Online - June 18, 2005

Around the World in Eighteen Links

DailyCandy Goes Golfing

Think a golf vacation is a gender war waiting to happen? Then you’re not thinking beaches, massages, and castles. The grass is greener on the greens.

The D.R. Is In
What’s more impressive in the Dominican Republic: the courses or the beaches?
Long Hitters: Share tee time with Clinton and Baryshnikov on the new Puntacana course.
Trusty 7 Iron: Play the famous Teeth of the Dog and the new Dye Fore courses at Casa de Campo. Nearby Altos de Chavon is a Disneyland-meets-Apocalypse Now thrill.
Free Drop: More than half the holes sit atop 30-foot cliffs at Playa Grande. Kitesurfing beach bums are a minivan away in Cabarete.

Shrimp and Grips
The Low Country and Piedmont: The South is the spiritual heartland of American golf (and cuisine).
Long Hitters: Reynolds Plantation has 99 holes (designed by Fazio, Nicklaus, Cupp, and Jones) and a lakeside Ritz-Carlton with the best grits in Georgia.
Trusty 7 Iron: Mind the egrets at Kiawah’s Ocean Course, a seaside classic a quick hop from Charleston’s lamp-lit charms.
Free Drop: Find lower-impact respite at the Country Club of Hilton Head. Lunch at the Old Fort Pub completes the magical marshland visit.

Scotch Played
Ah, Scotland in August. Eighteen hours of daylight mean there’s no excuse not to play 36.
Long Hitters: Turnberry has lighthouse views and a British Open course. Sore from the fore? Book a massage and dinner on the deck.
Trusty 7 Iron: You can play St. Andrews — if you book ahead or win the lottery the day before. Plan B: Head down the coast to ecofriendly Kingsbarns.
Free Drop: You’ll have the links to yourself at Brora. Play like they have since 1891 — walking amid sheep that keep fairways cropped.

Hawaiian Topic
Volcanos, vines, and a lovely luau of links.
Long Hitters: The Big Island’s Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is for guests only, as are the top-notch spa, oceanside pool terraces, and helicopter volcano tours.
Trusty 7 Iron: Maui’s Kapalua Plantation Course has two downhill closers long enough to host different climate zones. Take a surfing lesson in Lahaina to get back to sea level.
Free Drop: You’ll have the layout (almost) to yourself at Oahu’s Makaha course.

Bermuda, Short
A subtropical island and English colonists — does it get any golfier?
Long Hitters: Tucker’s Point has the steepest greens (and fees). Which villa belongs to Michael Bloomberg? And can you afford the balls you just lost?
Trusty 7 Iron: The Mid Ocean Club is old-school private, but certain hotels will arrange a round.
Free Drop: Port Royal in Southampton is the least expensive, the biggest, and the brawniest.

Leaf Rule
Advantage of New England fall golf: a free drop if you lose your ball in the leaves.
Long Hitters: Drive the gorge-ous Mohawk Trail from Williamstown to Crumpin-Fox. Try not to get scalped on the famous eighth hole.
Trusty 7 Iron: The Taconic is a hilly 1896 design with fantastic views. Warm up at nearby Mezze.
Free Drop: Waubeeka — half the cost and all the scenery — is a few miles away. BYO hot chocolate.

  Adventure Travel, Beachy, Break a Sweat, Islands, Luxury Travel, Outdoorsy