Golf is a game that is variously considered a pastime, recreation, sport, profession, religion or obsession. The ostensible object is to knock a small hard ball into a designated hole, with the minimum number of blows of a stick or club, while avoiding the hazards of the terrain such as vegetation, water, soft ground and loose sand. It is immensely frustrating - your "sweet shot" of the day is often followed by a shank into the brambles - yet irresistible to many. Two features are distinctive: while other games are played on a standardised pitch or court, each golf course is unique, so this is a motive for travel. Second is the "handicap" system that enables players of different abilities to play to play each other on a roughly equal footing.

Understand

18th century boys playing golf

The remarkable history of golf is that there were furious laws against playing it, seemingly centuries before it existed. Hacking a ball with a stick towards a target is an ancient pastime, and the forerunners of the present game appear in the 13th century Low Countries, though it's not altogether clear whether they were playing golf, ice-hockey, or some hybrid. "Colf" or "colve" is the Dutch word for a stick, club or bat, and the game was banned in Brussels in 1360. Early modern Scotland had strong trading links with the Low Countries so in 1457 golf was banned in Scotland, an edict repeated in later years, for instance by James IV. Yet within a few years he was buying golf clubs and balls, and coming home very late to dinner in a foul mood with his jacket covered in burrs. A game in 1650 near Albany, NY ended in a murderous fight so it was banned all over again, but in the sporting spirit that imbues this game, the combatants apologised to each other before dying.

This early game had no generally-agreed rules, and the courses were entirely natural terrain, often along coastal grasslands. The first maintained or groomed course was in St Andrews in northeast Scotland, playing outward for 11 holes then homeward for a 22-hole course. Some holes were considered too short, so in 1764 these were combined to create a 9+9 course. And since the St Andrews golfers then codified the rules of the game, the 18-hole course became standard, and the Old Course there is considered the traditional home of golf.

Golf spread throughout the British Isles, and beyond in 1829 with the establishment of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in India. By the end of the 19th century, clubs in Ireland, the United States of America, and Wales had organised the sport for their respective countries, and Scotland and England did so after the First World War. Golf has two global governing bodies, the Royal & Ancient (R&A) at St Andrew's and the United States Golf Association, and these work in partnership, for example in agreeing changes to the rules. This accord means that golf has not suffered the fate of other sports and split between a British version such as rugby or cricket, and an American analogue such as American Football or baseball. Match formats vary but golf is golf wherever you play in the world. Golf strokes have even been played on the moon.

Travel has always been integral to golf: as transport, leisure time and disposable income improved in the 19th / 20th centuries, hotel resorts or "country clubs" were developed that focused on golf, and every travel agent and railway station promoted them through elegant posters. This continues to the present day: one of the first things developers consider when assessing a resort project is the prospects for golf, existing or to be constructed. About the last thing they consider is wider impact on local land usage, labour, water resources and so on, so (greenwash as they might) they may conflict with community interests. This is especially problematic in arid climates.

Golf was an Olympic sport in 1900 and 1904 and then after a 112-year break returned in 2016. However Olympic golf is not as prestigious as the "Majors", and the top players usually skip it. The Majors are the four top men's tournaments: the Masters in April at Augusta, Georgia US, the PGA Championship in May at various US locations, the US Open in June at various US locations, and the R&A Championship in July at various British locations. These are contested between individual players, and matches between national teams are not a big feature of golf, but the Ryder Cup is played in odd-numbered years between the US and Europe including Britain, and the venue alternates between continents. The Solheim Cup, established in 1990, is the equivalent women's match and is also played in odd-numbered years.

Destinations

Europe

A damp day on the course, Glasgow 1928

Golf is one of the few things that unites this diverse continent, and a combined European team play the USA for the Ryder Cup every two years. Naturally players from the strongest golfing nations predominate. The British Isles are the main focus of golf in Europe, befitting their lead role in developing the early game and their suitable terrain and climate - mild winters means year-round play. St Andrews is the best known, but virtually every town in the UK and Republic of Ireland is near a course, and their cities may have over a dozen. These are briefly described on the relevant city pages of this guide: click through to the golf clubs' own websites for more detail.

Spain and Portugal are the two best developed on mainland Europe: their interiors can be arid but their coasts are watered by Atlantic weather. Valderrama in Spanish Andalusia is the best known of these.

