising a cluster of Victorian-style buildings.

I was very impressed by both the quality and conditioning of the design which runs through gently undulating woodland bordered by coffee plantations. Beginning with an extremely tough par 4 with a green protected by water and trees, there is also great variety with dog-legs left and right, attractive and strategic bunkering.

Each hole runs through the trees, and there is beautiful wildlife at every turn.

The very attractive and inviting par 3 at thirteen is followed by a supremely tough signature hole at fourteen which calls for a fearless approach over the river. I thoroughly enjoyed the unobtrusive presence of Sykes’ monkeys on some of the fairways and in the rough, and a post-round lunch by the pool was the perfect way to cool down after a round.

Seve Ballesteros and Ian Woosnam both won the Kenya Open at the colonial and historic Muthaiga Club which boasts a very enjoyable course with two quite different nines either side of a road. Not far from Windsor, the course has been regularly upgraded over the years and it twists and turns through the tallest trees with water hazards a regular feature.

Heading out of Nairobi on our drive up towards the Great Rift Valley, we stopped off at a very pretty course offering embarrassingly cheap golf. Sigona Golf Club is another with history, designed by the eccentric but brilliant Tom Simpson, and although it is in the suburbs, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. There are some narrow drives and tough angles with the pick of the best being the 7th which doglegs uphill and to the left. The drive at the next has to be the tightest in Africa, and I was pleased with my handful of pars, especially at the par 5s either side of the turn.

The Great Rift Valley runs an astonishing 6,000 kilometres down the eastern side of Africa to Mozambique, and my introduction to it centred on the superb game and golf resort of the same name just to the north of Lake Naivasha.

There are several really good holes such as 9 and 17, but whilst others are less distinct, this becomes a non-issue when you are playing in paradise. I have never before had to wait for a zebra to move out of my line of play, or enjoyed seeing such an array of birdlife which included black-headed oriole and Fischer’s Lovebirds. Stunning!

En route back to Nairobi, we had time for a 3-hour canoe safari on Lake Naivasha which included a stroll round Crescent Island and the chance to look at the elegant giraffes, eye-to-kneecap. The absolute highlight was an encounter with a pod of hippopotami, the most dangerous animal in Africa. Our guide took us as close as possible, an experience that I will treasure forever.

Although my schedule didn’t allow me to fly down to Mombasa, there are also some very good courses on the coast, particularly Nyali and the excellent Vipingo Ridge. For any golfer looking for somewhere different with fabulous weather, the most reasonable prices and the bonus of a variety of safari options, I cannot recommend it more.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has cemented itself as a firm favourite amongst players

The ‘Gulf Swing’, which kicks off at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, is now one of the most exciting periods of the European Tour schedule. The immaculately conditioned course managed by Troon Golf consistently draws in the world’s most in demand and best golfers each year.

Now one of the European Tour’s most established events, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship has cemented itself as a firm favourite amongst players. This year, the likes of the world’s number one and two players, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson, the current U.S Open champion Martin Kaymer, American sensation Rickie Fowler and French world number 14 Victor Dubuisson all made the cut. No less than eight major winners were in the field.

Huge crowds enjoyed a thrilling 10^th anniversary edition of the tournament played in typically perfect conditions. Three-time winner of the event Martin Kaymer lead after each of the first three days thanks to some faultless golf and took a six shot lead into the final round.

Gary Stal stormed through the field on the Sunday, holding off several of the Ryder Cup contingent including the world number one, to lift the Falcon Trophy and take home almost €380,000. His final round included seven birdies, four of which came around the turn.

Remarkably, Stal managed to keep bogeys off his card throughout the final round on the way to a joint best of the day 65 strokes as the 22-year old jumped over 250 places in the world rankings.

Troon Golf manage the golf course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as well as several top-rated golf courses across the world including Centurion Club, Trump Turnberry Resort, Castiglion del Bosco, Colonial Country Club, Indian Wells Golf Resort and La Quinta Resort and Club. Troon services include management, development and marketing for golf clubs, creating a network of exclusive facilities.

The following is taken from Ian Nalder’s book, 'Nightmare In Paradise'

Golf in Sri Lanka: The next hot spot?

Twenty years ago this question would never have been asked. Sure, the country had two fine courses. One, Nuwara Eliya, was founded in 1889 high among the tea estates by Scots soldiers in the Gordon Highlanders. For long it has been popular with Colombo’s golfers eager for a break from the big city.

