Out of season Golf Holidays Wind, rain, hail, snow, thunderstorms and fog - these are just a few reasons why golfing in the UK during winter can be an unpleasant experience. But bad weather doesn't have to mean packing away your clubs and putters - there are locations around the world which offer more forgiving climates for your next round of golf.
2. Out-Of-Season Golf Holidays
FRANCE
UNITED STATES
ITALY
SPAIN
CANARY ISLANDS
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CARIBBEAN
AUSTRALIA
HOT
SOUTH AFRICA
COLD
Out of season Golf Holidays Wind, rain, hail, snow, thunderstorms and fog - these are just a few reasons why golfing in
the UK during winter can be an unpleasant experience. But bad weather doesn't have to mean packing away your clubs
and putters - there are locations around the world which offer more forgiving climates for your next round of golf.
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
3. United States
Month Playable: May - April, September - October
Florida is the golfing capital of the USA, offering over a
thousand golf courses and some fine weather either side of
the ultra-hot summer.
Distance
4,386 miles
Golf facilities
There are 15,753 golf courses in the United States of America,
which is the largest concentration of courses anywhere in
the world. Florida is home to the most courses with over a
thousand, followed by California. One of the most famous and
revered courses in the world is Pine Valley, which is found
in New Jersey. However this course is members-only and is
shrouded in mystery as it is difficult to locate.
Flight Time
Approx 5 - 10 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£400-£700
VARIES
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
For golfers wanting to immerse themselves
in the hubbub of the American golfing world,
they can visit the PGA Village in Port St Lucie
in Florida. There is a “play and stay” package
available where golfers can book in for a set
amount of nights and play a round of golf each
day. The price varies depending on when you
visit; this ranges from $405 in September 2013
and $789 in March 2014.
This area of Florida has a humid subtropical
climate, meaning that summers are very hot
and winters are milder. You may wish to travel
there in spring or autumn to avoid the humid
heat wave and also make the most of seasonal
savings.
London – West Palm Beach International (USA)
• 4,386 miles
• Approximately 5 - 10 hours flight time
• £400-£700 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
4. Caribbean
Month Playable: December - April
If winter time is getting you down what could be better than
heading to a Caribbean island to enjoy fine weather, beautiful
natural surroundings and some fine golf courses.
Distance
4,220 miles
Golf facilities
The Caribbean islands stretch for 1,700 miles and are dotted
with some fantastic golf courses. The course that was the
most highly regarded for a long time was the “Teeth of the
Dog” course in the Dominican Republic, named after the
jagged rocks plunging into the ocean, but now this top spot is
being challenged by other courses clustered on the collection
of islands.
Flight Time
Approx 7-8 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£500-£800
30˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
Canouan is a small island, measuring only 3.5
by 1.35 miles, and is relatively unspoiled and
wonderfully undiscovered, making it perfect for
a tranquil getaway. This island is home to The
Grenadine Estate Golf Club, a 1,200 acre estate
home to a 300 acre, 18 hole course designed by
Jim Fazio. The Green Monkey course designed
by Tom Fazio is based on the Sandy Lanes
resort in Barbados, and has also earned a
reputation as a popular destination for golf
holidaymakers thanks to its dramatic scenery.
The Caribbean islands experience warm
winters where temperatures can climb to 30C.
The rainy season hits in May, and although it
is not as bad as monsoon season in India, it is
best to be avoided. Hurricanes can strike the
islands during September-November, so it is
recommended to consider this when booking a
holiday.
London – Bridgetown (Barbados)
• 4,220 miles
• Approximately 7-8 hours flight time
• £500-£800 flights
5. The Canary Islands
Month Playable: All year round
The Canary Islands are a golfer’s dream; offering some great
courses which can be played at almost any time of the year
thanks to the islands’ constant summer season.
Distance
1,823 miles
Golf facilities
The two areas in the Canary Islands most famed for their
golf facilities are Tenerife and Gran Canaria, each boasting
7 course layouts of 18 holes or more. Fuerteventura and
Lanzarote also have a modest 2 courses each, and there is an
additional course located on La Gomera. Back on the famed
golfing island of Tenerife stands the Abama Golf and Spa
Resort, which is considered the best in the Canary Islands.
