Great Golf Getaways
TIM SOUTHWELL, A SELF-CONFESSED GOLF FANATIC, NOMINATES THE FAIRWAY GETAWAYS – FROM PATAGONIA TO TASMANIA – THAT WILL HAVE YOU REACHING FOR YOUR NINE-IRON
01 HAWKE’S BAY, NEW ZEALAND
Located on the southeast of the North Island, sister resorts Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs will blow your golfi ng mind with 140-metre cliffs towering above the sea. “If it was any bigger or more dramatic,” says Cape Kidnappers’ course designer Tom Doak, “it would probably be cordoned off as a National Park. It’s overwhelming to stand up on the cliffs and look out over the waves.”
Kauri Cliffs, +64 9 407 0010, www.kauricliffs.com; Cape Kidnappers, +64 6 875 1900, www.capekidnappers.com
02 DOONBEG, IRELAND
I’ve gasped loudly along with the best of them, knowing failure to register appreciation of my good fortune would anger the golf gods and put a curse on my next shot. I even do it when I play crazy golf, to be on the safe side. But I’ve never gasped as loudly as when I first saw this course.
Set against the Atlantic, it was developed by the people responsible for Kiawah Island (see 10). They’ll take you away kicking and screaming, I guarantee it.
Doonbeg, +353 065 9055 602, www.doonbeggolfclub.com
03 MIAMI, USA
The art deco buildings here provide a cool backdrop for some cracking courses. The Doral Resort has five spanning out from the clubhouse, including the infamous Blue Monster course, while Don Shula’s and the classic Biltmore are within easy reach. Miami is a genuine golfer’s paradise.
Doral Resort, +1 305 592 2000, www.doralresort.com; Miami Beach Golf Club, + 1 305 532 3350, www.miamibeachgolfclub.com; Don Shula’s, +1 305 821 1150, www.donshulahotel.com; Biltmore, +1 305 460 5364, www.biltmorehotel.com
Iles aux Cerfs, Mauritius04 ILES AUX CERFS, MAURITIUS
Designed by Bernhard Langer, Iles aux Cerfs is set on its own island just off the coast of Mauritius; each hole has ocean views. It is dotted with little bays, inlets and promontories, natural undulating topography, volcanic rock outcrops, lakes and gullies, and a profusion of tropical trees and plants. There are nine lakes, with some holes requiring tee shots across sea inlets to the fairways. It is a short boat ride away from the sumptuous Le Touessrok resort. Le Touessrok, through Thomas Cook, +44(0)844 412 5966, www.thomascook.com
05 ST JAMES, BARBADOS
Sandy Lane’s Green Monkey
in BarbadosThe jewel in Barbados’s crown is Sandy Lane’s Green Monkey. Available only to guests, the Tom Fazio-designed course is dug out of a quarry and takes the golfer on a rollercoaster of elevations. If your golf stinks, take solace in the al fresco bar, which – together with Royal Westmoreland’s – is among the world’s top-fi ve 19th holes. Sandy Lane, through Elegant Resorts, +44 (0)1244 897 505, elegantresorts.co.uk
06 CUBA
With Castro stepping aside, tourism minister Manuel Marrero is looking at increasing the number of golf courses in the country to 10, from two. Varadero Golf Club is the standout track. Located on the beautiful Hicacos Peninsula, the beach makes it challenging and invites your ball to get very wet. The nine-hole Havana Golf Club is an easier option.
Varadero Golf Club, +53 4566 8482, www.varaderogolfclub.com;
Havana Golf Club, + 53 850 539 6767
07 ISLE OF ARRAN, SCOTLAND
You’re in adventure mode from the moment you board the ferry from Ardrossan. Lamlash Golf Club has one of the steepest inclines I’ve ever had the misfortune to nurse a hangover up. It’s real top-of-the-world stuff when you get there, though. You play between the beach and a giant cliff, and palm trees grow here thanks to the Gulf Stream. Lamlash Golf Club, +44 (0)177 060 0296, lamlashgolfclub.co.uk
08 NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA
The course here is cut above a glacial lake and, blissfully, there’s no mobile phone signal. Several holes are played alongside the tranquil Humber River and the shore of Deer Lake, and you’re likely bump into several moose and foxes. Humber Valley, +1 709 686 8100, www.humbervalley.com
09 KENT, ENGLAND
The fifth hole at
Princes, KentThis is a golfing Mecca, with championship courses aplenty: Littlestone, Princes and, of course, the 2003 Open venue, Royal St George’s, a course so difficult only one player in that year’s competition (Ben Curtis) beat par. See if you can do better than Tiger Woods managed on the first hole. He got a seven. Littlestone Golf Club, +44 (0)1797 363 355, littlestonegolfclub. org.uk; Princes Golf Club, +44 (0)1304 611 118, princesgolfclub.co.uk; Royal St George’s, +44 (0)1304 613 090, www.royalstgeorges.com
10 KIAWAH ISLAND, USA
With five sensational courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Kiawah Island is a feast of golf capering. Set near historic Charleston, you get to play the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and World Cup venues.
