Golf holidays are great, but the courses, the scenery and the accommodation can all start to seem a little familiar if you’re a regular golf tripper. Before you know it all the courses have blended together and you won’t remember which trips you’ve been on and which you haven’t.
But have no fear, if you’re looking for something a little more unusual then here are five golf courses you’ll never forget.
Alligators on the fairway* anyone?!
Isle of Eriska, Scotland
Scotland may be the spiritual home of golf, but this golf course won’t be included in many of your guide books. You certainly won’t be short of places to play in the country that invented the sport, but if you want something truly magical, this is it.
Overlooking the Isle of Mull, you’ll be playing golf on a deserted nine-hole course. Not only is the course on a gorgeous private island but the local hotel is spectacular too.
Royal Thimpu golf club, Bhutan
For those of you that like something a little more exotic, here it is. The nine-hole course is 2250m above sea level, making it the highest golf course in the world. The altitude makes the balls fly quite a lot faster, so they go further and have a habit of disappearing down the mountain. Don’t worry, we’ll let you off for not going after lost balls!
Nefyn & District golf club, North Wales
We doubt you’ll find a friendlier club anywhere else, and we also doubt you’ll find a windier one! This truly mad course is located somewhere between Mount Snowdon and Ireland, in between holes there are hills, cliffs and sea for your balls to get lost in. Have no fear, there’s a pub near the 15th hole in case you decide the gales are too much effort to fight with.
Predator Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
“Golf in Canada, what’s unusual about that?” you might say. Well, it’s not often you get a golf course in wine growing country and it’s not often the wine tastes so good. The golf course itself is mostly uphill, very steep and will certainly make you want that glass of wine at the end of the day. What’s more, you can stay in the mountain top resort, Sparkling Hill, made by the crystal makers Swarovski.
The St Moritz Golf Club, Switzerland
The Swiss knew nothing about golf before the Victorian’s began visiting in the 19th century, but that soon changed! With typical Swiss efficiency they soon got busy and created the stunning nine-hole course at the club. Funnily enough the course tends to be closed in the winter months.
If you fancy a swanky accessory to show off at the club, you could do worse than purchase any of the Callaway cart bags, perfect for storing everything you need for a round of golf.
*As you’ll notice none of these resorts mention alligators on the fairway. If you do want to enjoy a game of golf with an alligator as your companion you’ll have to go to Kiawah Island in South Carolina.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Rob Rudd is a keen golfer and a regular blogger. He contributes regularly to several travel and sporting blogs.[/author_info] [/author]
