I’m a golf travel writer and these are the best golf courses and resorts I’ve visited in 2024

Golf courses and travel editor Chris Bertram picks his highlights from 2024.

The fact it took me a few minutes to think back and work out I had been to 18 countries this year (some more than once) tells you I get about a bit with my job as a golf travel writer. I wanted to share the best golf courses, hotels, and trips I’ve experienced this year. 

I should probably put the word ‘job’ in inverted commas, because I’m supremely aware everyone reading this who likes golf will think hardly ‘work’. I wouldn’t disagree. 

It has its highs and lows though, as these stories will confirm. Here are my travel highlights from 2024 – as well as some less memorable moments. 

Best on-course golf trip: Abu Dhabi

Tough decision, but I’m going for Abu Dhabi. I’d been telling my friend David Jones, the Sky Sports presenter, how good Abu Dhabi was for a while and then one day he casually messaged to say he’d booked his flights as he had a week off for the international break.

It was in the middle of the British winter and the rounds at Saadiyat Beach – which was a fantastic experience all round – and Yas Links in particular (straight into his top 10 of all time) were pretty much as good as golf overseas gets. 

Best off-course golf trip: Dubai

Having teenage kids means I am served a steady diet of TikTok-fuelled ‘Dubai has this, Dubai has that’.

So I sated their thirst with a golf-and-other-activities Easter trip – and to be fair it was absolutely brilliant; the legendary Atlantis WaterWorld, TopGolf, Wild Wadi water park, incredible restaurants, a typically lavish pool brunch at Address Sky View under the shadow of Burj Khalifa, browsing the markets along the creek and the perfect chilled-out base at Radisson DAMAC Hills overlooking Trump Dubai. Plus, the traffic was kind!

Best room with a view: Finland

Evian’s Hotel Royal and Mazagan Beach could easily have filled this slot but gazing out onto a perfectly still lake and the 18th hole of the South East course takes some beating. The new woodland pods at Kytaja are exquisite.

Best hotel: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Italy

A very competitive category. Evian’s Royal (again) and Fairmont Tagazhout would have been easy choices here but Castiglion del Bosco has the edge… on pretty much anywhere I have ever stayed.

This resort is set within a 900-year-old Tuscan hamlet and simply could not be more characterful yet luxurious. The two games at Castiglion del Bosco – one with General Manager David Waters and one with one of the pros, Lorenzo – were so fun too. 

Epic accommodation: Monte Rei, Algarve

Remember when Monte Rei was all about the course? Not now. The Selling Sunset lot would even be wowed by the new apartments here. Achingly chic and incredibly well equipped – the kitchen and balcony area is so cool we made an exception to our ‘never eat in abroad’ rule. 

Best new golf course: Heritage’s La Reserve, Mauritius

This falls just outside the last 12 months but I’m including it as I really loved the new La Reserve course, part of the Heritage Resort in Mauritius. It has some of the most spectacular, thrilling holes I’ve ever played; one Instagrammable moment after another.

Best UK days: Wallasey & The Addington

Both these courses have had a lot of work on them – with Frank Pont of Clayton, DeVries & Pont – the common link so I left it as late as I could to visit before our GB&I Top 100 ranking was finalized. Neither disappointed.

Wallasey, unrecognizable from my previous game there, came into the 100 for the first time ever, testament to the work of Pont and greenskeeper John McLoughlin.

The Addington moved up a joint-high 15 places and I got a fantastic ‘playing tour’ from owner Ryan Noades. 

Most enjoyable round of golf: Royal Club Bahrain

On the day I arrived in Bahrain I hit balls on the range and Tour player Mike Lorenzo-Vera ambled into the bay next to me. It was an intimidating scenario to see and hear my efforts compared to his!

The next day I was to play the course with the club’s General Manager Juanma Fuentes but as we walked to the 1st he casually said “I thought Mike could join us…” Gulp.

My fears of ruining a round for Juanma and Mike – who spends a good bit of time at the Royal Club – were completely unfounded, not just because I managed to get it round in vaguely competent fashion but because Juanma (a very good player himself) and Mike were outstanding company.

It was a privilege to watch their play and the conversation was compelling. I could not have enjoyed it more and while ‘most enjoyable round’ could be a difficult one to decide, this was actually an easy choice. 

Most historic day: Archerfield, Lothian

I am not an equipment guy and had 2002 Ping woods and irons in my bag until I went to Gainsborough for a fitting to write about the experience. The new bats were unveiled on a seminal day for the game of golf alongside another David Jones – this time social media sensation @UKGolfGuy – at his home club Archerfield. 

Best food and staff: Fairmont Tagazhout , Morocco

I was in Agadir to play Tazegzout, a Kyle Phillips design that is prominent in our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) ranking, and stayed at the Fairmont Tagazhout that’s part of the same impressive development. 

