Despite spring misbehaving, golf season is already here.
With the rise in popularity of the sport in recent years, here’s how a golf group – seasoned or beginners – can make the most of the season with memorable golf trips in some of the world’s most highly acclaimed and unique courses…
Scotland, the Home of Golf
As the birthplace of golf, Scotland embraces the sport with over 550 distinctive courses. In fact, Scotland has more courses per head of population than anywhere else in the world. This guarantees that players of every caliber have a plethora of fairways and greens tailored to their skill level. Spanning over six centuries, Scotland plays host to some of the globe’s most esteemed tournaments and stands as an unparalleled haven for golf enthusiasts.
Where to Stay/Play: Golf fanatics have their pick at visiting some of the game’s best courses when traveling to Scotland, but for the most memorable experiences, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts has a collection of upscale hotels in pilgrimage golf destinations, maybe most well-known for refurbishing the historic Rusacks St Andrews in the Home of Golf now complete with a rooftop putting green and bar with unrivaled views across St Andrews’ Old Course and West Sands Beach looking onto the Old Course. The brand’s Marine Troon is a seaside destination hotel sporting whimsical golf-maximalist design and unobstructed views of the Ayrshire coast and the 1st and 18th fairways of the legendary Royal Troon Golf Club. This year, the historic course will host the upcoming 152nd Open Championship this July, the tenth Open held in Troon. Opened in August 2023, Dornoch Station, overlooking Royal Dornoch Golf Club’s Championship Course, is the latest brand opening in Scotland. Marine North Berwick inspires guests with its stunning coastal setting, striking Victorian splendor and direct views of the legendary West Links at North Berwick Golf Club perching over the 16th hole and boasts scenic views of the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock.
As a five-star resort, Cameron House provides luxurious on-site accommodations, allowing guests to fully relax between rounds in comfort and elegance. Golfers get to experience the very soul of Scottish golf – blending exceptional play with breathtaking vistas and accommodations befitting the revered game’s birthplace. With The Carrick’s 18 holes and the 9-hole Wee Demon, Cameron House offers variety for an enriching golf getaway, suiting players of all skill levels.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, vibrant flora and fauna and the shimmering waters of Loch Lomond, The Carrick, an 18-hole championship course has nine holes ascending the high road, while the remaining nine wind along the low road, providing a truly unique and memorable golfing experience. A host to prestigious events like the Ladies Scottish Open, the PGA Cup, and the Europro Tour, The Carrick’s championship tees present a formidable test at 7,082 yards and par 71, challenging even the most seasoned players. Yet, with four additional teeing options, this utterly stunning and uniquely situated course remains enjoyable for golfers of every skill level.
Offering stunning views of Loch Lomond, the Wee Demon Course is perfect for beginners or experienced golfers looking to improve their short game and putting skills. The course weaves through the 5-star resort and is deceptively challenging — perfect for experienced golfers looking for a competitive match.
Portugal, the unexpected Golf adventure
Portugal’s Algarve region is a well-rounded and stunning destination for golf travel. The region is continuously recognized for its protected courses, quality of their facilities and high concentration of golf courses in one region. The almost four-dozen golf courses, of course, vary in difficulty, and offer a range of view from beach cliffs to hilly landscapes.
Where to Stay: Golfers traveling to the Algarve should stay at Octant Vila Monte, located in Moncarapacho. With two swimming pools, a tennis court, wellness activities, and experiences ranging from boat trips, picnics on private beaches, and private yoga class, there’s no better place to escape to for tranquility and relaxation.
Octant Vila Monte debuted new suites this past summer. The new boho finca-style Solarium and Secret Suites offer guests an even wider choice of laid-back luxury, each complete with a private heated plunge pool and garden-view terrace. Here, guests can enjoy the exclusivity and calm of this adults-only area with access to Octant Vila Monte’s À Terra restaurant serving traditional Portuguese specialties, an outdoor pool, and a solarium; holistic wellness center; and private butler service. Where to Play (Bookable through Octant Vila Monte):
- Quinta da Ria (Vila Nova de Cacela)
- Quinta de Cima (Vila Nova de Cacela)
- Quinta do Vale Golf Resort (Castro Marim)
- Monte Rei Golf & Country Club (Vila Nova de Cacela)
United States, the bucket list Golf trip
While many look abroad for once-in-a-lifetime golf trips, travelers often overlook the incredible courses to be played in their own backyards. Many of which are reminiscent of the bucket list course found across the pond. The sheer diversity of courses in the U.S. is enticing enough, whether golfers are seeking a misty oceanfront round in Northern California or a more lush and warmer climate further south along the Atlantic.
Where to Stay/Play: Avid players seeking sunshine and challenging terrain can access two of the Bay Area’s finest golf courses at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. The resort features a parkland-style Old Course, originally designed in 1973, with cypress-lined fairways and an oceanside 18th hole. Soak in water views from every hole and challenging play with tight fairways and knolls at the aptly named Ocean Course. Its course design and cliffside setting is reminiscent of Scotland and makes for a great alternative for those who wish to stay stateside while still getting a feel for the Scottish golfing experience. At the end of the day, enjoy a cocktail by an Ocean Terrace fire pit and watch the daily bagpiper performance at sunset.
Sea Island is world renowned for its three championship golf courses – Seaside,
Plantation and Retreat — and the 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center featuring industry- leading technology, six instruction and club fitting bays, a putting studio and more. Seaside Course is a legendary Scottish links style, surrounded by tidal creeks, dunes, salt marshes, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Plantation Course is inspired by the traditional profile of Walter Travis’ 1928 original nine-hole course. The Retreat Course is surrounded by towering Georgia longleaf pines, sleepy native oaks, and dramatic greens. Just next door to the golf club is the newly renovated The Lodge at Sea Island. Those who wish to spectate can attend tournaments throughout the year, including the 2024 Georgia Adaptive Open (June 19-22, 2024) and the annual RSM Classic (November 18-24, 2024). Centerpiece to Sea Island Golf Club and its Seaside and Plantation golf courses is The Lodge at Sea Island. Newly renovated, The Lodge at Sea Island provides an intimate setting for couples and golfers. Surrounded by the sandy beaches joining St. Simons Sound with the Atlantic Ocean, lush Plantation fairways and the Golf Performance Center, The Lodge at Sea Island boasts ethereal serenity, including butlers who welcome guests to the grace, quality, and members’ lifestyle.
