Dublin

Guinness and Golf in Dublin

Among the best things about golfing around Dublin is, well, Dublin. Staying in one of the most lively and historic cities in the world truly enhances the fantastic golf experience. Portmarnock is a must-play and the European Club, County Louth and the Island Golf Club are all excellent. After each round, you can enjoy a fresh pint of Guinness, often with a side of Celtic music. 

What We Love About Dublin

Want a quick golf getaway in a city with a burgeoning food scene, great pubs and lively late-night music? We know just the place: Dublin. None of the golf courses we recommend—including the top-50 Portmarnock and the criminally underrated County Louth—are more than an hour’s drive away. That allows you to unpack only once for your stay at one of the many great hotels.

Depending on the group, we like The Merrion, the Shelbourne and the FitzWilliam. When you’re not golfing, there’s plenty to keep you busy. You can learn a little and have a laugh at the Little Museum of Dublin; have fun dining at Fade Street Social; take a private room at the epicurean favourite, Pig’s Ear; and catch some late-night music with a Guinness at O’Donoghue’s. But you will have to pack before you fly home.

Favourite Courses

  • Portmarnock: The home of Paddy Harrington is ranked #49 in the world

  • The Island: This charming, must-play course just north of Portmarnock is surrounded by water on three sides

  • The European Club: Just south of Dublin, Pat Ruddy’s creation features railway sleepers lining the bunkers

  • Royal Dublin: Formed in 1885, located on Bull Island old club with a parkland

  • County Louth (aka Baltray): One of the world’s most underrated tracks, it’s a great links course among the dunes and right beside the sea

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New Zealand

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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The Masters

The Worthiest Bucket List Tick, Yessir

Held the first full week of April in Augusta, Georgia, the Masters is among the most-followed sporting events in the world. The Azaleas bloom, the town is electric, and the best golfers in the world arrive at the immaculate and historic Augusta National Golf Club. The Masters is known as “A tradition unlike any other” and going to the Masters is an experience unlike any other.

What We Love About The Masters

Having been to The Masters a few times, we can tell you it never gets old. The unreal colour of green, the pimento sandwiches, the rules, the mysterious roars from far off holes, the cheap beer in keepsake Masters cups and the great gear found only on the grounds of Augusta National. You may not like horse racing, but everyone loves the Kentucky Derby. You may not love tennis, but everyone loves Wimbledon. The Masters is the same: even non-golfers will be wooed by its unique magic.

YOUR TRIP

We offer three main accommodation packages that offer the incredible experience of attending the Masters.

For information on pricing or for any questions about our Masters packages, please contact us at golf@travelimpresariosgolf.com.

Option 1: Stay at a private Augusta home

Example of one of the homes available for rent in Augusta

Example of one of the homes available for rent in Augusta

The best approach to staying in Augusta is to rent a house. A large percentage of the city leaves town for the week, freeing up their homes for the duration of the tournament. Our partner has a comfortable house for you to stay in — one that includes catered dinners and drinks, a driver throughout your stay and all sorts of other services.

An example house package includes:

  • Tournament badges/tickets for two days at Augusta National

  • Accommodations in a Southern home

  • Nightly catered dinners at the “host house” or at your home

  • Snacks and appetizers pre-dinner

  • Cold breakfast daily (you can request what you would like stocked)

  • Premium beer, wine and liquor

  • All Augusta (AGS) or Columbia (CAE) airport transfers (transfers from Atlanta or Charlotte available for additional charge)

  • Personal driver during your time in Augusta

  • Daily housekeeping service

  • “Chair Runners” who will have your seat in prime location at the hole of your choice (on tournament days)

  • Sitting chair for the tournament and it’s yours to keep

  • Welcome gift

  • Along with other “tips,” a 24hr concierge service to enhance your Masters Experience

  • All taxes and gratuities

Option 2: Stay in a business-class hotel

Sleep inn.jpg

Instead of an all-inclusive experience, stay at a budget hotel located a short drive from Augusta National. The cost to stay in these budget hotels is about 5-times what you’d pay to stay in the same room at any other time of the year, but it remains a more economical option. That said, feedback from our clients who have stayed in these hotels during the Masters has described them as “totally fine” and a convenient way to experience the tournament.

Your trip to the 2019 Masters will include:

  • Two nights accommodations at a budget hotel in Augusta

  • Two tournament round badges

  • Services of Travel Impresarios Golf

Option 3: Add in a round of your own (or anything else!)

