If golf is your passion and you also like to travel, it is understandable that you should want to combine the two and jet off somewhere exotic to enjoy a round or two. But while the allure of golf in sunnier climes is certainly strong, don’t forget that the UK is also one of the best destinations in the world for golf holidays.
, it is understandable that you should want to combine the two and jet off somewhere exotic to enjoy a round or two. But while the allure of golf in sunnier climes is certainly strong, don’t forget that the UK is also one of the best destinations in the world for golf holidays.
Need convincing that switching your overseas jaunt to a golf trip closer to home is a good idea? Check out these reasons why a domestic golf holiday in the UK is likely to be one you’ll never forget.
Combine golf with history
Every aficionado of the great game of golf at some point or another feels the impulse to get a feel for where it all began. And to do that, of course, you have to head to Scotland. The country that gave the world golf is home to some of the oldest and most iconic courses in the world, including the likes of St Andrews Old Course and Musselburgh Old Course. And with the highest concentration of golf courses per capita of any country in the world, Scotland really does spoil you with choice in terms beautiful and historic courses to play on.
The thrill of the Links
Another essential ingredient in the historic development of golf was the Links course. Links is a Scots English word used to describe areas of sand dunes along the coast. As organised golf began to develop in the 18th Century, these strips of unused coastal land became the preferred location for the first golf clubs and societies to congregate and play. Today, Links courses remain revered as perhaps the most technically challenging in the sport, particularly when you throw in the vagaries of coastal weather. For many golfers of all levels, there is still nothing comparable to the experience of authentic British Links golf, regardless of the weather. And from a golf holiday perspective, the added bonus is, of course, that you are right by the seaside.
Iconic championship courses
There are many beautiful golf courses in the world. But the ultimate thrill for any golf fan surely has to be to play on a championship course where some of the greatest names in the history of the game have competed for some of the biggest prizes in the sport. After the US, the UK is home to the best collection of championship courses open for golfing holidays in the world – Ryder Cup venues like Gleneagles, Celtic Manor and The Belfry, courses that have hosted the Open such as St Andrews, Carnoustie and the Princess Golf Club in Sandwich, plus dozens of others that regularly host European Tour events.
An excuse to discover more of what’s on your doorstep
Finally, a golf holiday is (whisper it) not just about the golf. It’s about the beauty of the location, the quality of the accommodation, the food and drink, the sights to see. There’s a big world out there and none of us have time to see it all. But in the rush to experience the unfamiliar, we can sometimes miss the quality of what is right under our noses. The UK is a stunning country, with enough beauty and variety to capture the imagination of more than 40 million visitors a year, making it the world’s sixth most popular tourist destination. Perhaps golf is the excuse you need to check out what all the fuss is about and see more of it.