The worlds elite golf courses

by: Declan Tobin

We all here different opinions of great challenging golf courses around the world, full of history and storytelling of great games and tournaments between the legends of the professional world. Every year we hear of new championship courses opening but in my opinion they have a lot to live up to if they want to stand alongside the old greats.

My favourite world courses with their own individual characters over the years

Augusta - USA

Augusta is a stunningly beautiful course located in the American Deep South. Augusta is the home of the world-renowned Masters tournament. Beautifully designed with lightning fast greens, without a doubt one of the world’s best.

Ballybunion - IRELAND

Ballybunion is fantastic links course situated in County Kerry southern Ireland. Well known for it’s towering sand dunes and cliff side holes running along the Atlantic. Stunning scenery surrounds this course but it is an unbelievably challenging links course. A fantastic welcome awaits all who visits.

Cypress Point - USA

Just a stone’s thrown away from Mayor Clint Eastwood’s Carmel and John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row. A fearsome course for hard men. The Monterey Peninsula on the American west coast is a pictures location but certainly one of the most difficult golf courses to date.

Kiawah Island - USA

Kiawah Island was only opened in 1991. Located off the south coast of Carolina. Kiawah was awarded the 1991 Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA. Fabulous Atlantic setting rich in marsh land and sand dunes. A truly terrific links course.

Kingston Heath - AUSTRALIA

One of Australia’s greatest golf courses. Located only 25km from the heart of Melbourne and is perfect test for championship golf. If you like bunkers then you will love Kingston Heath. Your sand wedge will be the best club in the bag (even bring a spare). Scoring well here needs you at your best concentration level.

Muirfield - SCOTLAND

Muirfield is located of the East Lothian coast in Scotland. A very flat links golf course that allows you play to your handicap. Most championship links courses are designed with only the professional in mind, muirfield is a very popular links course in Britain.

Pebble Beach - USA

Simply one of the greatest golf courses in the world. Pebble Beach is located just south of San Francisco. A VERY, VERY challenging golf course. High winds play and important factor on your scorecard. Pebble Beach is adjacent to the rocky Californian coastline. Deceptive on every hole, beautifully designed.

Pinehurst No. 2 - USA

A traditional style golf course located in North Carolina. This course has not got the man made features that other golf courses and is not stunningly located. Some people may think what all the fuss is about with this course. A very true saying, “ A good course doesn’t need glitter and glitz, Pinehurst has its unique unspoiled holes and will always be a favourite.

St Andrews Old Course – SCOTLAND

St Andrews is the oldest golf course in the world. The home of golf itself. The date for which it was first laid is still up for question but we think somewhere in the early 1300’s. The course was designed around the natural hazards and still remains one of the worlds most challenging links courses today. Home of the Open Championship. St Andrews has four 18 hole courses but the old is still the best.

Valderrama – Spain

Opened in 1985 but has become one of the favourites with the golfing world. Set with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. It has become one of the world’s elite in championship courses. As stunning as it may look any wayward shot will be badly punished.

The above list of golf courses is from my own playing experience. Of course there are many more out there such as Royal Birkdale, Turnberry, Druids Glen (Druids Glen is based in County Wicklow Ireland and will be host to the Ryder Cup 2006) and so on that should have a mention, however I only speak from experience.

What makes a great Course?

The key factors:

Good Architectural work to start
Designed with the input of a professional golfer who knows the game
To work with nature and include natures hazards as apposed to removing them
Good accessible location
Excellent drainage on the land
No matter what your standard of golf is like from high to low handicaps we will share in the same excitement when we enter onto the first tee.