Forest Hills Golf Club, Augusta GA

Forest Hills Golf Club, Augusta GA

The trip is entirely customizable to help ensure you get the most out of this all-world experience

Seeing the best in the world in action will make you want to swing your own club. While Augusta National is unfortunately not taking walk-ons this week (or ever!) there are some great options nearby so you play a round during your visit to Augusta.

For information on pricing or for any questions about our Masters packages, please contact us at golf@travelimpresariosgolf.com.

The terms Augusta National, Masters and The Masters, as well as all associated graphics and/or logos are registered trademarks of the respective owners and are used herein for description purposes only. The use of the terms, Augusta National and Masters, herein is for factual description purposes only. TI Golf is in no way associated with or authorized by their respective owners nor have they licensed or endorsed TI Golf to sell goods and/or services in conjunction with their events.

 

The Highlands

Rugged, Northern Beauty and Lake Monsters

A golf trip to The Highlands lets you play two regions connected by a three-hour drive down the Whisky Trail through Speyside. Part one: we like to base our trips in Dornoch for rounds at Royal Dornoch, Brora and Castle Stuart. Part two: Abdereenshire is home to Royal Aberdeen and the Cruden Bay.

What We Love About The Highlands

After your flight from London to Inverness, the excellent Castle Stuart is just five minutes from the airport. For a great 36-hole day, play amongst the sheep at the simple but compelling Brora. Now you’re only 25 minutes from Dornoch.

Made famous by Lorne Rubenstein’s A Season in Dornoch, this sleepy town features Royal Dornoch, a course that always deserves a second round, and two great hotels, Links House and Royal Golf Hotel. We’re still not sure which is closest to the first tee, we just know they’re the closest hotels to a first hole in Scotland.

After you try falconry at Dunrobin Castle, hit the Whiskey Trail. The three-hour drive may take longer because there’s always someone’s favourite distillery along the way. Now it’s time to play Royal Aberdeen, Trump International and Cruden Bay, which has a blind par 3 at 15 and the tee box at 9 offers one of the best views in golf. They’ll never make another course like it.

Favourite Courses

  • Royal Dornoch: this is one of our favourite courses and we insist you play it twice (you can thank us later)

  • Brora: an unpretentious links with electric fences to keep roaming sheep from the greens

  • Castle Stuart: this relative newcomer ranks #66 and is just five minutes from Inverness airport on the Moray Firth

  • Nairn: one of the finest-kept links courses in Scotland

  • Royal Aberdeen: the first course to establish itself in the northeast is a former World Top 100 and always a memorable golf experience

  • Cruden Bay: number two on the most-fun-to-play list and #63 on best courses in the world list

  • Trump: while we wish we could call it something else, we still think you should play it. The owner placed a plaque that reads, “according to many, the greatest golf course anywhere in the world”

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Southwest Ireland

Explore the Greens of the Emerald Isle

With four Top-100 courses, Southwest Ireland is surely one of the world’s premier golf destinations. Follow the tiny roads through rolling countryside and your reward is stunning seaside golf. And as glorious as the golf is, the area also offers castles and other historic sites, the rugged beauty of land, hilarious locals and great pubs. A single word describes this trip: fun. 

What We Love About Southwest Ireland

We love so much about this place. We love entering the incredible spit and seeing the spectacular Old Head in front of us. We love staying in Kinsale and learning about its eponymous Battle over a Guinness at The Spaniard. We love driving some of the Ring of Kerry to a Top-100 course in Waterville with its statues of Payne Stewart and Charlie Chaplin.

We love staying two nights and playing Hogs Head, Waterville’s new neighbour. We love the warmth of innkeepers like Daragh from Barrow House and Catherine at Killarney Lodge. And we love this trip’s unparalleled finish that has us playing Top-50 courses like Ballybunion and Lahinch while we stay in the beautiful accommodations at Doonbeg.

Favourite Courses

  • Ballybunion: This famous course ranks among the Top 15 in the world

  • Lahinch: Quirky, fun and right in town—and a Top-35 course

  • Tralee: This may be Arnold Palmer’s best architectural effort

  • Waterville: Ranks in the Top-82 in the world

  • Hogs Head: This newcomer in Waterville is quickly making a name for itself

  • Dooks: A short 6,000 yards built in 1889 and loads of fun

  • Old Head: Every golfer should experience this spectacular and unique site

  • Doonbeg: This was a Greg Norman design that was lost in a storm and then completely rebuilt

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East Lothian

Whisky, Haggis and Amazing Golf

Brimming with excellent golf, East Lothian features 22 courses, all within 30 minutes of Edinburgh. The region possesses some of the best traditional links courses in the world, most notably Muirfield, the past host of the British Open and consensus World Top 10, as well as a healthy handful of lesser-known gems.

