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Our raters' favorite courses on GOLF's Top 100 Resorts in the World list

GOLF's Course Ratings Panel — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:08:32 +0000

GOLF’s Top 100 course panelists are among the most respected and well-traveled course evaluators in the game. They’re also keen to share their opinions. Check out GOLF’s latest Top 100 Courses in the U.S., Top 100 Courses in the World, Top 100 Courses You Can Play, Best Municipal Courses in the U.S., and 100 Best Short Courses. Meet all of our Top 100 panelists here.

GOLF’s recently released list of the Top 100 Resorts in the World is loaded with dream golf courses, but some stand out among the rest. What are some of your favorite courses from the resorts named on the list?

Philip Gawith (rater since 2019): Sand Valley has an incredible collection of courses with the elegant, original Coore-Crenshaw course and David McLay-Kidd’s fun Mammoth Dunes now joined by the jaw-dropping Lido. Rosapenna in Ireland offers the best choice of links courses with the gentle Tom Morris, the bracing Sandy Hills and now the Doak-designed St. Patrick’s Links, the best new links to be built in many years.

St. Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna in Ireland. Clyde Johnson

Pete Phipps (rater since 2021): William Flynn was one of the greatest architects of the 20th century, yet to play some of his best designs you need an invite from a member at an esteemed club. Thankfully that’s not the case for the Cascades Course at Omni Homestead. You get to play a Flynn classic that winds through the Virginia mountains, showcasing once again why the “Nature Faker” was so good at making his courses feel like an extension of the land they were built on.

Steve Lapper (rater since 2009): There are so many to pick from. A list of my favorites would include Cabot Cliffs, Bandon Trails and Pacific Dunes, Kiawah Ocean, Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, Punta Espada (Cap Cana), Pinehurst No. 2, Turnberry, Prestwick and Rosapenna. Most of these would be on anyone’s Top 100 World list.

Thomas Brown (rater since 2014): We’re on vacation, right? I’m refusing to get up from my beach chair for more than a few hours. Golf in Mexico has the advantage of being able to build golf holes directly on the seashore without any setbacks. Several courses on our list are featured on the beach in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Baja California. Coming up this autumn is a visit from the PGA Tour to my favorite Baja resort, The Resort at Diamante, where Tiger Woods’ design team built the resort’s second course, El Cardonal, in the sand dunes above the seashore.

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Our course raters' favorite spots on GOLF's Top 100 Resorts in the World list

GOLF's Course Ratings Panel — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:07:27 +0000

GOLF recently released its Top 100 Resorts in the World, identifying the best of the best when it comes to golf, luxury, accommodations and more. As well-traveled course raters, what’s your favorite golf resort you’ve ever been to?

Philip Gawith (rater since 2019): Gleneagles is the best resort hotel in the UK, combining magnificent scenery, old-world grandeur with modern touches and two wonderful James Braid courses, the Kings and the Queens. And for some, there is also the bonus in the form of the Ryder Cup Centenary course.

The Kings course at Gleneagles in Scotland. Courtesy

Pete Phipps (rater since 2021): Te Arai in New Zealand, although still a work in progress, will surely become one of the best resorts in the world. The South Course, designed by Coore & Crenshaw, is just as good as the private Tara Iti next door. Doak’s North Course is set to open in 2024. The clubhouse, restaurant and lodging design is modern, minimal and clean. You’ll be taking just as many photos inside the buildings as you will be out on the coastal courses.

Steve Lapper (rater since 2009): If the quality and variety of golf is most important, hands down it is Bandon Dunes. Nothing else beats having 103 amazingly good and fun holes on a single property. If it’s luxury accommodations, a plethora of non-golf activities and the feeling of an absolute retreat you seek, staying at The Sanctuary at Kiawah or The Lodge or The Cloisters at Sea Island can’t be beat.

Thomas Brown (rater since 2014): An off-the-grid adventure with sunscreen is required for my favorite resort. I visited Heritage Resorts in Mauritius off the African coast in the Indian Ocean this year. The resort has two courses on the volcanic island of Mauritius, with the second course, designed by Louis Oosthuizen and Peter Matkovich, set to open shortly for the DP World Tour event in December. The new course has skyline-green views of the ocean with distinctive yellow native grasses framing the fairways.

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7 best golf resorts in the Middle East and Africa | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:42:44 +0000

The world may be getting smaller, but its collection of top-shelf golf resorts remains vast. From the American Heartland and the shimmering coasts of the Caribbean to the peaks of Europe and the majesty of Asia and the South Pacific, virtually every region on the planet is home to a sampling of the game’s finest stay-and-play experiences. To learn about the best golf resorts in the Middle East and Africa, keep reading below.

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in the Middle East and Africa (2024-25)

Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa
Phalaborwa, South Africa

On the southern tip of South Africa, just down the coast from Cape Town, sits Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa, a truly luxurious getaway for couples, families, weddings or even your next work conference. Golfers will love Arabella Golf Course, which might briefly trick you into thinking you’re playing something like Pebble Beach with its white-sand bunkers and water-lined holes that play alongside Bot River Lagoon. The resort is massive enough to host several weddings, conferences or other functions at once, but it’s also well known for all the offerings you’ll find at the spa, which is overflowing with top-of-the-line relaxing packages for women, men and couples. Oh, and if you want something faster paced for a day trip, Cape Town is just an hour and a half away. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Fancourt
George, South Africa

Fancourt’s a family-friendly resort, but the golf is so good here we feel compelled to talk about that first. The three 18-holes courses were all designed by South African Gary Player, and while the Outeniqua and Montagu courses are no slouches, The Links is Fancourt’s crown jewel. The course, which opened in 2000, was designed by Player to bring a piece of Irish or Scottish links golf to the southern tip of South Africa, and he didn’t disappoint. Often considered one of the best golf courses in the country, it also famously hosted the 2003 Presidents Cup, where the teams led by Jack Nicklaus and Player battled to a tie. But at Fancourt, the accommodations are far from an afterthought. It boasts two sizable pools, three exquisite restaurants, more than 100 luxurious rooms, a spa and a ton of family-friend activities like an in-house cinema, biking trails, fishing and more. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita
Beau Champ, Mauritius

If you want to get away. Like, really get away. The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is your spot. Turquoise water. A private beach. Breathtaking views. What more could you want? The accommodations are just as good as the setting, too. You won’t find hundreds of standard hotel rooms here, just 14 luxurious spots for you to call home on one epic vacation. There’s five villas, two royal island sanctuaries and seven private retreats — with all of them boasting their own private garden and pool. Besides simply hanging out in paradise, there’s also a spa, two golf courses — Anahita Golf Club and Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club — designed by two golf legends and loads of land and sea experiences to indulge in. That is when you aren’t indulging in the mouthwatering culinary offerings. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita in Beau Champ, Mauritius. Courtesy

Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort
Bel Ombre, Mauritius

You can live the suite life at Heritage Le Telfair, where all the accommodation on offer is a suite, and the only thing you have to decide is what kind of view you’d like to enjoy: garden, beachfront or seaview. Two stunning golf courses await: the first, the established Le Chateau, featuring gentle foothills, generous fairways, and stunning views of the Indian Ocean, and the second, La Reserve, which was co-designed by Louis Oosthuizen and will celebrate its grand opening in December. Both courses have the distinction of hosting the DP World Tour’s Mauritius Open, with La Reserve making its host debut this year. Post-round, hungry resort guests can choose from an array of delectable choices, from the beachfront Le Palmier to the elegant Annabella’s. Non-golf activities abound on both land and sea, from boat excursions and snorkeling to exploring the awe-inspiring Bel Ombre Nature Reserve by vehicle or foot. Need to work out some aches and pains? The resort’s Seven Colours Spa is 2,000 square meters or pure tranquility, with a full menu of professional treatments as well as a hydrotherapy pool, bubble bath, and outdoor showers. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa
Tangier, Morocco