It has possibly the best selection of food I’ve ever had in a hotel, and I cannot think of better-serving staff anywhere. We loved the breakfasts – especially the unusual touches like focaccia bread topped with tomatoes and meat – and lunch either in poolside Beef & Reef or the beach club. At night, choose from Asian utopia in Morimoto, tapas and Aperol Spritz on the rooftop Tapa bar, or pizza and pasta to die for in Paper Moon. 

The staff ooze friendliness as well as product knowledge and what really comes through is an authentic happiness you’ve chosen to holiday in their hotel and indeed in their country.

Best terrace drinks: St Endreol, France

We arrived into Nice on a very warm June day and, after an annoying wait at a dusty car hire depot, drove 80 minutes to this Top 100 resort. Safe to say we were ready for refreshment. Things markedly improved with a couple of beers and nuts on the patio overlooking the 18th.

Sky Sports Jones was with me but could enjoy his first beer a little less than I, because as a non-executive director of Sunderland FC, he interviewed on Zoom the man that would become the club’s new manager a few weeks later…

Best discovery: Isla Canela, Spain

“Cutesie, demure and mindful” is how my daughter would no doubt describe Isla Canela’s boutique golf hotel. It certainly is stylish yet cosy and, along with its two courses, helped this unheralded Spanish resort right on the border with Portugal into the European Resorts Top 100. The eponymous town at the tip of the peninsula is a great spot for beachside dining.

Best family trip: Egypt

Our Middle East ranking was a main emphasis this year as I think they are destinations some might not know too much about.

Somabay was the key trip because I had only ever passed through before. Thankfully I allocated plenty of time for this trip, as there is so much to see and do.

The course is really good, with some all-world ‘wow’ moments. And there is as good a short-game area and Par 3 course, designed by James Edwards, as you’ll ever play. I could spend hours there. Oh, and a new Tim Lobb-designed course will open in the next 18 months.

We stayed at the Cascades hotel 50 yards from the 1st tee of the existing course and from there did snorkelling (twice), horse riding and go-karting as well as beach days, pool days and going to a water park – all without spending more than five minutes on a golf buggy.

Best European city break: Prague

This trip was focused on PGA National (also known as the Oaks), which is 40 minutes outside Prague.

The club’s marketing manager Bara wisely based us in the center of the capital. It meant a bit of commuting, but it meant we explored Prague – a city I’d longed to discover – at night. It didn’t disappoint. Riverside drinks in the evening sunshine from bars converted from railway archways – superb!

The course was also really impressive, and top photographer Kevin Murray happened to be there at the same time, so we had a very enjoyable game and I got some drone footage of me in action!

Millionaire’s golf: Vidauban, France

It has opened up a bit from the infamous days of having 14 members. But this is the most exclusive golf club in Europe and two days spent here were absolutely magical.

UK stay & play favorites

I’m choosing four here, starting with Foxhills, which gets better every time I go there. The courses are in better shape than I’ve ever seen them and the courtyard cottage accommodation is superb. The gym is being totally redone, which puzzled me as I thought the original was brilliant! Imagine what the new one will be like…

Talking of which, the gym at The Tytherington is also first class, alongside its excellent spa. I’d recommend it as a base for a Manchester-Cheshire trip, as we did.

My half-Scottish 12-year-old son started par-bogey-bogey-par at Murrayshall and I’m also delighted to say he left this Perthshire resort with an obsession with cullen skink. The investment in the course and the rooms here is seriously impressive. A gorgeous spot for a short break. 

The Roxburghe, further south in the Scottish Borders, has also been improved significantly. Once it was a nice course and charming small hotel. New rooms and an extraordinary spa and restaurant mean it will rise in the GB&I Resorts 2025 list.

Biggest surprise: Evian Resort, France

I knew Evian had a funky, scenic course from watching it host a ladies’ Major annually and I suspected the accommodation was nice but I was completely blown away by the resort’s Royal Hotel.

The food, the rooms, the setting, the staff, the relaxed opulence, the amenities… outstanding. It enjoyed a nice rise in the European Resorts ranking and it is a World Top 100 Resort in waiting.

Most planning! Top 100 panellist meet-ups

I organize days for our England, Scotland and Ireland (Wales take care of themselves!) panellists, and this year had stellar hosts.

Thirty-six holes at Walton Heath brought the England (with lots of GB&I panellists, too) panel together, and the highlight for some was the sight of the organiser chatting too much at lunch and having to run down the par-3 opener on the Old to catch his group…

Scotland was at Southerness – with a view to the GB&I Top 100 and to stop me fretting about accusations of bias as I am from Dumfriesshire – and Prestwick, just because I absolutely love it. Secretary Ken Goodwin gave us a wonderful chat about the part the club played in the game’s origins afterwards that had everyone mesmerized.

