Fairways of Wilderness
and Wonder
While Gleneagles in Scotland, Pebble Beach in the U.S., and Terre Blanche in France count among the globe’s most illustrious golf resorts, today’s golfing enthusiasts can choose to tee off amid rare wildlife, sink a hole in one in an ancient rainforest, or even pair an African safari with putt perfection. Here are five golf stays that transcend the ordinary.
- PlayWeek-long packages include unlimited play and use of the driving range, which is suited to all skill levels.
- StayBed down in a Four Seasons luxury private residence, such as Casa Del Mar or Casa de la Luna.
It’s not often that you tee up to the tune of a white-faced capuchin monkey whistling in the treetops above, amid views of Costa Rica’s Bahía de Culebra. But that’s exactly what you can expect as you score your way along the broad, undulating fairways of the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo. Integrated seamlessly with the environment, the Audubon-certified 18-hole par-72 golf course weaves through 125 acres of old-growth forest, valleys, and sea cliffs sculpted by archaic lava flow.
- PlayBreathe in the sea air and listen to waves crashing on white sand surf beaches on the South Course as you play your way through 16 ocean-view golf holes, eight right at the ocean’s edge.
- StayTake your pick from six new four-bedroom villas with interiors designed by LA-based fashion and lifestyle designer, Jenni Kayne.
A 25-minute helicopter ride from Auckland, New Zealand’s newest world-class golf destination entices with two pure links 18-hole courses. Te Arai Links pairs pine forest and pristine dunes with mesmerizing Pacific Ocean and island views. Among the world’s top 100 courses, the North Course was designed by Tom Doak, while the South Course is thanks to Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Practice your stroke length and speed on The Playground, one of the world’s biggest putting greens, and your chipping and bunker shots at The Range.
CONSTRUCTED ENTIRELY OF WOOD.
- PlayMake time to play Hole 7, one of five sea-facing holes.
- StayBook a rainforest premium villa at the sustainability-minded The Datai Langkawi, which manages the course.
Imagine hitting the green on a course ensconced within a 10-million-year-old rainforest after a morning of wildlife-spotting with a naturalist guide. The Els Club Teluk Datai, located on Langkawi island off the country’s northwest coast, is Malaysia’s most picturesque golf course. Redesigned by Ernie Els, the views at the 18-hole par-72 championship course are unparalleled. Swing in the shade of lush foliage, look out over the azure Andaman Sea, and peer up at the marbled peaks of the Mat Cinchang mountain range. While the course has no bunkers, the layout is designed around strategically placed tree-lines and eight water hazards.
- PlayA stay at The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave affords access to a private 4,500-square-foot golf green complex designed for short game practice.
- StayBook one of the seven-bedroom beachfront villas, which feature a rooftop lounge and open-air dining area.
A short drive from The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave—a trio of secluded beachside villas—the course has been re-turfed with Platinum Paspalum grass, the new gold standard in surfaces. The challenging 18-hole championship course offers four sets of tees catering to varied skill levels. Keep your eyes peeled for vibrant birdlife including flamingos, white herons, and brown pelicans at the resort’s nature reserve.
WELLNESS ALL THE WAY.
- PlayKeep an eye out for wading hippos and grazing giraffes at Leopard Creek, bordering Kruger National Park.
- StayGather your tribe and book Kateka’s eight rooms, spread across six villas, for an intimate safari-golf experience.
South Africa is renowned for its exceptional safari lodges and world-class golf courses, so it makes perfect sense to combine the two. Situated in Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, ultra-luxury Kateka Safari & Wellness has launched a golf experience unlike any other. In the morning, fly over the Blyde River Canyon by helicopter for an enthralling game at Leopard Creek or Highland Gate, before returning in time for a sunset game drive. Holistic rejuvenation lies at Kateka’s core, so set aside time for a yin yoga session, cold plunge, or infrared Himalayan salt sauna therapy.
Kateka Safari
Eric Martin / Datai Langkawi
Ricky Robinson; Jono Parker / Te Arai Links