If you ask an assortment of golfers for their bucket list destinations for a dream golf trip, you’re likely to get responses that are anything but random. Domestically, resorts like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes and Kiawah Island are sure to show up with regularity. Meanwhile, international golf hotspots like Scotland, Ireland and the Caribbean are reliable targets for daydreams of playing abroad.
Once you get past those big names, however, there are numerous areas – especially internationally – that are becoming sneaky-good destinations for high-end golf getaways. Some golfers are discovering these regions out of necessity, as many popular courses in Scotland, Ireland and the Caribbeanare booked solid into the foreseeable future. Others are looking to find hidden gems that offer unique experiences – and some people really love being the first in their group to report back on a new discovery.
In talking with golf travel experts, three destinations golfers may want to consider for off-the-beaten path luxury trips are Spain, Greece and South Africa. While none of these countries are known as golf hotspots, each has a surprising number of solid-to-great courses. Even better, they all offer unique culinary and off-course experiences that are unlike any other golf trips you may have experienced previously.
Here’s a look at what each has to offer, and what you should know when adding these to your new and improved bucket list:
South Africa
Plenty of big names – like Gary Player and Ernie Els – hail from South Africa, but the area is also known for its big game. Tour providers offer golf packages to the country that include safari excursions, giving travelers the rare opportunity to see all the “Big 5”: elephants, leopards, buffalos, lions and rhinos. That’s not something you’ll find on the itinerary at many other golf destinations. And don’t worry, you won’t need to rough it in the bush to see the kings of the kingdom, because luxury safaris are definitely a thing.
Another lesser-known feature of South Africa as a destination is the country’s wineries and vineyard tours. Wine lovers who’ve been to South Africa praise the variety of reds and whites produced to pair with local delicacies, and the scenery is said to go beyond what Napa Valley has to offer.
The two biggest golf destinations in South Africa are at the country’s north, near Johannesburg and Sun City, and in the southern region near Cape Town and The Garden Route. In the north, Leopard Creek Country Club is considered the jewel of the country’s golf portfolio. The Gary Player-designed course along Kruger National Park and the Crocodile River weaves through wild areas where golfers have reported seeing hippo, crocodile, buffalo and elephant during their rounds. In the south, Pinnacle Point Golf Course is a postcard come to life, with multiple holes playing along the cliffs of the Indian Ocean.
Given the distance from Chicago – a solid 17 to 19 hours by plane – it’s a good idea to work with a golf travel provider to plan a trip to South Africa, and many offer pre-arranged itineraries that include golf, safari and wine tours. Our winter is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so October to April is a great time to look for birdies and big game.
Spain
Weather is a part of every golf trip, and Spain is no exception. What is exceptional about Spain’s weather, however, is how good it is. You won’t have to worry about packing every bit of waterproof gear you have to enjoy a golf vacation in Spain, especially in the Andalucia region. More than 70 golf courses dot the area between Gibraltar and Malága along the Costa del Sol, and sunny weather and comfortable temperatures are par for the courses.
1997 Ryder Cup host Valderrama is the biggest name in the area, and you’ll want to play it if you’re in the area – it’s the toughest tee time to get in Spain, so maybe you’ll start your planning with availability on one of Robert Trent Jones’ top layouts. Other notable courses include La Hacienda Links, which offers views of The Rock of Gibraltar. Another highlight is Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Sotogrande, which hosted the 2023 Solheim Cup.
Be sure to leave open time in your schedule for non-golf activities as well. You’ll have plenty of stories to tell after seeing a bullfight in Marbella or taking a day trip by ferry to Morocco – nothing like getting a second continent into your itinerary. And you’ll also enjoy the vibrant culinary scene in Spain, with Michelin-starred restaurants serving paella, steaks and seafood paired with outstanding local wines.
Greece
With its blend of year-round great weather, famously delicious cuisine and the country’s remarkable historical sites – all surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea – Greece is hardly a surprise travel favorite. But in the U.S., the country’s golf scene is underappreciated. The Athens and Costa Navarino areas have a number of outstanding courses that may not be household names, yet provide great golf with remarkable views.
For example, The Olympic Academy Golf Club has a pair of fantastic courses, including The Hills, a new José Maria Olazábal course, while The Dunes is a Bernhard Langer design that has hosted tour events. Bring your sunscreen and your camera, because you’ll be glad to have both.
Like Spain and South Africa, the non-golf portion of your itinerary will be unforgettable. Take time to enjoy the countless beaches for a swim or people watching, charter a boat for a sunset cruise, or plan a side trip to Athens to see monuments like the Acropolis and the Parthenon.
