Credit: golfscape.com/blog
Our IAGTO friends at UK based https://golfscape.com/ have recently published a feature article on courses that you should play from around the globe, before you die!
GolfScape Is a booking platform changing the way to golf by seamlessly connecting golfers to top rated courses through their smartphone.
This Ultimate Golf Bucket List contains 20 top courses. They take you from the depths of Death Valley and to the highs of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to discover new and magical places to play a round of golf. These courses will not only spark your wanderlust but will also leave you dreaming of the unique golfing experiences that are just a flight ticket away!
Twenty seem like an aweful lot for one to digest all at once so we will present for you their #20 down to number 11 below and then 10 down to numero uno in January! Giving you some time to digest the choices as you will need to your turkey dinner.
- Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus
With stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and an exquisite setting amongst natural vegetation, Aphrodite Hills Golf is paradise for the golfing enthusiast, unique, exotic, and challenging and with a recent investment upgrade including renovation of the greens and complete modernization of facilities to the tune of just over $4.5 million US.
As a testament to its strong reputation as one of the top golf courses in the world, the Championship Golf Course has recently attained top honours and the highest standard recognition in golf, the PGA National, Cyprus as well as the ‘European Golf Resort of the Year 2018’ at the prestigious annual IAGTO awards. The course opened for play in 2002 and the mastermind behind this unique design is the acclaimed architect Cabell Robinson.
- The Twenty Ten Course, Celtic Manor Resort, UK
Set in 2,000 acres of parkland at the gateway to Wales, the Celtic Manor Resort boasts three championship golf courses including the Twenty Ten, the stage for Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup victory in 2010. The spectacular Twenty Ten Course was purpose-built for the drama of team match play with water featuring on nine of the 18 holes and risk/reward challenges lurking around every corner.
There is a special atmosphere at the Twenty Ten Course, you can even lace up your shoes at the same lockers which still carry the name plaques of the Ryder Cup players!
- The Oconee Course, Reynolds Lake Oconee, USA
Defined by a dramatic routing along the Lake Oconee shoreline, this Rees Jones design is a true risk/reward layout. The Oconee Course offers inspiring lake views while presenting options to play shots over inlets of Lake Oconee or carry corners of tree-lined doglegs. The Course has established a reputation as a visually stimulating, challenging, and playable layout.
The par-72, which plays to a maximum of 7,029 yards, has also captured the attention of the golf industry, hosting highly-visible tournaments such as the annual Linger Longer Invitational collegiate championship, 2007 PGA Cup and the annual Chick-fil-A Bowl Challenge.
- Assoufid Golf Club, Morocco
Assoufid Golf Club opened for play on October 1, 2014. The course winds its way through naturally undulating terrain in the lee of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, 20 minutes from the old town (Medina) of the vibrant city of Marrakech. The fruit of Niall Cameron’s design vision is a desert-style 6,440m (7,042-yard), par 72 golf course that blends seamlessly into the natural landscape and takes into consideration its environmental impact through minimal water consumption and the preservation of native plants and trees.
Assoufid has been awarded ‘Africa’s best Golf Course 2016 & 2017’ at the ‘World Golf Awards.’
- Domaine de Taulane, France
Designed by golf champion, Gary Player, Domaine de Taulane golf course is located at the foot of the mountains in the heart of Provençal nature, a short drive away from Grasse in France. If you are seeking serenity, this course is the place to be, surrounded by 120 hectares of lush countryside complete with seven lakes, in the heart of the beautiful Gorges du Verdon.
Domaine de Taulane is a diverse golf course that accommodates for both beginners and experienced golfers.
- Kawana Golf Club (Fuji Course), Japan
Established in 1936, the Fuji Course at Kawana Hotel Golf Course was designed by C.H. Alison and is abundant in rich history and traditions. The 18-hole course is a seaside stunner, dramatic landscape, elevation and flanked by the Pacific Ocean. Noted for its variety of deep bunkers it never fails to fascinate golfers from all over the world. Fuji Course hosts the annual Fuki-Sankei Ladies Classic Tournament which is a challenge for all professional golfers.
- Real Club Valderrama, Spain
Real Club Valderrama is located in Sotogrande, Andalucia. The largest and southern-most region of Spain. Valderrama has been consistently ranked as #1 in Continental Europe since the late 80’s and has been included in the Top 100 in the World since 1999. The course was designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. one of the great golf course architects, and was originally known as Las Aves (Sotogrande New).
The Par 71 Championship Course measures 6,356 meters from the professional tees. The fairways have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe, if not the world. It is not an easy course – nor was it intended to be. It is designed so as to call forth thought and precision for every shot.
- Punta Espada Golf Club, Dominican Republic
Established in 2006, Punta Espada Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. The course incorporates all the paradise-like characteristics of Cap Cana throughout its 18 holes, 8 of which are oceanfront. The 13th hole, a 250-yard Par 3 is the ‘Signature Hole’ of the course, which features a long carry over the water and a stunning view of the Punta Espada Cliffs.
Home of “The Cap Cana Championship,” one of the stops of the PGA Tour’s Champions Tour for three consecutive years (2008, 2009, and 2010). This was the first PGA Tour event ever in the country setting a milestone in the golf industry of the Dominican Republic.
- The Furnace Creek Golf Course, Death Valley, USA
Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley is a USGA sanctioned 18-hole course located in a true American oasis within the three million acres that is Death Valley National Park. Established in 1927, The Furnace is the World’s Lowest Golf Course at -214 feet and is one of America’s most unique courses. Don’t be fooled by the wide-open fairways and the length of Furnace Creek, which plays to a par of 70 and is only 6,215 yards from the back tees. From there, the course has a USGA rating of 74.7 with a slope of 128.
- The Eastern Golf Club, Australia
Where bushland intersects with the Yarra River against the backdrop of the Christmas Hills and
Dividing Rangers, The Eastern Golf Club and Yering Gorge Cottages has become a beautiful, sought-after destination. The area showcases the natural beauty of Yarra Valley and the stunning food and wine on offer in Melbourne.
The 27-hole championship course is designed by the legendary, Greg Norman, it features the
South Course and North Course that are ranked courses in Golf Australia’s “Top 100 Golf
Courses for 2018.” The Eastern Golf Club also includes a separate Par 3, 9-hole course – Shark Waters.
Come back next month when we take a look at the top 10! Plus we will also give you our 2 cents on a few more that you might want to consider………
Happy Holidays!