If all you know of Morocco is what you’ve seen in recent flicks — Ethan Hunt’s vehicular assault on the markets of Marrakesh in Mission: Impossible 5 or Indy Jones’s careening tuk-tuk chase through the streets of Tangier in Dial of Destiny — you’ve been missing out on dreamy North African bliss. Cozied up to the Atlantic Ocean and set, jewel-like, on a remote, 60-acre parcel of forest, the Hilton Tangier Al Houara wants to put you into a trance and keep you there. It does that with its airy, open architecture (think vaulted ceilings and archways), spacious rooms, serene green spaces and Xanadu-worthy, palm-lined pool. As of September 2022, it also does it with golf: two tracks, an 18-holer and an illuminated 9-hole short course, courtesy of Vijay Singh and design partner Graham Marsh. Tipping out at 7550 yards and spread across 270 acres, the main course is primarily inland, open and flat enough to afford views of the ocean — when you’re not otherwise occupied by Singh and Marsh’s water hazards. It was once said that only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. Did he tee it up at Al Houara? [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Palace of the Lost City
Sun City, South Africa

A legendary destination designed by dreamers for luxury-seekers. Since inception in 1992, The Palace of the Lost City has enthralled visitors from all over the globe. Its unique setting in South Africa, on an extinct volcanic site among the Pilanesberg mountains, is matched by the inspired architecture and passionate attention to detail for which The Palace of the Lost City is renowned. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Fans of the DP World Tour will know the resort’s 27-hole golf course — Abu Dhabi Golf Club — from its decade-long run (through 2021) as host site of the HSBC Golf Championship, which has a winner’s roll that includes the likes of Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. The course is also known for its inimitable clubhouse, which resembles a falcon with outstretched wings. The resort itself also has a winning reputation, with 172 rooms that all offer golf-course views; six restaurants; and the Heavenly Spa, which allows guests to “immerse themselves in a unique world of physical and mental renewal.” Two pools will help you escape the desert heat. While the resort will cater to all your needs, one of its other appeals is its location — just 15 minutes from the heart of Abu Dhabi and 10 minutes from the primary airport. If you’re looking to get off campus, nearby attractions include biking trails, city tours and desert safaris. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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9 best golf resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:38:10 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (2024-25)

13th Beach Golf Links
Barwon Heads, Australia

What’s better than playing an award-winning course at a Top 100 Resort in the World? Playing two award-winning courses at a Top 100 Resort in the World. That’s what 13th Beach offers, and few others can. The Beach course is renowned for its links land and features a challenging set of par-3s. Even the best ball-strikers will find their iron-play put to the test. Sir Nick Faldo’s Creek Course complements The Beach Course with its undulating couch fairways. Faldo took inspiration from Melbourne’s Sand Belt course designs with the greenside bunkering and putting surfaces. Some quirkiness was incorporated with ‘square cut’ tees. If you’re seeking some quick fun, try the Short Course. Tony Cashmore, who also designed The Beach Course, created this with golfers of all skill levels in mind. Run-offs and swales will keep every golfer on their toes. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Barnbougle Dunes
Bridport, Australia

Barnbougle is home to a pair of Top 100 Courses in Asia-Pacific. Need we say more? Ok, we will. The Dunes is traditional links golf at its best. It’s built along Tasmania’s northeast coast and provides a scenic journey full of awe-inspiring views. While the course is relatively young in age, it was beautifully designed with the tumbling land throughout the coastline property. One highlight is the short 7th, which is the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to Troon’s Postage Stamp hole and is equally adept at wreaking havoc. Its companion, Lost Farm, features huge dunes that run both parallel and perpendicular to the ocean. Be prepared to weave shots through the dunes as well as up and over. The par-3 4th has drawn comparisons to the famous 7th at Pebble Beach. It’s a must-see to find out for yourself! Soak in some of the best golf in the world and finish your day sipping on the world renowned wine Tasmania has to offer. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Cape Kidnappers / Robertson Lodges
Te Awanga, New Zealand

No golf bucket list is complete without a trip to Cape Kidnappers. It is a unique experience for non-golfers and golfers alike. Tom Doak created a marvel in course design, where the course sits on cliff terrain 400+ above Hawkes Bay and offers some of the most stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The coastal back nine is one of the most visually stunning stretches in the game. Holes weave through finger cliffs that are prime for photo opportunities. Stay focused or your game can quickly fall off at this challenging test. The golf course isn’t the only world-renowned entity in the area. This is one of the great wine regions of the world, too. Talk about a great 1-2 punch for attracting visitors. A unique feature at Cape Kidnappers is the 2,500 acres of conversation land, maintained to preserve the native Kiwi birds and other endangered species. Guests can tour the sanctuary with guides for an immersive experience. And if you really want to get your hands dirty, join the property farm team for a day of sheepherding. A must-visit for the adventurous golfer. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Cape Kidnappers in Te Awanga, New Zealand. Joann Dost

Château Élan at the Vintage
Hunter Valley, Australia

The Château Élan at the Vintage is a one-stop shop for relaxation. Is there wine? Yes. The Château Élan at the Vintage is positioned among vineyards and wine trails. Is there a spa? Yes. There are 17 treatment rooms and two outdoor mineral spas. Are there balloon flights, helicopter tours and horseback riding? Yes, yes and yes, and all can be coordinated through the concierge. Then there’s the golf, and while the Greg Norman-designed Vintage Golf is no breeze, it’s memorable. The highlight may be the 7th and 8th holes — the 565-yard, par-5 7th features vineyards and out of bounds to the left, and the 212-yard, par-3 8th requires navigation through water on the right and bunkers on the left. The resort’s website describes the course well. “A Greg Norman-designed, 18-hole championship golf course that is challenging, engaging and welcoming in equal parts, the Vintage Golf Course welcomes you to partake in a game — be it as leisurely or competitive as you like.” [LEARN MORE HERE]

COMO Laucala Island
Laucala Island, Fiji

Is this paradise? Perhaps. COMO Laucala Island’s amenities are spectacular. First and foremost, with just 25 standalone homes on the property, you are essentially alone. But do not stay in bed. There are beachfront and water activities — horseback riding, sunset cruises, sailing, kayaking, surfing, diving, snorkeling and fishing. There are wellness activities — the resort terms it a “Shambhala Retreat.” There is a farm tour. Speaking of food, there are the bars and restaurants — four are on the island, and each features a dynamic menu and home-grown produce. And then there is the golf. Cut through the jungle, the course is a challenge. But it is scenic. And memorable, especially the par-5 12th, with a green that extends to the beach. And with so few folks on the island, you can probably play 36. All of COMO Laucala Island is luxurious. As is this — the only access to the island is through either your own private jet, or the resort’s, which you board at Nadi International Airport. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Hamilton Island Resort
Queensland, Australia

At Hamilton Island Resort, you can relax, or not, as the Australian gem seemingly has every activity and non-activity covered. The resort highlights include beach activities, boating, submarining, helicopter rides, a spa and 11 restaurants, along with six accommodation options — and the opportunity to sleep outside at the Great Barrier Reef, or underwater. And, of course, the resort has a golf course, and it’s a beauty. First, to get there requires a ferry, as it’s on its own island — Dent Island. From there, the course’s website describes the play well, when it writes: “The course boasts a variety of obstacles for those willing to take on the challenge — wicked winds; impenetrable bushland; people have even called the 14th hole, the ‘Valley of Death.’” It’s for sure difficult, but memorable. There’s also the club’s restaurant, with a fun menu and a seating option that overlooks the nearby water. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Hamilton Island Resort in Queensland, Australia. Courtesy

