Photo courtesy of St. Regis Princeville
Spring has sprung, warm weather has arrived, and golf fanatics migrated south to Augusta, Georgia for the start of the first majors tournament of the year, The Masters. Unfortunately, you didn’t get to go because your boss said you have to stay and finish those TPS reports (what a tyrant!). And while it would’ve been exciting to see that green jacket grace the shoulders of the first Australian winner, going on your own extravagant golf getaway is by far a better way to spend your hard earned vacation time. To help inspire this much deserve respite, here are five exceptional golf experiences from around the world that might even make Tiger a bit jealous.
Photo courtesy of Kauri Cliffs
The Ultimate New Zealand Golf Package
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to travel halfway around the world, this package should convince you it’s a good idea. You’ll spend nine nights at three different five-star Relais & Châteaux properties in New Zealand’s North and South Islands with all green fees included.
- Three nights in a Deluxe Suite at Kauri Cliffs
- Two rounds of golf at the David Harman designed course currently ranked #1 Golf Resort in the World by Golf Digest
- Rental equipment and electric cart
- Three nights in a Ridge Suite at Cape Kidnappers
- Two rounds of golf at the Tom Doak designed course ranked among the Top 50 in the World
- Rental equipment and electric cart
- Three nights in a Deluxe Suite at Matakauri Lodge
- One round of golf at The Hills, Michael Hill’s spectacular private course, open only to members or Matakauri Lodge guests
- One round of golf at the 18 hole par 72 championship course Jack’s Point
- Rental equipment, electric cart and transfers to and from golf courses
Package also includes:
- Lodging accommodations include daily pre-dinner drinks and hors d’oeuvres
- Gourmet dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines) and use of lodge facilities
- Complimentary lunch for each night you stay to be taken as three courses in the lodge dining rooms, or packed as a picnic or lunch bag to take on course for your golf rounds
MID SEASON: April 1 - 30, 2013 NZ$10,187 (US $8,805)
May 1 - September 30, 2013 NZ$9,837 (US $8,502)
October 1 - December 14, 2013 NZ$10,187 (US $8,805)
HIGH SEASON: December 15 - March 31, 2014 NZ$13,067 (US $11,302)
Contact any of the three hotels for booking information.
Photo courtesy of PerryGolf
PerryGolf 2014 Ryder Cup Package
You’ll have to wait over a year for this golf adventure, but it’ll be worth it to say you played a round at the ‘Home of Golf’, St. Andrews, Scotland. PerryGolf, a luxury golf vacation provider, is offering a chance to attend the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles from September 24-29, 2014.
Package includes:
- Five nights’ at the five-star Fairmont St Andrews (two sharing)
- Full Scottish breakfast daily
- Ryder Cup admission ticket for all 3 match days (Friday to Sunday inclusive)
- Transfers to and from Gleneagles
- Green fee and starting time for Kingsbarns
- Complimentary golf at the Fairmont’s Kittocks Course on Wednesday 24th (optional)
- Welcome cocktail party & dinner
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure (from/to Edinburgh Airport)
Photo courtesy of Annika Academy
Annika Academy
In case you didn’t recognize the name, that’s Annika Sörenstam, the 10-time major champion. She opened her golf clinic, Annika Academy, at Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL in 2007 and along with her team of coaches and experts, gives personal instruction on golf and fitness. This 3-day package allows golfers of any level to learn from and play alongside the greatest female golfer of all time. Hotel accommodations aren’t included so you can book a stay at the Reunion Resort to make life easier or find your own lodging in the area.
Package includes:
- Instruction led by Henri Reis (Annika's swing coach), Charlotta Sorenstam (former LPGA winner)
- Covers full-swing, putting, chipping, bunker play
- Fitness instruction and nutritional overview with Kai Fusser (Annika's personal trainer)
- Personalized CD with your workout program
- Golf video swing analysis
- Club fitting using C-PAS (Callaway Performance Analysis System)
- 27 holes of golf
- Course management strategy with Charlotta (on course)
- Full-service breakfast, lunch
- Maximum eight guests, 4:1 guest-to-instructor ratio
- Lunch with Annika
- Photo and autograph session with Annika
- Instructional clinic with Annika
- Nine holes of golf with Annika
Photo courtesy of St. Regis Princeville
Hawaii 3 Island Tour
This next fantasy golf package takes you to Hawaii to play on seven different courses on three of the islands—Maui, Lanai and Kauai. Luxury Golf Escapes is hosting this world-class golf experience to Hawaii’s best resorts and courses complete with stunning scenery, private transportation, and even some time to sightsee.
Package includes:
- 4 nights (5 star) accommodations on Kauai at the signature Kauai golf resort of St. Regis Princeville Resort in an Oceanview Suite or Garden View Resort Room
- 4 nights (5 star) accommodation on Maui at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Resort in an Oceanview Suite or an Oceanview resort studio room
- 3 nights (5 star) accommodations on Lanai at the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay in a Prime Oceanfront guestroom or classic Garden Terrace guestroom
- 7 rounds of world class golf in Maui, Lanai and Kauai including unlimited golf while in Lanai for 2 days
- Optional: Luxury private limo transportation. Not included but recommended
- Optional: Travel in style with private jet transportation or private helicopter multi island transfers
- Prince Golf Club at Princeville
- Makai Golf Club at Princeville
- Kapalua Plantation
- Kapalua Bay
- Royal Kaanapali
- Four Seasons Lanai - Manele Course
- Four Seasons Lanai - Koele Course
$9,390 per person for Luxury Suite accommodations throughout (Double Occupancy)
$13,840 per person for Luxury Suite accommodations, private helicopter transfers from Kauai to Maui and from Maui to Lanai based on people traveling.
Photo courtesy of Connoisseur Golf
Helicopter Golf in Ireland
Ireland is home to some of the most beautifully dramatic, highly-ranked courses in the world, and you’ll be playing on nine of them. When you’re not being chauffeured around in a sleek Mercedes, you’ll be whisked away via helicopter from the various courses and accommodations. Connoisseur Golf, specializing in luxury golf experiences in Scotland and Ireland, also makes sure you look the part with high-performance Galvin Green gear.
Package includes:
- Welcome Cocktails and Dinner
- Personalized Galvin Green Gore-Tex Jacket and Pants
- Chauffeured Mercedes on call 24/7 with Concierge/Driver
- Golf on Ballybunion, Tralee, Lahinch, Adare Manor, Doonbeg, Old Head, Portmarnock, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush
- Eleven Helicopter Transfers
- One Night in a Four-Bedroom Suite in The Lodge at Doonbeg
- Three Nights in a Single Occupancy Stateroom at Adare Manor
- One night in a Single Occupancy Suite at The Merrion, Dublin
- Two Nights in a Single Occupancy Suite at The Culloden, Belfast