About The Author

Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Golf Equipment which includes Golf Appare, Golf Bags and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your Golf interests and needs.

http://www.no1-in-golf.com


Golf in the Wild

by: AVEL ON LINE

Costa Rica is a fantasy land for nature lovers -- and golfers, too

Hawaii...Cabo San Lucas...Pebble Beach...Myrtle Beach... Imagine a golf vacation at these popular golf destinations before they were discovered by the golf traveler. This will give you an idea of the golf vacation that awaits you in Costa Rica. You will re-discover "no-hassle" tee times and the enjoyment of playing unhurried rounds of golf on courses designed by well known golf architects George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Ted Robinson, Jr., Mike Young and Tracy May. Here you will find all the ingredients for a great golf vacation and the added bonus of experiencing the scenic beauty and natural attractions of Costa Rica.

The BIG question? Where do you we play next? Our guess is that like all golfers you have a hard time choosing the destination for your upcoming golf adventure. There are dozens of great golf destinations and picking the right one is never an easy decision. While many destinations have much to offer, I believe few can match Costa Rica for overall quality, cost, and safety. The Costa Rica experience combines great golf, new and exciting non-golfing adventures, and the chance to meet and interact with the warm and friendly people of this charming country. What is truly remarkable is that all of this is set in one of the world's most beautiful and ecologically diverse locations.

From column one

While in many countries golf is seen as a game for the financial elite, it has always been a sport that was accessible to all levels of society in Scotland. The popularity of the game continued to grow and in 1860 Prestwick Golf Club held the first Open Championship and won by Willie Park. St Andrews first held the Open in 1873 when Tom Kidd claimed the title and more than a century later the course has seen some of the most exciting opens including the famous Tiger Woods victory in 2000 where he set a low-scoring record of 19 under par while becoming the youngest player to have achieved a career “grand slam” of golf’s four major tournaments.

In addition to the famous win by Tiger Woods the winner of the 2005 Open will be following in the footsteps of other legends such as Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Locke and James Braid who have all won over the famous links. Put simply winning the Open at the home of golf is the absolute pinnacle of achievement that any golfer can hope or even dream to achieve.

It seems hard to imagine that a country with the rich history of golf that Scotland enjoys could lose its way in terms of promoting itself as a great golfing destination. However, during the 90s this was certainly the case. Countries such as Portugal, Spain and even Ireland worked tirelessly to sell themselves to the outside world as the ideal destination for a golfing holiday. Scotland was perhaps guilty of arrogance thinking that it could survive on its historical reputation alone.

However, the last four years has seen a definite shift in the market with large amounts of (particularly English, American and Japanese) golfers once again visiting Scottish shores. Helped by the publicity surrounding this years Open at St.Andrews more and more golfers are looking for golfing breaks and have a large number of companies competing for their business.

One such company is the short break specialist http://www.superbreak.com whom offer a range of golfing breaks to top Scottish resorts such as Marriott Dalmahoy which is set in 1000 acres of wooded parkland at the foot of the Pentland Hills and has hosted both the Solheim Cup and the Scottish PGA Championship. In St.Andrews itself the relatively new St.Andrews Bay Golf Resort www.standrewsbay.com provides 5 star luxury that rivals the best of golfing hotels anywhere in the world. Sitting amidst the rugged coastal landscape of East Fife the hotel is within a short distance of all the St.Andrews courses as well as other top local courses such as Lundin Links, Leven Links, Scotscraig and Ladybank.

It seems despite heavy investment in promotion of golfing resorts in other countries Scotland will always command a very special place in the global golfing community. Lessons seem to have been learnt and the Scottish golfing industry is unlikely to rest on its laurels again. While a rich history and flagship tournament are important, if the industry is to continue to flourish then continued and focussed investment most remain a priority.

About the Author

Robin regularly contributes articles to a variety of travel publications and also has his own website Travel Tips: http://www.travel-tips.co.uk/



Ice Golf

Are you cool enough?

by: Gary Hill

Ice Golf - only the coolest need apply!

Want to try the ultimate golf challenge on a course where you'll have no trouble staying cool over even the most testing putt? You should consider taking up Ice Golf - the most amazing development that the golf world has seen for decades.

