A hole in one for golf holidays
|
The aim of golf is quite simple; hit a small ball into a hole with the fewest shots possible eighteen times. It's an aim many don't understand the appeal of, asking why would you spend all day infuriating yourself trying to hit a small ball hundreds of yards over what is a glorified child's playground? I was non-believer too until one day I picked up a golf club and took a swing at it. I was twelve years old and having one of those “father-son bonding” outings, which roughly translates to “mum wants the house to herself away from all the hassle in her life” days. In his infinite wisdom dad decided that what was needed was a day on the golf course. Did he not know that I belonged to the Nintendo generation? We don't do the outdoors, we do simulations of outdoor activities on the widescreen TV. Despite my protests, we were soon on the fairways on a typically grey English day. My first attempt was a shambles. Apparently it's harder than it looks to swing a club and actually hit the ball. Nintendo hadn't helped my hand-eye co-ordination, apparently. After half a dozen attempts (and much hysteria from dad and his golfing buddies) I finally hit the ball, slicing it desperately to the left into the woods. At this point, Nintendo was still winning. After a few disastrous early holes, ending with something ridiculous like twelve over par on each one, the game suddenly began to click with me. My tee from the 12th hole was masterly, flying the entire course to land safely just short of the green. Then disaster struck once more. As my dad took his place on the tee, his swing caught me on the side of my head and I was down for the count. This didn't diminish my enthusiasm for the game though, it may have been the concussion speaking but I was hooked! The thing I love most about golf is the sportsmanship, a golfer's real enemy is never their opponent but the surroundings. Playing against the howling cross winds of Turnberry creates a remarkably different game to the lush greens of Taiheiyo, the challenging water hazards of The Royal Calcutta or playing in the snow. Although infuriating at times, golf is the chance to test yourself against nature's best obstacles, keeping your composure and skill to overcome whatever challenge is thrown up against you. It's what made Padraig Harrington's British Open win at Royal Birkdale such an impressive one, overcoming a hand injury and difficult weather conditions to become the first European in 102 years to defend his title. A walk around a golf course is a fantastic way to get exercise without thinking about it and with courses such as Cape Kidnappers, Cedar Valley, St. Andrews and Royal St. Kitts a day on the course will let you take in some of the most impressive and beautiful paradises as you try to navigate the course and try to get the ball in the hole without becoming the John McEnroe of the golf world. |
|
More great golf courses » Great golf courses
|
Augusta National Golf CourseGolf in South East, United States Augusta is one of the most exclusive clubs in existence and was designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, a golfer and a golf architect both at the peak of their professions. The immaculately-kept course undulates a great deal and has very deep bunkers and quick, sloping greens. Since the year after its 1933 opening, the Augusta National has played host to the annual Masters Tournament, and has a distinguished and fascinating competitive history.
Review by Photo by flickr user gomattolson |
|
National Golf Links of AmericaGolf in East Coast, United States The National Golf Links of America is set in more than 250 acres of gently rolling Long Island landscape. The varied topography is not only beautiful but dramatic too, holding you captivated from the opening tee shot to the last putt. Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald, the original golf architect, the course opened in 1909 and is now one of the most important in the USA. A course of endless variety, it has unusually large greens and some considerably complex holes.
Review by Photo by flickr user WaveBreaker |
|
Kingston Heath Golf CourseGolf in Melbourne, Australia Kingston Heath is a classic design that has stood the test of time and it certainly rates among the best courses in Australia and the world. Its final five holes are widely considered to be the best in championship golf, and the Australian Golf Open and Australian Match Play Championships have been held here on many occasions.
Review by Photo by flickr user Los Cardinalos |
|
The Mid Ocean ClubGolf in Bermuda If simply being in beautifully, scenic Bermuda is not inviting enough, the Mid Ocean Club, located in Tuckers Town is also a challenging course. Designed by Charles Blair MacDonald, known as the father of organized golf in the United States, this course is on a cliff overlooking blue North-Atlantic waters with high winds, bunkers and slopes from back to front. Hole five is Mid Ocean Club’s signature hole. This par four long green has an elevated tee, steep embankment, bunkers, a steep slope on the right side and is next to Mangrove Lake which makes the distance seem longer than it actually is. There are separate men’s and women’s courses.
Review by Photo by Melissa Rubin |
|
Royal Golf Club of SevilleGolf in Seville, Spain Also known as the Real Club de Golf Sevilla, this course was recently voted 3rd best in Spain. The southern Spanish countryside provides a flat layout to which the owner has added 10,000 trees, mostly native, and many lakes to add a third dimension to the course. The lakes also help lower the temperature of the course, which can get extremely hot in the summer, and add a strategically placed challenge to certain holes, as do tricky bunkers. Considered quite a challenging course.
Review by Photo by Melissa Rubin |
|
Tryall Golf CourseGolf in Montego Bay, Jamaica 18 hole, par 72 championship course designed by Ralph Plummer. Tyrall Club has played host to international events as the Johnnie Walker World Championship. Green Fees - Summer season, US$40 for guests of residents, US$55 for in villa guests, US$80 for non residential guests. Golf carts US$20-30, shared caddy fees US$23-45. Fees and rates are subject to 16.5% tax.
Review by Photo by Definite Caribbean |
