Golf globetrotting isn’t for everyone. But, if you’re the exploring type, look no further for the go-to golf destinations on the other side of the world.
Tony Dear It’s inevitable, given the size of their populations and shared status as emerging economic powerhouses, that India and China are compared so closely. While the explosion of China’s golf industry during the 1990s and first few years of the 21st century was heard around the world, India’s was only slightly less audible. The … Read more
Tony Dear Thirty years ago, the world top 100 course rankings looked very different to what they do now. The elite was pretty much the same—Pine Valley, St Andrews, Augusta National, Royal Melbourne, Cypress Point, all the usual suspects—but somewhere down in the 40s or 50s, I’d always find a few courses that, to a … Read more
Ted Johnson | Illustration by Chris Pyle A filial tale of forgotten clubs and unforgettable courses in Australia. It sounds so appealing: Son taking father on a golf trip. Though Scotland seems to be No. 1 on these filial jaunts (ever read James Dodson’s Final Rounds?), ours occurred in Australia last year, courtesy of … Read more
Tony Dear We’ve been all around the world in these travel blogs the last two months – South-East Asia, southern Africa, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and, of course, a few destinations closer to home in the US. One corner of the globe we haven’t visited yet, but one you will definitely want to if you … Read more
By Tony Dear Personally, I’d rather play the same suburban golf course I’ve played for the last 20 years than go skeet shooting for the first time. I’d rather play a mundane nine-holer with uppity partners than play tennis anywhere, anytime and with anyone. But while that is certainly true, it can’t hurt to change … Read more
Tony Dear Although it’s home to the oldest golf course outside the British Isles, India doesn’t have any golf culture to speak of. But that could already be changing, thanks to a burgeoning economy and an increasingly prosperous middle class. Bert Schumann has been in India for a week. A native of Boone County, Va., … Read more
Jake Kubié Can Israel’s coastal climate and expansive shoreline turn the country into a golf destination? On a mild December weekend 120 Israeli golfers played in the National Net Championship at Ga’ash Golf Club just outside of Tel Aviv. By American standards, it was an average-sized charity tournament, but with only two golf courses and … Read more
Jake Kubie A heady confluence of Buddhist culture, surreal golf experiences and frenzied nightlife defines a journey to Asia’s storied kingdom. Nuer, my caddie at Siam Country Club’s Old Course, was borderline frantic as she hastily plucked off the green the ball marker I had dug out of my pocket. With Ninja-like agility, she replaced … Read more
James A. Frank Overshadowed by its Spanish neighbor and the rest of Europe, Portugal deserves far more attention. Pity poor Portugal. Like a third-string quarterback, it rarely gets the good look. In European golf, Great Britain is the franchise player, Spain the backup. Lowly Portugal rides the pine, saying, “Play me or trade me.” My … Read more