Every year thirty six golfers (or lunatics, depending on your viewpoint) gather in Greenland to play in the World Ice Golf championship. This year's event takes place in late March and early April. The course is marked out on the ice of the frozen fjord and you can expect icebergs or the occasional polar bear for company! As the organisers say: "if you've played on the greens of Europe, then you'll find the "whites" of Greenland rather special."

The World Ice Golf Championship was the brainchild of Mr. Arne Neimann, a local resident and hotel proprietor on a small island called Uummannaq, off Greenland's North West coast. He and a friend designed the first course in 1997 and the sport took off from there.

The world championship is played on the ice in years when the conditions make the ice fields safe and predictable. Players compete over two days and play thirty six holes of stroke play. There is a "warm up" tournament the day before although "cool down" might be a more applicable phrase to describe the effect it has on the golfers. In March, when the world championships are held, the average temperature is minus 13.9 degrees Celsius, but temperatures as low as minus 25 can occur. The dry climate and the strong sunshine can make it seem slightly less cold than that - but not by much!

The organisers also try to keep the golf course open and accessible for several weeks each year for other open icegolf tournaments.

The greens are white and the balls are red. The "whites" are defined by a small wall of snow or by a red line on the ice. Players are allowed to use a scraper to smooth the snow on the white in front of their putt - the only time in golf that a player can legitimately improve the line of his putt. The snow and ice conditions underfoot vary from hole to hole and contestants need to wear polar ice gloves, artic boots and countless layers of clothing. Anti-glare sunglasses are also a good idea.

One contestant a few years ago quipped that "the only hole in one I scored was when one leg disappeared through a seal's breathing hole in the ice." There is also a local rule to deal with the unlikely situation of a polar bear interfering with your ball!

The organisers are looking for a new sponsor this year but in previous years the Drambuie liqueur company took the lead. Players and spectators were able to warm themselves by sampling some of the sponsor's finest product. As always however, even that feature has a twist to it. Rather than ice cubes in the drink, the drink was served in "ice cubes" or glasses carved out of ice to be more exact. Trophies were presented from tables carved out of ice and the scorer's tent was to be found in an igloo!

If you get the chance to visit Greenland for a game of ice golf then sieze it with both hands. It'll be the most unique game of your life.

About the Author

Gary Hill lives and works near Edinburgh in Scotland.
Playing winter golf on the links of Scotland's east coast is cold enough for him.
You can visit his website at vacation2europe.com and find information about golf in Ireland at vacation2europe.com/ireland-golf-vacation.html


 

offer a unique one-stop service dedicated to saving golfers both time and money in organising their golf breaks.

With over 350 venues throughout the UK and Europe, Golfbreaks.com offers tailor-made golf breaks at great value prices, as well as hundreds of special offers.

Recipe for a golfer's paradise: Start with volcanoes, rain forests, waterfalls and miles of perfect beaches. Add exotic animals, spice with adventures like surfing, fishing and white-water rafting, then top off with five fine golf courses, including Arnold Palmer's stunning, new Peninsula Papagayo. Thousands of years in the making, your feast is now ready; it's time for the first course.

Most trips to Costa Rica start in the Central American nation's capital, San Jose. Perched at 4,000 feet, the city boasts wonderfully cool weather year-round and is a surprisingly easy three-hour flight from Houston or Miami. Five minutes from the airport you'll find the Melia Cariari Conference Center & Golf Resort, whose course was designed by George Fazio and built in 1974 by his now-famous nephew, Tom Cariari is a 6,590-yard alpine track with tight fairways lined by towering pines. The downhill, downwind 149-yard 4th hole over water is testy -- a little local knowledge helps, so hire a caddie.

Golf is a relatively new endeavor in Costa Rica, where eco-tourism has reigned supreme for years. If you want to play the course where it all began almost 29 years ago, head to Meliá Cariari in San José and tee it up at the George Fazio-designed Melia Cariari Country Club.

