Traveling to explore new golf opportunities is a wonderful way to see the world while also fully committing to your favorite sport. You’re not alone in this desire! A 2022 survey suggests that 80 percent of golf enthusiasts plan to take a dedicated golf trip during the year.
Wanting to experience new destinations is great but how do you choose the best ones? There are lots of custom golf trips and having some awareness about golf hotspots will help you pinpoint the golf vacation package best suited to your needs.
In this guide, you’ll discover useful golf travel information, such as:
- How to prepare for the perfect golf trip
- Golf trip planning essentials that will help you choose the right destination
- The top golf courses in the US
- A few international gems and reasons to visit them
Planning the Perfect Golf Vacation
If you want to make sure you choose the best golf destinations for you and book a rewarding golf package, you should keep in mind several criteria.
Start with the time of the year and the additional activities you have in mind. If you’re not going to be dedicating 100 percent of your time to golfing, it’s best to look for a vacation hotspot that has other great things to offer – delicious food, cultural sightseeing, exciting nightlife opportunities, and incredible nature.
Alternatively, you can plan and choose a golf course based on your experience level and preferences.
There’s a wide variety of golf courses both in the US and across the world. In the United States alone, there are more than 9,050 golf courses and country clubs worth checking out. The range of opportunities increases exponentially if you decide to go for overseas travel.
One thing you may want to do before embarking on your trip is work on your skills and improve your game. The more you practice before upcoming golf vacations, the more you’ll get to make out of the trip and the distinctive features that the particular course has to offer.
That being said, accessories like The Stacker can come in handy during your practice sessions. So, take at least a few months to work on your skills before your trip. You’ll get to increase the effectiveness of your efforts if you have some knowledge about the destination you’ll be traveling to and the specific golf skills that you’d like to perfect.
Iconic Golf Hotspots Across the World
Let’s break down the list of some of the best golf destinations both in the US and overseas. We’ll start with a few of the golf course gems in the US that are worthy of your attention.
The Most Amazing Golf Courses in the US
Some of the US golf courses worth exploring when doing golf trip planning include:
Cypress Point
Golf Digest Architecture editor emeritus Ron Whitten names Cypress Point the best example of why classic golf architecture will never become outdated.
This exclusive club is very difficult to get into but so worth it. Rumor has it that even J.F. Kennedy was denied entry once. The California course is set at the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The picturesque nature only contributes to the spectacular golfing and Cypress Point has often been called “the best 17-hole course in the world.”
National Golf Links of America
Southampton is considered to be the first creation of the incredibly famous golf architect and renowned designer C.B. MacDonald. To the present day, National has remained an incredible masterpiece.
Work commenced in 1902 and National opened to the public in 1909. It not only continues to offer thrilling golf experiences, but it also carries a lot of historical significance.
Set on more than 250 acres of pristine Long Island land, National Golf Links of America is theatrical and dramatic. As far as memorable layouts go, it can’t get better than this.
A Few Honorable Mentions
- Sand Hills in Mullen, Nebraska: The rolling sand hills of Nebraska create the perfect natural conditions for golf course creation. The cool thing about this golf course is that the winter winds reshape the landscape, resulting in a brand-new experience each time you decide to come back and savor the breathtaking views.
- Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida: The championship-level golf opportunities continue with this beauty – a golf course that lets you encounter different wind directions at each hole. This is yet another one of America’s most exclusive clubs, but getting in will definitely be worth the wait.
- Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia: Every golf specialist out there will tell you that as far as golf destinations are concerned, this one is a favorite among professionals. Augusta National is often featured among championship golf courses and it’s also the site where the Masters Tournament used to take place each year. It’s been upgraded multiple times through the years to address contemporary realities.
Golf Digest’s Top International Destinations
As far as international golf packages go, you have plenty of lovely options to choose from, including:
Casa de Campo Resort, Dominican Republic
Considered one of the top golf destinations in the world, Casa de Campo is characterized by luxury, exceptional customer service, numerous days of sunshine, and obviously – amazing golf courses.
Today, Casa de Campo boasts three championship golf courses and the number one golf course in the Caribbean – Teeth of the Dog. The in-resort experience itself is also wonderful with seven restaurants, a marina, a beach club, and three private white sand beaches.
Cabot Cape Breton, Canada
Do take advantage of golf packages available at Cabot Cape Breton in Canada. The award-winning golf courses offer exceptional views due to their dramatic coastline background.
There, you’ll get to choose from about 100 courses, most facing the oceanfront cliffs. Cabot Links is a popular destination among golf travelers and the new Cabot Cliffs shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Belek, Turkey
If you’re seeking golf courses that you can pair with a wonderful sea vacation, choose the Turkish resort of Belek. This destination is also a great pick for those seeking cheaper golf options (in comparison to other international travel opportunities).
Belek has a number of exclusive five-star hotels and resorts, as well as more than 10 internationally acclaimed golf courses.
Located 45 minutes away from Antalya International Airport, Belek offers wonderful, customized golf packages. Most all-inclusive hotels in the area offer free-of-charge rounds. Needless to say, you can add more to your package. Some of the golf courses worth checking out include Caraya Golf Club, Gloria Golf Club, Pasha Course, and Sueno Golf Club.
Improve Your Game, Make the Most of These Opportunities!
The list above gives you just a small glimpse of the numerous opportunities international golf destinations have to offer.
Keep in mind that the interest in most of these spots is incredibly high. Planning your vacation well in advance will give you access to the best prices, as well as golfing opportunities.
Also, don’t forget to dedicate enough time to your game at home. The Stacker will help you practice and unleash your full potential.
The Stacker delivers an eye-catching, convenient experience in the form of golf ball pyramids. Perfectly structured, they help you keep track of your performance and focus on the game itself instead of prepping.
The Stacker equipment is made in the US, adhering to the strictest industry standards. As the quality is guaranteed, you can rest assured that each practice session is going to be effortlessly pleasurable and productive.
