The 4 bucket-list trips that any cultured golfer needs to take

One unfortunate side effect of many golf trips is the feeling of being in a bubble. Most people enjoy the tranquil and repetitive nature of playing golf every day before retiring to relaxation and then awaiting the chance to do it over again. There is, however, an increasing number of golfers who revel at the opportunity to explore local customs and cultures. Though golf might be the primary reason for your group to be traveling, other key criteria like food, lodging and apres-golf must be considered.

As the international golf travel industry expands, so do the increasingly spectacular locations. The game has stretched itself into the far reaches of wilderness and humanity as golf can now be played at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan or across the Crocodile River overlooking nature preserves in South Africa. While we might jump at the opportunity to tee it up at these remote international golf courses, we want to make it easy for our readers to also plan how to best immerse themselves in the culture of the places they visit.

The following article not only shows off the best playable courses in South Korea, Japan, Portugal and South Africa, but it also highlights cultural tourism opportunities within daily travel distance from the golf courses.

If you are interested in learning more about the best golf courses in South Korea, Japan, Portugal or South Africa, click on any country to be taken to their page.

High-end public golf and culture in South Korea

Public golf in South Korea can be extremely difficult to come by, especially if you are looking for the quality and service at the level of one of the country’s top private courses. Woo Jeong Hills Country Club (above) is public and prides itself on immaculate conditioning and superb service. Located 90 minutes south of Seoul, Woo Jeong Hills offers a perfect opportunity to play a tranquil round of golf before immersing yourself in Seoul’s rich cultural history. Other travelers might opt for The Blackstone Resort, which offers stay-and-play packages for a few relaxing nights on the remote Jeju Island, where guests can experience unique lava flows from the many surrounding volcanoes. To view the rest of the best golf courses in South Korea, click here.

Woo Jeong Hills Country Club
Blackstone Jeju
Blackstone Resort – Located at the base of Hallasan volcano in the dense forests of Jeju Island is the Blackstone Resort. The resort offers one the top ranked golf courses in South Korea as well as a 36-room hotel and luxury private villas. The hotel is catered towards families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded cities and reconnect with nature.

Cultural Attractions:

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty: Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, the Joseon tombs consist of more than 40 burials across 18 locations throughout South Korea, many of which are located within 50 miles of Seoul. The tombs hold members of the house of Yi, the ruling dynasty in South Korea from 1392 to 1910.

Magoksa Temple: Founded in 640 CE, the Magoksa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and has undergone a turbulent history from dynasty wars to Japanese invasions. Magoksa—about 30 kilometers south of Woo Jeong Hills—is said to house spectacular calligraphy pieces that hang in the Dharma and Buddha halls. The temple is also said to be a utopian space due to its geological surroundings.

An endless amount of history in Japan

Much like South Korea, Japan has a large proportion of high-end private golf courses with few of them offering the opportunity for public play. Luckily, within our ranking of the best golf courses in Japan we identified a few gems like the Gotemba course at Taiheiyo Club, Osaka Golf Club and Kawana Golf Resort Fuji as the top courses anyone can play in Japan.

Taiheiyo Club: Gotemba
Osaka Golf Club
Kawana Golf Resort (Fuji)

Kawana Hotel: Located on the same property as the Fuji course, the Kawana Hotel offers golfers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in relaxation aided by the panoramic views of the Japanese wilderness. The hotel overlooks Tokyo Bay with vistas extending in one direction to the Boso Peninsula and the Izu islands and to the other, Mt. Fuji and Mt. Oyama. Inspired by European castles, the hotel balances modern luxury with a renaissance charm. Two standout dining options include a French-inspired brasserie as well as a traditional Japanese-inspired restaurant, Inakaya, housed in a 300-year-old, country-style home.

Cultural Attractions:

Fujisan: Twenty-five sacred and artistic UNESCO World Heritage Sites sit at the base and climb up to Mount Fuji. A site of ancient pilgrimage, Fuji represents the beginning of aesthetic Buddhism, a combination of Buddhism and Shinto beginning in the 12th century. There are pilgrimage locations throughout the mountain, including lakes that pilgrims would use to purify themselves for the ascension to the top. The Fujisan World Heritage center is located 45 minutes from Taiheiyo Club’s Gotemba course and 90 minutes from Kawana Golf Resort Fuji.

