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Travel bucket list ideas:

Last updated: 12 April, 2024

Golf expert, journalist and avid golfer Fionn Davenport recommends the best golfing hotels and resorts around the world – each offering something unique and special – for everyone, from amateurs to scratch players.

Table of Contents
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Andaz Mayakoba, Mayan Riviera, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Seemingly carved out of jungle, this lush beach resort spreads along a swath of white-sand beachfront, with some rooms opening onto the sand. The El Camaleon Golf Course – the first PGA Tour Golf Course in Latin America, is right outside the door.

Official star rating:

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Arabella Resort, Western Cape, South Africa

Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa

A five-star retreat in the heart of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Alongside the gorgeous, coastal golf course, there a world-class spa, horseback riding along the beach and some of the best restaurants on the whole of the Garden Route.

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Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, Tuscany, Italy

Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy

A low-rise design hotel built into the hillside in the heart of the unspoilt Maremma region of Tuscany. The golf course is arguably Italy’s most beautiful, plus there are activities galore, including tennis, horse-riding, sailing and watersports.

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Barnbougle Lost Farm Golf Resort, Tasmania, Australia

Bridport, Tasmania, Australia

A rustic resort that’s all about the golf, with two separate world-class courses, each with their own style of accommodation. The Dunes comes with oceanside villas and beachfront ‘boxes’, while Lost Farm players stay in a modern eco-lodge with superb views.

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Belfry Hotel & Resort, Warwickshire, England

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, United Kingdom (UK)

A huge resort hotel attached to the famous golf course. Three golf courses, a huge spa, swimming pool, shops and bars, it’s all about the activities, rather than lazing in your room or suite.

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Black Mountain Golf Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin, Western Thailand, Thailand

A family-friendly, modern resort surrounded by golfing greens and lush wooded hills, the villas are large and comfortable, and a complimentary shuttle runs guests between their room, the clubhouse, restaurant and large waterpark.

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Casa de Campo, Domincian Republic

La Romana, Province of La Romana, Dominican Republic

A former haunt of Sinatra and the Rat Pack, the Casa de Campo was designed by Oscar de la Renta and still feels wonderfully extravagant, with 50 villas spread out by the glittering marina, its own waterpark, and the world-class ‘Teeth of the Dog‘ golf course.

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Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, California, USA

Pebble Beach, California, United States of America (USA)

Once a private home, this 1920’s Spanish colonial house is now a 24-room, high-end boutique hotel. The dramatic Pebble Beach Golf Links – voted the no 1 public course in the US – is right outside the door.

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Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

Pointe de Flacq, Belle Mare, Mauritius

An opulent property spread across 37 acres of tropical gardens, alongside a mile-long white sand beach and glittering lagoon. There are two championship golf courses for the golfers.

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Domaine Terre Blanche, Provence

Tourrettes, Cote d'Azur, France

A luxurious hideaway spa resort in Provence, designed in the style of a picturesque Provencal village – the lush gardens are scented with herbs and lavender. There are two excellent golf courses and a chic spa to relax in after a round.

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Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland

St. Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Although it doesn’t overlook the iconic Old Course, the Fairmont has wonderful sea views, two great courses of its own and a tartan-meets-the-sea vibe that combines well with the contemporary manor house setting.

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Fancourt Hotel, Western Cape, South Africa

George, Western Cape, South Africa

A golfer’s paradise, South Africa’s most luxurious leisure resort sits in the shadow of the Outeniqua Mountains. There’s great hiking and biking trails, floodlit tennis courts, a world-class spa and is home to Fancourt own’s world-class course.

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Finca Cortesin, Andalusia, Spain

Malaga, Andalusia, Spain

A gorgeous, Moorish-style Andalusian manor house surrounded by 23,000 square metres of flower-filled gardens, including a world-class golf course. There’s a superb, Thai-style spa with ice cave, and restaurant with a Michelin star.

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Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, Maldives

Lana’i, Hawaii, United States of America (USA)

A low-key, elegant sanctuary with breathtaking clifftop location, lush botanical gardens, nine restaurants and a calm, zen-like ambience. The superb Jack Nicklaus-designed Manele Golf Course is close by.