Melia Cariari Country Club is a par 71 layout, and was the first 18-hole facility to open in this bucolic country. The course is sits on an old coffee plantation, and is a shot-makers delight with its tight, tree-lined fairways. The course, built on hilly terrain, plays to just over 6,500 yards from the tips, but is still well respected as one of Costa Rica's most challenging tracts.

By law, Costa Rica is required to set aside one quarter of its land mass for nature preserves and National Parks - American environmentalists drool as the prospect. As you can imagine, the country's beautiful, sometimes rugged coastline is a target of a great deal of this legislation. Robert Trent Jones Jr., known for his ability to craft memorable courses within the context of strict environmental laws, was hired by the Spanish hotel chain Meliá to build a 650-acre seaside resort and golf course along the Pacific Coast in Guanacaste Providence.

Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort was the project that emerged from the commission, and it may be the only golf course in the world that can claim monkeys in play. That's right, monkeys. Jones was not permitted to hack down any of the properties Banyan trees, which are, incidentally, home to the indigenous Howler Monkey. If you think sinking a 10-foot putt to win a skin in front of three playing partners is nerve-racking, try draining a long roll in from of Cocoa the monkey.

The course was built over a period of four years and according to many writers and players, is well positioned to become the best layout in the country. At just over 6,500 yards from the blue tees, Melia Playa is not particularly long, but the humidity of Costa Rica keeps distance in check by taking five to ten yards off each club.

If you want to shape shots and carve out doglegs, then Melia Cariari Country Club is your bag. If you enjoy a wide-open golf course that is as receptive to a driver as the locals are to "touristas," then Melia Playa will be more to your liking.

Far be it from golf course architect Ron Garl to be left out of the Costa Rica golf fray. Garl, born and raised in Florida, is no stranger to warm weather and big game fishing, and Costa Rica has the best of both worlds. Garl put his stamp on the Costa Rica golf scene with his design at Royal Pacific. The front nine at Royal Pacific is relatively flat and quite scoreable. A number of the holes on the walk out follow a river that borders the western edge of the course.

If you didn't get enough of the Howler Monkeys at Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort, you'll get your fill here. The back nine plays through steeper geography and overall, is significantly tighter than the front. Ted Robinson Jr. doesn't get the hype of a RTJ Jr. in the golf course design world, but the guy can flat out build a golf course. Robinson designed Shiloe, site of the 1998 PGA Championship, and with Los Suenos (the dreams), he has given Costa Rica yet another new track it can be quite proud of. Los Suenos is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and rainforest on the other. If you can honestly keep you mind on scoring, more power to you. The course is also endowed with a number of old, majestic trees that are not afraid to come into play. Los Suenos is one of the few courses you'll find that offers forecaddies - guides that help you manage you golf game based on their knowledge of the course. In typical Costa Rican fashion, they are paid according to their helpfulness on the course.

 

Visit www.mytraveltocostarica.com to receive a FREE Costa Rica golf vacation package quote.

 

About The Author

Aventuras Elegantes, AVEL, S.A. We are an american and costa rican group. Aventuras Elegantes, AVEL, S.A., started operation in 1995 as a receptive tourism agency specialized in promoting Costa Rica as a tourist destination worldwide.

www.mytraveltocostarica.com

info@mytraveltocostarica.com


Ireland Golf Vacations

Top tips for your dream Ireland Golf Break


by: Gary Hill

Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.

The K Club, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Druids Glen… the names of the courses may not trip off the tongue quite as easily as those of their Scottish cousins but the quality is just as high. An Ireland golf vacation will introduce you to some of the grandest, most charming, most testing and most mystical golf courses in the world. You’ll return home with your putter coated in magic and with memories to fill after dinner tales for decades to come.

An Ireland golf vacation is special – unique even – don’t miss the chance to come.

There is no finer place to play golf in the whole world than in Ireland. You might yearn to feel the Atlantic breeze tugging at your sweater as you wend your way between the high sand dunes on a coastal links. Or you may prefer the lush and rich emerald green of an inland pasture studded with silver bunkers and flower banks. All of this and more is here for you if you care to venture on an Ireland golf vacation.

