While Britain, Germany and Sweden shivered through the winter months, playing conditions in Andalusía, the Canary islands and the Algarve were just about perfect. Portugal and Spain have long been favourites for northern Europeans seeking a holiday home on a golf course, and the pandemic has only accelerated the trend.
Category Archives: golf
The heart of Texas
The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation benefits from the golfer’s global success—but it also plays a significant part in his daily journey.
Wedge of paradise
Buyers after fair weather and fairways are investing big in golf resorts in Europe and the Caribbean. A comfortable green-side home in the sun is now seen by some as a haven from overcrowded city life and never-ending health challenges. In fact, it’s a hole in one.
Sporting sanctuaries
One unexpected side effect of the past year is that new homes at super-luxe golf destinations are becoming increasingly desirable – not only for holidays, but as primary residences.
Mike Meldman
The best of both worlds
The latest global trends in city living are all about sporting, social and spa amenities, reports Peter Swain, who also explores global golf developments and the rising market in Lisbon.
Layouts to love
Big-name designers and beautiful settings ensure the latest crop of new and revamped golf courses in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Far East raise standards across the board.
Swing low sweet Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, is an important banking and business centre with some of America’s very best golf courses, including the incomparable Pinehurst No.2, on its doorstep.
Paradise islands
When the European winter sun starts to fade, the Caribbean is the first port of call for many golf travellers. We take an island-by-island look at the golfing options in the Dominican Republic, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Jamaica, Bahamas, Bermuda and Curacao.
As good as it gets
The gloriously unspoilt island of Hilton Head, South Carolina, is renowned as one of the Lowcountry’s great golfing playgrounds, with Harbour Town Links its prime attraction. Peter Swain took a swing at Pete Dye’s iconic creation.
Southern Swing
Appearing regularly on the PGA Tour as well as bucket lists of travelling players, the holy trinity of golf in the Carolinas is: Pinehurst, Kiawah Island, and Hilton Head. Peter Swain makes the pilgrimage.
Far from the madding crowd
As the world faces a variety of perceived existential threats, New Zealand is becoming a popular choice among those who can live part of their year anywhere in the world. “Potential buyers step off the plane and just breathe – they love our clean air and green landscape.”
‘Welcome home’
‘Home’ is a place where one can relax in private, where absolute comfort is a given and one is surrounded by friendly faces. Above all, it’s a state of mind. And so is Amanera in the Dominican Republic.
Putting paradise
Ocean views, lush vegetation and innovative design make many Caribbean golf courses truly world-class. Peter Swain casts an eye over some of the best players in the field
Amanera – a Dominican Dynamo
The clean-lined design, the top-notch cuisine, even the world-class golf course are beguiling, says Peter Swain, but what sets Amanera apart is the inimitable atmosphere. It’s all about creating a space, both physical and metaphorical, that rejuvenates the mind as well as the body.
Fairways to heaven
The twin island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is the Caribbean as it was 25 years ago, writes Peter Swain – friendly, laid-back, and the ideal place for a few rounds of golf. As well as sporting excellence, it also offers lavish hospitality.
A touch of club class
With Wentworth members up in arms over eye-watering new charges, golfers are househunting elsewhere. Peter Swain seeks out the best of the rest, from Surrey to Scotland.