Articles Tagged with: Golf

Golfers are not normally renowned for their commitment to natural habitats but a new multi million pound development is due to be created in the beautiful setting of the Maldives which will please environmentalists and golfers alike.

The development, once complete, will be a state of the art complex and is intended to bring a flood of golfing tourists to the luxury islands, with the resort lying just five minutes away from the airport.

The technology involved is cutting edge and utilises a whole range of eco-friendly measures which ensures that the development has zero impact on the environment and does not damage the local flora and fauna.

The project is being undertaken by Dutch Docklands, who have experience in building floating enterprises and is due to be ready for use by 2015. The course will be based around five floating islands which will also include places to stay, as well as a corporate convention centre for business travellers. To get from one hole to the next, golfers will have to walk through a series of underwater tunnels, allowing them a unique view of sea-life from below the water’s surface as they trundle through with their clubs.

The project meets the Maldives tough criteria for green credentials, as it aims to be completely carbon-neutral in just 9 years, by 2020, which would make it the first country to do so. The floating golf course incorporates a whole range of sustainable measures, such as the use of solar blanket fields floated on the ocean, as well as salt water collection and recycling of potentially harmful pesticides in sweet water reservoirs which will be reused for irrigation.

The Maldives are particularly ardent campaigners for climate protection measures, as lying just 2 metres above sea levels, the group of islands are more vulnerable than most. As sea levels move upwards, the residents can either hope that the sea walls provide sufficient protection or move out of the Maldives. However, the government believes there may be a third option and that involves further floating islands being created for permanent occupancy.

With the coral reefs below, having floating islands demands a careful approach in order to avoid damaging the precious ocean-based habitats but the government is confident these new islands being constructed can be manoeuvred into place with no risk of harm.

With the club-house lying in a glassy underwater development and offering golfers an real-life aquarium view whilst they enjoy a post-round drink, it’s probably safe to say there is no other 19th hole in the world quite like it…

The Dolce Chantilly Resort has an easy to navigate 6,781-yard course. Credit: Your Golf Travel

When UK travelers want to leave the country for a golfing holiday, they often choose to tee off in France. And why not? With a plethora of superb golf courses throughout the country, a golfing holiday in France with Your Golf Travel  is the perfect way for you to combine your favourite sport with some superb gastronomical delights, a country rich with art and culture, a fascinating history and superb scenery. It’s the perfect destination if you want to indulge in some golf in France, and there are plenty of attractions available for non-golfers too.

So where do you begin? Le Touquet is one of the most popular holiday resort destinations in Northern France, with both excellent nightlife and excellent golfing.  If you have a hankering to spend some time in Paris (and who doesn’t?) there are a myriad of choices in the surrounding area including comprehensive resorts including Dolce Chantilly with its 6,781-yard layout. It offers an easy-walking challenge for the average golfer, with a relatively flat terrain.

If you prefer to head further west to Normandy, Brittany and the Western Loire, you’ll be spoiled for choice with golfing opportunities.  Golf International Barrière La Baule is just one of a myriad of major draws.  Non-golfers can lounge on the famous sandy beach, while avid golfers can indulge in the 45-hole golfing complex.

Then there’s the South of France, always a favoured destination, offering up both wonderful resorts and golf courses including Fregate, designed by Ronald Fream and considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in all of France. As the course winds around the resort’s impressive estate, visiting golfers are presented with awe-inspiring views down over the Mediterranean coastline.

Superb golfing awaits at the Vilamoura in Portugal. Credit: Your Golf Travel

When you head to Portugal for a golfing holiday, you’re guaranteed top quality courses, hotels and resorts. Aside from top-notch places to tee off, the region has a steady, pleasant climate year round, so there’s no excuse to not get in some golf in Portugal this summer, together with a relaxing holiday. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is exactly which resort or region to choose, and Your Golf Travel can help you make that choice.

In Lisbon, the Praia del Rey is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this month and today is ranked as one of the finest layouts in Europe. Set in an extensive estate of pine forests and undulating dunes with views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Berlenga Islands, you’ll be able to play some first class golf here and indulge in some first class rest and relaxation.

If the Algarve coastline is more your scene, then the Vilamoura is just one resort to choose from in the region, not just for its superb golfing, (including five championship courses) but also for its thriving nightlife on the marina. Or, you can head to the charming island of Madeira, where you can take in both spectacular mountain views and spectacular golfing at a variety of locations, including the Santo da Serra Golf Club, home of the Madeira Open, and located location high above the Machico Bay.

La Cala Resort & Spa is the biggest golf complex in Spain. Credit: Your Golf Tours

Summer is already on our doorsteps, so if you’re thinking about taking a golfing holiday this year, now is the time to start planning… and booking. From Marbella to Malaga,  Your Golf Tours has a myriad of options to choose from, and if you don’t want to forgo glorious sunshine or beautiful beaches when it comes to setting your sights on great links and pristine greens, then head to the Mediterranean coastline of Spain. You’re practically guaranteed summer sunshine every day if you decide to enjoy golf in Spain.

Your Golf Travel offers holidays with quality courses all along the Spanish coastline, including in the Murcia region on the Costa Blanca – home of Europe’s most famous resort – La Manga Las Lomas Village, repeatedly named European Golf Resort of the Year and boasting three championship courses. Or head south to the Costa Brava where there are a slew of courses to choose form in the Girona area. And of course nothing beats the Costa Del Sol, also home to some of the most spectacular golf courses, including La Cala Resort and Spa – the biggest golf complex in Spain. Not only is La Cala home to three 18-hole championship courses, it also houses and an executive 6 hole par 3 course.

No matter where you choose to spend your Spanish golfing holiday, all of the resorts on offer provide top notch amenities and of course some of the best golfing on offer.

One of the three championship golf courses at the La Cala Resort & Spa in Spain, where you could win a free holiday. Credit: Courtesy yourgolftravel.com

Book a golf break with YourGolfTravel.com in any one of the 16 countries competing the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament, and your holiday will be fully refunded if England wins the tournament in South Africa.

In addition, if you book a golfing holiday in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, your holiday will also be fully refunded if England wins.

In order to be eligible for the refund, you’ll need to not just cross your fingers and hope Capello’s boys bring home the trophy, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Reservations must be booked and paid between now and Friday 11th June 2010.
• Full payment is required at time of booking.
• Date of travel must be from 12th June 2010 onwards.
• Full refunds will be made within 30 days of date of travel, unless date of travel is during the World Cup, in which case refunds will be made within 30 days of the World Cup Final.
• Refunds will exclude any credit card handling fees.
• Only those customers who have booked and paid in the stipulated booking period will be eligible for refunds.

Your Golf Travel will give away up to £1 million pounds in refunds as part of this once in a lifetime offer. Put your faith in the England national team and show your support by booking your holiday now, and you could find yourself teeing off for free in any one of the following countries:

Argentina, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Greece, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland or the USA.

For more information, visit YourGolfTravel.com