Flight Time
Approx 4 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£100-£200
21˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
The Abama Golf and Spar Resort was designed
by Dave Thomas and opened in 2005 – the
course is spread across 6,271 of ever-changing
terrain and contains 22 lakes and 25,000 palm
trees. The adaptable nature of the course
means that it is suited to those with larger
handicaps as well as the well-weathered golfer.
The onsite golf academy also means that
complete beginners can try their hand at the
sport and wannabe-pros can polish their swing.
The Canary Islands are fortunate enough to
experience a warm climate almost all year
round, which could make it perfect for those
looking for a little winter sun. Even during the
colder months the islands see temperatures of
around 21C and on average 21 days out of each
month are dry.
London – Tenerife (Canary Islands)
• 1,823 miles
• Approximately 4 hours flight time
• £100-£200 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
6. Spain
Month Playable: June - November
British summertime may be a beautiful thing, but it can be
over in a flash. Spain enjoys a longer summer season and
better golfing weather.
Distance
1,067 miles
Golf facilities
There are 590 courses (inclusive of golf clubs) in Spain, and
the highest concentration of golf courses is in the coastal
region of Andalusia. Within Andalusia is the Arcos Gardens
golf resort and country club, which offers great facilities for
both golfers and non-golfers.
Flight Time
Approx 2-3 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£50-£150
30˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
Arcos Gardens hosts a sprawling 72 par golf
course for you to try out your swing in Spain,
and the Fain Country House located within the
resort claims to offer the perfect facilities for
golfers to come and go in between rounds.
Those looking to travel in larger groups can
also book private villas within Arcos Gardens.
Temperatures reach 29C-31C throughout the
typical summer months, and coastal areas
such as Andalusia benefit from a sea breeze,
making the blazing sun more bearable. Warmer
temperatures continue even into November
with typical temperatures hovering around 21C,
making it ideal for an autumn golf getaway.
London – Jerez (Spain)
• 1,067 miles
• Approximately 2-3 hours flight time
• £50-£150 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
7. France
Month Playable: June - September
Not all summers in the UK are equal, and when the weather
just isn’t up to scratch France can often offer a better
proposition for golfers.
Distance
204 miles
Golf facilities
There are over 550 golf courses in France, with the first one
opening in 1856. Le Golf National’s golf club, opened in 1990,
is considered to be one of the best in the country, and is so
revered that it will be playing host to the 2018 Ryder Cup. The
course is also open to non-pros and visitors.
Flight Time
Approx 1 hr
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£50-£150
25˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
Le Golf National club is located in Paris and
features an 18 hole, 72 par championship
course called L’Albatros (Albatross), as well
as smaller Aigle (Eagle) course and short 9
hole Oiselet (Birdie) course. The club also has
an on-site hotel offering 131 rooms to avoid
golfers to allow them to “play and stay”. Such
a central location means that the resort is
accessible for those choosing to drive, use the
Eurostar, or fly into Charles de Gaulle airport.
Being located so close to the UK, this part of
France experiences a similar climate. Warmer
temperatures are experienced in the summer
months of June-September and the wetter or
colder months spanning through October-April.
London – Paris (France)
• 204 miles
• Approximately 1 hour flight time, 1-2 hours
on a ferry or 1 hour on the Eurostar
• £50 -£150 per person depending on
mode of transport
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
8. Italy
Month Playable: September - October
In Autumn, when the UK becomes cold and wet, and leaves
begin to fall on the fairway, temperatures in Italy drop to a
level which make it highly agreeable for golfers.
Distance
571 miles
Golf facilities
There are 225 golf courses across the country, with some
80,000 Italian golf club members. The Golf Club Biella is
often regarded as the best location for golfers in Italy is the
Golf Club Biella, which is also referred to as Le Betulle which
is Italian for “The Birches” and refers to the trees in the
surrounding area.
Flight Time
Approx 1-2 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£100-£150
20˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
Golf Club Biella features an 18 hole, 73 par
course which is 6,427m in length and was
designed by English architect John Morrison.
The resort also has onsite accommodation
in the form of Le Betulle hotel, which is open
March to November, and a double room with
breakfast can be booked from €67.50 per
person.
