Golf Tourism: The New Way to See the World

If you’re a keen golfer, you might have already given golf tourism careful consideration. Since it pairs two of your interests – golf and travel – it can be your chance to see more of the world, recharge your batteries, and perfect your swing.

Here’s what you need to know about golf tourism and preparing for your next trip:

What Is Golf Tourism?

Golf tourism is, as the name suggests, a holiday centered around golf. There are over 25 million people playing the sport in the US alone, and around 56 million in the world. It comes as no surprise that tour operators have started offering packages centered around it.

People from Australia, Japan, and the UK are the most keen to find a desirable golfing destination for their holiday, but other countries are falling in love with the sport as well. Asian and Middle Eastern countries are taking advantage of this interest and have started to offer some incredible courses for tourists. Korea, for example, is investing a lot of resources into building hundreds of attractive golf courses.

Best Golfing Destinations to Visit

Here are some of the best golf courses you can visit around the world. Some of them will require you to play at a certain level, while others are open to rookie golfers, too, so make sure to check each course before you start planning your trip:

USA

The States are often considered the best golfing destination in the world. There are so many courses to choose from – we can’t possibly do them justice, so we’ll only mention some of the best ones.

You can check out the CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin or the Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach if you’re going to California. If you prefer Florida, you can go to the Calusa Pines in Naples and the Streamsong’s Resort in Streamsong.

UK

The UK in general and Scotland in particular are home to some amazing golf courses. You shouldn’t miss out on the Royal Dornoch in the Highlands or the Gleneagles’ King’s Course in Perthshire.

In England, you can check out the Royal St. George in Kent. In Wales, check out the Celtic Manor. In Northern Ireland, there’s the Royal County Down.

Canada

Canada offers over 2500 courses to choose from, so you’ll certainly be able to find something for your taste and skill levels. Be mindful of the weather, though, as you can’t play golf in Canada all year round.

Some of the best courses to check out are the Cape Breton Golf Resort in Nova Scotia and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper.

Australia and New Zealand

If you want to travel down under, don’t miss out on some of the great golf courses in Melbourne and Sydney. The Royal Melbourne and the Victoria Golf Club are famous for a reason, as are The Australian and The Royal Sidney.

On the island of New Zealand, there are the Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, the Kinloch Club in Taupo, and the Kauri Cliffs Golf Course in Matauri Bay.

Italy

If you would like to see the Mediterranean on your golfing trip, head out to Italy. Italy is home to some of the best food in the world as well as some stunning golf courses.

Go to La Mandria’s Blue Cou in Turin and the Castelfalfi Mountain Course in Tuscany, which will truly take your breath away.

How to Plan a Golfing Vacation

If you want to take a golf-centered vacation, here are some tips for planning your trip:

● Consider whether you want to plan your own trip or if you want to work with a tour operator or a golf resort. The decision will depend on how many golf courses you want to visit and how much time you actually want to spend golfing and how much on sightseeing or relaxing.

● Make sure you check out the golf courses you want to play on. It’s important that they service their equipment like golf carts and other accessories throughout the year so that it is in top shape. You don’t want to arrive on an unkept green out of season.

● Think about the type of course you want to play on. Are you looking for something a bit more challenging, or will anything do? A lot of resorts will promise amazing accommodations and great views, but the courses themselves may end up quite mundane and not enough of a challenge for a good golfer.

● Find the time to get some practice in right before you leave for your golf vacation. You don’t want to arrive at your destination out of shape and have to spend several days getting a feel for the ball and your clubs. This is especially important if you are going to be playing at a high-class course.

● Think about the clubs and balls you want to take. Are you happy with your own, or are you comfortable renting at the location? If you are still learning how to play, you might be fine either way, but if you have lots of experience and really want to perfect your mastery of the sport, taking your own clubs can be the better choice.

Wrapping Up

Are you ready for your next golfing adventure? Pack your bags and choose a destination that will allow you to work on your handicap and enjoy a bit of a scenery change, too.

About The Author

Sarah is a life enjoyer, a positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She is passionate about an eco-friendly lifestyle and adores her cats. She is an avid reader who loves to travel when time allows.