The best golf trip destinations – 5 tips
I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively throughout my life. During college, I competed in almost every state in the USA. As a professional, I traveled extensively, competing in both Europe and South Africa. As a CEO in the travel industry, I worked with facilities worldwide. While there are many fantastic travel destinations, some have stood out a bit more, and here I have chosen five of my dream destinations that I would gladly return to anytime. I hope they can spark something in you that provides both energy and inspiration, giving you something to look forward to.
I am very picky when it comes to the overall experience, and I want the journey to not only offer a fantastic golf course but also an experience for life in terms of the environment, the people, and the culture around. Therefore, my choices are these five destinations, and you will also get a list of the destinations currently on my bucket list. I will also share my best tips on golf attire to pack in your suitcase when going on a golf trip.
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Evian Resort, France
Here, you truly have everything you could dream of in a complete golf destination. You fly to Geneva, and then it’s a maximum of 1.15 hours by car or transfer to Evian Resort. There are two hotels to choose from; a cozier and somewhat “simpler” one (four stars on paper, but I would still give it five stars), and a more luxurious one, but still with a cozy factor (5+ stars). The view over Lake Geneva gives the entire facility a sense of tranquility, and everything is incredibly beautiful. The golf course, Evian Golf Championship Course, is five minutes from the hotel, but a shuttle goes there regularly. The LPGA Tour’s ladies play their Major, the Amundi Evian Championship, here every July, and the course is always in fantastic condition. The staff gives you a warm welcome, and the service is top-notch. I visit here at least once a year, and even though it is on the more expensive side, it is worth saving an extra penny to come here and recharge your energy and tranquility. Feel free to combine the trip with a bike ride to the nearby mountains (Mount Blanc is only one hour away), a visit to Evian, which produces water directly from the mountains, and why not take a trip to Geneva.
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Machrihanish Golf Club, Scotland
This is one of the absolute best courses I have played. It is a classic links course located at the southern tip of the Kintyre Peninsula, about three hours west of Glasgow in Scotland. The course is both beautiful and offers everything you could wish for in a golf course; it is beautiful with its location right by the sea, fantastic quality, and with a concluding 19th hole in a clubhouse with a fantastic view, serving Scotland’s best Scottish Coffee. This destination is suitable for those who want to combine a tour of Scotland. When I was here, we took a flight to Glasgow and then ferries first to the Isle of Arran (where there is also a fantastic course called Shiskine GC) and then over to the Isle of Kintyre. With a rental car, you can get around well, and most ferries accept cars. Once you are here, you can visit the town of Oban and its whisky distillery, which is part of Scotland’s 6 classic Malts.
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Cascais, Portugal
This is also one of my dream destinations. Cascais is about 40 minutes from Lisbon, and here, you will find several wonderful golf courses, restaurants, and the Portuguese people will give you a warm welcome. Here you will find, for example, Oitavos Dunes, Quinta Da Marinha, Penha Longa Golf Club, and just north of Cascais, along the coast, you will find Praia d’el Rei and Obidos Golf Course. Most courses are close to the coast and of very high quality. Many combine their golf with both surfing (Silver Coast is one of the best surf beaches in Europe) and yoga and bike tours along the beautiful coast.
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Mauritius
Mauritius is also a dream destination with clear white beaches, turquoise sea, and several high-quality golf courses such as Heritage Golf Club, Ile aux Cerf Golf Club, Avalon Golf Estate, Le Paradis Golf Club, Anahita Golf Club, etc. It is a hospitable country, and here you can also visit everything from tea plantations to rum distilleries and the capital Port Louis, which is a bustling city with several markets worth a visit. Visiting the capital provides a nice contrast to the quieter white beaches and gives you a good overall picture of the island. I have stayed at Le Paradis, which is a beautiful hotel, and I can also recommend Heritage and Bella Mare Plage, which most travel agencies have in their range.
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Algarve, Portugal
Algarve is one of the destinations I have visited the most over the years. Here you have a reliable climate even during our winter, and there are plenty of golf courses and a fantastic culture in terms of both people, food, and the environment. Here you can stay comfortably in Vilamoura, which has several hotels to choose from, and here you are close to everything. My favorite courses in the area are The Old Course, which is the oldest course in the area, Monte Rei, which is said to be both the most beautiful and best course in the area, and Vale Do Lobo with The Ocean Course and Royal Course, which are of incredibly high quality and located near the sea. Feel free to combine your visit with a bike ride along the coast with a visit to the wonderful restaurant and Beach Bar BJ’s Ocean side. I also recommend “Pequeno mundo,” which is also near Vilamoura in Algarve.
On my Bucketlist
- Lofoten, Norway
- Blackpage State Park, New York (where the US Open is occasionally played)
- Augusta, USA, preferably during The Masters
/ Jenny Hagman
Beyond is a pair of dressed, wrinkle-free, and breathable golf trousers that are perfect to pack in the suitcase for the golf trip. I would wear them together with the functional top Peoria, which is Quick Dry, and over that, the golf jacket Arezzo if the temperatures are cooler. It may also be good to pack a dress. I like the golf dress Rimini; you can wear it during the day when you're golfing and then dress it up with accessories for an evening at the restaurant.