Its Victorian clubhouse boasts an indoor badminton court, a snooker room, and en-suite bedrooms. Although the course is within the town and privy to spectators watching from across the fence, excitement beckons from a switchback terrain that is host to cunning doglegs which weave their way among eucalyptus and fir trees.

Founded twelve years earlier, the city course in the capital earned the title of Royal Colombo from King George V. Blessed with charm, there are copious water hazards from which a ‘pond boy’ will recover your ball for a modest tip. Almost uniquely a railway runs through whose passengers throng some of the oldest rolling stock in service anywhere today. Just as remarkable is the venerable clubhouse where Sunday breakfast on Medal days outdoes anything reminiscent of the Raj! On the verandah, once seated, liveried waiters attend to the thirsty promptly. No need to stand at the bar in expectation!

But it was the addition of a third course at the end of the 1990s that has propelled Sri Lanka into a golfing destination which deserves to be considered seriously. This is the amazingly beautiful Victoria on the banks of the great Victoria dam. Designed by the Scottish golf architect Donald Steel, year after year it wins awards as the finest course in Asia.

Not surprisingly, on the recommendation of those two world class cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena who are both members, visiting English cricketers search it out as Sir Ian Botham will testify. Like Royal Colombo no two holes follow the same direction. Doglegs abound; marah, tulip and palm trees adorn or overhang fairways. They tantalise. Views of mountains and the dam astound. And not one single hole is flat.

Every golfer is well advised to employ not just a caddie but a ballboy too. He will fend off inquisitive crows bent on purloining your ball and recover ammunition that has left the straight and narrow for rocks, ditches, precipices and forest. These youngsters do not just have sharp eyes, they work to a creed that does not permit them to lose a ball!

Ian Nalder spent two years in East Pakistan before it became Bangladesh and twice won the country’s national Amateur Golf Championship. He has written articles in magazines and several books on golf, notably: Scotland’s Golf In Days of Steam (Scottish Cultural Press ) and The History of Nairn Golf Club (Gopher Publishers ). His recent novel Nightmare in Paradise (Librario) is set on the Victoria Course in Sri Lanka, imparting an atmosphere enough to make any golfer reach for his travel agent!

Morocco: the ‘other' side of the Mediterranean, still easy to reach from the UK but alluringly exotic - enclosed as it is by the deep blue sea to the north and the elegant Atlas Mountains to the south, and beyond that the vast Sahara.

From our base at beautiful and historic Marrakech, we sample five kingly courses four in Marrakech and one down in Essaouira designed by famous names and enjoy the tall palms, olive trees and cacti along the fairways, as well as some magnificent clubhouses.

Come with us to a country that has developed from colonial outpost to confident 21st century sporting destination.

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Where To Play?

The Montgomerie Opened for play late in 2002, the course at The Montgomerie (a collaboration between Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead) is a relative veteran by Dubai's standards. It's an interesting layout to play with attractive features including extensive bunkering and a simply incredible amount of water.

The closing hole is 656 yards with water left and right for the drive, second shot and approach. In 2006 a new clubhouse was opened at The Montgomerie. It offers 21 stylish and unique guestrooms. Managed by Troon Golf, the facility also boasts a state-of-the-art golf academy staffed by a team of highly qualified coaches. W: themontgomerie.com T: 00 971 4 390 5600 STATS: par 72, 7,308 yards GF: £140

Arabian Ranches At the heart of the impressive Arabian Ranches residential estate is Arabian Ranches Golf Club. Once known as the Desert Course, the layout was designed by 1991 Open Champion Ian Baker Finch (with Nicklaus Design) and opened for play in 2004.

The concept for the course was to build a desert-style track echoing those found in Palm Springs California and Scottsdale Arizona. The holes flow beautifully through the sand dunes as they pass shrubs and bushes across lush green fairways. W: arabianranchesgolfdubai.com T: 00 971 4 366 3000 STATS: par 72, 7,691 yards GF: £100wd, £115we

The Emirates - Majlis Course "The Desert Miracle," the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club was the first all-grass championship course in The Middle East. In 1989 Mark James won the inaugural Desert Classic here and the tournament has been held at the Emirates Club on 18 further occasions, becoming one of the premier events on the European Tour.

