The world’s most extraordinary golf experiences

Golf has a unique ability to take players to special destinations and reveal parts of the world they might otherwise never experience. From arriving by boat and crossing Africa aboard a luxury train to playing beneath the midnight sun, these remarkable journeys prove that the most memorable rounds often begin long before the first tee.

Playing a world-renowned layout will always carry a certain appeal. But if you are searching for a truly unique golf experience, look beyond course rankings and championship pedigree to what awaits beyond the fairways.

That might mean stepping from a boat onto a private island, watching wildlife beyond the fairways or teeing off at an hour when most golfers are asleep. In these destinations, golf is only one part of the adventure.

Here are some of the most remarkable ways to play golf around the world.

Arrive by boat in Mauritius

Few rounds begin as memorably as a visit to Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club.

Situated on its own private island off the east coast of Mauritius, the course can only be reached by boat or helicopter. The journey across the lagoon creates an immediate sense of occasion, with the island’s white beaches, tropical vegetation and shimmering water gradually coming into view.

Designed by Bernhard Langer, the course unfolds across volcanic outcrops, mangroves and gently undulating terrain. The fairways are framed by palms, while glimpses of the Indian Ocean provide a constant reminder that this is far removed from an everyday round.

Pair the experience with a five-star stay at The Bay Club at Anahita, a luxury resort set among tropical gardens beside the lagoon. Mornings can be spent on the course before returning for spa treatments, fine dining or time on the resort’s private beach.

In Mauritius, the journey to the first tee feels less like a transfer and more like an arrival into another world.

Cross South Africa aboard Rovos Rail

Luxury train travel and championship golf come together on the Rovos Rail Golf Collage, one of the world’s most distinctive golf journeys.

Travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town in restored vintage coaches, the 12-night itinerary combines seven rounds with wildlife reserves and some of South Africa’s most compelling landscapes. Eleven nights are spent aboard the all-inclusive train, with meals, South African wines and other beverages provided, followed by one night at Fancourt Hotel.

Rounds can include Durban Country Club, Humewood, Pezula and a choice of the Montagu or Outeniqua course at Fancourt. Leopard Creek may also be available as an exclusive upgrade.

Included excursions and game drives offer further opportunities to explore the country. Yet the defining pleasure of Rovos Rail is its pace, making the journey between courses as memorable as the golf itself.

Play beneath the midnight sun

On the island of Gimsoya, high above the Arctic Circle, Lofoten Links occupies one of the game’s most remarkable settings. Ranked third in Europe by Top 100 Golf Courses, its reputation extends far beyond its spectacular Arctic surroundings.

The course follows the rugged Norwegian coastline, surrounded by jagged mountains, beaches and the open waters of the Norwegian Sea. Natural dunes, rocky outcrops and shifting coastal winds shape a layout that feels completely connected to its environment.

During the height of summer, the sun never fully sets. With 24 hours of daylight, golfers can tee off late in the evening and continue playing beneath the midnight sun.

The absence of a conventional sunset changes the rhythm of the entire experience. Time seems to become less important, and a round beginning close to midnight feels perfectly natural beneath the Arctic sky.

Luxury lodges beside the course provide a comfortable retreat, while kayaking, hiking and horse riding offer further ways to explore the landscape. Later in the season, evenings bring the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

Lofoten is not simply somewhere to play golf. It is a journey into one of Europe’s wildest and most atmospheric regions.

Tee off after dark in Turkey

Turkey is renowned for its outstanding golf resorts, and night golf offers a completely different way to experience the game.

At Carya Golf Club in Belek, floodlights illuminate all 18 holes once the sun has disappeared. The temperature begins to ease, the course takes on a new atmosphere and golf continues long into the evening.

Playing beneath the lights creates an experience unlike a traditional daytime round. The ball appears brighter against the night sky, shadows transform the appearance of familiar hazards and the course’s pine-lined surroundings provide a striking backdrop.

It also opens the door to a different type of itinerary. The day can be spent beside the pool, relaxing on the beach or enjoying the resort’s facilities before an evening tee time. After the final putt, Belek’s restaurants and bars provide the perfect place to round off the night.

Experience the theatre of Las Vegas

Las Vegas has always specialised in spectacle, and its golf scene is no different.

Beyond the lights and energy of the Strip, immaculate courses emerge from the Nevada desert, framed by mountains, rocky landscapes and enormous skies. TPC Las Vegas, Bali Hai and the three Pete Dye-designed layouts at Paiute Golf Resort each offer a different interpretation of desert golf.

The appeal lies in the contrast. A morning can begin among peaceful desert scenery before the afternoon and evening bring acclaimed restaurants, sporting events, private dining and headline entertainment.

Las Vegas also provides an ideal starting point for a wider golf journey. Wolf Creek in Mesquite can be added for one of the region’s most dramatic rounds, while neighbouring Utah introduces red-rock scenery and courses carved through lava fields and canyons.

Few destinations make it easier to combine golf with such a wide range of experiences away from the course.

Make the pilgrimage to the Home of Golf

For many golfers, no experience carries greater significance than playing the Old Course at St Andrews.

The appeal extends far beyond individual holes. Walking across the Swilcan Bridge, navigating the enormous double greens and approaching the 18th with the R&A clubhouse beyond the fairway creates a direct connection to centuries of golf history.

St Andrews can form part of a wider Scottish journey incorporating Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the courses of East Lothian or the Highlands. Each region offers its own interpretation of links golf, from historic Open venues to modern coastal designs.

For those seeking a journey rooted in tradition, few experiences can rival spending several days moving through the landscapes that shaped the game.

More than a round of golf

The greatest golf journeys offer more than the chance to play an exceptional course. They invite you to experience the game from a new perspective, shaped as much by the journey and setting as by the golf itself.

The details of each round may fade, but the feeling of playing somewhere truly extraordinary has a way of staying with you.

Ultimately, that is what makes travelling for golf so rewarding, not simply the courses you discover, but the stories you bring home.