Joondalup Resort
Connolly WA, Australia

Joondalup’s natural bushland locale is situated 25 minutes north of Perth CBD and five minutes from Western Australia’s Sunset Coast. Given your destination, activities abound. But vacationers hoping to stay ensconced within the realm of the resort can enjoy a laundry list of things to do. The primary joy of every vacation starts with the quality of the lodging, and Joondalup’s offerings tick all the boxes. Each spacious and beautifully-appointed guest room boasts its own courtyard or balcony where you can enjoy garden scenery or expansive water views. Three nines of extraordinary Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf await, each with distinct characteristics: the eponymous Quarry nine cuts through steep limestone quarries; the Dune course features hilly terrain and dense bushland, and the Lake is linksy, with water views. Resort visitors can also look forward to a luxe spa and world-class dining, featuring stunning views from floor-to-ceiling windows at the resort’s signature restaurant, Alcove, which is helmed by one of Perth’s most acclaimed chefs, Stephen Clarke. Families will also be pleased with the many activities located within a short distance from the resort, including an aquarium, mini golf, shopping center, marina and cinema. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Matauri Bay, New Zealand

Some golfers will go to the ends of the earth for a game. Waiting for them there is the Lodge at Kauri Cliffs. Set on 6,000 rolling and remote acres of forest and farmland on the North Island of New Zealand, the ultra-luxe oceanside resort — opened in 2001 by American financier Julian Robertson — put a marker down for high-end golf in the country, paving the way for Top 100 World outposts at Cape Kidnappers (another Robertson property), Tara Iti and Te Arai. A few years ago, GOLF described designer David Harman’s gorgeous Kauri Cliffs course as “basically Kapalua meets Pebble Beach.” The resort’s non-golf amenities? They defy description. Guests who opt for the four-bedroom residences (buddies trip?) can have their meals prepared for them by a personal chef. Resort-provided e-bikes will take you to waterfalls, any number of beaches or along forested trails and farm roads lined with cattle and sheep. Prefer to hoof it in search of 900-year-old Kauri trees? Go for it. Surf? Head to Takou Beach. Fish? Reel in a New Zealand snapper and they’ll plate it for you that night at dinner. Perhaps you’d just settle for a post-round cocktail on one of the main lodge’s lush verandas. When you’re at the end of earth, why not? [LEARN MORE HERE]

Te Arai Links
Tomarata, New Zealand

Imagine a coastal setting worthy of a postcard, a surfer’s paradise on the North Island of New Zealand where the ocean washes against alabaster beaches, which give way to unspoiled swaths of dunes and pines. Now add two stellar courses to the picture, both by modern-minimalist masters. The first to open at Te Arai was the South Course, a Coore-Crenshaw design that seizes on a canvas of sandy landforms while working over ridges and into valleys, with 16 holes that offer water views and eight that sit hard by the sea. The North Course, by Tom Doak, will be unveiled in October, treating golfers to a walk that starts and finishes on the ocean but provides its greatest drama on its inland holes, where the terrain has been likened to that of Pine Valley. In its look and feel, the resort is akin to the courses, meaning upscale but understated, with eco-conscious accommodations that blend seamlessly into their surrounds. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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8 best golf resorts in Mexico | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:37:11 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Mexico (2024-25)

Bahia Principe Akumal
Riviera Maya, Mexico

Drive about an hour south of Cancun, and you come to Akumal, a small beachfront community packed with the resorts, few of which pack more punch than this all-inclusive retreat. Imagine the amenity. You’ll find it here. Beach bars. Pool bars. Buffets. Tennis courts. There’s a kids-only water park. A nightclub. A casino. And 27-holes of golf at PGA Riviera Maya, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that is ringed by jungle and ornamented with natural lakes. As the name suggests, the course has a partnership with the PGA of America and is home to an expansive practice facility, where private or group lessons can be had. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Costa Palmas
La Ribera, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Forty-five minutes east of Los Cabos International Airport, on the Baja Peninsula, the bustle and development of a tourist mecca give way to untouched, white-sand beaches where the desert slopes into the sea. This is the East Coast of Los Cabos, a tranquil time capsule that calls to mind how Cabo used to be. Anchoring Costa Palmas, the luxe resort in this resplendent setting, is an artful Robert Trent Jones Jr. course that weaves through dunes and sandy wastes before curling along the coves and harbors that make the region one of the world’s great sports fishing destinations. Accommodations are equally idyllic at a Four Seasons replete with private villas and all the tasteful, upscale comforts that come with the brand. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

In early 2020, in what now seems like another lifetime, just prior to lockdowns and more than two years before the launch of LIV, Greg Norman cut the ribbon on a new course in Cabo. The name has since changed, but Norman’s design remains the same. Against a backdrop worthy of a Baja postcard, the inviting routing moves from high-desert terrain with ample ocean vistas to lower-lying, links-like stretches along the water, punctuated by an island-green par-3 17th hole. Though the course itself is not encroached by homes, a luxe resort spreads around it, spliced by hiking trails, dotted with swimming pools and equipped with an array of luxe amenities, including a spa with outdoor treatment rooms. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Courtesy

Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Formerly a stop on the PGA Tour, and more recently a LIV Golf venue, the El Camaleon course here winds inland through the Mayan jungle before kissing up against the Gulf of Mexico. Among the layout’s striking features is a cave bunker, etched along the 7th fairway. Off the course, there’s also lots to catch the eye. This is the Riviera Maya in all its glory, meaning golden sunsets and turquoise waters, paired with a resort that offers all you’d want in a tropical escape, from soothing spa treatments to artisan cocktails served by the pool. The property offers four stellar hotels: Fairmont, Rosewood, Bayan Tree and Andaz. [LEARN MORE HERE]

One & Only Palmilla
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Stratospheric views of the Sea of Cortez are a big selling point at the One&Only Palmilla. But they are also a reminder that the One&Only is just the latest “empire” to inhabit this spectacular piece of the Baja California peninsula. This is prime real estate, and prime real estate has to be conquered — just as Hernan Cortes helped bring down the Aztecs. The resort’s decadent history began in the mid 1950s, when it originated as a plush 15-room hideaway for Don Abelardo Rodriguez, the son of the president of Mexico. The palace hosted various notables, including John Wayne, Lucille Ball and President Eisenhower, who rolled in on yachts or private planes. Maybe they enjoyed the privacy, or maybe it was the migrating humpback whales breaching the surface of the sea that kept them coming back. Jack Nicklaus, a conqueror in his own right, designed the course at Palmilla Golf Club in 1992. First came the Mountain and Arroyo nines, then the Ocean loop in 1999. The three nines are carved out of an oceanside canyon that is framed by the stony peaks of San Jose del Cabo, with holes traversing gorges and hills littered with cacti. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Punta Mita
Bahia de Banderas, Nyarit, Mexico

