Golf Vacations

Golf is one of the most enjoyable leisure sports I have played. The vacation golf sites are more beautiful worldwide than some actual vacation hot spots. There are so many places to visit; it would literally become a book if I were to write about every golf paradise.

Our destination in text will be to Northern Ireland at the Royal County Down. It's considered one of the most difficult but better links in the world. You literally can take breakfast in Ireland and after hitting the turf, visit Scotland in just two hours, (one hour for flight and one by drive) and be on time for dinner with a round of golf after. East Scotland boasts of the St. Andrews and the British Open.

There are more beautiful golf courses in these two gorgeous countries. There is the Connemara Golf Club situated in Ballyconneely, Ireland, with ocean views. Opened during 1974, it has rocky landscapes and spacious fairways. The sightseeing has a 12th century Cong Abbey ruins. There is a national park with 5,000 acres of trails with views of sea, mountains, and lakes. Kylemore is an enchanted town with a large lake of fishing stocked with sea trout and salmon. On the lower slopes is a many-turreted castle, now a convent of the Benedictine nuns of Ypres. You may also take a ferry to the small island of Aran to visit stone fort 200-feet above sea level.

Ruins Westport Coast, Ireland has 6,950 yards with ocean views of Clew Bay inside 260 acres of beautiful parkland. The non-golf site seeing is the same as Tramore Course. This castle scenery golf course, Tramore Course, in southern Ireland has 6,055 yards. Sight-seeing nearby has the Blarney Stone, Waterford Crystal Factory, Lismore Heritage Town (dated back to 636 a.d.).

Playing through a 19th century estate, this golf course in Lisselan Estate has a scenic park, With 6,376 yards, in Ireland is worth the visit. You get a free river ferry ride to complete the second half of the course. Also in Ireland, is the Ballyheigue Castle Golf Club, set in 19th century scenery. It's smaller with 3,441 yards and nine holes, but spacious.

The Prestwick Golf Club, in southwest Scotland has 6,544 yards and is tough, considered to be one of the elite courses, having been home once to the British Open for the first 12 years it was opened, beginning in 1860. For sightseeing, the Culzean castle has an apartment donated to Eisenhower, now a museum. The 11th century Stirling Castle very well preserved, was home to Mary Queen of Scots, and legend says to King Arthur. For more, there is the Burrel Collections of historical pieces on display, over 8,000 of predominately medieval displays.

Our next stop is to a newer green, Kingsbarns in St. Andrews, Scotland with 7,126 yards. It opened during 2000, yet there are photos dated back to the late 18th century regarding the founding of a Kingsbarns Golfing Society. That dates back to just about when golfing was invented. The site seeing has St Andrews University dating back to 1411. The Holy Trinity Church moved to its site in 1410. Another medieval 12th century site, St. Rule's Tower, where the guests can go to the top of a 108-foot climb. If you didn't get enough golf for the day, there is the British Golf Museum.

The Alyth Golf Club in central Scotland, has 6,259 yards with blind spots, rolling terrain and sharp drop offs is set in the country farmlands. Then there is King's Course at Gleneagle, one of three courses, in central Scotland, this course is waiting to host the Ryder Cup Matches in 2014. There are three 18-hole courses at this golf Club. The King's Course has 6,800 yards blending challenge and perfection. The Nicklaus design has 7,100 yards, while the Queens Course is 6,000 yards.

For after game sightseeing, you have the largest fishing port, Aberdeen at your feet. There is also the Blair Castle, with some parts of it dating back to1269. A wonderful place for lunch is Cruden Bay Village with castle backdrops and picturesque cliffs. Having the Stirling Castle among your touring spots, what more could you want with your vacation?