We get all sorts of emails from all kinds of travellers asking where the best places to go for certain types of holidays. One trend that seems to continue is the sports holiday, flying overseas to either spectate or participate in your favourite sport. Golfing holidays are definitely on the increase and with ever more impressive packages available too. There are some very famous places to go for golf holidays like Scotland, Ireland and Portugal but we thought we’d take a look at some more unusual places to go for your golf vacation of a lifetime.
Costa Rica
Lets start with a country not exactly famed for its golfing history, it does however have more than its fair share of beautiful wilderness and rolling landscapes that are just perfect for golf courses. In fact Costa Rica golf courses have spared no expense to quickly become a world leader in golfing holidays. With famous golf course architects like Arnold Palmer and George Fazio enlisted to create the perfect golf experience, there’s plenty of tour packages available so you can take in some of the best the country has to offer.
One of the most accessible is the Valle del Sol Golf Course just 20 minutes from Costa Rica’s international airport. Its par 72 course offers a great challenge to any and all golfers. One of the most beautiful courses has to be the Reserva Conchal Golf Course famed not only for its par 71 challenge but also offering one of the best landscapes surrounding any golf course in the world. Definitely worth checking out.
South Africa
Another golfing secret that many don’t know about. South Africa is fast becoming one of the world’s top golf destinations. Mixing safari excursions with days on the golf courses could be the perfect way to spend your holiday! One of the prettiest has to be Oubaai, located along the famous Garden Route. Designed by Ernie Els no less, it has amazing views of Herold’s Bay stretching out to the Indian Ocean. Probably one of the most beautiful holes you’ll ever play is the 17th, where the panoramic views of the ocean are your backdrop. Quite breathtaking!
Arabella is another firm favourite, surrounded by the beautiful Kogelberg mountains and the Bot River lagoon. Popular with the best in the sport as well as hollywood stars, many say the 8th hole par 5 here is one of the best in the sport while the 18th has often been rated the best finishing hole in the country. Quite an accolade that has to be experienced for yourself.
Turkey
Another relative unknown in the golfing world is Turkey but they’re making strides with exceptional facilities. Belek is now considered one of the worlds top golfing destinations and the golfing tourist numbers reflect this trend. The climate here is excellent for golfers meaning you can enjoy more of your time in the green as well as by the beach. Belek is something rather different to your usual golf courses, scattered across a country.
In Belek you’ll find back to back courses and beach front resorts so you can easily spend time at multiple courses with very little effort. Over 12 miles (20km) of golf courses stretch out along the coast, some 50 hotels and 14 courses in total. Designed by some famous golfing names like Montgomerie, Thompson and Faldo, the courses here have been winning awards consistently over the past few years. With so much to choose from and so accessible, Belek in Turkey should definitely be on your golfing bucket list.
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