When most people go on vacation overseas, they focus on finding the best vacation destinations, but when people who love to play golf go on vacation, they also want the opportunity to play on some of the most famous golf courses. However, some of the best places in the world to golf tend to be overlooked in favor of the more famous locations.
Four places to visit on your next vacation are Cape Town, South Africa; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Costa Rica, Central America; and Phuket, Thailand. These places are not only perfect travel destinations in their own right, but also happen to have world-class golf courses as well:
- Cape Town, South Africa
Most people who visit South Africa go there because of its beautiful mountains, jungles, grasslands, and oceans, as well as for a chance to go on safari game drives to take pictures of lions, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and elephants.
Interestingly enough, South Africa is also a highly affordable destination if you are from the United States, because the US Dollar offers tremendous value against the South African Rand. So, from the American golfer’s perspective, this means that it is possible to pay a low rate for the exquisite privilege of playing on courses ranked among the top 100-caliber golf courses in the world.
When in South Africa, one city that you must visit is Cape Town and you can you use a service like golfscape Cape Town golf courses to find the best places to golf there. Some high-quality golf venues encircling the city include Steenberg Golf Club, Arabella Golf Club, and Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate (a Jack Nicklaus course).
Moreover, Cape Town itself is fascinating for a number of reasons:
- First, the view from the top of Table Mountain is breathtaking.
- Second, the ferry ride to Robben Island is a chance to see cavorting dolphins and playful whales in Table Bay.
- Third, it has superb hotels, restaurants, and shops, including open-air bazaars like The Greenmarket Square.
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Although Dubai has built its reputation as the best place to vacation in the world, because of its luxury accommodations, ethnic restaurants from around the world, and top-rated shopping venues, it also has about a dozen high-quality golf courses.
The pros play here. Dubai hosts European Tour Events like the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, and the DP World Tour Championship. Its famous courses include the Majlis, the Emirates Golf Club, the Jumeirah Golf Estates, the Els Club, and the Dubai Creek Golf, and Yacht Club.
However, if you are not a pro, you need not be intimidated: the courses are open to everyone, beginners and experienced players alike, as well as for solo players or family groups. There are no private clubs. In fact, Dubai is a perfect place to learn how to play better golf, because there are plenty of first-rate coaches available.
- Costa Rica, South America
Cost Rica is nestled between Nicaragua, to the north, and Panama, to the south. This small, dynamic country attracts tourists in the millions every year. Much of the magic is due to the stunning forests, beaches, and volcanoes. However, another reason for its popularity is that overseas visitors are welcomed here, because Costa Rica has the most tourist-friendly policies in Central America.
The country has numerous excellent golf courses, with the most famous being the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica Peninsula Papagayo, which was designed by Arnold Palmer; the Hacienda Pinilla with, which was designed by Mike Young, and the Reserva Conchal in the Guanacaste Region, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones II.
- Phuket, Thailand
If you go to Thailand, then you must make it a point to play at Laguna Golf in Phuket, which has an 18-hole challenge. A par-71 course, it has won awards, such as “Thailand’s Best Golf Course” and “Asia’s Best Golf Course.” It provides a superb golfing experience for all levels of players.
For a golfer, the ultimate vacation is not only one that offers an excellent destination, but one that provides the opportunity to play a few rounds of golf. Next time, you are planning to go on a family vacation, consider the idea of visiting South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, or Thailand.
Pingback: The Best Exotic Places To Visit | My Beautiful Adventures