Golf is a sport unique in that there is no standardized playing area, which has helped the game become adopted worldwide. The varied terrains on different courses throughout the world are an appeal to many avid golfers. There are always new challenges to be had! We certainly can’t begin to put together a comprehensive list of all the places you can check out to enjoy the game, but we can show you some of the most revered locations and more than a few surprises along the way!
Scotland: Golf was invented in Scotland sometime between 900 and 1286 CE, which makes it our #1 recommendation! (So much so that we have dedicated an entire page to its importance). Since the fifteenth century, everyone from nobility to commoners has taken up the game, and today there are nearly 600 golf courses across the country. We cannot overstate that any aficionado will want to challenge themselves by playing on the legendary links here.
The oldest golf course in the country is the Old Course at St Andrews, which hosted its first golf game in the early 1400s. Another popular area for golf is Ayr and Prestwick (pictured), where the first Open Championship (also known as the British Open) was played in 1860.
Of course, the popularity of the game spread quickly throughout the remainder of the United Kingdom and Ireland, so below check out some of our other recommendations for cities where the sport has taken hold of popular culture!
What about the rest of Europe, you ask? Well, naturally with the might and influence of the British Empire the game spread to other European countries (and beyond to Africa and the Middle East). The game may not be as popular elsewhere as it is in the British Isles, but there are plenty of locales throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East that embrace and celebrate the sport.
It may be surprising to some to find out that Portugal and Spain are home to some of the world’s favorite places to golf, while the sport is unexpectedly growing in popularity in places like Bulgaria, Austria, Turkey, and the UAE. Check out some favorites and some surprising entries below:
Now, we are well aware that golf is a worldwide phenomenon. So, we simply cannot ignore the fabulous places to hit the links in the Americas and the Caribbean. So, let’s take a look below at places that are well-loved for their courses and that have hosted popular golf tournaments (such as The Masters, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship).
Golf continues to grow in popularity, and, as such, it continues to be adopted by new countries all the time. The Asia and the Pacific regions are the newest to adopt golf, save for Australia which has long loved the game, especially the sports capital: the Victoria Region! Let us give you some ideas for great golf getaways on beautiful courses from the seaside to the mountains.
We hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit about golf and seeing some of the popular and unsuspecting places around the world where you can take part in a round or two! The above list is not comprehensive or exhaustive in any way; it seems that new world-class gold resorts and courses are popping up all the time. This is a mere introduction, meant to serve as inspiration for anyone from the novice to the casual player and the avid fan! Check back for more additions as we continually update our offerings and be sure to book your Golf Getaway at Tripmasters!
