Stretch your wings a little further to discover more enticing options for a golfing break, from Asia to the Caribbean
By Debbie Ward
Sardinian seclusion
The classic combination of golf and spa is offered by Hotel Capo D’Orso, a secluded retreat from Delphina Hotels & Resorts which lies among the olive and juniper groves of Cala Capra Park in Northern Sardinia.
The resort has its own scenic pitch-and-putt nine-hole par three course with sea views, plus a driving range to get that all important practice in, making it a great resort for beginners. The newest golfing addition is a simulator in the gym which enables virtual play on famous courses around the world.
Alternate green time with well-deserved soaks and pampering at the resort’s Thalasso and Spa Wellness Centre, steps from the sea. There’s a choice of four sea view restaurants on site and the upscale attractions of fashionable Porto Cervo are a short ride or sail away. From the resort’s private marina there are also opportunities to visit the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago, or even Corsica, on a vintage sailing ship.
Caribbean Queen
A multi-award winner at the last World Golf Awards, Apes Hill, Barbados has undergone a transformation in the last five years, its overhaul the final project of late architect Ron Kirby.
Families and casual players are even catered for with new short par-three course Little Apes. When you’re not on the 18-hole par-72 course, the state-of-the art performance centre will help up your game, while nature trails and tennis courts allow for non-golf activity. Courtyard and hilltop villas are available on site, with the services of private chefs. If you’d love to linger, Barbados’ generous Welcome Stamp visa makes remote working possible.
Olympic standard
If you love a variety of challenges, look to Costa Navarino in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese. The resort added two new José María Olazábal-designed layouts in 2022 – the Hills course and the world’s first International Olympic Academy golf course. These join the existing Dunes and Bay courses, bringing the total to four.
When you’re not on one of the fairways, you can be relaxing in a suite or villa at the Mandarin Oriental, which is arranged stepped down a hillside, adjacent to the Bay course and with sweeping sea views. There are three further five-star hotels within the resort, besides more than 40 dining and entertainment venues and state-of-the-art sports facilities.
Vietnam victor
Ba Na Hills Golf Club was named Vietnam’s Golf Course of the Year at the 2024 International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Awards. With views to mountain ranges, the par 72, 18-hole Championship course, designed by Luke Donald, has five sets of tees to cater for golfers of different levels. It’s situated close to the white sand beach resort of Danang and the Unesco-listed heritage town of Hua Hin, which between them have a great choice of accommodation from the likes of Four Seasons, Anantara, InterContinental, Evason and Hyatt Regency.
Central Vietnam also boasts courses from Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links).
Beach belle
An Indian Ocean holiday or golf? You can have both in Mauritius where the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort & Spa has hosted both the Legends and PGA European tours. Its two 18-hole courses, the Legend and Links are lined by forest and white sand beaches and dotted with ponds.
The hotel and eight on-site restaurants sit at the heart of the resort but two or three-bedroom pool villas offer greater seclusion. Dedicated golf massages are among spa treatments, or you could keep active and head out diving.
The clincher? With a time difference of only three or four hours, it’s long-haul without the jetlag.
3 more adventure options
Heli-golf
Arula Chalets, Lech not only cater for skiers; golfers can be whisked to the Golf & Country Club Zurich, which has hosted the Swiss Open, or Golfclub München Eichenried, home to the BMW International Open. A cinema, wine cellar and self-playing Steinway are among the chalets’ own draws. thearulachalets.com
Beautiful Bhutan
Relatively undiscovered Bhutan has a series of nine-hole courses including par-35 Royal Thimphu Golf Course in the Himalayas, which at 7,709ft above sea level is among the world’s loftiest. Six Senses, Taj and Amankora have luxury hotels in the capital. bhutantravel.com
Wild Australia
You could be distracted by wildlife at several Australian courses, with kangaroo green invasions not uncommon. Tanunda Pines Golf Club has plentiful bird and animal life among its ancient gum trees and a wine region location where luxury retreats include Kingsford The Barossa and Sequoia Lodge. greatgolfaustralia.com.au