What We Love About the East Lothian

For tradition and fun, two of the region’s 22 courses have always stood out for us. A one-day membership at The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, aka Muirfield, is a unique experience. We love to play 18 holes in the morning, then shower and change into jacket and tie for a generous lunch before playing another 18 as foursomes.

Meanwhile, North Berwick (pronounced “Ber-rick”) is the world’s sixth oldest original layout and one of the most enjoyable courses on the planet. Its many famous holes include the “Pit,” with a green protected by a stone fence.

The hotels match the golf so you can choose from the stately Greywalls, which overlooks Muirfield; Fenton Tower, a fortified 16th Century tower; and the newer Bonnie Badger. Larger groups can rent an outstanding house steps from Muirfield.

For food, we love to stop at the Lobster Shack before a round at Berwick and, at night, we’re always impressed by the excellent Italian food at Osteria.

Favourite Courses

  • The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (aka Muirfield): Ranked #10 in the world, and one of our favourites

  • North Berwick: The sixth oldest layout in the world ranks #51 today. We love the “Pit,” the 13th hole.

  • Gullane No.1: One of three courses at the club, it’s a former Scottish Open host and frequent Open qualifying course

  • Dunbar: A great course for your opening round of a trip, letting you ease into links golf

  • Renaissance Golf: This Tom Doak course opened in 2008 and was the 2019 Scottish Open host

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Spain

Say ‘Si’ to Spain’s Costa del Golf

With 300 days of sun a year, it’s no wonder Spaniards call this region the Costa del Sol. But it also boasts more than fifty courses, so we’re not surprised some people call it the Costa del Golf. And not just any courses, but excellent ones, including Valderrama and several others designed by Robert Trent Jones. Even better, you’ll be in Spain.

What We Love About Spain

Well, the weather, for one thing. We enjoy playing in the Scottish rain as much as the next guy, but sometimes we long for perfect conditions. Then there’s the ability to stay in one hotel—perhaps Puente Romano, the Mediterranean beach resort or, for something quieter, consider the lovely Finca Cortesin—and play all the golf we need without driving more than an hour. If you stay at Finca Cortesin, for example, you’ll have one of the best courses in the region at your doorstep.

Finally, it’s Spain. That means fabulous wines, delicious food and a rich and captivating culture. A typical day might include a morning round, a big paella lunch and a siesta in the afternoon before hitting the clubs when they open at…midnight. But leave some time to enjoy the country.

We love the old town of Marbella and the dramatic hill town of Ronda. And Sevilla is one of the great small cities of Europe—and one of the best places to experience Andalusian culture, including the pageantry of bullfighting. Fair warning: you’ll go home wishing you’d booked another week.

Favourite Courses

  • Real Club Valderrama: Widely considered the best in the country, this beautiful club permits a few lucky visitors to wend ‘round its cork trees and well-groomed fairways

  • Sotogrande: Valderrama’s neighbour was Robert Trent Jones’s first European design in 1964

  • Finca Cortesin: Opened in 2007, it has already hosted prestigious events such as the Euro PGA World Match Play

  • Las Brisas: The beautiful fauna combined with an outstanding layout—originally by Robert Trent Jones and recently updated by Kyle Phillips—makes this a lovely experience from start to finish

  • La Reserva: A big, long course made more playable by the generous fairways and elevated tees

  • Real Sevilla: This flat course is a good test because of the smallish greens and we love to include a round here because it means great tapas, flamenco and sherry in one of our favourite towns

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Australia

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

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

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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What They Said…

 
What They Said

“I’ve been meaning to write and let you know how much we enjoyed Scotland and to say thanks for all your efforts in making it a very memorable trip indeed. I can’t think of a single complaint!”

RC, Briarcliff Manor, NY

“I wanted to send this note to thank you and your staff for your incredible help with pulling our Masters package together. The experience went far beyond my expectations. We had amazing seats, a beautiful place to stay and the dinners were perfect. …

We had a great time, I will certainly recommend your services to anyone who is thinking about going to The Masters or any trip in general.”

KM, Toronto, ON

“The trip was awesome. Everything went off without a hitch.

4 great lodges
11 great courses
We loved European Club
1 great driver.
10 great weather days.

Thank you for everything. “

SB, West Bloomfield, MI