Temperatures can climb to uncomfortably high
levels during the peak summer months in Italy,
which can even make sleeping difficult, let
alone swinging a golf club. Luckily, the Sirocco
winds in the autumn carry cooler temperatures
that are still pleasantly warm. Beware of
visiting in Spring, as storms are more common.
London – Milan Malpensa (Italy)
• 571 miles
• Approximately 1-2 hours flight time
• £100-£150 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
9. United Arab Emirates
Month Playable: December – March
In the dark, cold winter golfing in the UK can be quite an ordeal.
The UAE is one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the
world, boasting some of the world’s biggest hotels and finest
golf courses.
Distance
3,413 miles
Golf facilities
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, and the largest city, but
most foreign visitors head to Dubai, where a number of the
world’s top hotels and resorts can be found. There are currently
21 golf clubs in the UAE, most of them being located in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai. The best golf courses in Dubai are thought to
be the Majlis course at The Emirates Club, and ‘Fire’ and ‘Earth’
courses at the Jumeirah Golf Estate, designed by Greg Norman.
Flight Time
Approx 7 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£400-£600
24˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai opened
in 1997 on an island which is particularly
popular with Europeans thanks to its beach.
The wave-shaped hotel gives guests access to
33,800 square metres of beach, as well as the
impressive golf courses. Top attractions in the
area include the beach the Wadi Water Park
and the Jumeirah Mosque.
Dubai can be uncomfortably hot and humid in
London – Abu Dhabi International (UAE)
the summer, so the best time to visit is between
December and March when average daytime
• 3,413 miles
temperatures are around 24 degrees Celsius.
• Approximately 7 hours flight time
• £400-£600 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
10. South Africa
Month Playable: December – January
South Africa is an enticing prospect for golfers seeking a
golfing destination around the Christmas period.
Golf facilities
There are over 450 affiliated golf clubs in South Africa which
serve approximately 125,000 golfers. Despite this large
number of courses and clubs, one is often regarded as head
and shoulders above the rest; Leopard Creek Country Club.
Distance
5,642 miles
Flight Time
Approx 10-11 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£500-£800
31˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
Leopard Creek Country Club is a 4 hour drive
from Johannesburg and is based on the edge
of the Kruger National Park which means
that encounters with wildlife is not entirely
uncommon. The par 72 course is 6,631m
long and has received a rating of 74, and
was designed by Gary Player. This course is
exclusive, however non-members may be
granted access to play on the course during the
week only if they are also staying on the resort,
and green fees start at $2,100.
The warmest month to visit is in January when
temperatures can reach 31C. The most rainfall
for the year falls over the summer months of
June-August, so it is advised to avoid these
dates.
London – Johannesburg (South Africa)
• 5,642 miles
• Approximately 10-11 hours flight time
• £500-£800 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk
11. Australia
Month Playable: All year round
On the other side of the world golfers can enjoy the great
game at almost any time of year.
Golf facilities
There are 1,800 golf courses in Australia, and it is estimated
that a huge 10% of all of the Australian adult population play
the sport. The 2013 golf World Cup will be played at the Royal
Melbourne Golf Club in November, but this club is strictly
members only. Despite this, there is no shortage of courses
available for visitors - the Bonville Resort offers fantastic
facilities to holidaying golfers.
Distance
10,566 miles
Flight Time
Approx 20-22 hrs
AVG ˚C
TEMPERATURE
Flight Price
£500-£1,000
31˚C
Resort recommendation
Weather/climate
Getting there
The Bonville Golf Resort is located in New
South Wales on the Coffs Coast, which is
approximately 6 hours north of Sydney. For
those travelling into the country, Coffs Coast
can be reached by any of 7 direct flights
from Sydney each day, making it extremely
accessible. The golfing rates are cheaper
during the Australian “winter months” of JuneAugust, and lessons and equipment are also
available onsite.
In this area of New South Wales, cold weather
is rare and brief, as the region benefits from
warm temperatures most of the year round.
However, during the summer months (our
winter), temperatures can reach highs of 38C,
so those sensitive to heat are advised to avoid
this time.
London – Sydney (Australia)
• 10,566 miles
• Approximately 20-22 hours flight time
• £500-£1,000 flights
www.onlinegolf.co.uk