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Luxury holidays to Dubai draw thousands of travellers to this fascinating part of the Middle East every year, and though it is famed for its ambitious (some would say crazy!) building projects, shopping festivals, and extravagant luxury hotels, Dubai isn’t the first place you would think of when considering a golf holiday. But Dubai is the playground for the rich and famous, and has always prided itself on offering every possible luxury experience for residents and holiday makers alike – golf is no exception.

Dubai now boasts a small but impressive selection of courses. France, the Algarve and America may remain the top golf destinations, but Dubai is becoming increasingly popular for those who want something a little different from their golf holidays. These are no novelty courses – they present a fearsome challenge to amateurs and professional golfers alike hosting a range of top flight international events every year, such as the Dubai Desert Classic.

Where to Play – 5 Top Courses in Dubai

No golf holiday in Dubai is complete without a visit to the two most famous courses: The Emirates Majlis and Dubai Creek. The Emirates Majlis was the very first grass course in the Middle East. Known as “The Desert Miracle”, it is famed for its Bedouin style clubhouse and very challenging layout – it requires tremendous skill to play well here. The Emirates Golf Club now has a second course designed by Nick Faldo, the Wadi, which provides a very different but equally challenging experience.

While the Emirates Majlis may have come first, Dubai Creek is perhaps the most famous course in the country, and there are plenty of luxury holidays to Dubai that have this course as a main attraction. The Dubai Creek is a delight to play on, with long, rolling fairways that are scattered with palm trees, and the clubhouse is an architectural triumph that features a luxury spa and gym. It is an essential course to play on while on a golf holiday in Dubai.

Those are the two biggest and most famous golf courses in Dubai, but there are plenty of others as well. The Montgomerie offers a splendid round of golf on a very beautiful course, renowned as one of the most attractive in the region. The clubhouse is the last word in luxury, with a restaurant that seats over a hundred, a gym, sauna, club bar and banqueting room. The Desert Course at the Arabian Ranches is the best choice for those who really want the experience of playing golf out in the desert, with the well tended greens alternating with sculpted patches of golden sand. It is a tight course that demands accuracy, but rewards careful play. Finally, there is the course at the Jebel Ali Hotel, which combines a great golf course with all the facilities of a luxury beach resort. The Jebel Ali is an excellent choice for a luxury holiday to Dubai, giving you the chance to experience, sun, sand and spas alongside some top quality golfing.
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France is not yet internationally recognised as a golf haven. This is a very good thing. To see what I mean, you only have to glance at the crowded fairways of the Algarve and the Costa del Sol/Brava/Almeria etc. This fact, coupled with close proximity to the UK, a huge number of travel options and fantastic cuisine make France a great place to take a golf holiday.

Still need more reasons? OK. Well here we go:

France has more golf courses than the rest of continental Europe put together. 25 of which are rated in Europe’s top 100. Green Fees in France are, on average, much cheaper than in the UK. This allows you more rounds or a better class of golf course.

France is a charming country with many interesting traditions. Where else in the world would you experience this other than France?

No doubt you learnt a bit of French at school. Even the dumbest of you will have picked up ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Merci’. No? Well no need to worry about that, the ratio of English speakers to non English speakers in France is much higher than that of French speakers in England. You will find almost everyone employed at a golf course which is frequented by Brits can speak enough of the Language to get you on the first tee and a beer in your belly at the 19th hole.

The climate in the southern regions of France means that, in this region at least, it is golfing weather all year round. No need to carry an umbrella, waterproofs, gloves and 4 pairs of socks.

ibiza holidays ibiza apartments in the Balearics, Spain

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If you think of things that people like to do on their Bali holidays, golf isn’t likely to be the first thing that comes to mind! But, while it isn’t as famous as countries such as Dubai or Portugal as a luxury destination for ‘short sleeved golf’, golfers keen to practice their swing whilst in Bali will have plenty of opportunities to do so. The country is an up and coming golfing destination and a visit there will give you a chance to enjoy the many fine courses well ahead of the hordes of golfers who are likely to descend in the next few years.

With an increasing number of Bali holidays focusing on golf, many travel companies offer specialist golf packages that let you sample the best courses at a discount as part of your trip. Listed below are a few of the top golf courses you must play on and some of the luxury hotels in Bali that will provide a perfect base for your trip.

Where to Play

Golfers on Bali holidays have several championship quality courses to choose from. The Bali Golf and Country Club designed by Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright, has been voted as one of the top five golf courses in Asia by Fortune magazine. The course begins in amidst lakes and coconut trees, concluding with several holes on Nusa Beach itself. The mixture of tropical vegetation, hilly landscapes and stunning views of the Indian Ocean make it a joy to play on.