About an hour north of lively Puerto Vallarta lies the Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of rugged, white-sand coastland that’s home to some of Mexico’s most diverse and beautiful destinations. Punta Mita, home to both a Four Seasons and a St. Regis, is situated within a 400-acre nature preserve on a private peninsula overlooking Bahía de Banderas, in an area that feels lush and tropical without feeling claustrophobic. The golf, all 37 holes, traverses the area, with numerous lakes and bunkers flanking what are regarded as some of Jack Nicklaus’s most dramatic green complexes. The resort’s original course, Pacifico, is an 18-hole sprawler with stunning views and eight oceanside holes. The newer Bahia course is a fun, slightly more playable design with views of Banderas Bay. The showstopper though, and the reason the two-course complex has 37 holes, is the extra hole named “Hole 3B,” the only au natural island green anywhere on earth. You can sometimes walk to it during low tide, or otherwise take an amphibious golf cart when the tide is up. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Resort at Diamante
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

More than any new Cabo resort, Diamante best maintains the luxury and exclusivity of Cabo’s Hollywood-rich past. No expense is spared in this lavish, private enclave. The amenities are rich, but none can match the marvel that are Diamante’s two oceanside courses. Davis Love III’s Dunes course — a thoughtful links layout that meanders through massive dunes next to the Pacific — is the brains. Tiger Woods’ El Cardonal is the beauty, with panoramic ocean views on almost every hole. On both, the mind boggles at how luxurious Cabo can be — and how a place like Diamante even exists. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Villa del Palmar At The Islands of Loreto
Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Rees Jones is better known as the Open Doctor than he is as a designer of remarkably dramatic seaside holes. But he achieved the latter at the 17th here, a par 3 that calls for a downhill tee shot to tiny clifftop green along the Sea of Cortez. The vistas are so sublime that the spot has become popular with early-morning hikers, who light out from the resort to take in the views. The rest of the course is plenty pulse-pounding, too, a mountains-meet-ocean routing with several fairways carved through canyons and greens backed by rock walls. Jones spent four years working on the project. Given the luxe trappings of this resort, where water is in play at multiple swimming pools, odds are you’re going to want to linger, too. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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13 best golf resorts in the Caribbean and the Americas | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:35:57 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in the Caribbean and the Americas (2024-25)

Albany Resort
New Providence, The Bahamas

You might know Albany only as the host of Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge, but its primary role is to serve as a luxurious oceanside getaway. Owned by billionaire Joe Lewis, along with Woods, Ernie Els and Justin Timberlake, the gated 600-acre community opened in 2010. Most of the residential properties at Albany — from the colonial-style ocean-front villas to the super-slick apartments that overlook a yacht-filled marina — are available for rent on a nightly basis, making it a swank destination for those in the know. Els designed the par-72, 7,400-yard course, which offers a balance of windswept dunes, desert features and water hazards. Surrounding the course is a 400-yard driving range, a pristine short-game practice area, and a fully-equipped swing performance center. Dining options range from casual and poolside to gourmet and high-end. Private beaches, two pools (one for kids and another for adults), an equestrian center, luxurious spa, state-of-the-art fitness center and art gallery cement Albany’s oasis status. Don’t be surprised if you spot a celeb in the gym or relaxing poolside — it’s that kind of place. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Amanera
Playa Grande, Dominican Republic

On the Dominican Republic’s Gold Coast on Playa Grande Beach, this all-casita-and-casa resort is a monument to upscale luxury. Surrounded by natural beauty it’s an outdoor-enthusiast’s paradise with endless water sports, outdoor yoga and spa treatments, plus hiking in the nearby mountains. The Rees Jones-designed course is one of the more spectacular in the region. All 18 holes have a view of the ocean with 10 holes directly on the water, clinging to the cliffs, including the last five. It’s a closing act you won’t soon forget. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Cap Cana Resort
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

More than a few observers have anointed Punta Espada at Cap Cana as Jack Nicklaus’ best design. It’s hard to argue, given the setting along the Caribbean with eight holes melting into its azure waters. Punta Espada checks all the tropical-island boxes: beach, bluffs, jungles, wildlife and even a cave to the left of the 1st fairway stocked with iguanas. The single-digit group will also deem it a stout test upon rolling up on the 611-yard, par-5 2nd. The 7,400-yard layout hosted the Champions Tour’s Cap Cana Championship from 2008-’10, with Fred Couples setting the course record posting a 62. Boom Boom and the rest of the senior circuit battled Punta Espada’s notorious 250-yard par-3 13th with waves crashing against the coral and rock outcroppings lining the left side of the hole. Off the course, Cap Cana offers a variety of luxury accommodations. Secrets is an adults-only refuge; Eden Roc delights with 34 intimate suites; and the 176-room Sanctuary boasts Spanish Colonial architecture and stunning marble and tile interiors. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Casa De Campo Resort & Villas
La Romana, Dominican Republic

A visit to Casa de Campo is the only way to comprehend its sheer size (7,000 acres), postcard beauty, and staff so friendly you’ll be snapping selfies with them the first day. This iconic Dominican Republic golf resort is approaching its 50th birthday, but it doesn’t show. Pete Dye’s famous Teeth of the Dog opened in 1971, and new ownership has invested heavily in its — and the entire property’s — longevity. What was old is new again, highlighted by the swanky new Minitas Beach Club just steps from the Caribbean. Exploring the expansive property is easy, as guests are handed the keys to their own four-seat golf cart upon check-in. The longest haul is out, and up, to Dye Fore, Dye’s 27-hole layout spread atop a bluff overlooking the Chavon River. For ease of access (and a warm-up round), the underrated Links course (renovated in 2012) winds through the interior of the resort and offers glimpses of the ocean. Casa de Campo’s crescendo is Teeth of the Dog. Seven holes play hard along the Caribbean, while the remaining 11 wind through groves of coconut palms and cashew trees. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Casa De Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Courtesy

Club Karibana Cartagena
Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia

As a major port city in Colombia, Cartagena has a lot of scenic coastal land, very little of which has been set aside for golf. A rare exception is this swish retreat, home to Colombia’s only seaside course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the routing features a front nine that winds through lakes and mangroves-covered wetlands and a back nine that spills alongside the Caribbean, with stunning views of turquoise waters. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico

An original Rockefeller resort when it opened in the ’50s, Dorado Beach partnered with Ritz-Carlton in 2018 to become the only Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Western Hemisphere. The RTJ-designed tracks — Sugarcane and East — have long been the calling card for golf vacationers in Puerto Rico. The resort takes guest experiences to another level — an elite one. The food is exquisite, thanks to top chef Mario Pagan. And indicative of the resort’s one-of-a-kind offerings is the spa’s treehouse-like massage setting. Be sure to make time to see the five-bedroom Su Casa, an original, restored 1920s villa on the 50-acre property. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Guanacaste, Costa Rica

If you’re drawn to the notion of sleeping in a tropical rain forest (without the bugs, snakes and heat), Papagayo is for you. On a hillside perch overlooking the dreamy blues of the Pacific, you can indulge in spectacular Four Seasons hospitality in the midst of a vibrant rain forest. Your private balcony will serve up spectacular tree-lined scenery along with views of the Blanca or Virador Beach. Many rooms have private hammocks for an upscale rain-forest sleeping adventure. A seven-minute ride away is the Arnold Palmer designed par-72 course with dramatic elevation changes and huge rolling fairways. Watch out for the cheeky monkeys who might try to snatch your ball. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers named the island Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snow) in honor of clouds that reminded them of snow. This just in: it doesn’t snow on Nevis. The tropical climate allows for year-round golf, and this lavish resort is a fine place to play it. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course stretches through lush terrain between the coast and the base of Nevis Peak, where billowy clouds still gather like snow drifts but the flaky stuff itself does not fall. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Four Seasons Resort Nevis in Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies. Courtesy

Llao Llao Hotel & Resort
San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina

In geographic terms, Patagonia is a region at the southern tip of South America. In more colloquial lingo, it is shorthand for unspoiled natural beauty, a vast swath of virgin territory rippled with mountains and dotted with lakes, including the crystalline waters that ring this remote resort. Accommodations here are rustic-chic, the guest rooms lined with native hardwoods. And the golf course is at one with its surroundings, with sweeping views of water and snow-capped peaks. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Mukul Resort
Guacalito De La Isla, Nicaragua

If you had to distill it to a single sentence, you might note that this resort, on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, was built by Don Carlos Pellas, the billionaire owner of Flor de Cana rum. But that wouldn’t give the full flavor of the place. You’d also want to mention that the property spreads across 1,670 acres and provides the kind of quiet luxury that makes you feel as if you’ve got the whole place to yourself. Natural beauty extends everywhere, from the inland mountains, carpeted in forest, to the crescent curve of a white-sand coast, but also on a brilliant David McLay-Kidd course that closes with one of the world’s most photogenic holes: a par 3 with a green set directly on the beach. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Puntacana Resort & Club
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

A resort town on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is said to be the second-most popular tourist destination in Latin America. Though that’s hard to confirm, there’s no doubt it draws a crowd. A big part of the allure are the 45-holes of first-rate island golf that anchor this expansive resort, 27 of which were designed by P.B. Dye. The other 18 were built by Tom Fazio, whose Corales Course is the first course in the D.R. to host a PGA Tour event. A championship test for the pros, it makes an exhilarating playground for golfers of all levels, with a closing stretch known as the Devil’s Elbow that — true to its name — bends diabolically along the sea. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Rosewood Bermuda
Hamilton Parish, Bermuda

A $25 million renovation in 2018 elevated the luxuriousness of this resort on the colorful island of Bermuda. Elegant rooms with charming British touches look out onto the island’s largest private beach. The resort’s golf offering — Tucker’s Point Golf Course — was built by Charles Bank in 1932 but overhauled by Roger Rulewich in 2002. Its 1930s roots are reflected in numerous blind shots (study the GPS screen in your cart carefully!), and the fairways can get narrow, so bring an extra sleeve or two. You won’t soon forget two par 4s: the ninth, where the approach requires a carry over a huge chasm, and the 17th, with its views of both the ocean and the group of houses known as Millionaire’s Row in Tucker’s Town. Kids can learn the game via Junior Golf Academy sessions, or head out on the course in a special family cart that accommodates a foursome and four sets of clubs. There’s also a family-friendly layout near the resort’s tennis courts, with holes from 20-50 yards. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Sandy Lane
St. James, Barbados

A welcoming Caribbean luxury outpost since the 1930s, Sandy Lane Resort was purchased in 1998 by wealthy Irish businessmen J.P. McManus, Dermot Desmond and John Magnier. They promptly demolished the resort and initiated a three-year, $450 million upgrade and renovation. Tom Fazio was tapped to design both the Country Club course, site of a 2006 World Cup event won by Germany, and the famed Green Monkey course, carved from a limestone quarry. A third layout — the nine-hole Old Course — oozes old-school charm. The resort has welcomed the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Elton John, Jackie Kennedy and T.S. Elliot. It boasts one of the largest spas in the region, consistently ranked as one of the top in the Caribbean with a deep menu of treatments. Weddings are a specialty and while you don’t have to rent out the entire resort like Tiger Woods did years ago, you can still celebrate your nuptials (or an anniversary) in grand style. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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6 best golf resorts in Scotland, England and Wales | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:35:02 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Scotland, England and Wales (2024-25)

The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Wishaw, West Midlands, England

The Belfry Hotel & Resort is an award-winning hotel situated in the heart of the country, in Royal Sutton Coldfield, North Warwickshire. It is home to 319 luxurious bedrooms and suites, several restaurants and bars, events and meeting spaces, a leisure club and The Belfry Spa. The hotel is also home to three championship golf courses, including the Brabazon and PGA National, and has hosted more Ryder Cups than any other venue. The Belfry Hotel & Resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind, or to enjoy a fun-filled activity break. It is committed to sustainability and has been awarded a number of environmental certifications. It’s also located just a short drive from Birmingham and Coventry, making it a convenient base for exploring the Midlands region of England. Whether you are a golfer, a business traveler, or a family looking for a fun vacation, you are sure to find something to enjoy at The Belfry. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Celtic Manor Resort
Newport, South East Wales, Wales

Celtic Manor features four courses, including the Twenty Ten course, which was built specifically to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. The resort also features two other 18-hole courses, one built by Colin Montgomerie and one by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Celtic Manor was also host to the Wales Open from 2000 to 2014. That’s also in addition to a nine-hole municipal course and a nine-hole par-3 course. However, a golf-only retreat this is not, with plenty of other activities to chose from, including a ropes course, mini-golf and racket course. The resort was also host to the 2014 NATO Summit. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Fairmont St. Andrews
St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Looking for perhaps the most dramatic getaway to the home of golf? Look no further than the Fairmont St. Andrews. Located on 520 acres just 10 minutes away from the Old Course, the Fairmont St. Andrews features some of the most dramatic views and scenery in the region. The resort features two courses of its own: the Torrence, a championship links that has hosted the DP World Tour; and the Kittocks, an outward-and-inward loop known for the astonishing backdrops afforded by its sea-view putting greens. The hotel’s rustic and earthy tones are perfectly complemented by the dramatic views of the North Sea and nearby cliffs. If you’d like even more space, you can opt for an open-planned suite or one of the resort’s manor homes, which are just a short walk from the main building. The resort also features a luxurious spa with aromatherapy steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, experience showers and 10 treatment rooms. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Fairmont St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Courtesy

Gleneagles
Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland

The visiting golfer can find every level of the game at Gleneagles. From the Centenary Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, which hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup, to two other championship-level courses, to a nine-hole track named “The Wee Course,” all the way down to a pitch ’n’ putt loop, there is always more golf to be played at Gleneagles. And if it’s practice you seek, a full PGA academy is also on-site. Off the course, Gleneagles is all about being outdoors. There’s outdoor driving through hills and streams in a rugged jeep. There are trails for cycling, hiking and horse-back riding. There is plenty of room for competition, too, with grass tennis courts, croquet and lawn games. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Grove
Watford, Hertfordshire, England

Visiting The Grove is about exhaling. Sitting down. Letting time pass by. Everything at The Grove is made for relaxing, from climbing in the woods to, yes, kicking your feet up in box seats at an Arsenal football match. If that’s what you’d like, The Grove can make it happen. Somewhere in the middle of those activities is going up in a hot-air balloon tour over all of Hertfordshire. That’ll provide the best view of the championship golf course. The most avid golfers will be pleased to find a Trackman range setup on property to help dial in your game before recreating some of the same shots PGA Tour pros have played over the past two decades. Inside The Grove’s “Walled Garden,” you can find tranquility just a short drive from London. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Trump Turnberry
Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland

Turnberry originated as a part of the renowned Culzean estate and was originally a Willie Fermie design. The golf course has been associated with the Turnberry hotel for over 100 years. Mackenzie Ross reconstructed the championship Aisla course after WWII, and after Trump Golf took over, the course was redone again, under the eye of Martin Ebert, to better utilize the jagged cliffs. Turnberry became an Open venue in 1977 and has hosted four championships since then. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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5 best golf resorts in Ireland | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:34:22 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Ireland (2024-25)

