Take a trip to the USA for some of the world’s best golfing
From rugged seaside links to pristine championship fairways – when it comes to golfing, America has some great courses to choose from.
The USA – home of the brave, land of the free and, with almost half of the world’s golf courses, home to some fantastic golfing opportunities. Here are five of the best.
Cypress Point, California
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains on the Monterey Peninsula, Cypress Hill is at the top of most golfers’ bucket lists – although unless you’re one of a lucky few, getting a game here is a distant dream. The stunning natural scenery and varied cliff top terrain are just two of this course’s unique selling points – and how many other clubs can boast the Pacific Ocean as their course’s water hazard? For great golf in similar surroundings, mere mortals can head to the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Links which is open to everyone as long as they are prepared to pay the $400 green fees.
Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia
Home to the Masters and designed by arguably the world’s greatest golfer, Bobby Jones, Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. It’s also one of the best, with a picturesque meadowland course whose immaculate green fairways are interspersed with copses of pine trees and glimpses of white sand. The course was designed to be enjoyable for golfers of all levels, and changes are made to the course almost every year to ensure it continues to offer an unrivalled golfing experience.
Sand Hills Golf Club, Nebraska
Perhaps better known for cowboys and cattle than for golf, the state of Nebraska is nevertheless home to one of America’s best golf clubs. Sand Hills Golf Club offers a large course that winds its way between the area’s impressive sand dunes – and although the scale of the fairway might encourage you to open up your shoulders and go for it, you would be wise to beware of the course’s crater-like bunkers. Sand Hills is closed for 8 months of the year, resulting in a pristine playing surface.
Pine Valley Golf Club, New Jersey
Located on the New Jersey side of Philadelphia, Pine Valley Golf Club was opened in 1919 after being dreamt up by Philadelphian hotelier George Crump. Pine Valley is unexpectedly scenic, and has been described by Robert Trent Jones as ‘themost dramatically beautifulpine-and-lakeland course in the country’. It’s also reputed to be one of the world’s most difficult courses – when it opened it took three years for anybody to get around in 70 shots – and it offers a stern test to even the most accomplished of golfers.
Bandon Dunes (Pacific Dunes), Oregon
Opened for play in 2001, the Pacific Dunes golf course is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of the terrific Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Located a little to the north of Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coastline, Pacific Dunes blends stunning natural scenery and views of the Pacific Ocean with a fantastic seaside course design that, with a just a few minor improvements, could be one of the world’s greatest link courses.
Before you head off on a golf holiday it’s important to do some forward planning. Many golf clubs are not open to the public, so be sure to research the entry requirements before you go. Some resorts also have certain rules and regulations, so make you are up to speed on these to avoid any difficulties once you arrive.
It’s also a good idea to supplement your usual travel insurance with golf holiday insurance. This kind of policy will provide comprehensive cover for all your golf equipment while you’re away, ensuring maximum peace of mind while you concentrate on improving your game!
Laura Reeve is the Marketing Executive at Avanti Travel Insurance, who specialise in travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions, and are one of very few that have no upper age limit on their policies.
