Golf holidays are becoming ever more popular and 2014 is no exception with many new destinations emerging as the next big golf destination. Each year, a staggering 3 million golfers pack up their golf clubs and head for warmers climate, sweeping golf courses with ocean views and luxurious accommodation, and its easy to see why. Take a look at our top 3 golf holidays for 2014 and get ready to start practicing your swing!
The Algarve, Portugal
The most popular tourist destination in Portugal and indeed Europe, the Algarve has a beautiful coastline with lovely beaches and dramatic mountains – and a welcoming Mediterranean climate with more sunshine than California. A good selection of comfortable, good value villas has emerged in recent years in the region and more and more people prefer to stay in these.
The Algarve is one of the worlds top choices for a golfing holiday. There are nearly 40 courses to choose from, for all abilities, including the new eco-friendly Espiche, near Lagos.
In the Eastern Algarve, the best courses include Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima. Theyre surrounded by stunning landscapes, being by the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park.
The biggest choice of courses is in central Algarve, including Oceanico Victoria in Vilamoura, ideal for experienced players and where the Masters is held each year. The two Vale do Lobo coursess, Roya and Ocean are further good choices. In Western Algarve, Boavista, in Lagos, boasts variety for golfers of most levels, while the Oceanico Faldo course was designed by Nick Faldo.
No wonder that Todays Golfer Magazine called the destination one of the leading golf destinations in the world.
South Africa
With its phenomenal wildlife, beaches, cultural diversity and terrain, South Africa is hard to beat as a place to holiday. People often head here for safari – but is also a great place to play golf.
South Africa is not as yet as well-known for golfing holidays as it could be, but with it boasting a superb climate and breathtaking landscapes, and its wide choice of greens, including championship courses like Legends, Fancourt, Stellenboch and Arabella, it really will delight.
South Africas outstanding topography lends itself well for creating interesting, challenging courses at a wide range of handicap levels. Whether you pick Cape Town, Sun City or the Garden Route, a golfing break here will be truly memorable.
Vietnam
Vietnam is of course a fascinating place to visit in many respects, from its rich history to its striking ancient culture, biodiversity, tropical beaches and memorable geography. Few people think of it as a golfing destination but with more and more courses emerging in recent years – there are around 30 currently with another 60 or so in various stages of development – the country was recently dubbed the undiscovered golf destination of the year by the International Association of Golf Travel Operators.
Good courses exist around Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Saigon, but a particularly interesting area for golfers to focus upon is the Da Nang area. Near Da Nang City, by the South China Sea, are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Hue, the Old Town of Hoi An, and the My Son ruins. Worth particular mention is Danang Golf Club, with a course design by legendary golfer Greg Norman, and voted the best golf course in Vietnam, 2013.
Paul Shipway is Business Development Director atSimply Luxury Holidays.
