Around The World In 12 Troon Courses: Golf & So Much More
With a portfolio of 650+ courses that spans more than 30 countries around the globe, the sun never sets on the world of Troon. An array of international options provide wonderful choices for golf, dining, and cultural adventures. Here are 12 highly recommended locations to consider for your next journey. Bon voyage!
Velaa Private Island
Maldives
More than a resort, Velaa is the passion project of owners Radka and Jiří Šmejc to create the world’s perfect home. It is a place where guests are truly carefree and able to indulge in the best of everything, including food, wine, adventures, and serenity. The Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal, designed by two-time major winner José Maria Olazábal, offers a singular golf experience with nine holes and nine tees that create numerous routing combinations. There are also 47 villas, houses, and residences on Velaa Private Island, which is situated in Noonu Atoll, 45 minutes by private seaplane from the capital city of Malé. www.VelaaPrivateIsland.com
The Grove
England
Just 18 miles from London, The Grove is home to one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious golf courses. As the venue for the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship (won by Tiger Woods) and the 2016 British Masters (won by Alex Noren), you’ll be playing in the footsteps of many of the game’s greats. After your round, head to The Stables or The Glasshouse for a meal, retreat to the award-winning Sequoia spa for a dip in the black mosaic-tiled pool, or head to Asher’s Woodlands for a fun Segway experience. With its immaculate course conditions, close proximity to London, and 300 acres of stunning Hertfordshire countryside to explore, The Grove is the perfect location for your next UK golfing escape. www.TheGrove.co.uk
Dumbarnie Links
Scotland
Situated 12 miles south of St Andrews, Dumbarnie Links features stunning views over the Firth of Forth. The Clive Clark-designed masterpiece makes the most of its coastal location with sea views from most holes, many of which incorporate a risk/reward element in terms of shot selection. Although open only since May 2020, the design is already renowned for being fun and entertaining. Last August it hosted the Women’s Scottish Open (won by Ryann O’Toole), further cementing its growing reputation as a fixture on “bucket list” courses for golfers visiting Scotland. www.DumbarnieLinks.com
PGA National Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Opened in 2020, the only PGA National-licensed golf course in the Czech Republic is a part of Oaks Pragu a modern community of premium homes. The course designed by Kyle Phillips, offers a scenic routing highlighted by stellar playing conditions that earned it the prestigious “Europe’s Best Golf Course” accolade in the 2020 World Golf Awards. The course is located just a 20-minute drive from the capital city of Prague, where visitors can enjoy beautiful architectural landmarks, cultural activities, delicious cuisine, and excellent beer. www.OaksPGA.cz
Costa Navarino
Greece
Costa Navarino is located in Messinia, Peloponnese, one of the most unspoiled and breathtaking landscapes in the Mediterranean. The resort’s philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia while also preserving its natural beauty and remarkable cultural heritage spanning 4,500 years. Home to two 5-star deluxe hotels —The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino — there’s also the Anazoe Spa, two superb courses (The Dunes by Bernhard Langer and The Bay by Robert Trent Jones Jr.), more than 20 fine dining venues, and a wide range of sports, outdoor, and cultural activities. www.CostaNavarino.com
Madinaty Golf Club
Egypt
Egypt, a country dating back to the time of the Pharaohs, is home to Madinaty Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design nestled within the city of Madinaty and close to Cairo International Airport. The course requires tactful play throughout and prides itself on exquisite playing surfaces. Combine this “bucket list” stop with a trip to see the Great Pyramids of Giza. While in the ancient city, the Greg Norman Signature Course at The Allegria is also a must play. www.MadinatyGolfClub.com
Dubai Hills Golf Club
United Arab Emirates
Tee off against the striking Dubai skyline with an iconic backdrop of the Burj Khalifa at Dubai Hills Golf Club. Only 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai, your golfing experience will be complimented with the luxurious Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai, the desert-style links Arabian Ranches Golf Club, and one of the finest golfing destinations in the region, The Els Club Dubai. If you are ready for more golf, be sure you take the 30-minute drive to the world-class Al Zorah Golf Club and experience night golf at The Track Meydan Golf. www.DubaiHillsGolfClub.com
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
Spain
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, regarded as one of Europe’s premier golf and real estate resorts, offers private homes and an 18-hole course that blends harmoniously into natural surroundings between rolling hills and the glittering Mediterranean Sea. To help celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2021, the resort unveiled new and improved facilities, including new restaurants, an upgraded luxury beach club, and a course redesign that placed an emphasis on sustainability. www.LasColinasGolf.com
The Els Club Malaysia
Malaysia
The Els Club Desaru Coast is an experience that goes beyond just a collection of golf holes. Besides the stunning views of the ocean, lakes and jungles, this is a place where golf is in perfect harmony with nature. The 45 beautifully manicured holes are surrounded by a wide variety of wildlife species, including the Dusky Leaf Monkey and more than 100 different species of birds. Recent accolades — The Valley Course was named the top ranked course in Malaysia by the World Golf Awards in 2021 — are recognition for the world-class quality of the courses but also for the experience that goes beyond golf. Easily accessible from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, The Els Club Desaru Coast is perfectly combined with The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi, both offering luxurious accommodations. www.ElsClubMalaysia.com
Victoria Golf & Country Resort
Sri Lanka
Escape and relax at the private 500-acre estate at Victoria Golf & Country Resort, in the heart of Sri Lanka. Upon arriving at the international airport in the capital city Colombo, it’s a stunning 25-minute journey to the resort via sea plane. Guests stay in a Victoria chalet, cottage, or private villa and enjoy international and local cuisine. A resort full of nature and adventure, onsite are horseback riding, fishing, yoga, tennis, and even resident monkeys! Excursions are on offer to tea plantations, waterfalls, the national park, and an elephant orphanage. Of course, the key attraction of the resort is the golf course, designed by Donald Steel, full of dramatic undulations and spectacular scenery. www.GolfSriLanka.com
Vattanac Golf Resort
Cambodia
Vattanac Golf Resort, a luxurious getaway in exotic Cambodia, features two courses designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo. Cambodia already attracts visitors thanks to its culture and UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Angkor Complex, Preah Vihear, and Sambor Prei Kuk. Vattanac Golf Resort is located in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia and an ideal destination to start a trip around the country. Here, travelers can combine the cultural discoveries of the Royal Palace and the National Museum with 36 holes of golf. winner Sir Nick Faldo. Cambodia already attracts visitors thanks to its culture and UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Angkor Complex, Preah Vihear, and Sambor Prei Kuk. Vattanac Golf Resort is located in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia and an ideal destination to start a trip around the country. Here, travelers can combine the cultural discoveries of the Royal Palace and the National Museum with 36 holes of golf. www.VattanacGolfResort.com
Brookwater Golf & Country Club
Australia
Brookwater Golf & Country Club is one of Australia’s finest facilities, located close to Brisbane, Queensland. Setting a benchmark in golf, Queensland’s number one course per the 2021 World Golf Awards was designed by native son Greg Norman. For those looking to further explore this stunning stretch of the Australian coastline and enjoy more Troon golf, consider playing Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club in Bribie Island, Queensland, or venture further south to The Grange Golf Club and Mollymook Golf Club in New South Wales, with perhaps a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House or a surfing lesson along the way! www.Brookwater.com.au