In France courses are similarly down the Atlantic coast. The Czech Republic has opened courses since the fall of communism, and the Scandinavian countries offer the opportunity of around the clock golf during the summer months.

Scotland

There are over 550 golf courses across Scotland, which equates to 500-and-some venues as the biggest clubs have more than one course. They're mostly coastal and lowland: the Highlands have few simply because they're thinly populated. In 1886 an uprising on the island of Tiree was settled amicably when the marines sent to quell it showed the islanders how to play golf along their machair terrain. Some top examples are:

  • St Andrews where the R&A rule the roost, and only top players and tournaments grace the Old Course, but there are plenty more, accessible and affordable by mere mortals.
  • Carnoustie near Dundee has often staged Open Championships.
  • Gleneagles near Crieff in Perthshire surrounds a wonderful old railway hotel on the fringe of the Highlands.
  • Royal Troon is an Open Championship course on the Ayrshire Coast.
  • Turnberry north of Girvan in Ayrshire is an Open Championship course attached to a world class hotel.
  • Royal Dornoch north of Tain is a notoriously tricky course, but Tain has a famous whisky distillery to console you later.
  • Muirfield is a highly rated championship course in the sandhills of Gullane in East Lothian.
  • Dalmahoy is midway between Livingston and Edinburgh.

See also the Tourist Agency's golf tourism website, which describes several of the courses in Scotland.

England

England has over 1900 golf clubs, and the game is an integral part of national culture, a weekly appointment to thrash undergrowth and send divots flying. Top courses include:

  • Royal Birkdale, Southport.
  • Royal Liverpool at Hoylake in Wirral hosted the Open Championship in 2023.
  • Royal Lytham and St Anne's on the Lancashire coast.
  • Royal St George's at Sandwich in Kent hosted the Open Championship in 2021.
  • The Belfry near Tamworth in the Midlands, was the venue for a number of Ryder Cups.
  • Wentworth near Chertsey has been the venue for the World Matchplay Championship.

Ireland

Designers of the course at Adare Manor

Ireland was the first country to organise golf on a national level, with the men's Golfing Union of Ireland founded in 1891 then the Irish Ladies Golf Union in 1893. It has lush green terrain (euphemism for rain-swept) and is a popular golf destination. Famous courses include:-

  • K Club is at Straffan near Maynooth, County Kildare. It hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup and has two courses designed by Arnold Palmer.
  • Royal Portrush in Country Antrim in the North is to host the Open Championship again in 2025.
  • Killeen Castle near Trim in County Meath hosted the 2011 Solheim Cup, on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
  • Adare Manor in County Limerick is to host the 2027 Ryder Cup.

The Irish golf tourism website gives details of courses in the Republic and in the North.

Wales

Wales like the rest of the UK has a long golf history, and some 180 courses.

Stableford Scoring System originated in Wales, invented by Frank Barney Gorton Stableford (1870–1959) who mostly played in Anglesey, with the system first used in Glamorganshire in 1898. Your score is not how many shots to the hole, but points for holing out above or below par. Crucially, once you're so far above par as to net zero points, you just abandon the hole and go on to the next. So amateurs who fall into a heffalump trap can cut their losses and not abandon the match in disgust. Professionals enjoy Stableford because the points reward bold play and don't overly-penalise an unsuccessful shot.

For a complete list see the A-Z directory. Premier courses include:

  • Aberdyfi or Aberdovey in Gwynedd on the west coast.
  • Royal St David's is in Harlech also on the Gwynedd coast.
  • Conwy in North Wales in 2021 hosted the Curtis Cup, the amateur women's equivalent to the Solheim Cup.
  • Nefyn on the Lleyn peninsula in the northwest.
  • Machynys Peninsula near Llanelli in Carmarthenshire is Wales's only course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
  • Royal Porthcawl hosted the 1995 Walker Cup, the amateur men's version of the Ryder Cup. The defeated USA team included Tiger Woods.
  • The Wales National is a golf resort near Pontyclun, Llantrisant west of Cardiff.
  • Celtic Manor Resort in Newport hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Portugal

Water hazard in the Algarve

Portugal is a major golf destination: think of the country and you picture the greens of the Algarve, where half of Portugal's 75 courses are clustered. Top venues are:

  • Praia d’el Rey Golf & Beach Resort in Óbidos north of Lisbon.
  • Penina Hotel & Golf Resort in Alvor near Portimão in the Algarve.