Adare Manor
Adare, Limerick, Ireland

A trip to this lavish, 840-acre estate just 20 minutes from the Shannon Airport may evoke vibes of Augusta National and the conditioning of the golf course will back that up. Adare Manor has just one golf course, but that’s no knock on the modern Robert Trent Jones Sr. Design which will host the 2027 Ryder Cup. Plus, the singular golf course will allow you to discover some of the sprawling resort’s other incredible amenities which range from shooting and equestrian to wine and whiskey tasting.The accommodations are all air-conditioned, with grand deluxe bedrooms featuring historically-inspired art and furnishings, as well marble en-suite bathrooms. Limerick, Ireland native and billionaire J.P. McManus acquired the property in 2015 and sparred little expense in turning it into one of the most luxurious five-star resorts in the world. Shortly after, Tom Fazio was brought in to breathe new life into the golf course, which checked in at No. 68 in our 2022 Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland list. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Carton House GC
Maynooth, Kildare, Ireland

Located only about 25 minutes from the Dublin Airport, Carton House features two golf courses set on 1,100 acres of parkland terrain. While the O’Meara course plays into its surrounds as a parkland course, the Montgomerie (both designed by their namesake major winners: Mark and Colin) is an inland links, offering two distinct golf experiences. The Montgomerie has thrice hosted the Irish Open, most recently in 2013. The hotel was originally the home of the FitzGerald family, the Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster. The house was built in the 18th century and is now a popular wedding venue. The hotel has 169 bedrooms and suites, as well as a number of restaurants and bars. Among the outdoor family activities are horseback riding, falconry and pickleball. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The K Club
Straffan, Kildare, Ireland

While your stay at The K Club features modern luxury, it is one of the oldest golf resorts in the world, with its estate dating back to 1832. Though the property has changed hands multiple times over the past 200 years, it has risen to golfing prominence lately, hosting the Irish Open in 2016, won by Rory McIlroy. It also hosted in 2023, and will host again in 2025 and 2027. This golf property is clearly worthy of the best players in the world. When not ripping around the courses designed by Arnold Palmer, guests will find any number of outdoor activities, includng clay-pigeon shooting, archery, horse riding and fishing. Life is best spent outdoors at The K Club, but when the sun sets, there is an array of restaurants or bars awaiting you. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The K Club in Straffan, Kildare, Ireland. Courtesy

Old Head of Kinsale
Kinsale, Cork, Ireland

Links golf is full of spectacular sites. Old Head puts most of ‘em to shame. The ocean views, the dramatic cliffs, the black-and-white lighthouse in the fog — once you’ve set foot on this site, you’ll never forget it. Pair a round on Old Head’s terrific links with a stay in its on-site suites and you’re experiencing Ireland at its very finest. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Rosapenna
Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland

Rosapenna already had two unique golf courses in its portfolio — the Old Tom Morris Links, designed by its namesake in 1893, plus the Sandy Hill Links, which opened in 2003 — before it welcomed the highly acclaimed St. Patrick’s Links, which was designed by Tom Doak in June 2021 and debuted at No. 55 in GOLF’s ranking of Top 100 Courses in the World. In other words, Rosapenna is links golf paradise, providing three courses that vary in scale, style and vintage. There’s plenty to do away from the course, too, with a bar and a restaurant on site, a spa, pool and sauna available, and access to endless outdoor activities, from walking and cycling to horseback riding and watersports. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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11 best golf resorts in Asia | GOLF Top 100 Resorts in the World

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:32:32 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Asia (2024-25)

Ba Na Hills
Da Nang, Vietnam

When Tour pros get involved in golf course architecture, they tend to build designs that suit their games. Not Luke Donald, the short-hitting former World No. 1. He has stamped his name on the longest course in Vietnam. Tipping out at 7,858 yards, Ba Na Hills bucks and rolls along the base of mountains, 30 minutes from the coastal city of Da Nang, where golf has boomed in recent years. This is Donald’s first foray into design, built in partnership with IMG Golf design. And though it lies within easy striking distance of layouts by such player-architects as Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman, it is situated farther inland, on higher ground, in a cooler climate, and features more dramatic elevation changes. The resort feels like a place apart as well, with a tranquil atmosphere that stands in quiet contrast to the bustle of Da Nang. And if the course feels too crowded for you by day, just wait until after sunset. Ba Na Hills has lights, so you can play at night. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Banyan Club Hua Hin
Hua Hin, Thailand

A seaside resort town about 140 miles south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is known as both a weekend getaway and an international retirement destination. Part of its appeal to tourists and expats is a cluster of fine golf courses, tucked into the hills above the coast, of which Banyan Tree is regarded as the best. This is lush and lilting tropical golf, with wide, rollicking fairways that play to impeccably manicured greens. Adjacent to the course without encroaching on it are the accommodations, a collection of two-bedroom villas that make for relaxing hideaways. Some of the villas have private splash pools, and all provide access to the resort’s expansive lagoon pools. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip
Bá Ria-Vũng Tàu Province, Vietnam

Among the many hats he wears — clothier, vintner, restaurateur, disruptor — Greg Norman is also tourism ambassador to Vietnam. He’s bullish on the country — and its courses, in part because he designed a few of them. Situated on the coast, 80 miles from Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Tram opened in 2010 on a sandy plateau that overlooks the water and has the rugged feel of a tropical links. Though development constraints prevented Norman from routing holes hard along the sea, he moved little land while fashioning a bouncy layout that plays under the influence of coastal winds. The course, which is Norman’s second design in Vietnam, is the first golf resort in the country to be integrated with a casino, which sits a shuttle-ride away, on a bustling beach-side strip. You can channel your inner gambler, on and off the course. [LEARN MORE HERE]

The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip in Bá Ria-Vũng Tàu Province, Vietnam. Courtesy

Chiangmai Highland Golf & Spa Resort
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Big hitter, the monk. Actually, not really. But Khruba Siwichai, who lived at the turn of the 19th century, was an esteemed Buddhist monk, and this resort sits on his former hermitage. No wonder the meditative mood of the surrounds, in an unspoiled setting that combines fresh air and friendly service with long views of a mountainous northern Thai landscape. For all the tranquility of atmosphere, the golf itself can be pulse-pounding, on three dramatic, water-strewn nines that invite bold lines and heroic shot-making. After the exhilaration of a round comes ample opportunity for relaxation in the steam room, swimming pool, sauna or an Aveda-inspired massage that offers a full menu of soothing treatments. [LEARN MORE HERE]

FLC Halong Bay GC & Luxury Resort
Ha Long, Vietnam

A lot of resort courses have water views. No other has water views like this. Stretched atop a hill along the Gulf of Tonkin, roughly 100 miles from the capital of Hanoi, this luxe destination commands a panoramic of a seascape so distinctive, it’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ha Long means ‘descending dragon,’ an evocative descriptor for the thousands of limestone outcrops that rise from Ha Long Bay, calling to mind the spikes of a partially submerged sea monster. The course is something of a spectacle, too, winding through verdant, pine-studded terrain with an inventive routing that features four par-3s in a five-hole stretch and water views on all 18. Unlike many resorts in Vietnam, where golf and accommodations are spread apart, with shuttles running back and forth, Halong’s course sits at the center of the action: an arresting playground, stitched amid accommodations and amenities that suit the splendor of the setting. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Laguna Lăng CÔ
Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam