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Four Seasons Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America (USA)

A picturesque collection of adobe-style casitas, laid out against a backdrop of cactus trees and perpetual sunshine. Amenities are excellent – including a split-level swimming pool – but the real draw is the two golf courses at nearby Troon North. The Grand Canyon is 3 hours north.

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Gleneagles Resort, Scotland

Auchterarder , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)

Scottish baronial style meets French chateau flair at this 5-star resort hotel, recreating the glamorous, extravagant luxury of the Roaring Twenties. Three immaculate golf courses, and plenty of activities to keep non-golfers happy. One hour from Edinburgh.

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Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, California, USA

Indian Wells, California, United States of America (USA)

A first-class, family-friendly resort, nestled in the stark desert landscapes of the Coachella valley, with seven pools, two championship golf courses and a world-class spa.

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Kinloch Manor, North Island, New Zealand

Kinloch, North Island, New Zealand

Elegant resort hotel with excellent facilities in a superb location by Lake Taupo. Golf is the primary focus here, with the Jack Nicklaus-designed course laid out with the shimmering lake beyond.

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Mandarin Oriental Canouan, St Vincent & Grenadines

Canouan Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Secreted away on a virtually untouched island, this beautifully manicured resort stretches around several white-sand beaches, with a Tom Fazio-designed course set on a low hill, with jaw-dropping views across the archipelago.

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Mission Hills, China

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

China’s most famous golf resort is a self-contained destination in itself, with boutiques and restaurants to complement the extensive sporting facilities. An astonishing twelve golf courses that surround it – all designed by Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh and Jumbo Osaki.

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Reunion Resort, Florida, USA

Kissimmee, Florida, United States of America (USA)

A brilliant, family-oriented resort boasting a five-acre water park and ten swimming pools and an excellent spa, alongside three superb golf courses designed by Watson, Palmer and Nicklaus.

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Sagamore Resort, New York, USA

Bolton Landing, New York, United States of America (USA)

A historic, luxurious retreat on a private island, with magnificent views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondacks. Also stay for the challenging 18-hole course and the huge range of activities, from rock climbing to fishing. 3 hours from New York City.

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Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States of America (USA)

An ultra-luxurious, plantation-style hotel surrounded by forest and parkland, and home to five championship golf courses, including the Ocean Course, consistently named one of the best in the world.

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Sandy Lane, Barbados

St James, Barbados

The most famous hotel in the Caribbean, pack your best D&G shades and Dior beachwear to rub shoulders with the A-list, indulge in truly sybaritic treatments in the gargantuan spa, and tee off on some of the finest courses in the region.

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Santiburi Beach Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Straddling a spectacular white-sand beach, this clutch of classic, thatched-roof villas is one of the best resorts on Koh Samui. The excellent Santiburi Golf Course is just a stone’s throw away.

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Sea Island, Georgia, USA

Sea Island, Georgia, United States of America (USA)

An air of old-fashioned glamour still defines this ultra-luxurious resort, built in the 1920s. The legendary golf course is the big draw, but there’s also a world-class spa and top-class dining across a mind-boggling 18 restaurants.s

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St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Palm trees, white sand and cobalt skies come as standard at the St Regis, a dictionary-definition fly-and-flop (or fly-and-tee-off). Saadiyat’s pristine golf course is the first beachfront course in the Arabian Gulf. The world-class Yas Links course is 20 minutes away.

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The Ranch at Laguna Beach, California, USA

Laguna Beach, California, United States of America (USA)

Glittering Pacific Ocean and spectacular canyon scenery combine at this laid-back resort, with the nine-hole course wending through the forested cliffs. The setting is California casual – in the evening firepits blaze and there’s a superb choice of local wines to try.

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Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, California, USA

Dana Point, California, United States of America (USA)

A superb 18-hole golf course is just one draw at this modern, oceanside resort with elegant SoCal décor. There are also sparkling ocean views, a multitude of amenities;, an award-winning spa and a private beach club. All at an affordable price.

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