Spain

Spain has over 400 golf courses, mostly on the coast in Andalusia and Cantabria. You don't want to be striding around a course in the baking summer heat of Extremadura, though one fellow who haunted those plains, Don Quixote, was surely the prototype of a golfer with dreams beyond his abilities.

The best-known course is Valderrama near Sotogrande, which hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the first ever held in Continental Europe.

Italy

There are a number of high-quality golf courses in Italy. Italy will host the 2023 Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (also known as Golf Marco Simone) in Guidonia, Rome.

Turkey

Turkey is a well-known golf holiday destination. One popular golf resort is Belek located in Antalya. There are 16 golf courses and 26 5* golf hotels there.

Africa

Gary Player of South Africa

Golf in Africa was long intertwined with colonialism and apartheid, but has gradually thrown off these shackles. By far the strongest golfing nation is South Africa: the Sunshine Tour is mostly played there, but also hosted by other southern countries. Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have established golf resorts, like the Algarve but with better kebabs, but are working against the climate.

South Africa

  • Sun City in North West Province has the Gary Player course, which hosts the big-money Nedback Golf Challenge in November. Also designed by Player and managed by the same Country Club is the Lost City course, which in spite of the name is only 2 km further along the road.
  • Johannesburg: Glendower GC in Edenvale east of city centre often hosts the South African Open.
  • Durban: Beachwood Country Club is north side of the city.
  • Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha: Humewood Golf Course is at Summerstrand southeast of the city.
  • Cape Town premier courses are Steenberg and Clovelly, both south of the city.

Asia

  • The Asian Tour
  • The Japan Golf Tour

China

The Chinese claim to have invented golf in the 10th century, along with printing, chess, rockets, television, and everything else you can think of. This claim is unlikely since they didn't pass laws banning it. Golf here was a colonial pastime, and Mao Zedong denounced it as a "sport for millionaires". Since the Chinese yuan was hyperinflated trash on a par with the Mexican peso, he may have been saying that golf was affordable by the masses. Under communism it was disapproved of, or subject to outright bans, on a scale that suggests that all the party officials were playing it, or at least convening at the golf hotel to cook up crooked deals. In 2015 Article 87 of the Communist Party Disciplinary Regulations outlawed holding a golf membership card - this measure was designed to stamp out corruption, but apparently it didn't.

Courses are concentrated around the old colonial stamping grounds of Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen, see Golf in China.

Thailand

Thailand has about 200 golf courses where more than 100 of them are met international standards. Some of them are even recognized international for outstanding quality and standards.

Nearly 50% of all golf courses are found in and around the city of Bangkok, all reachable within 2–3 hours drive from Bangkok. Generally, courses in Bangkok are highly utilize and cost more than those courses that are further away with the exception of courses in Phuket. As such, golfers without pre-booking are more likely to get tee-off times for courses further away from Bangkok, even during weekdays.

Famous golf courses and more information:

  • Alpine Golf & Sports Club This venue located in the province of Pathum Thani, is usually for members only and is rated to be one of the most challenging courses in Thailand. They have hosted many international competitions including the prestigious Johnny Walker Classic and the 13th Asian Games.
  • Thai Country Club Not only is this course one of the finest in Thailand but also one of the best in Asia. It has been voted Thailand’s Best Golf Course 2001-2007 and Best Golf House in Asia 2000-2007. They have been host to many major competitions such as the Johnny Walker Super Tour, Asia Honda Classic and Volvo Masters Asia.