Ireland was at spectacular Tralee and Ballybunion, which was notable for a fog delay that ruined my carefully constructed timings and one panellist sleeping in their car.

The celebrity trip: Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

I’ve covered the Legends Tour finale at Belle Mare Plage for several years now and it is a ‘pinch me’ moment every time we arrive at this jaw-dropping Indian Ocean destination.

Then add in mingling – even some late night drinks! – with sports stars such as Teddy Sheringham, Glenn Hoddle, Damon Hill, Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Anderson and Robbie Fowler – who are there for the celebrity event – and you have a week that I’m not quite sure I believe happened, never mind if you do!

Best setting: Mazagan Beach, Morocco

This Moroccan resort is perched right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. We had an incredible view of it from our fourth-floor room, we ate both lunches right on the beach, and the Gary Player course also plays towards or alongside the ocean for a third of the round. Epic.

The glad-to-be-a-golfer trip: Dubai

A second trip late in the year to play my three favorites in Dubai – Trump Dubai, Emirates Majlis and Els Club – with Sky Sports Jones and ex-Tour player Zane Scotland, who now lives there and is director of golf of the amazing FiveIron Golf. November in the warmth of the UAE and playing pristine courses made me so very, very glad to be a golfer.

My top tips for golf trips

A couple of longstanding favorites, Skyscanner and HolidayXtras, did me proud again this year. Skyscanner will categorically be top of the ‘Most visited’ on my internet browser. I’m not sure how they do it so efficiently, but they do all the hard work in terms of assessing flight options brilliantly. 

HolidayXtras is similar; I am always convinced I’m getting the best-value deal on airport parking when I book with them, and the various deals are so clean and clear to use. On the day of arrival it’s always been seamless too; I’ve yet to rock up at one of the various parking operators and for them to not a have a clue about my booking!

Car hire insurance is so boring I know, but this is one renewal I do every year as soon as the email from CarHireInsurance.co.uk drops in my inbox.

The peace of mind is worth every penny – and it’s not even expensive (mine was £65 this year). Because when (this is what I presume happened) someone reverses into your vehicle in a car park and cracks the front grille, you know you’ll have some admin hassle but that it won’t cost you hundreds of pounds.

It’s also worth adding that if you take my advice and get your own insurance, be aware of the limit you need on your credit card when using it to guarantee the excess and save taking out their daily insurance. It used to be something like £500 but I’ve been experiencing £2,200 – and if you don’t have the full amount, you’re snookered.

Budget were perfectly friendly in dealing with the Morocco incident. The same cannot be said for Budget at Shannon in Ireland, who were down there with the very worst experiences – and I’ve had a few.

On the other side of the coin ‘DriveOn’, admittedly with just experience of their Faro office, were really good. And cheap. They stepped in when aggregators WiseCars.com let me down the day before I was travelling – I’d steer clear of them if I was you.

My golf equipment travel essentials

As well as the new clubs I have also put in play a healthy collection of new luggage this year.

There are now few moments when an Ogio bag is not in my hand. 

I absolutely LOVE the small suitcase (carry-on size) – it is like a Black Hole for stuff, you just seem to be able to pack more and more in! – and the rucksack does a similarly strong job. The build quality is exceptional too. 

I also really like the flight bag, which is so sturdy yet lightweight that I feel as confident as I could that my clubs will arrive safely at the other end.

I interchange it with the Sun Mountain Kube, which is ingeniously able to be neatly packed away into box the size of small rucksack when not in use.

Oh, and I’ve got a new Garmin watch. A present from the editor for good behaviour! It’s very sleek compared to my first Garmin and even though I only want front, middle and back yardages, I am actually intrigued to explore the rest of its myriad specs.

My 2024 quick favorites

Airport: Helsinki

Airline: FinnAir

Employee: ‘Abdo’, one of Somabay’s golf operation guys

Hotel breakfast: Fairmont Taghazout

Hotel granola: Isla Canela

Clubhouse burger: Kytaja

Lunch: Mazagan Beach BBQ

Clubhouse steak: Royal Club Bahrain

Clubhouse beer: PGA National Prague

Aperol spritz: Castiglion del Bosco

Gym: The Tytherington 

Pool: Hotel Royal, Evian

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Bertram is the Golf World Top 100 Editor.

He was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and has been a sports journalist since 1996, initially as a junior writer with National Club Golfer magazine.

Chris then spent four years writing about football and rugby union for the Press Association but returned to be Editor and then Publisher of NCG before joining Golf World and Today’s Golfer as Senior Production Editor.

He has been freelance since 2010 and when he is not playing and writing about the world’s finest golf courses, he works for BBC Sport.

A keen all-round sportsman, Chris plays off 11 – which could be a little better if it wasn’t for hilariously poor lag putting which has to be seen to be believed.