Underrated Golfing Countries

[GolfSpy_APH]

We all know Scotland, Australia and some of the other go to golfing countries, but what are some you have been to or want to go to that may not come to mind at first glance?

Whether it's great pricing, amazing courses or whatever else, let's hear about them?

I found one which I am seriously thinking about mainly due to a change on work and some additional vacation time... However I will wait for a few responses to see if it comes up!

[CFreddie]

After the last Tourist Sauce, I’d vote for Scandinavia, particularly Sweden. That combined with the recent introduction of Scandinavian players (Viktor, Aberg, Hojgaard twins amongst others) has me thinking a trip there soon could be in the cards…

[Michael.Sandoval33]

7 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

We all know Scotland, Australia and some of the other go to golfing countries, but what are some you have been to or want to go to that may not come to mind at first glance?

Whether it's great pricing, amazing courses or whatever else, let's hear about them?

I found one which I am seriously thinking about mainly due to a change on work and some additional vacation time... However I will wait for a few responses to see if it comes up!

I am going to be visiting Mexico this summer to see family for a little over a month during my summer break from school and I am very excited to be taking golf there with me. I am going to be staying in Puebla, Mexico and thus far I have only read on a few courses in the city (I don't want to overbook my time there.) Though, I believe there are over 200 in the country and I hope to travel a little while there as well. From all accounts, Mexico has really gotten its act together since my last visit 20 years ago and I am excited to check out the courses (and see my family too, I suppose.)

[Leonvdwesthuizen]

I am a proud South African, and yes we are a little country at the bottom of Africa, but I cannot recommend our country's golf courses enough!

South Africa have over 450 golf courses available to play over the country, of which there are currently 3 x courses in the top 100 in the world.

You pay between $26 - $52  to play (at the top 10 courses you might have to pay more or be a hotel guest), but the experience is amazing and worth every penny, because other currencies are so strong against our South African Rand.

Brilliantly designed (often Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player or Ernie Els designed), GPS based carts included, manicured fairways and roughs you feel too bad hitting from, as it is so beautiful.

Bunkers with the whitest, fluffiest sand and unblemished greens, all of which will blow your mind..

I have included some of the courses I have personally played and a course or 2 I still want to play (aspirations).

But make South Africa part of your golfing bucket lists.. you won't be disappointed!

(Apologies for the photo dump.. I couldn't help myself)

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 hours ago, Leonvdwesthuizen said:

I am a proud South African, and yes we are a little country at the bottom of Africa, but I cannot recommend our country's golf courses enough!

South Africa have over 450 golf courses available to play over the country, of which there are currently 3 x courses in the top 100 in the world.

You pay between $26 - $52  to play (at the top 10 courses you might have to pay more or be a hotel guest), but the experience is amazing and worth every penny, because other currencies are so strong against our South African Rand.

Brilliantly designed (often Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player or Ernie Els designed), GPS based carts included, manicured fairways and roughs you feel too bad hitting from, as it is so beautiful.

Bunkers with the whitest, fluffiest sand and unblemished greens, all of which will blow your mind..

I have included some of the courses I have personally played and a course or 2 I still want to play (aspirations).

But make South Africa part of your golfing bucket lists.. you won't be disappointed!

(Apologies for the photo dump.. I couldn't help myself)

I'll be on the next plane to come visit!

Türkei is the country I have been looking at recently. It's not that far from me and has some stellar courses at good rates with accommodation and a spa for my wife.

I'll find a few photos of some of the courses soon. However they also have night golf which is a life goal.

[benb1989]

Not sure if its underrated but you cant go wrong with Spain, all across the south of Spain you are spoilt for choice, loads of great courses, decent value. Food and drink is also reasonable, loads of companies who will arrange everything for you, including transport, and the weather is normally very good as well. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

I also wanted to put Austria on the list! May need to be a mountain goat to play some of the courses but still fun!

[Dead Solid Bogey]

I don’t really have a hankering to travel internationally… But Greece does cause some interest. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Ads for Turkey keep coming up and even my wife keeps sending me packages for them.

A lot of Faldo courses there.

[Leonvdwesthuizen]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Ads for Turkey keep coming up and even my wife keeps sending me packages for them.

A lot of Faldo courses there.

Omw @GolfSpy_APH.. then it must be a sign! If your wife sends you their packages.. "MAKE THAT BOOKING!"

Turkey is a lovely country, was there for my honeymoon and the food was just amazing, didn't get time to explore outside of Istanbul, but their climate was very similar to South Africa.

I'm sure you'll have an amazing time.. Remember to take photos... of the golf courses of course!

[Jim Shaw]

9 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Ads for Turkey keep coming up and even my wife keeps sending me packages for them.

A lot of Faldo courses there.

for some reason I think Golf Channel televised a tournament from there a few years back, it was gorgeous if I remember correctly...

[TylorJudd]

Putting some 40 odd hours of Sim time this offseason so far, New Zealand has some crazy courses. As does Japan and Korea. I would also suggest Mexico as I’m down here seeing them first hand, and honestly Canada. I don’t think it gets recognition outside of Ontario for the RBC Canadian which also gets overshadowed each year by some other goofy golf news.

[Michael.Sandoval33]

8 minutes ago, TylorJudd said:

Putting some 40 odd hours of Sim time this offseason so far, New Zealand has some crazy courses. As does Japan and Korea. I would also suggest Mexico as I’m down here seeing them first hand, and honestly Canada. I don’t think it gets recognition outside of Ontario for the RBC Canadian which also gets overshadowed each year by some other goofy golf news.