Malaysia

Oceania

Australia

See Golf in Australia

New Zealand

There are over 400 registered New Zealand golf courses from local clubs to internationally renowned golf resorts. These include;

  • Carrington Club - Northland. Oceanside location but plays like an inland golf course complete with rolling hills, vales and natural water hazards.
  • Kauri Cliffs - Kerikeri, Northland. Designed by David Harman, the course is stunningly situated overlooking the Cavalli Islands on 4000 acres of rolling coastal farmland.
  • Gulf Harbour Country Club - Auckland. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. this oceanfront course was the scene of the 1998 World Cup of Golf.
  • Formosa Auckland Country Club - Auckland. Situated on the beautiful Pohutukawa Coast and designed by Sir Bob Charles the course was modeled on the Augusta National Golf Course home of the US Masters.
  • Wairakei International Golf Course - Taupo. Rated by US Golf Digest to be in the Top 20 courses in the world outside the USA.
  • Cape Kidnappers - Hawke's Bay. Tom Doak designed, on a special site with links to New Zealand’s important Maori culture.
  • Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course - Paraparaumu near Wellington. A true links test with the best in design, shot making and world class greens. It has been the scene of the NZ Open on ten occasions.
  • Clearwater Resort - Christchurch. The home of the NZPGA championship and was designed by John Darby and Sir Bob Charles.
  • Terrace Downs - Canterbury. Close to high country sheep farms and in amongst the Southern Alps.
  • Millbrook Resort - Queenstown. Designed by NZ’s golfing great Sir Bob Charles and set amongst exquisite mountain scenery.

North America

Canada

Mountains, oceans and Arctic tundra form the backdrop to challenging fairways and immaculate greens. Celebrated names like Nicklaus, Thompson, Robinson, Furber and Whitman loom large on world-class courses. Play all night under the warm glow of the midnight sun in the Far North. Or putt your way around beautiful Prince Edward Island in full view of the sparkling Atlantic. In Canada, spectacular golfing is just par for the course.

Mexico

Spectacular seaside resorts with sunny, warm weather and clear skies throughout the winter months are the biggest drivers for Mexico's popularity as a golf destination. All of Mexico's major resort destinations have golf resorts designed by internationally known course designers. All of the major cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey) also have golf clubs, but many of the oldest and most prestigious courses are private clubs that you will only be able to play if invited by a club member. The most prestigious golf championship is the Mexico Open (though Americans and Argentinians win more often than Mexican golfers).

Courses in the resort destinations are often affiliated with large resort hotels or tee times can be arranged by hotel concierges. Well known golf destinations in Mexico include:

  • Los Cabos (San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas): Cabo del Sol, Puerto los Cabos, Club Campestre San Jose, Cabo Real, and Quivera, among others.
  • Riviera Maya (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum): Gran Coyote Golf Riviera Maya, El Camaleon Mayakoba, Riviera Cancun, Puerto Cancun, Riviera Maya Golf Club
  • Pacific Coast (Puerto Vallarta, Nayarit): Vista Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta

United States

The United States is a major golf destination, it has more golf courses than any other country, approximately 10,000 golf courses.

The U.S. also has a surprisingly long golfing tradition. The formation of the U.S. Golf Association in 1894 was predated only that of by Ireland's Golf Union. Indeed the U.S. Golf Association, as well as acting as National Golf Association for the U.S., is one of the worldwide game's co-governing bodies.

The United States is home to many of the world's most famous golf courses. The most famous is the Augusta National Golf Club, where membership is strictly by invitation only and a very exclusive privilege; it did not accept its first non-white member until 1990, and would only accept its first female members in 2012. The Augusta National Golf Club is the home of the Masters, one of the world's most prestigious professional golf tournaments, and also one of the four majors in men's golf. The U.S. is also home to 2 of the other 3 majors in men's golf, namely the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, which rotate between different golf courses in the U.S. every year. Golf is popular both as a participation and spectator sport, and the U.S. supports several major professional tours:

  • The PGA Tour is the leading men's tour in the world, although the European Tour is very close in level of competition if not in prize money. Tournaments are held throughout the U.S., plus stops in Canada and Mexico, as well as the Open Championship in the UK (one of the four "major championships").
  • The LPGA Tour is unquestionably the world's top women's tour. Most tournaments (including three of its five major championships) are still held in the U.S., but the tour now has major championships in the UK and France, plus regular stops in the Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and several Asian countries.
  • Run by the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions involves golfers 50 and older. Generally, all PGA Tour stars, and many from other world tours, play here from age 50 to roughly 65, unless unable to for health reasons. One of this tour's five major championships is in the UK, and one regular event is in Canada; the rest of the tour takes place in the U.S.

The U.S. has for many years produced many of the world's best golfers, and remains a golf superpower, despite losing the Ryder Cup to the Europeans in 7 of the first 9 matches in the 21st century. The USA hosts the event every 4 years (specifically in years following the country's presidential elections); the next Ryder Cup to be held in the U.S. will be in 2025 at the Bethpage Black Course on Long Island.