Sculpted around and through the desert dunes, the fairways make their way past seven lakes, desert areas, an abundance of indigenous plant life and the Majlis itself - Arabic for meeting place, these white tent-like structures are a distinctive feature. W: dubaigolf.com T: 00 971 4 380 1752 STATS: par 72, 7,301 yards GF: £145 per round

The Els Club Within the incredible Dubai Sports City development, The Els Club opened for play in March 2008. Ernie Els has designed a high-quality track and his influence is particularly apparent around the testing green complexes.

A great emphasis is placed on the short game at the Els Club. But you're also made to think from the tee as it's vital to be on the right side of the generous fairways to approach the tricky greens. W: elsclubdubai.com T: 00 971 4 425 1010 STATS: par 72, 7,538 yards GF: £140 per round

Dubai Creek Under the Dubai Golf banner, the course at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club opened in 1993. Lying on the banks of the creek itself, the course hosted the Dubai Desert Classics of 1999 and 2000, won by David Howell and José Cóceres.

The layout was redeveloped in 2004 and now sits as the centrepiece of an impressive resort featuring extensive practice facilities and a sail-shaped clubhouse complete with swimming pool and gym. W: dubaigolf.com T: 00 971 4 205 4555 STATS: par 71, 6,857 yards GF: From £105 per round

Jumeirah Golf Estates - Earth The inaugural Race to Dubai climaxed with the Dubai World Championship on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, a parkland-style track influenced by the great inland courses of Europe and North America. The Great White Shark has also designed the Fire course at Jumeirah - now open for play by members and their guests. W: jumeirahgolfestates.com T: 00 971 4 375 2222 STATS: Earth - par 72, 7,675 yards GF: Members and guests only

Al Badia Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the Al Badia course was constructed with an oasis theme in mind. This is illustrated by the 11 lakes and several further water hazards on the layout. There's also abundant native plant-life surrounding fairways and greens.

The TaylorMade Performance Lab at Al Badia has high-tech motion analysis systems for instruction and club fitting. W: albadiagolfclub.ae T: 00 971 4 601 0101 STATS: par 72, 7,303 yards GF: £120wd; £150we

Note: Green Fees stated are for the peak season, October to May.

Where to Stay?

One & Only Royal Mirage The One & Only Royal Mirage resort on Jumeirah beach offers a wide range of accommodation, but whether you stay in the palace or the more intimate court or villa, Arabic splendour abounds. The service is first class, the food exceptional and there's a host of other activities to enjoy from tennis to deep-sea fishing. This October One & Only opens another hotel in Dubai, The Palm. W: oneandonlyresorts.com Rooms from: £245 per night

Park Hyatt Dubai Set on the waterfront next to Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the Park Hyatt Dubai provides luxurious rooms, fantastic cuisine and great views over the water. From the Park rooms up to the opulent suites, the impressive lounge to the Amara day spa, the hotel delivers supreme levels of comfort and relaxation. W: dubai.park.hyatt.com Rooms from: £150 per night

Intercontinental Dubai Festival City This sailboat-inspired hotel is a striking landmark on Dubai Creek. Convenient for Business Bay and Dubai World Trade Centre, Bastakiya, Dubai Museum and Al Mamzar Beach Park, the hotel features a state-of-the-art gym plus a luxurious spa as well as four excellent restaurants. Al Badia Golf Club is part of the hotel's offering. W: intercontinental.com Rooms from: £150 per night

For the adventurous golfers in search of a luxury golf break look no further than the Mantis Collection's Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge.

Golfers can enjoy a round of golf on three consecutive days, on three different golf courses in three different countries.

The Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge is located in the Katombora forest on the Zambezi River banks in the Kazungula Province of Zambia, only a 40-minute drive from Livingstone International Airport.

Royal Chundu in Zambia is a short drive across international borders into Zimbabwe and Botswana and each of these locations boasts a spectacular golf course within access of Royal Chundu.

Golfing guests can now enjoy the ultimate luxury of Royal Chundu's five-star accommodation, unique activities and ultimate privacy.

As well as this trip of a lifetime golfers can travel to a different country on three consecutive days with complete ease and play three unique rounds of golf.

For more information on the golf and to book your luxury golf break to Africa visit mantiscollection.com

Opening in 2000, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the most mature golf course in the capital of the UAE. Since the recent arrival of Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach it has become the elder statesman of Abu Dhabi's three world class golf courses.

