Amanda PhillipsThere are some sports that are best played within beautiful surroundings, and golf is one of them. After all, a good golf course isn’t just judged on how challenging or intricate it is but also by how stunning the landscape is and the natural wonders that surround it. Even the weather plays its role in swaying whether you’ll have a good round or not. And while the UK has its fair share of magnificent golf courses, you can’t deny that it’s nice to play against a sunny backdrop that won’t disappear as winter begins to rear its head. So where to?
The Canadian Rockies
When it comes to scenic backdrops, the Canadian Rockies are hard to beat. There are six golf courses set within the beautiful folds of the Rockies, most of which have an attached resort. The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course has been voted the best course in Canada on countless occasions and Silvertip Resort offers amazing views of the Three Sister Mountains.
Florida
Florida has more golf courses than any other state clocking in at an impressive 1250 courses. Seminole is widely recognised as Florida’s best green but you’ll need to befriend an active member to play there. Thankfully most of Florida’s other courses are available to members of the public. Many of them can also be found near the tourist hubs of Orlando, Kissimmee, Clearwater and St Pete’s.recognised as Florida’s best green but you’ll need to befriend an active member to play there. Thankfully most of Florida’s other courses are available to members of the public. Many of them can also be found near the tourist hubs of Orlando, Kissimmee, Clearwater and St Pete’s.
Algarve
Practice your swing with a view of the ocean in Portugal’s Algarve region. There are almost 40 courses to choose from with year-round sunshine and a gentle breeze from the Atlantic Ocean to add an edge to your round.
Vilamoura is recognised as the premier golf destination. It’s an old harbour town that has been turned into a beautiful golf complex and is home to some of Portugal’s most sought-after golf courses.
Harbour town that has been turned into a beautiful golf complex and is home to some of Portugal’s most sought-after golf courses. It’s an old harbour town that has been turned into a beautiful golf complex and is home to some of Portugal’s most sought-after golf courses.
Costa del Sol
Spain’s Costa del Sol region has something for every kind of holiday maker, and that includes golfers. The province of Malaga and the resort town or Marbella in particular are bursting with golf courses. Santa Clara, Calanova and Marbella Golf & Country Club are some of the most popular courses in the area.
Hawaii
The stunning landscape of these Pacific Islands were bound to eventually attract the attention of the world’s top golf architects. Hawaii Island is known as the “Golf Capital of Hawaii” and boasts courses such as the Jack Nicklaus designed Hualalai Golf Course, the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses at Mauna Kea Resort and the two courses of the Waikoloa Beach Resort designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Ireland
Actor Bill Murray has publically stated that his favourite place in the world to play golf is Ireland. If his word isn’t enough – remember that many championships golfers started in Ireland such Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell. If you’re tempted we recommend the Southwest of the country.
Arizona
The deserts of Arizona are probably not the first landscapes that come to mind when you think of golf. But in the past few years several new golf courses have been popping up and boast an incredibly unique architecture that blends in with the native landscape. Scottsdale (a suburb of Phoenix) is Arizona’s golfing hub and is also home to resort spas and fascinating 1920s architecture.