|
Ask 10 golfers where they would play in Europe if given half the chance, and our guess is most of them would say Scotland. The reason for that is easy to understand. Scotland is "the home of golf. It‘s where the game was created, and where in the 19th century, playing in wet, blustery conditions with crude metal clubs and trying to strike a small, feathery ball in the wind was nothing short of a damn fine reason for a whiskey or three after the game. The same survey would probably reveal that the one course of choice would be The Old Course at St Andrews, the spiritual home of the game, a few kilometres north of Edinburgh. It‘s worth noting that Scotland has over 500 courses, and if a visitor were searching for a classic links to play, the destinations could range from Royal Troon to Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry... you get the idea. Those who would not choose Scotland as their golfing destination of first choice, instead might say Ireland. Like Scotland, Ireland has a collection of worldclass links where some, like the Royal Portrush, are traditional and others, like Doonbeg, are a successful, modern adaptation of the old style. What sets Ireland apart from Scotland, however, are the country courses like The K Club near Dublin, or Mount Juliet near Kilkenny, where the lush, Irish landscape sets the tone for golf played in veritably gardenlike conditions. Scotland may be the home of golf but Ireland, arguably, offers a greater variety of courses to play. Dublin, of course, ought to be one of those 1000 places everyone must see before they die. While in France, we indulge in great food and wine, of course. But France has over 100 good golf courses scattered throughout the country from top to bottom. Indeed, getting out for a round of golf is a great way to burn off the calories you‘ll gain from eating and drinking too much. Two of the best options for playing golf near Paris are the Paris International Golf Club and the National L‘Albatros. The former is near the quaint village of Baillet. Some critics believe the Paris International is the best course near the "City of Light." but the French Open is staged at National L‘Albatros where (it must be noted), only guests with a handicap of less than 24 are permitted to play. In the south of France, in foreverromantic Provence, the Saint Endreol Golf Club is famous for its 13th hole, an island green in the middle of the River Erdre. And the Servanes Golf Club, at the foot of the white rock Alpilles Hills, is laid out over a former commercial olive grove. Rustic in every way, with olive groves (still), cypresses and lakes scattered throughout, the original oil mill is now the Servanes‘ club bar! Italy has nearly 300 golf courses in every province, but one of the most popular with travellers because of its location is Poggio dei Medici in Tuscany, 25 kilometres northeast of Florence. The resort has a Tuscanstyle hotel with de luxe accommodation, a swimming pool and a spa. The clubhouse is a converted 16th century farmhouse. Not far away, Barberino Castle, a 12th century castle that‘s now a luxury hotel in the valley of Mugello, is an option for overnight stays. For something close to Rome, perhaps a weekend of golf to break up the intense sightseeing, the Sheraton Golf Parco De‘Medici Hotel, only 12 kilometres from the city, is a hotelgolf retreat with 27 holes and an affordable golf and spa twonight package in its 600room hotel. Spain has around 250 courses and only a handful of fullservice resorts, but the most famous of them all, arguably, is the Club de Golf Valderama. Located in the south, close to Gibraltar and the famed Costa del Sol, Valderama is considered by many to be the best golf course in Spain, if not in all of Europe. It‘s often compared to Augusta National in the United States, though we think that‘s more hyperbole than fact. However, Valderama, the site of the 1997 Ryder‘s Cup, is immaculate, and the Andalusian countryside that frames it is one of the most seductive destinations in Europe, golf or no golf. | 
