Destinations > Yachting Lifestyle > Teeing Up While On Board
Few sports can claim the history or whimsical spirit of golf. Originating in Scotland in 1497, players would use a stick to hit a pebble around a natural course of sand dunes, tracks, and rabbit holes. Today, golf is popular among all age groups and invokes an almost addictive spirit in its followers.
With superyacht marinas set in some of the most beautiful locations around the world, it’s no surprise that some of the best and most challenging golf greens happen to be found nearby. So, whether you enjoy an occasional round or you couldn’t go a week without getting onto the green, here are our recommendations for some of the best golf courses to visit while on a luxury yacht charter.
Golf in Christophe Harbour, St Kitts & Nevis
St Kitts has attracted some of the world’s finest luxury yachts and superyachts since the development of Christophe Harbour, a full-service yacht resort and hotel featuring a deep-water superyacht marina, residential properties, beach club, and restaurant.
Christophe Harbour is currently building a Tom Fazio-designed championship 18-hole course with stunning views of the green hillsides and Caribbean Sea some 500 feet below. Fazio has declared that the course will be the “best of the best” of Caribbean golf courses.
For charter guests who can’t wait to hit the green, there are two more excellent golf clubs on the adjacent island of Nevis: the St Kitts Royal Club and the Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course.
Golf in Albany, Bahamas
For many, the Bahamas is the perennial yachting destination of choice. Ease of access from Europe and the US, combined with diverse cruising options from the idyllic Exumas archipelago to the laid-back chic of Harbour Island, make it an ideal stop for charter customers.
A great option for a cruising stop while in the Bahamas is Albany, home to one of the most modern purpose-built superyacht marinas in the region. This luxury resort community, partly founded by golfing legends Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, features a championship par-72, 7,400-yard, 18-hole course designed by Els himself. Albany says that the course “combines the best of links and desert features with windswept dunes and numerous scenic and strategically challenging water features”.
Head to Albany in the Bahamas’ high season of December to catch some of golf’s greatest names battling it out on the course at the epic philanthropic event, the Hero World Challenge.
Golf in Mallorca, Spain
The Balearic Island of Mallorca is home to a range of excellent superyachting attractions, from the Philippe Starck-designed Port Adriano in the west to the quaint fishing town of Soller in the north. It is also a golfing mecca for anyone with a passion for a putt.
The exclusive, privately-owned links-style course at Son Gual offers one of the most picturesque rounds on the island, located just a short drive from the main town of Palma de Mallorca.
The John Harris-designed T Golf & Country Club in Poniente, the oldest course on the island, offers history and incredible views. Its 18-hole, par-72 course meanders through rolling hills, passing swaying pines and seven lakes, with the island’s mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. Be sure to stop at the 19th hole for some R&R and you won’t be disappointed; the recently renovated Club House has Mallorcan chic down to a tee, and the restaurant’s fresh farm-to-plate menu is an absolute must.
Start or finish an island-hopping tour of the Balearics with a stay at Port Vell in Barcelona; your captain will be able to provide some great berthing options in Spain.
Golf in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
The cruising grounds in and around Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, offer stunning views, dramatic cliff faces, and cultural hotspots, making it an exciting destination for company trips or family charters. It’s a great waypoint en route from Auckland to the South Island, which boasts breathtaking fjords, wildlife, and wineries that welcome visitors for tastings.
Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay is one of the best golf courses in the world, described by Golf Digest as “not a links, more like a stratospheric Pebble Beach.” The course respects the environment, with holes scattered along ridges perched 150 metres (500 feet) above the sea. This course is ideal for eco-conscious golfing alongside stunning scenery. If you are looking for eco-green points along with challenging your form on the green, Cape Kidnappers was the International winner of a 2012 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award.
Practicing Your Swing On Deck
For dedicated golfers, incorporating the game into a luxury yacht charter will elevate your experience. Onboard, many yachts offer floors for golf practice – often on the bow of the yacht, ensuring that even while cruising, golfers can perfect their swing. Many charter yachts come equipped with golf onboard technology for a realistic golf experience such as golf simulators, a retractable golf tee, and deck lights, allowing for nighttime practice under the stars.
The aft deck of many modern yachts is perfectly suited for practicing realistic full-swing golf. And you don’t need to worry about the eco-friendliness of this practice as many modern charter yachts come equipped with superyacht golf simulators, inflatable golf nets, safe golf balls, and even biodegradable golf balls for a sustainable golf experience while onboard.
Ready to Combine Golf and Yachting?
If our list of the world’s best golf courses is calling to you, contact our expert yacht brokers. Request a yacht selection below to start planning your luxury yacht charter with a tailored golf experience or a full luxury golf holiday for you and your loved ones.