Ireland has always created great golfers and recent Ryder Cup matches have turned on the skills (and, perhaps, the legendary luck) of the Irish. The next Ryder Cup will be played in Ireland and worldwide interest in visiting this most welcoming of islands has never been greater. The Ryder cup at the K club near Dublin promises to be the best organised and most thrilling event on the golfing calendar.

For many visitors to Ireland or Scotland the chance to play on an ancient seaside links course is a large part of the attraction. But links golf does provide a unique experience and will test both your stamina and your golf game in a way entirely unlike anything you might have previously experienced. The wind has the remarkable knack of always blowing in your face – no matter what direction you’re facing.

Links courses rarely allow electronic golf buggies or golf carts. Walking is the rule. This is partly to protect the courses and partly because the terrain would make it impossible to drive a buggy safely. Some of the larger more prestigious courses may have caddies available and most will allow you to pull a simple club carrying golf cart or trolley.

One of the joys of an Ireland golf vacation is that even the grandest of the courses and clubs will welcome visitors. Book ahead to ensure a tee time and visit the website of the club ahead of your visit. Get a feel for local rules about dress and etiquette. Pick a lucky shamrock, warm yourself with a drop of local whiskey and swing away for the game of your life.

The world is full of golf courses but there is no country can boast as many shining jewels as Ireland. An Ireland golf vacation can make your golfing dream a reality. Grab you clubs and bag – lets go today.

You can discover the possibilities of an Ireland golf vacation in more detail on writer Gary Hill’s website. Read about the skills needed for successful golf on a seaside links course. Use the list of courses and website information to plan your trip. Book an all in one Ireland golf vacation package or take the plunge and do it all yourself.

All the information you need for a successful Ireland Golf Vacation trip is available if you click on the above link.

About The Author

Gary Hill is a travel writer based in Scotland.

Check out www.vacation2europe.com for more information.


Returning home : Scottish Golf Breaks

by: Robin Richmond

July 2005 sees the return of the world’s greatest golf tournament to its spiritual home on the Scottish East Coast. With the 27th staging of the British Open taking place on the Old Course in 2005, St Andrews has held the event more often than anywhere else which has reinforced its strong reputation as the “Home of Golf”. This year’s event comes at a period of time where the Scottish Golf Industry is enjoying something of a renaissance, with more and more people choosing to visit the country for golfing holidays and test themselves on some of the world’s most famous courses.

The Old Course at St.Andrews, where this year the world’s greatest golfing talent will compete for the famous Claret Jug, originally consisted of 22 holes – eleven out and eleven back. However, in 1764 the local society of St.Andrews Golfers decided that the format of the course needed to change as the many of the holes were simply too short. As a result the total number of holes was cut to 18 – which is now synonymous with golf courses around the world.

However, despite the now settled structure of the course many in the town felt the links would be better served as a commercial opportunity rather than a playground for golfers. This combined with the local councils financial difficulties led to the links being sold in 1799 to a rabbit breeding company! This proved to be a very controversial move which essentially led to what is known locally as the “Rabbit Wars” for the best part of twenty years. Eventually, in 1821 a gentleman called James Cheape bought the links for the sole use of local golfers – which essentially led to the great golfing legacy which still exists to this day.

 

Continues next column

Desert Golf

A Walk on the Wild Side

by: Joan Ewart

Desert golf, a walk on the wild side! Have you played desert golf in Arizona, Las Vegas, Reno, Palm Springs. Why play a traditional golf course when you can always do that at home?

Tighter fairways, a totally different environment treated in a totally different way. No set game in the desert, surprises at every turn, but whoever said golf was not exciting? Before 1983 and eco-sensitive considerations, most desert courses were grass and more grass, designed just like the ones in Ohio, Michigan and at the beach, but around 1983 when Jack Nicklaus teemed up with Lyle Anderson to do Desert Highlands (the home of the first Skins Game) north of Scottsdale. They conceived what would become the first "desert golf course.