The Bali Golf and Country Club is perhaps bettered only by the Nirwana Bali Golf Club. Established in 1997, it is rated by some as the best course in Indonesia. The course is strikingly beautiful, with the three cliff top holes overlooking the ocean being particular highlights. If you are taking a Bali holiday and are a golf fan, this is the course you really don’t want to miss out on.

Built into a volcanic crater, the Bali Handara Kosaido golf course is one of the oldest courses on the island. The intricate green offers a interesting challenge to even the keenest golfer, and the surrounding mountains provide the perfect backdrop for a fine day’s golf.

Where to Stay

There are a number of excellent golf hotels in Bali. Le Meridien Nirwana Golf Resort and Spa is a tough one to beat, featuring the outstanding Nirwana Bali Golf Club on its grounds. For a combination of luxury accommodation and convenient access to a course, it is probably the best choice. The superb Four Seasons Ubud is another great choice, located less than an hour from Nirwana and widely regarded as one of the best hotels in Bali. Finally, the Nikko Bali Resort and Spa is located in Nusa Dua, very close to the Bali Golf and Country Club.

With excellent courses, five star hotels and some truly unforgettable scenery, Bali is an ideal choice for golfers looking to explore somewhere a little different on their next golf holiday abroad.

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In planning for golf holidays, proper attention must be given to its details. Exercise, in between relaxations and family/friends relaxes one’s mind. Taking a vacation is best to relieve stress after a long hardworking week or day. For lovers of golf, the best is for them to combine their favorite sport with holidays to enable them play their games during their break.

This also allows them to stay fit and enjoy themselves during their vacation. Obviously, golf players are celebrities as they are known and respected by their fans everywhere they go. This affects their dressing as they dress well with different styles of clothing that makes impressions on young people who love to wear what their celebrities and role models put on.

It is best to plan holidays before going. This could be done either using a travel agent or someone who specializes in golf tours and holidays. A preferred destination will be chosen and there should be effective communication with either the golf course or the airline to confirm dates and schedules. Also your trip could be with family members, friends or business associates. It could also be with fellow golfers who want to go on tour.

You can choose a destination from over 30,000 golf courses in the world and choose the one that suites your budget. There are beautiful golf courses in USA, parts of England, Scotland, Portugal, Canada and Australia. Most travel packages comprises of golf course facilities and accommodation though the type of accommodation might vary with prices.

The tourism industry is always on the look out to bring interesting new package tours that offer a chance to take a break from a busy work schedule while enjoying some good entertainment. The latest offering from Thailand’s tourism industry includes many unique Thailand golf packages that offer dedicated golfers a chance to play in some of world’s finest and most renowned golf courses. An added benefit of these Thailand golf packages is, of course, the fact that they also offer golfers and their families a chance to visit some of the most beautiful and exotic locations on earth. While dedicated golfers can spend hours playing their favorite sport on famous golf courses like Red Mountain Golf Club, Loch Palm, and Blue Canyon in Phuket, Thailand; their families can enjoy visiting beautiful sunny beaches in Phuket, explore the capital city of Bangkok and enjoy a relaxing vacation in best resorts of Hua Hin or Pattaya. Thailand golf packages are therefore much more than simply a chance to play in best golf courses in the world.

Thailand golf packages are all about providing the best comfort and entertainment for avid golfers and their families. Golf holidays in Phuket, Hua Hin or Pattaya provide all round entertainment for both golfers as well as their partners who may not be interested in golf at all. While golf holidays in Phuket offer golfers an opportunity to spend hours indulging in their favorite sport, their partners can join them on the field or go enjoy the pristine beaches of Phuket. Amateur golfers who prefer to play a round or two and then go for tours around the sunny beaches will also find golf holidays in Phuket to their liking.

If you are passionate about golf, then Thailand golf packages are a perfect fit for you. If you are a novice that desires to learn this game and enjoy traveling to exotic locations, then Thailand golf packages may be your best choice. For example, golf holidays in Phuket, Hua Hin or Pattaya have much to offer both avid golfers and nature lovers alike. Golf holidays in Phuket or any other similar location in Thailand offer you a chance to play on the best courses favored by even professional golfers. When you want a break from golf Thailand’s stunning beaches and thrilling natural parks are there for you to explore to hearts content.

Golf holidays in Phuket, Hua Hin or some other similar locale do not come cheap. Like all good things in life, Thailand golf packages are bound to make a sizable dent in your pocket but they also offer the chance of a lifetime. If you have a passion for traveling and golf, combine your two loves to enjoy a memorable holiday in Thailand.
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