New Zealand

Kauri Cliffs

Kinloch Club

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Jack's Point

Queenstown

Cape Kidnappers

Golfing Across Middle Earth

The lush forests, glacial mountains and stunning shorelines, along with the pleasant climate, make New Zealand a haven for outdoor activities. No wonder golf is the highest participation sport in this stunning country. With nearly 400 courses to choose from—many of them world class—almost half a million adults play the game here. This awesome land is also a great place to chill out, especially since the delightful people are so frank and honest and because they have some mighty fine wines.

What We Love About New Zealand

Let’s face it, when we’re going this far, our trip ought to be as much about the travel as it is about the golf. Fortunately, the two pursuits go so well together here.

We like to start at the top of North Island in the Bay of Islands, home of the largest Maori population, where we can learn about the culture from a local chief, who just happens to be a 14 handicap. Playing Kaori Cliffs is a thrill and so is staying there. In Hawkes Bay, we love the wines, the art deco vibe and the famous gannet colony.

We also like to visit the nearby seaport town of Napier and fit in a round at Cape Kidnappers. At the other end of the island is Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. In between bungee jumps, jetboat trips and hitting balls off mountain tops (biodegradable, of course), we love a round at The Hills and Jack’s Point.

Favourite Courses

• Kauri Cliffs: As recently as 2015, this was a World Top 100 course and it’s definitely still worth playing, especially if you do it with a local Maori chief

• Tara Iti: Visitors often start wondering how they could move to New Zealand permanently—and become an exclusive member at this memorable #27-ranked course

• Kinloch Golf Club: This Jack Nicklaus-designed links on Lake Taupo offers little protection from the wind and dangerous fescue off the fairway and would not be out of place in Scotland

• Cape Kidnappers: Tom Doak’s stunning layout, created in 2004 and currently ranked #44, quickly became a must for golfers looking to play the world’s best courses

• Paraparaumu Beach: Located off the coast, just north of Wellington, the home club of Steve Williams, former caddy for Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, plays like a links course in the British Isles

• Jack’s Point: Nestled in the foothills of the Remarkables mountain range and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this is one of the most gorgeous courses you’ll ever play

• The Hills: An exclusive members’ club, named after the jewelry magnate Michael Hill, this beautiful course features distinctive artwork throughout

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Australia

Barnbougle - Dunes

Kingston Heath

Cape Wickham

Barnbougle - Lost Farm

Melbourne

Royal Melboune

The Down Under Golf Nation

We all know about Australia’s expansive coastline and beaches, incredible diversity of landscape and lively urban areas. What fewer people realize is that it’s also a nation of golf. Approximately 10 percent of adult Aussies play golf, making it the country’s number one participation sport. Once you experience the quality and uncommon beauty of the courses, including seven World Top 100s, you’ll understand why golf may be Australia’s greatest asset. Oh, and the wines are fabulous, too.

What We Love About Australia

Our favourite courses are the many wonderful ones in the sandbelt south of Melbourne, where we can tackle some the world’s best bunkers. After we’ve given our sand game a workout, we always take an unforgettable helicopter tour of the spectacular Great Ocean Road.

We also love to charter a small plane to King Island for a round at Cape Wickham, then continue on to Tasmania to play the two World Top 100 courses at Barnbougle (or we might stay overnight on the island so we can get in a second round at Cape Wickham). While in Tasmania, we like to check out the bustling art scene in Hobart, enjoy the burgeoning wine country nearby and find time for a stay at Saffire Freycinet.

Of course, we never miss Sydney, where we can do a night at the opera and go on a harbour tour—and play the New South Wales, designed by the legendary Dr. Alistair Mackenzie.

Favourite Courses

• The Royal Melbourne Golf Course: Both Mackenzie designs—East and West—are in the World Top 100 (the latter always Top 10) and check off all 13 of his principles of golf course design

• Kingston Heath: Ranked #22 in the world, this well-loved shortish course has sophisticated bunkers and greens that will test your shot-making abilities

• Cape Wickham: Set on tiny King Island, with breathtaking scenery, this course opened in 2015 and is already a must-play on any Australia trip

• Barnbougle Dunes: The wow factor of this course is one of two reasons all golfers heading to Australia include Tasmania on their itinerary

• Lost Farm: The second reason to add Tasmania. Which is better—this course or its surprisingly different Barnbougle sibling—makes for a fun debate

• New South Wales: Another Mackenzie layout from his trip Down Under in the 1920s, this is the Sydney area’s golf highlight