If that doesn’t raise your game, take up croquet. Kiawah Island Golf Resort, +1 877 683 1234, www.kiawahresort.com
Kiawah Island
11 NEVIS, WEST INDIES
As the boat brings you from nearby St Kitts to the little island of Nevis, your troubles evaporate. There’s not much here, just a challenging golf course that climbs majestically up mount Nevis. The Royal St Kitts Golf Club, back on St Kitts, is also worth checking out – a seaside corker.
Four Seasons Golf Resort, +1 869 469 1111, www.fourseasons.com/nevis; The Royal St Kitts Golf Club, + 1 869 466 2700, www.royalstkittsgolfclub.com
12 WISCONSIN, USA
Kohler Resort & Spa is the personal playground of Herb Kohler, the 177th richest man in the world in 2007 according to Forbes. Sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline by Pete Dye, the Whistling Straits course is one of the greatest walks in golf. Kohler, +1 800 344 2838, www.destinationkohler.com
13 WHISTLER, CANADA
Teeing off at WhistlerWith four championship courses to choose from – and with its position among emerald lakes, fir trees and towering mountains – Whistler is a magnet for outdoors enthusiasts and committed golfers. Don’t be surprised if you see the odd black bear roaming about the fairways. +1 604 938 2769, www.golfwhistler.com
14 LAKE GARDA, ITALY
Nestled between the Alps and Lake Garda, the five-star Palazzo Arzaga is a 16th-century palace with original fresco artwork on the walls. With golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, a private dining room in the cellar and a Clarins spa, the luxury extends from tee to pillow. Palazzo Arzaga, through Thomas Cook, +44(0)844 412 5966, www.thomascook.com
15 NORTHERN MICHIGAN, USA
Double JJ is the most spectacular, hidden forest course I’ve ever played. You’re likely to have it to yourself, apart from the hop-a-long toads that cheerfully keep you company. You don’t see each hole till you step up to the tee and, if that isn’t enough, you also get to line dance with locals at the nearby rodeo.
Double JJ Resort, +1 800 368 2535, www.doublejj.com
Hills, +1 760 328 3198, www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com, Terra Lago, +1 760 775 2000, www.golfclub-terralago.com
17 LA GOMERA, CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN
The second smallest of the Canary Islands has a reputation for magic. In fact, the sea between it and Tenerife is said to be one of the possible locations of the lost city of Atlantis.
It is stunning and its golf course, Tecina Golf – designed by legendary course architect Donald Steel – is no exception. It is 18 holes of pure beauty, perched on the cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. Tecina Golf, +34 902 222 130, www.tecinagolf.com
18 TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
Bump-and-run fairways and
stunning scenery are par for
the course in Tasmania
With its cool climate and untouched wilderness (save for the course itself!), Barnbougle – on the north-east tip of Tasmania – is for traditionalists, a real throw-back, with bump-and-run fairways and Zen-inspiring moments at every turn. Jangled nerves will be soothed within minutes. Barnbougle Dunes, +613 6356 0094, www.barnbougledunes.com.au
19 PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA
Located in northern Argentina, between the Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, Llao Llao Golf Resort rolls majestically through woods that boast huge cypress trees, with the mighty Andes mountains as a backdrop. Llao Llao Golf Resort, +54 2944 448530, www.llaollao.com
20 SOUTH AFRICA
Fancourt is South Africa’s premier golf resort, with three championship courses and the Western Cape’s finest 18-hole public course. All are designed by Gary Player and are beautifully constructed among green mountains, drenched in African sunshine. Fancourt Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort, + 27 (0)44 804 0030, www.fancourt.co.za
16 PALM SPRINGS, USA
With 115 supreme courses in the city and surrounding area, it’s like God drank Red Bull and went golf-creation crazy. Top clubs include PGA West, which has six courses, the Westin Mission Hills with two 18-hole options, and former Skins Game host, the club at Terra Lago. PGA West, +1 800 742 9378, www.pgawest.com; Westin Mission
Tim Southwell is editor of showmethegolf.tv
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Photo: Lonely Planet
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