Work on Your Golfing Skills at These Championship Courses
The grass is certainly greener on these golf courses, where the 18 holes are framed against the breath-taking scenery.
Just a two hour drive from San Francisco, located between Monterey and Carmel, lies one of America's, if not one of the world's, most beautiful golf courses – Pebble Beach.
This championship course, and six-time host of the U.S. Open Championship, wraps around the coastline of the Monterey Peninsula and offers stunning views of the Pacific ocean. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, aka The Golden Bear, actually once said that if he could play one last round of golf, it would be here.
You don't have to stay at the Pebble Beach Resort to play a round of golf, but we'd highly recommend it. Resort guests can saunter between the five golf courses, enjoy the luxury seaside accommodation and recline in the resort spa, which has received the prestigious Forbes Five-Star Award.
There's another reason to travel to this part of the United States too: the awesome landscape. Take a walk or go horseback riding in the beautiful forest of Mont Del to fully appreciate this part of the west coast.
If Zeus and his fellow Gods played golf, Costa Navarino is probably where they'd tee off. Golf legend Bernhard Langer designed Greece’s first championship golf course here in 2010. Named after the rolling dunes where it's set, The Dunes course also boasts breathtaking sea views, easily visable over the olive groves.
As if one incredible golf course isn't enough, the Costa Navarino also owns The Bay, where golfers can experience an 18-hole seaside course that meanders past four different seaside greens, then out past the mountains.
The overall architecture and design of the resort is really quite something too. You can get pampered at the multi-award-winning Anazoe Spa and refuel in its thalassotherapy pools. If you like, you can also take a yoga class on the beach, go hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking, or take the opportunity to learn to kitesurf.
Golf enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with incredible greens across the globe just waiting for you to tee off. Whether it's the Finca Cortesin in Spain, the iconic Barnbougle in Tasmania, or the Erinvale in South Africa, chat with one of our travel curators now and get your next golfing vacation started.
Bianca Klement
Like any journalist, Bianca's interest is piqued by pretty much everything, but what she likes best is writing long articles about nature, the sea, and exciting personalities. Whether treking in Finland or kayaking with orcas, she's usually outdoors, and always on the lookout for her next adventure. As a passionate diver, her heart beats strongly for the underwater world and its protection.
Images 1-3: copyright of Bart Keagy, Kodiak Greenwood, Pebble Beach Company
Image 4-8: copyright of Costa Navarino