It’s not often when walking to your ball you’ll pass farmers working rice paddy fields, water buffalo in tow. But at Laguna Golf Lang Co, you will on at least four holes. The farmer may not always be there, but the rice paddies will, and you better hope your ball is not in one. This is just one of the many unique and delightful aspects of what some believe to be one of Sir Nick’s more daunting designs anywhere (his second in Vietnam). Completed in 2013, Laguna Golf Lang Co is the centerpiece of a sprawling resort complex in Central Vietnam, tucked between steep mountains and white sand beaches. It’s characterized largely by rolling sand dunes, natural streams and warm breezes along the East Sea. It can stretch out past 7,000 yards for the hearty, but Faldo has built a set of tees for those looking for a more leisurely experience at 5,263. You’ll walk away from Laguna Golf Lang Co and realize it’s unlike any course you’ve ever played — perhaps the best compliment a golf course can receive. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Mission Hills Haikou
Hainan, China

Leave it to the world’s most populous country to create a golf resort of such staggering scale. Like its Mission Hills counterpart near Hong Kong, this outsize escape, on balmy Hainan Island, is practically a city unto itself. Stretched across a vast, black-lava landscape, it is home to 10 courses whose names — Sandbelt Trails, Lava Fields, Stone Quarry, and on— speak to their distinctive traits. The property’s huge footprint also makes room for a metropolis-worth of non-golf amenities and diversions (rare is the golf resort that boasts a foot massage center within easy striking distance a billiard room), all anchored by 18-floor luxury hotel. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Mission Hills Haikou in Hainan, China. Courtesy

Mission Hills Resort
Shenzhen, China

Mission Hills China is a unique development designed not so much as a stand-alone golf resort but quite literally as an entire city. Or really several cities. Call it a county. It’s a playground certainly for golfers, but it’s a destination open to tourists of every stripe and poised to satisfy every possible desired adventure. But you’re here for the golf, so here goes. Officially there are 12 courses by former professional players that every golf fan would know. That’s the most of any single golf resort in the world. But there are 10 additional courses at nearby Mission Hills Haikou, all designed by Brian Curley of Schmit-Curley Design. (Curley actually helped the signature designers with the nuts and bolts of 10 of the 12 courses at Shenzhen.) The consensus is that the World Cup and Olazabal courses are the strongest of the lot. The World Cup by Nicklaus is the one that started it all. Built specifically to host the 1995 World Cup of Golf, the first-ever international tournament held in China. It kicked off the golf boom in the area and wears well its status as the OG of Mission Hills. The Olly course at MH Dongguan (his first) might be the strongest test on property. It will challenge your short game something fierce and has hosted the World Cup four times. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Ria Bintan GC
Bintan Island, Indonesia

Gary Player has designed upwards of 130 projects in 38 countries on five continents. The fact that at one point he named Ria Bintan GC among his top 10 speaks volumes. The Ocean Course was completed in 1998 and is almost two separate experiences. Much of the front nine winds through the Riau jungle providing an intimate, native experience (I see you, long-tail macaque!). After you tee off on the par-5 seventh hole and begin walking down the fairway toward your ball (hopefully), the South China Sea reveals itself in spectacular fashion. There’s a reason this hole was voted the best par-5 in Asia. If the distraction doesn’t get to you, par is not a difficult score. The short par-3 eighth takes you down even closer to the water, and the entirety of the ninth borders the sea. It’s a memorable stretch on a course that will long linger in your mind. The Forest Course consists of nine Player-designed holes and exudes more of a parkland feel. Fairways are welcoming but the bunkering can bite (as at most Gary Player courses). Ria Bintan actually offers the opportunity to combine the Forest with one of the Ocean nines if you want to play 18. [LEARN MORE HERE]

South Cape Owners Club
Namhae Island, South Korea

What’s to be said about a golf course that offers ocean views from all 18 holes? That’s indeed the case at South Cape Owners Club, where, in 2013, Kyle Phillips created another of his international masterpieces. The effect is achievable due to the property’s location on a vast cliff, high above the Namhae Sea, near the south end of the Korean Peninsula. The South Cape Owners Club and its ever-hospitable South Cape Spa & Suite is the dream of Korean fashion designer JB Chung, who was told what he dreamt was impossible. Not for Mr. Chung. What resulted, both for golfers and non-golfing lovers of luxury, is a decadent experience sure to be at the top of many bucket lists. GOLF course ranking panelist Simon Holt offered praise not just for the course, but for the entire surreal immersion. This excerpt captures perfectly the decadent dual nature of what’s on offer at the Cape: “You then approach what was for me the highlight of the round. You exit the 15th green to see a sharp-edged, perfect triangular mound of grass and glass. Imagine the bow of the Titanic from the movie poster, with nothing but sky and sea behind it, but instead of the deck you have grass, and instead of the brass rail you have glass! As we walk closer, wooden steps lead underneath the grass, which is actually the roof of another incredible modern tea house. There are floor-to-ceiling glass walls inside with gorgeous and highly-polished wooden flooring. Some minimalist furniture sets a space-age tone in this little pitstop on the back nine. Lewis Capaldi is pumping out of the Sonos speakers; the structure we are in seems like we’ve entered a giant glass shell, keeping all the music in, and we all just stay quiet and admire the incredible view.” [LEARN MORE HERE]

Vattanac Golf Resort
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Vattanac Resort is a celebration of great golf and of ancient Cambodian culture. With 43 holes of award-winning play, Vattanac shines among all courses in Southeast Asia. Sir Nick Faldo and his design team did some heavy lifting in the Kingdom first with the East course in the fall of 2019. In 2020, the vast and intimidating East was named “Cambodia’s Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards. Part of the landscape includes ancient scale replicas of Khmer architecture including Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Terrace of the Elephants. Faldo Design was not content to rest on its laurels. In 2020, they created the West course, a tighter track that plays with a bit more intimacy. The WGA was also impressed and awarded the West its own “Cambodia’s Best Golf Course” designation the next year. Then, in 2021, came something truly unique; The Dragon Turn, a raucous par-3 course that’s played most often at night to beat the Cambodian heat. Full flood lights provide more than enough vision. Dragon Turn was named “World’s Best 9 Hole Golf Course” by the WGA in 2021. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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13 best golf resorts in Continental Europe | GOLF Top 100 Resorts

GOLF Editors — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 04:31:50 +0000

To browse GOLF’s complete 2024-25 list of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World, click here.

The best golf resorts in Continental Europe (2024-25)

Arabella Golf Mallorca
Palma, Spain

Conveniently located less than 10 miles from the Palma airport, Arabella Golf Mallorca has something for everyone: the adults-only Castillo Hotel Son Vida, a 13th-century castle which boasts newly-refurbished rooms and sweeping panoramic views of the bay of Palma; the family-friendly Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel; and the ultra-luxe St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, which the Michelin-starred Es Fum restaurant calls home. Regardless of where you opt to stay, you’re in Mallorca! It’s impossible to go wrong. In addition to 63 holes of golf (three full-size courses, including the renowned Golf Son Muntaner, which hosted the DP World Tour’s Mallorca Open in 2022, and a 9-hole par-3 course), stunning architecture and breathtaking views abound at every turn. Off the course, visitors can enjoy a variety of pursuits. In addition to horseback riding, there are water sports galore, including fly-boarding, jet-skiing, sailing, deep-sea fishing and diving. The hotel concierge can also coordinate a litany of other activities off property, like bike tours of Palma, SUP yoga and even culinary adventures like a paella cooking class, local product tasting at an olive oil farm or a tapas tour. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Carya GC
Belek, Antalya, Turkey