Himeji Castle: A two-hour drive from Osaka Golf Club is the finest surviving Japanese hilltop castle, Himeji. Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Himeji castle was constructed in 1333 by an ancient samurai of the Harima province and has since undergone multiple expansions to its original structure. The castle is a testament to Japanese history and architecture as the city of Himeji was hit heavily during the U.S. fire bombing campaign of Japan in World War II. The castle itself, however, was never destroyed even after having a bomb detonate above the roof.

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan: Located 50 minutes from Osaka Golf Club in the city of Sakai are Kofun-era burial tombs that date back to the fourth century CE. The burial consists of 49 mounds housing Kofun-period elites and high-ranking members of society. The burials are constructed in geometric patterns with water flowing between them. The burials represent the wealth of surviving physical knowledge from the Kofun period in Japan.

Portugal is quickly rising among European bucket-list golf destinations

Portugal is quickly rising as a must-visit location for any serious golf traveler. Once you make your way to the sundrenched coast of the Iberian peninsula, you will quickly realize what an error it was to wait so long to visit this enchanting destination. The country itself is a pride of the winemaking community, an innovator in the gastronomic world, and is drenched with rich history and culture. Travel to Portugal from the United States has never been easier with direct flights daily to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Most of Portugal’s top courses can be found in Lisbon or in the Algarve region, and many are part of a resort or a real estate development that offers stay-and-play packages or public tee times, making the best courses in the country accessible to almost anyone. If you are interested in learning more about the best courses in Portugal, click here.

Lisbon Region:

The West Cliffs Ocean and Golf Resort: The course originally opened in 2015 and is built along the dramatic mid-coast of Portugal appearing to blend into the natural environment. The current available accommodations include a five-star hotel as well as spacious villas overlooking high dunes and white sand beaches. Non-golf activities and experiences include nature or cultural tours as well as relaxation in the resort's five-star spa.

Oitavos Dunes: Rated as one of the best courses in Portugal, Oitavos Dunes is open to the public and is located within three kilometers of four different five-star hotel options. The course is located to the west of Lisbon and south of the cultural city of Sintra.

Algarve Region:

San Lorenzo Golf Course

Dona Filipa Hotel: Located on the same property as the highly rated golf course at San Lorenzo, is the five-star Dona Filipa hotel. The hotel is built along the sandy coastline with sweeping ocean views. The newly renovated hotel combines modern luxury with classic European and Portuguese style. The hotel offers multiple contemporary dining options, including their new highly acclaimed flagship restaurant Kamal.

Monte Rei Resort: Situated on the Southern coast of Portugal near the Spanish border in the Algarve region is the renowned Monte Rei Golf and Country Club. Rated as the best course in Portugal, this property is also home to a modern and luxurious Monte Rei Resort offering contemporary accommodations, state of the art relaxation spaces, and stunning beaches. The hotel is home to multiple dining options, the resort’s gastronomy scene is overseen by executive chef André Simão who offers cuisine ranging from casual poolside dining to molecular gastronomy.

Old Course at Vilamoura

Cultural Attractions:

Calouste Gulbenkian and National Tile Museums: The Calouste Gulbenkian museum is one of the largest private art displays in the world. With art dating from Greco-Roman classical antiquity through 18th century French decorative art, the museum showcases truly stunning pieces. Another famous Lisbon museum is the National Tile Museum. Founded in 1965, the Tile Museum highlights traditional Portuguese azulejo artwork dating back to the 16th century.

Cultural Town of Sintra: Located just 35 minutes from Lisbon is the cultural center of Sintra. Sintra’s extremely rich history began in the 12th century and culminated with Ferdinand II commissioning an old monastery to be turned into a castle in the late 19th century. The new castle was created with Egyptian, Moorish, and renaissance elements and is surrounded by lavish Roman themed gardens complete with over 3000 unique and exotic plant species. Sintra is filled with wealthy and luxurious estates dating back to the 15th through the early 20th century.

Monastery of the Hieronymites: Constructed along the Tagus river at the entrance to Lisbon, the monastery and connecting tower were built in the 15th century to represent good fortunes and successes of Portuguese seafarers. The monastery protrudes out onto the water and is flanked by intricate marble and design work on the outside, and is complete with stunning artwork inside.

Porto: Located two hours north of Lisbon along the Douro River is the cultural center of Porto. Porto has an incredibly rich history dating back to before the Roman empire. Now the largest exporter of Port Wine in the world, there is a daunting amount of timeless wine cellars and casques to visit when in Porto. At times the city itself feels like stepping into an ancient European time machine.

