Golf Escapes: U.S. and Worldwide
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Golf was invented in Scotland six centuries ago, but golf escape destinations have expanded to include locations around the world. Many of the most popular resort areas are in warm weather climates, but that doesn’t stop millions of golfers from visiting the sport’s ancestral home.
British Isles
The St. Andrews traditional links course is the oldest in the world, dating back to the 13th century shepherds who developed the earliest version of this game. Over 600 years, the birthplace of golf has developed into six golf courses – the world-famous Old Course and its sister courses, The New, The Jubilee, The Eden, The Strathtyrum and The Balgove, all run by the St Andrews Links Trust.
Ireland, England and Wales all have their fair share of golf courses as well. There are a number of historic inns and charming accommodations close to some of the most famous golf courses in England, including previous British Open hosts Royal St George’s and Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and the famed Ryder Cup venue The Belfry.
United States
Golf may not have been invented in the United States, but with more than 20,000 public and private courses in the USA, it has earned quite a reputation for championship golf on either side of the Atlantic. Golf courses can be found across the continental US and Hawaii, and travelers tend to seek warm weather climates for their golf escape vacations. Some of the most famous golf courses can be found at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA; Bay Hill in Orlando, FL; and the Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, FL.
One of the benefits of a golf escape package in a sunny destination like Florida or a seaside venue like Hilton Head Island, SC, is that visitors can combine their love of golf with other recreational activities, like a day at the beach. And it is no surprise that Orlando, FL is one of the nation’s favorite golf destinations, as the home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and the SeaWorld resorts.
Other Worldwide Locations
Considering that golf’s heritage comes from the British Isles, the sport of golf has settled in countries where there is predominantly Western European influence. In South Africa, for example, the most famous course is the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge that offers the largest first prize of any tournament in the world.
The lush green climate of New Zealand has also come into its own as a golf destination, and the country has the highest number of courses per capita in the world. New Zealand actually has three courses that appear in Golf Digest's list of the "100 Best Courses Outside the United States."
When deciding where and how to spend a golf escape vacation, consider whether or not the ideal destination needs to be steeped in history, pristine natural surroundings, or modern amenities. Chances are there might be a resort available that offers all three.
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