If ever a golf course reflected the personality of its architect, it is surely this Arnold Palmer designed course. It may seem odd to describe a golf course as charismatic and cavalier but from the instant you arrive at the first tee, you are enveloped by a unique atmosphere. This North Course, which is to be host of the Ryder Cup in 2006, has been host to the Smurfit European Open since 1995, Europe’s most sought after trophy after The Open. You may have been forewarned that Ireland’s first Ryder Cup Venue is no ordinary golf course, and that it is widely acknowledged as the country’s most challenging inland layout, but still you will be unprepared for the ensuing drama. The North Course is, quite simply, one of Europe’s most spectacular courses. It charms, it entices and invariably, brings out the very best in your game. It is unlikely that you will be asked to tackle the course from the championship tees, but this should in no way diminish the excitement of pitting your wits against Arnold Palmer, for, in a sense, this is precisely what you are about to do.

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Affordable Golf Vacations In Florida

From Pensacola to Keywest and from Jacksonville to Naples, everywhere you look there is a golf course waiting to be discovered in Florida. With more than 900 courses spread over an area of 58,560 Sq. miles is it any wonder then that the state figures on every golf holiday maker’s wish list? Golf erupted on the recreation scene in Florida sometime during the early 20th century and the Sunshine State became the most preferred golf vacation destination for enthusiasts across the country. 

Two things that swing in favor of Florida being the no.1 place golf tours head to are the prolific presence of top-rated courses and near perfect weather all year round. Another plus is that golf holiday makers have to spend lesser putting away in Florida. Golf is spread out over all major regions with Orlando coming up the tops. Although Disney World has been a traditional competitor, with more than 150 courses, Orlando was meant to be savored on a golf holiday. Courses like the Bay Hill Club and Eagle Creek added in the top 100 best courses in America list by Golf Week see a lot of golf travel enthusiasts.

But the courses at the Grand Cypress are the single most popular on most golf tour checklists. Grand Cypress’ whopping 45-holes Jack Nicklaus extravaganza is enough to keep your golf vacation busy for a few days. Three 9-hole courses: The North, South & East courses are stimulating in their layout and the way they test a golfer’s skills, the 18-hole new course is a Scottish style links course for the more traditional golfer. The best part is that you need to extract only about $120 for the four courses.

Tampa, with its fantastic array of first-class resort courses, upscale daily fee and semiprivate tracks, is fast becoming a delightful golf travel destination. Make a stopover in the other “city by the bay” just for World Woods that offers two top 100 courses – Tom Fazio designed Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks. At $75 each, playing 36 holes on natural golf terrain is quite a bargain. Pine Barrens snakes through a thick pine forest and offers different levels of difficulty with sudden elevation changes and large fairways and teeming bunkers make the game more enjoyable. Sharply defined bunkers and silver white sand contrasting with the well kept greens on Rolling Oaks lend it an Augusta like quality. But don’t let all the prettiness fool you because Rolling Oaks is an equally challenging and dramatic course that will add flavor to your golf tour.

The First Coast, home to the PGA Tour and host of The Players Championship, has a course to suit every palate and purse. If your golf travel does not include Jacksonville it would halve the fun. Give it a miss and your golf tour would be poorer by an experience to remember on the Jack Nicklaus designed Ocean Hammock Golf Club in Palm Coast. This 18-hole, ocean front course would cost you $189, however the view and the mentally challenging game it throws up makes it worth the while. Other courses in J-Ville that should figure on your golf vacation checklist are the Pete Dye designed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach and Arthur Hills creation The Palencia Club in the historic town of St. Augustine .

Golf travel to Florida can expect some of the hardiest yet eye-catching courses like the Calusa pines golf club in Naples and the best part is you don’t have to pray for a fortune to play them.

 

Want Stylish Golf? Then visit France

While France may not have the golfing history of it’s near neighbours in the British Isles - there is much to excite the golfing visitor. France has approximately 520 golf courses, 25 of these ranking amongst the best in Europe. Add to this amazing geographically diversity, stunning French cuisine and the passion of the French for all things sport - and you soon realise why visitors come to France to golf.

While the Scots are proud of having invented the game and express this pride at every opportunity, the French are now disparaging that claim with proof that some rudimentary golf was first played by shepherds in the Loire region of France, three whole centuries before the Scots took to it. There is a book on the subject ‘Golf Through The Ages, 600 Years of Golfing Art’, published recently it has met with a firm rebuke from the Scots. As a golfing visitor best leave claims and counter claims to the history books and focus on the captivating golf on offer.

For instance, the 3rd hole at Golf de Morfontaine, one of the top 100 courses in the world according to the Golf Digest. Set in the scenic Chantilly region, just 30 miles north of Paris, Morfontaine is an 18-hole, 1927 Tom Simpson design. Although open only to members, Golf de Morfontaine is on almost every golf holiday maker’s wish list. The trouble is in finding a club member who can sneak you in!

The idea of a golf vacation in France is a seductive one. It paints a picture of bubbly wines, beautiful women and gastronomic cuisine. But the lure of courses like Le Golf National (L’Albatros) is stronger for John Doe to keep the golf tour strictly golf. This one is an inland links and one of the finest France has to offer. A must have on any golf package worth its salt, L’Albatros is located in the flatlands of Guyancourt engulfing the sensational Chateau of Versailles once inhabited by Louis XIV.

If you are planning to spend some time here, lets look at the option. There are 3 different courses to choose from – the 18-hole L’Albatros, the 18-hole L’Aigle and the 9-hole L’ Oiselet. L’Albatros, designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge in the late ‘80s is time intensive, Scottish links style course with the last four holes being the toughest. All three courses are worth allocating a day or two of your golf vacation time and give good value for money.

Golf holidays in France need not be restricted to only Golf Digest approved top 100 courses. There is so much golf to be played that one golf tour may not be enough. Just about every region boasts of courses of varying degrees of challenge and about the same degree of beauty that one associates with France. Try the Tom Simpson designed Chiberta Golf Club 3 kms north of Biarritz – which by the way is one place you cannot miss, golf travel or no golf travel. A stunning 18-hole links style course that is sure to spring a surprise or two, although it makes for leisurely play given the almost guaranteed good weather. While you are in Biarritz make the customary stop at the Biarritz golf club, expensive but worth the experience.

Golf travel in France can be extensive if you want to pack in as many courses as possible in one golf vacation. There is Chambor-sur-Lignon golf club in Burgandy, St. Laurent Golf Club in Bretagne and the Aix-Les-Baines Golf Club in Cote d’Azur. Even if you get to play all of these courses you still would have only just wet your ankles. Our suggestion – when you get back home start planning your next golf tour de France and remember to include the Pete Dye designed Barbaroux in your golf package this time.