Get some winter sun in your gold holiday
If last winter is anything to go by; the impassable roads, schools that were closed and that general air of resignation, then what better way this time round than combine winter sun with a golfing holiday? For those of your friends that might not be able to go, there's always a great selection of golf gifts to bring back. Now you wouldn't want to make them jealous would you?
Sitting proudly in the North Atlantic Ocean is the island of Bermuda. It's a British overseas territory these days but was actually discovered by Spanish Navigator Juan de Bermudez in 1505. When he pulled up to the island, he found it totally inhabited by pigs. Nowadays it boasts more golf courses that fast food places, which in itself is recommendation enough. That said, you'll find truly great golf here.
You may be nowhere near golf in Scotland physically, but the St Andrews golf tradition holds true here. The correct golf dress code must always be observed so shirts must have collars and shorts must reach the knee. Still room for a dynamite pair of Bermudas though, which can also duly be considered as a choice in golf gifts.
They take their golf seriously here. There is a centralised reservation system you can phone to book a round on the government run courses, or for many of the other courses you can book direct or via your hotel. Most of the hotels have corporate memberships so can get you into the private clubs anyway. One thing is for sure, you'll get to play.
It's decent too. If golf in Scotland or St Andrews golf has been characterised by the difficulties the changing winds bring, you'll find the unpredictable here with winds blowing in from the Atlantic. Due to less irrigation, they tend to play firmer and slower than American courses and watch out for the lurking water hazards. Mind you, there's worse places to get wet!
Closer to home, let's have a look at Madeira. Probably more famous for the name of a cake or as a type of wine, it's certainly on the up as far as golf goes. They cater for all with a 27 hole monster course down to the good old 9 hole pitch and putt.
It's much nearer Africa than it is mainland Europe and has a temperature to match. In the winter you'd get out to play in a regular 20 degrees, just the job for that holiday round. It's been called 'The Island of Eternal Spring' and it's easy to see why. Much of the interior is sub-tropical in vegetation and rugged mountains and lush valleys sweep down to the sea.
Along the coastline proud cliffs stand like beacons and sandy beaches hug gentle bays. Roads to the coast are pretty good and every golf course will bless you with stunning views; one day the backdrop will be the beautiful Atlantic shore, the next the edge of a sub-tropical forest. For a reminder of the experience, don't ever forget those golf gifts either.
Sitting proudly in the North Atlantic Ocean is the island of Bermuda. It's a British overseas territory these days but was actually discovered by Spanish Navigator Juan de Bermudez in 1505. When he pulled up to the island, he found it totally inhabited by pigs. Nowadays it boasts more golf courses that fast food places, which in itself is recommendation enough. That said, you'll find truly great golf here.
You may be nowhere near golf in Scotland physically, but the St Andrews golf tradition holds true here. The correct golf dress code must always be observed so shirts must have collars and shorts must reach the knee. Still room for a dynamite pair of Bermudas though, which can also duly be considered as a choice in golf gifts.
They take their golf seriously here. There is a centralised reservation system you can phone to book a round on the government run courses, or for many of the other courses you can book direct or via your hotel. Most of the hotels have corporate memberships so can get you into the private clubs anyway. One thing is for sure, you'll get to play.
It's decent too. If golf in Scotland or St Andrews golf has been characterised by the difficulties the changing winds bring, you'll find the unpredictable here with winds blowing in from the Atlantic. Due to less irrigation, they tend to play firmer and slower than American courses and watch out for the lurking water hazards. Mind you, there's worse places to get wet!
Closer to home, let's have a look at Madeira. Probably more famous for the name of a cake or as a type of wine, it's certainly on the up as far as golf goes. They cater for all with a 27 hole monster course down to the good old 9 hole pitch and putt.
It's much nearer Africa than it is mainland Europe and has a temperature to match. In the winter you'd get out to play in a regular 20 degrees, just the job for that holiday round. It's been called 'The Island of Eternal Spring' and it's easy to see why. Much of the interior is sub-tropical in vegetation and rugged mountains and lush valleys sweep down to the sea.
Along the coastline proud cliffs stand like beacons and sandy beaches hug gentle bays. Roads to the coast are pretty good and every golf course will bless you with stunning views; one day the backdrop will be the beautiful Atlantic shore, the next the edge of a sub-tropical forest. For a reminder of the experience, don't ever forget those golf gifts either.