Everyone talks about those desert golf courses - what do they mean? A desert golf course is one that is in keeping with the environment. Defined by the eco-sensitive natural plants and animals in the area. The maximum area that can be covered in grass is 90 Acres divided up between fairway and green. The transition areas are sand or dirt that separates the grass fairways from the desert. The desert is not considered a hazard and you can ground your club. There is forced carry - meaning the areas of vegetation that a shot must carry from fairway to tee. There are arroyos or "dry wash" areas that often cut through the fairways. You will see critter warnings watch out for rattlesnakes, coyotes, and chollas( a very mean desert cactus, that reaches out and grabs you- it is called a "jumping cholla"). There is normally a 90 degree rule in effect, meaning carts must run perpendicular to the cart path. (to preserve the desert)...and the air is thinner and the ball goes farther! Lee Trevino sums it up pretty well (as usual) "it's like a voyage into the unknown".

Consider the Desert courses for some of the best golf around!

A great desert course in the Scottsdale area is Gold Canyon Dinosaur Mountain - situated on the side of Dinosaur Mountain the views will take your breath away. A more recent desert course, watch those rolling greens - read 'em or weep!

Scottsdale just happens to have several desert courses that we enjoy including Las Sendas, Another outstanding design by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. How does he do it? Golf Magazine suggests that this course is one of top 10 to play in the country. Like a walk through the desert. Beautiful course and you need to plan your strategy here to get the best scores.

Find out about all that desert golf has to offer for your next golf vacation, when you visit http://www.golfnvacation.com

You may use this article on any website or blog, just please make sure to keep my information intact.

About the Author - An artist, a writer and world travler, devotes many hours to authoring and maintaining major travel web sites. Publishes many articles on travel spots around the world.



South Africa

The No.1 Golf Vacation Rental Destination?

by: Darren Cronian

As courses in Europe and the USA become more exclusive and expensive, South Africa, an overnight flight with no jet lag, offers a great new alternative for a winter break. Cape Town has seen a huge increase in tourism and has more recently been ranked in the top ten most popular cities in the world.

As a PGA professional Brendan has played many courses around the world for both business and pleasure but Cape Town is the destination he has chosen for a second home. As a golfer access to and quality of courses was a critical factor in my selection. Having produced some of the best players in the world South Africa has a great history in golf and has much to shout about. New courses, sponsored and designed by some of the biggest names in the game are opening up on monthly basis. This only goes to reinforce the country's commitment to become a number one golfing destination.

Some of the most stunning courses are in and around the Western Cape and Cape Town provides the ideal base to explore these. You can play on the links course at Atlantic Beach with Table Mountain as your backdrop, or drive down the kikuyu fairways at Stellenbosch, the winelands on your doorstep beckoning you to call in for a tasting on your return from the 18th.

The courses are uncrowded and are all generally available to visitors. You will find the locals welcoming and willing to cater to all your needs. Caddies, usually a luxury even to the best of us, are widely available and provide not only invaluable advice on how best to play the course, but give you a unique insight into the culture of this diverse nation.

Brendan’s personal favourites and not to be missed on any visit to this great city are Royal Cape which is a majestic park land course and oldest golf club in South Africa dating back to 1885. Erinvale which has held The SA open for a number of years. Designed by Gary Player, it is a great test of golf for all standards with stunning scenery. The type of golf course that even if you don't play your best, you still can't help having a great time. Another one not to miss out on would be Clovelley. It is a very picturesque and challenging course. Despite being relatively short in modern day terms, it still offers a great test and is one of Nick Price's favourite courses.

