The “Home of Golf” is a pilgrimage site for every player. Its unique features—double greens, the Swilcan Bridge, and the intimidating Road Hole—are steeped in six centuries of history. To truly soak in the atmosphere, stay at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, which overlooks the 17th hole; its “Road Hole Restaurant” offers the best view in golf and a world-class whisky collection.

Set against the backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, this is often ranked as the most beautiful course on Earth. Its “bearded” bunkers and sea-facing dunes provide a raw, visceral links experience. For a stay that matches the dramatic landscape, book into Slieve Donard, a grand Victorian hotel that sits right next to the course and offers a massive spa to recover from the Irish wind.

A modern legend on the Costa del Sol, Finca Cortesín has quickly become a global gold standard for service and conditioning. The course is sprawling, aesthetically stunning, and impeccably maintained. Stay on-site at the Hotel Finca Cortesín, a boutique retreat known for its massive suites, three-Michelin-starred dining, and an exclusive beach club that is arguably the best in Spain.

A newcomer that has taken the world by storm, Tara Iti is a “sand-only” links course on the edge of the Pacific. It is private and minimalist, offering a pure connection between the golfer and the land. To play here, you should stay at the Te Arai Links cottages, which offer ultra-modern, understated luxury and front-row seats to some of the most spectacular sunrises in the Southern Hemisphere.

Greece’s emergence as a golf powerhouse is led by this breath taking clifftop course overlooking Navarino Bay. It offers a fresh, Mediterranean take on championship golf with dramatic elevation changes. Stay at The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, which offers private infinity pools and a dedicated “Golf Academy” that serves all four of the resort’s world-class courses.

Widely considered the greatest public-access course in the world, Pebble Beach hugs the rugged California coastline with holes that play directly over the crashing Pacific surf. It is a high-drama masterpiece where the scenery is as challenging as the wind. You should stay at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, where your terrace likely overlooks the iconic 18th green and the famous “Lone Cypress” is just a short drive away.

Donald Ross’s masterpiece is famous for its “turtle-back” greens that repel anything but the most perfect approach shots. It is a subtle, cerebral test of golf that has hosted more championships than almost any other US course. The only way to experience it is by staying at The Carolina Hotel, known as the “Queen of the South,” where the wide verandas and copper roof evoke a bygone era of Southern elegance.

The jewel of the “Sandbelt,” this Alister MacKenzie design is a masterclass in firm, fast fairways and strategic bunkering. It is widely regarded as the best course in the Southern Hemisphere. For a sophisticated stay in the city, the Park Hyatt Melbourne offers a quiet, club-like atmosphere and is a perfect base for exploring the world-class dining of the Victoria region after your round.

The host of the 2027 Ryder Cup, Adare Manor is essentially a “parkland Augusta.” Its conditioning is so perfect it looks like a painting, with the River Maigue winding through the estate. The experience is centered around Adare Manor Hotel, a 19th-century neo-Gothic calendar house that provides what many consider the single best resort experience in the world.

Desert meets the Sea of Cortez in this Jack Nicklaus masterpiece. Often called the “Pebble Beach of the South,” it features several holes that play right along the rocky shoreline where whales can often be spotted breaching offshore. For the ultimate Baja luxury, stay at the Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Resort, which captures the spirit of a traditional Mexican village right on the edge of the fairways.

Pricing varies considerably based on destination, accommodation standard, and time of year, but you can generally expect European golf breaks to range from around 400 to 800 pounds per person for three nights including flights, accommodation, and some golf. Turkey’s unlimited golf packages often represent exceptional value at 600 to 900 pounds per person for a week including multiple rounds daily. Long-haul destinations like Dubai, South Africa, or the United States typically start from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds for a week, increasing significantly for luxury properties or peak season travel. These estimates assume twin-share accommodation and mid-range hotels. 

Mediterranean destinations including Portugal, Spain, and southern France enjoy hot, dry summers reaching 30 to 35 degrees from June through August, which some find too intense for comfortable golf. Spring and autumn provide ideal conditions with temperatures between 20 and 26 degrees and minimal rainfall. Winter remains perfectly playable at 14 to 18 degrees, though you’ll encounter occasional rain and shorter days.

That depends entirely on what you value most in a golf course. Scotland and Ireland remain unmatched for authentic links experiences on historic layouts where the game was born, offering courses like St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and Ballybunion. Portugal’s Algarve boasts the highest concentration of championship-standard resort courses in Europe, many designed by legends like Sir Henry Cotton and Arnold Palmer.

Booking timelines vary by destination and season, but six to nine months ahead generally secures the best choice and value for most golf breaks. Peak periods including Easter, summer school holidays, and major tournament weeks often require even earlier booking, sometimes a year in advance for popular destinations. Early booking typically unlocks better rates and availability at preferred hotels and tee times at premier courses.