I'm very excited for the Mexico trip! What region have you been golfing in? 

[Jim Shaw]

On 1/29/2024 at 2:53 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

We all know Scotland, Australia and some of the other go to golfing countries, but what are some you have been to or want to go to that may not come to mind at first glance?

Whether it's great pricing, amazing courses or whatever else, let's hear about them?

I found one which I am seriously thinking about mainly due to a change on work and some additional vacation time... However I will wait for a few responses to see if it comes up!

I am intrigued with Portugal, in particular the Algarve, it is supposed to be a golf mecca...

[MGoBlue100]

On 1/29/2024 at 7:21 AM, Leonvdwesthuizen said:

I am a proud South African, and yes we are a little country at the bottom of Africa, but I cannot recommend our country's golf courses enough!

South Africa have over 450 golf courses available to play over the country, of which there are currently 3 x courses in the top 100 in the world.

You pay between $26 - $52  to play (at the top 10 courses you might have to pay more or be a hotel guest), but the experience is amazing and worth every penny, because other currencies are so strong against our South African Rand.

Brilliantly designed (often Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player or Ernie Els designed), GPS based carts included, manicured fairways and roughs you feel too bad hitting from, as it is so beautiful.

Bunkers with the whitest, fluffiest sand and unblemished greens, all of which will blow your mind..

I have included some of the courses I have personally played and a course or 2 I still want to play (aspirations).

But make South Africa part of your golfing bucket lists.. you won't be disappointed!

(Apologies for the photo dump.. I couldn't help myself)

TOTAL dream trip to visit your homeland. Golf, wildlife, the oceans; it’s been on my bucket list for a LONG time. Maybe in the next ten years I can get it done before I’m too old to play, hike, safari & enjoy all that’s there. Thanks for sharing!

[Cfhandyman]

What an intriguing and thought provoking question. Had to think about this for a bit.  Underrated for me, means a little off the beaten path or difficult to get to or perhaps not as well known, but high quality, visually stunning or challenging or both. Having said that here are my choices. 

New Zealand - visually stunning, just takes a long time to get there.  Say hello to Tara Iti, Cape Kidnappers, Jack’s point, Kinloch etc.

Asia, specifically Vietnam, Thailand

Eastern Europe specifically Bulgaria (take a bow Thracian cliffs). Turkey would also qualify as underrated and off the beaten path

Austria/Switzerland- better known for skiing, but visually stunning and the food and desserts in Vienna are fabulous. 

South Africa - always wanted to go.

France and Portugal

Canada, - Okay, I may be a bit biased with this one, but many fabulous places from Cape Breton on the East coast (Cabot Cliffs, Cabot Links), Alberta, (Banff Springs Jasper Park) BC (Capilano, Shaughnessy, Tobiano), Ontario (St. George’s, Hamilton, etc) 

Mexico, particularly Cabo San Lucas area. ( Diamanté, Querencia, Quivira). Not inexpensive but a fabulous experience. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

What an intriguing and thought provoking question. Had to think about this for a bit.  Underrated for me, means a little off the beaten path or difficult to get to or perhaps not as well known, but high quality, visually stunning or challenging or both. Having said that here are my choices. 

New Zealand - visually stunning, just takes a long time to get there.  Say hello to Tara Iti, Cape Kidnappers, Jack’s point, Kinloch etc.

Asia, specifically Vietnam, Thailand

Eastern Europe specifically Bulgaria (take a bow Thracian cliffs). Turkey would also qualify as underrated and off the beaten path

Austria/Switzerland- better known for skiing, but visually stunning and the food and desserts in Vienna are fabulous. 

South Africa - always wanted to go.

France and Portugal

Canada, - Okay, I may be a bit biased with this one, but many fabulous places from Cape Breton on the East coast (Cabot Cliffs, Cabot Links), Alberta, (Banff Springs Jasper Park) BC (Capilano, Shaughnessy, Tobiano), Ontario (St. George’s, Hamilton, etc) 

Mexico, particularly Cabo San Lucas area. ( Diamanté, Querencia, Quivira). Not inexpensive but a fabulous experience. 

Great list!

[Cfhandyman]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Great list!

Well, it was a great question.  

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 minutes ago, Cfhandyman said:

Well, it was a great question.  

Just trying to bring some international flare to the forum! We can all dream of amazing travel. 

[KC Golf]

Asia looks like an interesting place for golf.  Korea, Thailand, China, Japan, etc.

I think Japan is relatively under rated for golf courses.  There are quite a number of courses all around Japan.  Plus their tradition of sit down lunch break between the front and back nines is cool too.  It’s also pretty cheap playing golf right now in Japan given the currency.  Price to value is off the charts.

[Joe_T]

On 2/4/2024 at 2:13 PM, KC Golf said:

It’s also pretty cheap playing golf right now in Japan given the currency.  Price to value is off the charts.

Really?  Cheap and golf in Japan are never things I would have put together.  Plus access to most high quality courses is kind of like the US and there weren't many true public courses.  I do agree there is some pretty good golf in Japan but not really accessible or cheap in my experience (also usually have to have a group).

Also not sure how New Zealand is getting mentioned as underrated.  I figure if you ask people for their top 5 golf countries outside of their home country a good chance New Zealand makes it.

For under rated I'm going with the Netherlands.  Truly one of the best golf trips I've made. 

I'd also say Wales should get a mention with some good value (I've joined a club in Wales).