Two other major team events are alternately hosted by the U.S. The Solheim Cup is the women's equivalent to the Ryder Cup, featuring teams from the U.S. and Europe; it is now held in odd-numbered years, but will return to even-numbered years from 2024 on. The Presidents Cup is a men's event that features a U.S. team facing an "International" team made up of golfers ineligible for the Ryder Cup.. The U.S. hosts the Presidents Cup in the year after it hosts the Ryder Cup. The next Solheim Cup in the U.S. will be in 2024 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia (about 40 miles/64 km west of Washington, DC and about 25 miles/40 km from Dulles International Airport); the next Presidents Cup in the U.S. will be in 2026 at Medinah Country Club west of Chicago (though the 2024 edition will be in Canada at Royal Montreal Golf Club).

Another major team event, the International Crown for women, was launched in 2014, and takes place in even-numbered years. Unlike the other events mentioned here, the International Crown involves only national teams, with eight participants. However, COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the scheduled 2020 event, with no further editions announced.

Three of the four major golf tournaments for men, three of the five major tournaments for women, and four of the five major tournaments for men 50 and over are played in the U.S. Some of the most famous, and best, courses can be found there.

Florida is an important national and international golf destination, as is California, home to the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. At the other extreme, Alaska offers the possibility of late night golf during the summer.

Caribbean

Somewhat surprisingly, challenging courses and major tournaments are hosted in the Caribbean. Some of the main courses include:

  • Temenos Golf Club, Anguilla - Opened by Cap Juluca in 2009, this 18 hole course includes challenging holes and breathtaking views.
  • Half Moon, Jamaica- Caribbean World Magazine named this course the "Best Caribbean Golf Resort". The course is appropriate for both novice and advanced golfers. Half Moon is also home to David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

South America

Argentina

See Golf in Argentina for further details.

Golf is an increasingly popular sport in Argentina, thanks in part to the success of Argentinian players such as Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and Eduardo Romero. There are around 280 courses in the country, most around Buenos Aires. They include such well-known names as the Jockey Club, Olivos and Hurlingham. On the Atlantic coast in Mar del Plata are a couple of courses that have held international events, and Patagonia has excellent resort courses such as Llao Lloa, Arelauquen and Chapelco (a Nicklaus design) as well as the 9-hole course in Ushaia.

Buy

At larger and more popular courses, the on-course Pro Shop will normally be able to supply all the necessary accessories.

Eat

Many golf courses have a Clubhouse that serves meals. Some provide a full service restaurant.

Drink

Most Clubhouses have a bar; such establishments are colloquially known as the 19th hole.

Stay safe

Golf is the sort of game that can be played in all sorts of weather conditions, especially if one wants a challenging game. However, lightning and severe storms are contraindications for safe play.

Consider golf insurance. This will pay out in the event of a hole-in-one, or if you injure other golfers.

Respect

More than any other game, there is a code that it's expected golfers play by. It's a given that golfers will play the game in a way that respects the game and its traditions. Any transgression is looked upon extremely seriously. If word gets out that you violated it, you could be banned from the course where you're playing and other courses. Such examples are:

  • Losing your temper (throwing a club, shouting at another player)
  • Damaging the course
  • Playing too quickly (don't hit the ball into the group ahead of you. If they're slow report them)
  • Playing too slowly (if there is a faster group behind you, let them play ahead)
  • Not repairing the course after you've played a shot (not raking the bunker, not repairing divots)
  • Not being dressed accordingly
  • Take a cell phone onto the course

Of course, if you get caught cheating (taking a better lie when you're not allowed, pretending to lose your ball, writing down the wrong score), no one will want to play with you again.

Tipping

If you use a caddies (and in many places you have no choice), you may be expected to tip them. In other places tipping is not permitted. You should ask when you book your round what the expected tip is.

Go next

Once you have finished playing, be sure to clean your equipment. If you are crossing borders with your gear, be sure to declare it, particularly where countries have biosecurity controls to limit the importation of equipment that has been in contact with farmland and the like. Otherwise, you might find you are delayed while the equipment is cleaned, or worse, confiscated.

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