Further afield, but still within a two hour drive of Cape Town is Arabella Golf and Country Club, a six star hotel with championship course and Spa. This Peter Matkovich designed course encompasses mountain backdrops, lagoon frontage and forests that provide natural corridors to savour the natural beauty of the Klienmond estate. It is challenging enough to bring you back for more but enjoyable enough to make you not want to leave

Ou Baai, the Ernie Els signature course at Herrods Bay close to George, with spectacular views across the Indian Ocean will add to the world class courses on this coast, and no article on golf in South Africa would be complete without due reverence to the five outstanding courses at Fancourt, host venue to the recent Presidents Cup, where the rest of the world managed to hold the USA to a draw. In this respect only, do the South Africans fall slightly short of European achievements.

Brendan's home, which is available for letting throughout the year has superb accommodation for golfing parties and can be found on Worldwide Holiday Homes (Property Ref 155025) and offers full details of the villa, and location along with rates for rental and photographs.

Brendan is also available to host tours of the Cape courses and provide valuable tips on improving your game and how to best avoid loosing your balls to the local wildlife. For further information on Pro escorted tours he can be contacted on through the advertisement.

You can visit our site by clicking on our website where you will find a wide range of self catering accommodation from around the World.

About the Author - Darren Cronian is the writer of various articles for holiday home owners and renters. Darren also runs and owns a UK-based holiday company called Worldwide Holiday Homes


Feature:
Golfing Around The World

 

Enjoy Great Golf In Jamaica

by: Simon Harris

A vacation destination for decades, Jamaica is home to a number of quality golf courses. The temperate climate is a welcome part of the golfing experience, as is the general atmosphere of the golf courses, with many being notable for their outstanding customer service focus and their beautifully kept grounds. It should be noted that while many of the golf courses are private, most of the more exclusive facilities do make day passes available for vacationers.

Half Moon Golf Club, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is known among tournament players throughout the world for its classic lines and challenging set up. Open and beautiful, one of the most challenging aspects of this golf course is the wind. Over 7,000 yards long, this course offers a good work out, in addition to a fine game.

Luxurious, enchanting, and uniquely challenging are apt descriptions of the White Witch Course, a recent addition to the famed Ritz Carlton Rose Hall Resort of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The course is named for the infamous Annee Palmer who is said to haunt the area, and rumored to have indulged in illicit relationships with the slaves she held and treated brutally during the 1800´s to run her huge sugar plantation, and also said to have murdered three husbands before turning up strangled herself.

This magnificent course was designed by Robert Von Hagge, Rick Baril and Mike Smelek, and has a slightly different style from the typical Caribbean golfing experience. While there are stunning ocean views to be had at 16 of the holes, they rest upon high ground, as the course wanders through strong hills and players are cooled by the unobstructed ocean breeze.

Three Palms Ocean Course, found at Wyndham Rose Hall, is renowned through Jamaica and well beyond the island for the amazing scenery that its 6798-yard course is built around. Golfers will play alongside of the family graveyard of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the ruins of an aqueduct from the 18th century. There will be ocean side holes, canyons, waterfalls and gorges. This is a truly beautiful and historic course, and can only be an unforgettable golfing experience.

The Tryall Golf Course, at the Tryall Club in Montego Bay hosts the Johnny Walker World Championship and is a favorite playing spot of golfers all over the world. The 6,772-yard course extends from flowering forest to cool seaside, and includes mountain and ocean views that are simply spectacular. Fascinating relics of history along the course include an 18th century water wheel.

There are several other notable golf courses in Jamaica. These include the Manchester Club, one of the oldest facilities of its nature, which also makes available tennis and billiards, the rugged terrain of the Negril Hills Golf Club, which is known to be a challenging and exhilarating play. Breezes Golf and Beach Resort offers truly upscale play.

Whether you´re planning a vacation devoted to enjoying the very best courses that Jamaica has to offer or you are a casual golfer seeking fun greens for a day or two´s play, Jamaica is home to some of the finest golfing opportunities in the entire region.


About the Author

This article provided courtesy of http://www.caribbean-cruise-guide.net