Golf Escapes 2013

Little more than a decade ago, the options for a golf holiday were fairly limited. Only Iberia had really embraced the golf travel market and were able to satisfy the requirements of golfers abroad. The situation in 2012 could not be more difficult. The possibilities seem endless and the variety outstanding.

But this spectrum of choice is almost bewildering. One is desperate not to make a poor choice for that much-anticipated golf holiday… yet the options are almost too numerous. Exactly where is the best place to head for? We hope this edition of Golf Escapes is a help in this regard, a valuable reference as you start to plan your golf holidays over the next year.

Within this travel guide are over 30 different destinations – and all have their merits. Our aim is to suggest and to inform; after reading these pages, we hope you feel well-placed to make an informed choice in 2012 and 2013. In addition to the courses in each area, we also give a taste of the non-golf attractions on offer. We hope we give you ideas and inspiration to nudge you towards your perfect golf break. These days, it can be found in so many different places.

Chris Bertram
Editor, Golf Escapes 2013

	America While there may be seven public and private golf courses in the Pebble Beach area – four ranked among the Top 100 in America – Pebble Beach Golf Links is the one that shares the area’s name, and remains the one that everybody, without exception, swoons over.
	Bulgaria Bulgaria is the Manchester City of the golf travel world. From absolutely nowhere, they have become a serious player on the scene. Three years ago, the prospect of going on a golf break to Bulgaria was as likely as City challenging for the title. Now, both are very real possibilities.
	Belgium Only a short drive once you arrive in France, the hidden travel gems of Belgium include this stunning Bruno Steensels layout between Antwerp and Liege. It fuses rolling parkland characteristics with the natural landscape of the lakes.
	Brunei In sub-tropical south-east Asia, you can enjoy exotic natural gifts, historic architecture and modern luxury… as well as some fabulous golf. Brunei is a small country – its land space is not much bigger that the island of Majorca – but owing to its natural resources, it is relatively rich, affording its population high living standards, low unemployment and low crime rates.
	Cyprus Cyprus is the short-haul destination with long-haul benefits. It takes less than five hours from these shores on a plane, but the year-round rewards are immense. Golf Escapes has been to the island in early May and late October and on both occasions it was seriously hot.
	Dubai With Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club both celebrating landmark birthdays in 2013, Dubai Golf has much to shout about over the coming year. Recently crowned ‘Golf Desination of the Year’, Dubai’s courses continue to set a benchmark for exceptional quality and service, backed by world-class hotels, leisure attractions and cultural experiences.
	France Insouciant. Blase. Nonchalant. All three words have their origins in France and all accurately describe the French’s attitude towards their golf courses. It is the only conclusion one can arrive at given you rarely hear the French shouting from the rooftops about their courses… when they are blessed with the most outstanding collection in mainland Europe.
	Ireland Few countries have a tourist image so plagued by cliché as Ireland. From shamrocks to leprechauns. This section reveals how Ireland can grant the ideal golfing destination. Discover Ireland here.
	Italy Although it’s never really been a country you would readily associate with golf, Italy’s reputation as one of the new go-to golf destinations continues to grow apace.
	La Gomera Tenerife and Gran Canaria usually take the plaudits in terms of Canary Island golf. But Tecina on the tiny island of La Gomera deserves our attention – as you can see for yourself.
	Nicaragua Celebrated designer David McLay Kidd has travelled to Central America to design his latest masterpiece, which includes a hole on the beach.
	Portugal In the Golf World Continental Europe Top 100, the Algarve had six entries – the most of any region in Europe. So while the Algarve may justifiably have a reputation as a fun, sun-drenched golf destination, it also needs to be known as a destination full of world-class quality courses.
	Slovenia For many centruies, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts from across the world have been enchanted by Slovenia. Today it is visited by thousands of tourists seeking to experience for themselves one particular wonder of nature – a unique island on an Alpine lake surrounded ny mountains and overlooked by a majestic castle.
	Spain New courses have opened in Spain in recent years and other more established courses have come to the fore, but Andalucia remains the powerhouse region in the home of golf holidays..
	Turkey November 18, 1994 was a great day for golf; the game was born in Turkey. Starting with the opening of National Golf Club in Antalya, golf on the south coast of Turkey has snowballed into the biggest challenger to Iberia.
	United Kingdom Discover the golfing pleasure of the English coast, marriott golf and its UK resorts that compliment your golfing holiday in the UK. Find out here the prestigious Brocket Hall an the village at Machrihanish Dunes.