Something for everybody in South Africa

Travel to South Africa has been skyrocketing in recent years with a dramatic increase in flights and major hotel chains investing in the region. Golf, culture, wine and nature enthusiasts are spoiled for choice when looking at South Africa as a travel destination. The country offers a wide range of accommodations for golfers with different budgets. According to our best golf courses in South Africa rankings, premier golfing opportunities are primarily concentrated in the Western Cape and in Johannesburg.

Luckily, many of South Africa’s most iconic cultural sites are located in similar areas. In the capital of Johannesburg, players can enjoy rounds at Pretoria or Gary Player Country Club, Glendower, and Royal Johannesburg. At the same time travelers can visit top tourist destinations like Nelson Mandela’s legacy sites, the apartheid museum, and the cradle of humankind. Around Cape Town players can visit Arabella Golf Club or Pearl Valley Golf and Country Club while also seeing table mountain and Robben Island.

Johannesburg:

Glendower Country Club
Royal Johannesburg East
Pretoria Country Club
Gary Player Country Club
Sun City International Resort – Located on the same property as Gary Player Country Club, Sun City International Resort offers five separate resort accommodation options with over 35 dining choices between them. In addition to golf, guests can enjoy tours of the Pilanesberg game reserve, relax at the man-made beach, or head to the Sun City Casino on property.

Cape Town:

Arabella Golf Club

Arabella Hotel – In addition to the golf course, Arabella offers both estate living and luxury accommodation at their five-star hotel. Located within the Kogelberg biosphere, the hotel emphasizes tranquility and relaxation through state-of-the-art spas and unique culinary experiences offering local cuisine and ingredients. Arabella’s location allows guests access to one-of-a-kind whale watching locations and other outdoor activities.

Pearl Valley Golf and Country Club

Pearl Valley Hotel – Owned by Mantis Hotels, Pearl Valley offers a luxury eco-lodge accommodation along with five-star golf. Accommodations view the snaking waterways of the golf club as well as the Simonsberg Mountains. The Valley restaurant features fine dining options and an impressive selection of local and international wines.

Local Attractions – Johannesburg

Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites – Throughout the city center of Johannesburg and around the nation are UNESCO World Heritage Sites that commemorate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, his struggle, and South Africa’s collective victory over apartheid. The mentioned locations within Johannesburg include the Union Buildings, the Sharpeville Sites, Walter Sisulu Square, the Streets of Orlando West, and Liliesleaf.

Apartheid Museum – Opened in 2001 and part of the Gold Reef City Complex in Johannesburg, the museum is not only a history of Apartheid in South Africa, but also a celebration of the nation’s constitutional pillars of Democracy, Equality, Reconciliation, Diversity, Responsibility, Respect, and Freedom, as the museum hosts events to celebrate the end of Apartheid and the start of multiracial democracy.

Maropeng: Cradle of Humankind – Located 1-hour north of Johannesburg is Maropeng UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maropeng received designation in 1999 for housing the largest concentration of human remains on the planet. The site is a former farm where scientists found the remains of a hominid dating back 2.3 million years. Maropeng visiting center opened in 2005 as a way for tourists to visit and see the fossils and remains.

Game Reserves – With the risk of stating the obvious, Johannesburg and Cape Town are home to spectacular private and protected game reserves. Countless companies offer opportunities to tour the reserves, and some golf courses and resorts are situated right next to them.

Local Attractions – Cape Town

Table Mountain: 20 minutes from downtown Cape Town overlooking the city is Table Mountain. Sitting 3,500-feet above sea level, Table Mountain is one of the most popular natural tourism destinations in South Africa. The plateau sits almost two miles across, bolstered by Devil’s Peak and Lionshead peak on either side of the mountain. There are two cable-cars that allow for easy access and stunning views of the surrounding city and sea in the distance.

Wineries: South Africa’s Western Cape region is home to some of the most famous wineries in the world. With almost too many options to choose from, travelers can indulge in tours of breathtaking vineyards while sampling the best wines South Africa has to offer.

Robben Island Museum: A short 30-minute ferry ride from Cape Town takes you to a remote island called Robben Island. In the late 17th century, the Dutch used Robben Island to exile prisoners, a tradition that continued until the end of Apartheid. Starting in 1961 the South African government assumed control of the island and its prison for political enemies of the state. Famously, Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner there.

District 6 Museum: Located in the heart of Cape Town is the district six museum. The museum was founded in 1994 to commemorate the forced exile of 60,000 individuals of various races from their homes during Apartheid.