Where to go, 17 days in August

[swoopyjp]

I live in Houston, Texas looking forward to an international golf trip. I've done St. Andrews/Fife twice, looking for suggestion in Ireland, UK, Argentina, South Africa, Australia or anywhere else in the world with good golf, cool weather, and budget prices(airfare is free).

 

Looking for,

-great golf, love links courses but open to other nice courses

-cheap place to stay, willing to stay in hostels, airb&b, etc. just need a good location close to golf courses

-Like to play famous courses as well as the lesser known gems

-would love to see a soccer game or two, I watch bpl but don't really have a favorite team

-open to suggestion for other countries I haven't considered

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

[Fbgstaff]

Cabo

[CDM]

Since you love LINKS courses (as[i] do I[/i])...
Being a bit selfish here, but I would go [b]AUSTRALIA [/b]if the cost can be done....!!

[i]*A close friend that lives in here in the states now got me turned onto links golf in the land down under. He says he misses it now, when home it seemed BLAA but not knows what he had....when I have the time I will be going someday[/i]...!!

* Barnbougle Dunes / Lost Farm
* Kingston Heath
* Thirteenth Beach
* Kenndy Bay
* Joondalup

The same friend gave me this link and ever since I check it to look as the amazing links courses...!! SOMEDAY....

[url="http://www.ausgolf.com.au/australias-top-public-access-courses-golf-australia"]http://www.ausgolf.com.au/australias-top-public-access-courses-golf-australia[/url]

[i]Edit: Hit enter on by mistake typing...[/i]

[az2au]

For the price Barnbougle is hard to beat. Great place but assuming you'd want to see more that would mean that you need to head to Melbourne for the sand belt and Sydney to catch NSW. Absolutely great courses available along the way. Two problems for you: won't be cheap and soccer just isn't going to be popular there. All about rugby and AFL.

Ireland would be cheaper and the courses are just as good. August is a great time to go but the weather can still suck occasionally. You will be able to see soccer as well assuming it is going on then. I'm not a fan but see it on TV a lot as I am working in the UK most weeks right now and often head over to Ireland over the weekend. I lived in AU for a couple of years as well. Glad to make recommendations for courses in both as I have played every links course in Ireland (it was a goal) and 30-40 Aussie courses while I lived there.

[Orzowei]

Well, I would recomend you Spain. In the south, between the cities of Estepona and Marbella, 14 miles with more tan 30 golf courses, some of them really impressive, good weather assured, fantastic night life, food is insanly good, just a few dozens miles away of Valderrama Golf Course where the first Ryder Cup in continental Europe was played in 1997. You could play two courses per day in 17 days and not play them all.

[Nuggets]

Scotland for links but I may be bias.....


I'm at Prestwick in a couple of weeks and around there you've got Troon, Turnberry, Muirfield isn't a massive drive, Musselborough, Old course, New course etc etc etc

All links and all can be driven to/slept near

[carlthompson]

[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1437971795' post='12025648']
Since you love LINKS courses (as[i] do I[/i])...
Being a bit selfish here, but I would go [b]AUSTRALIA [/b]if the cost can be done....!!

[i]*A close friend that lives in here in the states now got me turned onto links golf in the land down under. He says he misses it now, when home it seemed BLAA but not knows what he had....when I have the time I will be going someday[/i]...!!

* Barnbougle Dunes / Lost Farm
* Kingston Heath
* Thirteenth Beach
* Kenndy Bay
* Joondalup

The same friend gave me this link and ever since I check it to look as the amazing links courses...!! SOMEDAY....

[url="http://www.ausgolf.com.au/australias-top-public-access-courses-golf-australia"]http://www.ausgolf.c...-golf-australia[/url]

[i]Edit: Hit enter on by mistake typing...[/i]
[/quote]

if your going to Perth, you must play The Vines and Lake Karrinyup. Much better course than Joondalup. Yes, Joon looks very pretty but isn't a proper golf course.

[swoopyjp]

Southern Spain sounds really fun, but too hot right now. Multiple people referenced Australia being expensive. Maybe I'm missing something but it seemed way cheaper than UK/Ireland for the top courses, given the current exchange rate.
Would 13-14 days (subtracting travel time) be enough time for Tasmania and the sand belt or would you just pick one of the two? Is public transportation possible in Australia or do you need to rent a car?

Also can you do Ireland golf by public bus? (Worked great in Scotland) Car rentals look really cheap in the UK but higher in Ireland.

Thanks for all the replies

JP

[az2au]

I don't know of any way to do public transport in Tasmania for Barnbougle. Top two choices: fly from Melbourne to the landing strip next to the fairway or fly into Launceston and drive two hours. There's really no reason to go into town once you are there so the flight works great. I personally would spend a weekend at Barnbougle (Friday-Sunday) and then do Melbourne during to week as it is easier to get on courses like Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne during the week. Courses may be slightly less expensive there but every other thing is more or at least it was when I moved back a couple of years ago. It felt like things were free in the US after living there so long.

Never consider Ireland by bus but it is likely doable. I generally rent a cheap car.

[prsgtrman]

Australia is ridiculously expensive, ridiculously expensive. can your trip be moved to september? if so i would do ireland. the golf and accommodations will be cheaper since its a shoulder month

[GhostWhoWalks]

With the current exchange rate you would be silly not to consider Australia. I'm up in Queensland and there are some cracking courses within two hours of Brisbane e,g. Brookwater, Hope Island, sanctuary cove, Headland, Bli Bli, Mt Coolum, Royal Qld and my club the Brisbane Golf Club. Have a look if you are an international many of the members only courses like RQ and Brisbane will accept you.

[CDM]

[quote name='GhostWhoWalks' timestamp='1439468164' post='12128790']
With the current exchange rate you would be silly not to consider Australia. I'm up in Queensland and there are some cracking courses within two hours of Brisbane e,g. Brookwater, Hope Island, sanctuary cove, Headland, Bli Bli, Mt Coolum, Royal Qld and my club the Brisbane Golf Club. Have a look if you are an international many of the members only courses like RQ and Brisbane will accept you.
[/quote]

SEE what I said. Now getting there is not as cheap but overall it is an excellent price on the ground. Sister in law lives there (between Perth and London..works for a mining company) and she keeps pushing for us to come down. Might have to take her up on it with the exchange rate...! Just not keen on long plane flights and it is a full day ..!

[i]Edit: Damn its up 36 cents on the dollar that is good... [/i]

[Jambo The Caddie]

Has to be Scotland.

I live in Aberdeen and we are surrounded by fantastic Championship Links courses that are easy to get on. Also great pubs.

Royal Aberdeen
Trump International
Murcar
Royal Dornoch
Deeside
Carnoustie
Newburgh
Cruden Bay
And loads more........................