• Royal Adelaide: Until recently, this 1926 Mackenzie was ranked in the World Top 100 and is still well worth the trip, especially if you love the Shiraz from the Barossa Valley

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South Africa

Links at Fancourt

Cape Town

Leopard Creek

Kruger National Park

Links at Fancourt

Leeu Estates

Safaris and Sand

In the more than two decades since the end of apartheid, South Africa has blossomed into a remarkable country. A chance to see the animals on safari and explore the culture, history and architecture—and do it all in such a gorgeous setting—helps make this a trip of a lifetime. Cape Town is perhaps the most beautiful city on the planet and one hour away are the towns of Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch in an unparalleled wine region. But South Africa’s special secret is that it’s among the most underrated golf destinations in the world.

What We Love About South Africa

This country has a little something for everyone and most people love everything about it. We like to start in Cape Town, staying at the Cape Grace, or Ellerman House. Then we head to Franschoek for fine wine, a stay at Leeu Estates and a warm-up round at Pearl Valley. Next up, we like to play at Arabella en route to Hermanus and our chance to see the Marine Big 5 (dolphin, penguin, seal, shark and whale). After we enjoy a round at the Links of Fancourt, the former President’s Cup host, we have a choice to make. Architecture aficionados will want to continue east to play Humewood and Durban, while others will be ready to fly to Krugar National Park for a safari to see the Big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes) and an exclusive round at Leopard Creek. Our perfect, unforgettable day here looks like this: game drive at dawn, helicopter to Leopard Creek for golf, back to Londolozi for a dip in your private pool and a game drive at dusk.

Favourite Courses

• Leopard Creek: Don’t be surprised if you see one of the Big 5 stroll by while you’re playing this course, which is on the border of Kruger National Park (but don’t worry, your caddy knows what to do)

• The Links at Fancourt: A wonderful country club with three courses, including The Links, often considered the best in South Africa and home to the 2003 President’s Cup. Montagu is a great second round

• Arabella: The edge of the Southern Africa’s largest lagoon is the ideal setting for some golf while you’re making your way from the wine region to Hermanus

• Durban Country Club: This unique course along the shores of the Indian Ocean was a member of the World Top 100 for a long time and still offers a memorable round

• Humewood: Set in the sand dunes of Algoa Bay, this is South Africa’s only true links course and the strong winds, hard fairways and the bunkers make it a formidable test

• Pearl Valley: Located in the Paarl wine region, this Jack Nicklaus course allows us to do what we love most: play a round, then enjoy great wine, superior dining and excellent hotels

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Argentina

Buenos Aires Golf Club

Jockey Club

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Golf Club

Olivos

El Desafio

South American Bliss

Everyone knows about the wine, the tango and, of course, Messi, Maradona and the World Cup. But Argentina also has fantastic golf, with the best concentration of courses situated in and around the electrifying and beautiful city of Buenos Aires. The possibility of including side trips to Uruguay and the Mendoza wine region help made this South American country a unique golf touring experience.

What We Love About Argentina

Buenos Aires is a true gem with a European feel, excellent food and wine—especially the steaks and the Malbecs—and a rich and vibrant culture. With three great golf courses in BA, we like to stay at the Park Hyatt in the fashionable Recoleta neighbourhood and unpack once.

That leaves us more time to try to fit in as many of our favourite activities as possible. These include enjoying a Big Asado feast at the Estancia La Bamba de Areco; taking in a Rojo Tango show at Faena Hotel; attending a football match; spending a day sipping drinks in the sun while watching polo; and, of course, exploring one of the world’s great cities.

As much as we love BA, though, we sometimes give in to temptation and add a quick trip to Carmelo, a great resort and golf course in Uruguay’s wine region. All it takes is a ferry ride across the river to Colonia, which is worth spending a little time in, and an hour drive. Or take a quick four-seater charter. Another great option is a side trip to Mendoza, one of the world’s great wine regions—but only if you can pull yourself away from Buenos Aires.

Favourite Courses

• The Jockey Club (Blue and Red): Working with flat ground, Alistair Mackenzie used mounds, contouring and bunkering to create two intriguing and enjoyable courses at the most exclusive club in Buenos Aires

• Olivos: Always considered one of the best in the country, this challenging course has a slight British feel to it

• Buenos Aires Club: The most recent addition to BA’s trio of stellar clubs, it has an Modern American feel, with nine lakes, and is always in great condition

• Carmelo: Built for the Four Seasons, and now a Hyatt, this resort in Uruguay is well worth the trip for both the course and the hotel

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