It’s no secret that golf is a sport enjoyed around the world. If you love hitting the links even once in a while, then you’ll be glad to know that you can keep up your swing while enjoying the best golf cruises! Sound too good to be true? These days, cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Silver Seas and Princess are equipped with golf simulators so that you can work on your game without missing cocktail hour. There are also golf cruises that take you to some of the best golfing destinations in the world.
Miniature golf and putting greens are featured on most cruise ships.
Back in the day, passengers were able to hit balls into the ocean. But, that came to an abrupt end in 1990 when the International Maritime Organization said depositing plastic into the ocean was illegal.
”Cruise lines realized they were losing potential customers to land-based resorts by not offering shipboard golf,” Joyce Landry, chief executive of corporate cruise consulting company Landry & Kling, told The New York Times.
Fast-forward almost one decade later and the onboard golf simulator was born. Many ships also offer private lessons so that you’ll get some professionals tips during your vacation. Most ships offer driving cages and miniature golf courses as well.
However, it’s probably safe to say that not even the most advanced golf simulators or experienced instructors can offer you the same experience as playing at a course in various ports-of-call cities, which is why golf cruises are becoming more popular.
Need some suggestions on where to book a tee time? If so, then you’re in luck. Here are four examples of world class golf courses that can be a part of your cruise vacation. The courses listed below are world-renowned for their history, location, difficulty and course conditions:
1) St. Andrews – Fife, Scotland
The Swilcan Bridge, is a small stone bridge at the St. Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland between the first and eighteenth fairways on the old course.
If you are looking for a course with history, look no further than St. Andrews. This 600-year-old countryside estate and site of the British Open is where golf was first played. There are six 18-hole courses you’ll be able to play on. However, because St. Andrews is so popular, especially between the months of May through August, remember to make a reservation well in advance.
2) Real Club de Golf El Prat – Barcelona, Spain
You know that any course designed by world-famous golfer Greg Norman is going to offer you the exciting challenge of a lifetime. The 45 holes are home to some difficult terrain including forests, grain fields, hills, ravines and steep drops. After a round, take a stroll around the incredible club, which has a pro shop, swimming pool, gym, children’s nursery and restaurant. Try to visit Real Club as that is where the playing conditions are best.
3) Vista Vallarata Golf Club – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Imagine how incredible it would be to play on an award-winning 18-hole course located in beautiful and exotic Mexico. In 2008 and 2009, Vista Vallarta was named one of the best places to play by Golf Digest. The course was designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus and offers players breathtaking views of Puerto Vallarta, the Marina Bay and Banderas Bay made up of lush hillsides, green forests and bubbling brooks.
Book a tee time at a golf course while in ports-of-call.
4) Golf Course at Le Maitre de Mont-Tremblant – Quebec City, Canada
If your golf cruise takes you through Quebec, then you won’t want to miss out on playing here. You’ll have 250 acres of golf at your fingertips as well as a state of-the-art practice facility and 13,000-square foot clubhouse with a five-star restaurant. At CruiseExperts.com, we recommend playing here May through September when the weather is nicest.
Want to know more?
If you’d like more information on how to keep up your golf game when on your cruise vacation, then what are you waiting for? Consider contacting one of our experienced agents at CruiseExperts.com. We’re happy to provide you with more information ranging from how to book an on board private lesson to which courses to try in certain cities. Call us anytime at 1-888-804-CRUIse (2784) or log onto our website at www.CruiseExperts.com.