The strong relationship between the UAE and the European tour has helped put golf in this part of the world on the map. The early season desert swing always attracts strong fields and often produces great champions. The Abu Dhabi Championship, which has been held at Abu Dhabi Golf Club since it began in 2006, is a shining example of this. In 2011 six of the world's top ten golfers competed in the event where Martin Kaymer claimed the title for the third time. Like many of the best in the world, Kaymer seems to relish the test on offer at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. This is no surprise given that it is a tough but fair test presented in immaculate condition. If Tiger Woods finds some early year form it could be a course perfectly suited to him when he makes his debut here in 2011.

From any of the tee boxes strong driving is the key to good scoring here. This is due to the intelligent fairway bunkering as well as lakes and palm trees that line the fairways and punish the wayward hitter. Another strength lies in the wide variety of holes on offer, including short reachable par 4's and longer two shot holes that require shot shaping off the tee to find the shorten the route to the green.

The 9th and 18th will live long in the memory of anyone who plays at Abu Dhabi Golf Club as they are played under the breathtaking falcon-shaped clubhouse. This already iconic design is one of the most recognisable clubhouses in the world and is as luxurious on the inside as it is grand on the outside.

As well as the 18 hole Championship course there are another 9 holes at Abu Dhabi Golf Club that aren't as challenging but offer a completely different experience, particularly after nightfall. Night golf at Abu Dhabi is an experience not to be missed. Floodlights surround each of the 9 holes, which feature wider fairways than the Championship course but plenty of water and sand to make it a good test. When combined with Yas Links and Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi forms an integral part of a golfing area that offers variety and quality in equal measure.

In many ways Yas Island epitomises modern day Abu Dhabi thanks to lavish hotels and a multi-billion dollar development that includes the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the Ferrari Word theme park. The Island, a short drive from the centre of Abu Dhabi, is dominated by these two impressive designs but running alongside them is a golf course that would fit right in amongst Scotland's classic seaside courses.

Gallery: Yas Links

Yas Links began life as a flat piece of desert land that looked a million miles away from an undulating links golf course. There was surely no better man to turn this area into a world-class links than the architect behind Kingsbarns. Kyle Phillips transformed Kingsbarns from uninspiring farmland into one of the most enjoyable links layouts in the world. The American took on an even bigger challenge in Abu Dhabi with the design of Yas Links.

Some might argue that building a golf course completely from scratch is easier than using natural contours to shape a layout, but the imagination and skill required to start with a blank canvas and create a great golf course must be applauded. Philips and his team dredged 1.8 million cubic metres of material from the sea to sculpt an entirely new coastline as well as the mammoth dunes that help create an authentic links feel.

Of course, creating your own coastline has major advantages and the waterside holes at Yas Links are breathtaking. They also work well from a golfing point of view. From the tee at the 3rd, 9th, 16th and 18th you are rewarded for taking on the narrow part of the fairway, which runs alongside the water, but can bail out to the wider side and leave yourself a harder approach. The waterside short holes will live long in the memory with the 8th, 13th and 17th requiring iron shots of varying lengths to hit the protected greens and avoid the wet.

Since it opened in 2010 the course has bedded in amazingly well. The greens roll beautifully and are firm to hit into, much like a trational links course. As the fairways continue to firm up the course will become even more like a Scottish links and the clever run off areas will play even more of a roll.

The contouring of the greens and the views over the water give the feeling of a links that would fit in anywhere in the world, but a look over the road gives an impressive reminder that you are in a world of luxury. Farrari Word and the Yas Marina Circuit act as constant reminder of what a fascinating place Abu Dhabi has become. Yas Links is already a thrilling golf course and another Kyle Philips masterpiece. As it matures it could genuinely become one of the finest in the world.

At the very heart of mainland South East Asia, welcome to a country of contrasts: tropical or cool depending on the region and time of year; remote hill country with beautiful scenery or vibrant, modern living in cities with ultra-dense populations (110 people per sq km). And of course, there are the beaches. Wherever you are, the welcome is always warm, and the golfing opportunities are abundant - day or night, in the serene mountainous settings of Chiang Mai or at the heart of bustling Bangkok. And who wouldn't want to play a group of nines entitled Sugar Cane, Tapioca and Pineapple? Read more...