The five-star Regnum Carya, located approximately 30 minutes from Turkey’s Antalya International Airport, boasts an array of amenities and activities so overwhelming it’s almost hard to believe it’s an all-inclusive. The resort achieves the rare feat of managing to be everything for every visitor. On a couples’ trip? Enjoy white-sand beaches, intimate dining, adults-only pools, a luxurious spa and nightclub. Traveling with the family? There are kids’ options galore, including kid-specific dining; a game center highlighted by bowling, billiards, table football and pinball; and even gratis admission and transportation to the nearby Land of Legends theme park. Want to play golf from sun-up to sundown? There are two courses to choose from, the on-site Carya Golf Club and the nearby 27-hole National Golf Club. And you don’t even have to stop when it gets dark, thanks to Carya Golf Club’s flood-lit course the first in all of Europe’s. And let’s not forget the premium accommodation, which ranges from standard rooms and suites to six-bedroom villas with private pools. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Costa Navarino
Messinia, Greece

When the architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. thinks of Greece’s Costa Navarino, similarly sprawling and golf-rich resorts like Pebble, Pinehurst and Bandon spring to mind. What springs to mind for the Greeks? Perhaps … “Golf?” Remarkably, there are less than a dozen 18-hole courses in the entire country — that’s how little footing the sport has gained on Greece’s famously rocky terrain. So it’s beyond unexpected that Costa Navarino has, in the past few years, rocketed to the top of the list of Continental Europe’s finest golf resorts. Set in the Peloponnese region of the country, three hours west of Athens by car, the seaside resort is nirvana for both golfers and hedonists. Four world-class courses are routed around, above and alongside four first-class hotels: the family-friendly Westin; the hipster, adults-preferred W; the romantically posh Romanos; and the even more posh (and pricey) Mandarin Oriental. The Greeks may not know much about golf, but they’re scratch players at hospitality. Among the things at Costa Navarino that are abundant: outdoor dining of every imaginable variety; atmosphere; sun-worshipping Europeans; infused gin and tonics; vistas; warm breezes; trance-y Euro beats—and all the golf you can handle. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Costa Navarino in Messinia, Greece. Courtesy

Finca Cortesin
Casares, Spain

A five-star resort tucked just outside the dreamy Spanish coast city of Malaga, you’d be forgiven if you “forgot” to make a tee time at Finca Cortesin and instead spent your time hanging out at the property’s immaculate hotel, which routinely ranks as one of the 50 best in the world. But you should make a tee time at Cabell B. Robinson’s rugged design, a visually stunning and essentially Spanish track that runs from the hills out to the ocean. The Solheim Cup’s visit here in 2023 is just the latest pro golf excursion to Malaga, which has also hosted the DP World Tour’s Match Play Championship on a handful of occasions. After your round is done, hang out at the delicately maintained gardens, or spend some time overlooking stunning blue water at the property’s own private beach club (or four separate swimming pools). It’s all stunning at Finca Cortesin, which is sorta the point. It’s simply one of the most luxurious golf destinations on earth … hopefully the folks at The White Lotus don’t get any ideas. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Golf du Médoc
Bordeaux, France

Golf paradise in the heart of wine country? Would you mind if we ordered seconds? At Golf du Medoc, the answer is always no. Be it from any of the 79 rooms attached to the resort hotel to either of the property’s two championship golf courses … or anywhere beyond. With a host of alternate activities (wine-tasting chief among them) and a series of golf packages, Golf du Medoc does a little bit of everything well. For the golfer seeking their own chunk of adventure in the south of France, there may be no destination better — or more fulfilling. Just don’t forget to leave room for dinner at the on-property restaurant, where a traditional French meal prepared by head chef Benoit Gourgues may have a claim to the best “clubhouse menu” in golf. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Lofoten Links
Gimsøysand, Norway

It is not often a place can lay a genuine claim to being both the world’s most far-out golf destination and its prettiest.Then again, Lofoten Links isn’t a very typical golf destination. There are few places in the world that can match Lofoten’s combination of proper links golf, stunning ocean views and distant mountain vistas. There are no other places in the world that can claim those things AND a regular view of the Northern Lights. Lofoten’s charm is deeply Scandinavian — with on-site “cabins” for rent as opposed to traditional hotel rooms, and an on-site horse farm that doubles as a campsite for more rugged attendees. But it is fully one of one in the world of golf, and for that alone, it’s worth pinning high aboard your bucket list. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Monte Rei G&CC
Tavira, Portugal

Completed in 2007, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design North Course at Monte Rei Golf & C.C. is considered by many to be Portugal’s best track. Set between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean in the eastern portion of the country’s renowned Algarve district, Monte Rei is a stone’s throw from the southeast Portuguese/Spanish border. Day trips to Lisbon, Faro or Seville, Spain, are there for the taking, but why leave? Monte Rei is full-service, top-tier resort luxury, offering best-in-class on- and off-course escapes, prioritizing experiences that emphasize the destination’s rustic setting. Apartment-style residences are chic and comfy, with easy access to pools, bars, restaurants and the golf (including a PGA-staffed learning academy). A hideaway with every creature comfort imaginable? Not bad for one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Oitavos Dunes
Lisbon, Portugal

As far as destinations go in this region, Cascais, home to Oitavos Dunes, has done more to cement Portugal’s reputation as a must-see golf destination than any other. The Arthur Hills design Oitavos Dunes, opened in 2021, took the old guard resorts in the country’s Algarve and opened a new world of opportunity for travelers looking for something new. Europe came first. Now, the world. If panoramic views (the Atlantic, in particular) is your sort of thing, Oitavos is it. Once the new kid on the Euro tour block, Oitavos is now two-decades in as a must-visit, and a key piece to Portugal’s status as a world-class golf destination. It’s beach-heavy, yet Lisbon close, and the layout is Arthur Hills at his best. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Oitavos Dunes in Lisbon, Portugal. Jacob Sjöman

PGA National Sweden
Bara, Sweden

In 2023, much of the talk surrounding golf visits to Scandinavia focuses on Norway’s Lofoten Links, but don’t sleep on PGA National. It’s here that the area firmly established itself as a golf gateway to northern Europe, which has given the European Ryder and Solheim Cup teams more players than ever before. Some of Kyle Phillips’ best work outside Kingsbarns can be found here, in a “have-it-your-way” resort experience that’s probably best accessed by flying into Copenhagen. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Praia D’El Rey Golf & Beach Resort
Obidos, Portugal

Located on the shores of Portugal’s Silver Coast, Praia D’El Rey offers near limitless activities for pleasure on your luxurious getaway. The 18-hole Cabell B. Robinson-designed golf course is the centerpiece of this exclusive property, but even if you’re not a golfer, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. With a tennis center and plenty of water sports, you’ll never find yourself without exercise. When you’re done, get rejuvenated at the spa or head out to the beach for an afternoon in the sun. And don’t forget about the seven restaurants on property to keep you fueled up. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort
Alcaidesa, Spain

Sotogrande is nestled in the heart of one of the best destinations for golf lovers, with six world-class courses in the vicinity. But even if golf isn’t your cup of tea, there’s still plenty to do. Check out the four bars and restaurants on property and bask in the beauty of the Mediterranean in your free time. If you’re looking for a holiday in southern Spain, Sotogrande is a great place to start. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Terre Blanche Spa Golf Resort
Tourrettes, France

Terre Blanche is the epitome of luxury. This secluded retreat is nestled in the picturesque countryside of Provence, France and is renowned for its world-class amenities. Bask in the exquisite accommodations, which include two championship golf courses, a stunning spa and exceptional dining options. [LEARN MORE HERE]

Verdura Resort
Sciacca, Sicily

Verdura Resort is a haven of relaxation and adventure located in beautiful Sicily, Italy. Offering a variety of accommodations, the resort provides access to championship golf courses, world-class restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Once you step on property, you’ll be transported to a getaway better than you could’ve ever dreamed. [LEARN MORE HERE]

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