Fabulous Fairways

By LINDA JACKSON

Le Touessrok Golf Course, Mauritius, Indian Ocean

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Sun Resports

Le Touessrok

Different Because: The amazing natural setting of this superb golf course, only accessed by boat or helicopter, is further enhanced by its stunning views and exotic flora. Located on its own island, the "Ile aux Cerfs" (island of deer), the Bernhard Langer-designed golf course is tough, particularly if you can't hit straight and long. The layout is incredible, with a number of holes running alongside the beach. Black volcanic rock outcrops and mangrove swamps come into play on several holes, as do water hazards on 13 holes.

Stay at: Le Touessrok Hotel.

Approximate cost: Five nights/presidential suite/golf—£10,500 (€14,800).

Did you know: The Ile aux Cerfs, was named by the Dutch who settled in Mauritius in the 16th century. They brought Java deer on to the island in order to sustain their food supply.

Après-golf: Head to the open seas for some of the finest big game fishing for tuna, marlin and shark.

Nearest transport hub: The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.

Legend Golf and Safari Park, Limpopo, South Africa

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Legend Lodges, Hotels and Resorts

Morgan Freeman at Legend Golf Course and Safari Park

Different Because:: Eighteen of the world's top golfers have each designed one hole on this unique signature course. The par-three tribute course recreates 10 of the world's most famous holes, such as the 16th-hole at Augusta and the 11th-hole at St. Andrews. Don't miss the challenge of the "Extreme 19th" —A par-three hole set high up the Hanglip Mountain, accessed only by helicopter, and played to an African-shaped green 400 meters below. Only 100 out of 12,000 golfers have hit the green. Lewis Hamilton, Morgan Freeman, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, and Ian Woosnam are among many celebrities to take on the challenge.

Stay at: The Legend Golf and Safari Park.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£3,500.

Did you know: The oldest golfer to play the Extreme 19th was 83 and the youngest was three.

Après-golf: Take safari game drives to see the "Big Five" (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard).

Nearest transport hub: Johannesburg or Tambo Airport.

Wolf Creek Golf Course, Mesquite, Nevada, U.S.

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Wolf Creek Golf Club

Wolf Creek

Different Because: The topography is surreal, so take your camera as well as your clubs. Golf at Wolf Creek is an exciting roller-coaster ride over and through the dramatic Mesquite canyons, just one hour from Las Vegas. If the wind is blowing you can say goodbye to a good score; yardages are difficult to gauge, and wayward shots will not be forgiven. They'll rebound off rocks or vanish into cavernous ravines. Expect awe-inspiring 360 degree views, plenty of elevation changes, and lush green fairways that contrast vividly with the surrounding red rock mountains, steep cliffs and rocky ravines.

Stay at: Wynn Encore, Las Vegas.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£1,500.

Did you know: To protect the natural desert landscape of the Mesquite canyons, helicopters were used to bring in sand to fill the bunkers at Wolf Creek Golf Course.

Après-golf: Take a gamble in glitzy Las Vegas along the famous 'Strip', the play-all-day, party-all-night epicenter of fun.

Nearest transport hub: Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.

Ailsa Golf Course, Turnberry Resort, Scotland, U.K.

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Starwood Hotels and Resorts

Turnberry Resort

Different Because: The Ailsa course is one of the most famous in the world. It offers breathtaking coastal views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Arran, and Ailsa Craig (a volcanic plug in the sea): There are no big protective dunes so when the wind blows many holes can be really tough.

Holes four to 11 enjoy particularly breathtaking scenery and 'Bruce's Castle', the signature 9th-hole, warrants a drive over the rugged shoreline to a blind fairway taking you past the famous Ailsa Craig lighthouse and Robert the
Bruce's castle.

Stay at: Turnberry Resort.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£4,100.

Did you know: During the Second World War a number of holes at Turnberry were flattened and turned into runways.

Après-golf: Experience the thrill of falconry with an introductory lesson in handling and flying a Harris hawk, casting the bird into woodland and calling it back. Or you can opt to fly barn owls and snowy owls.

Nearest transport hub: Glasgow Prestwick Airport or Glasgow International Airport.

Pebble Beach Golf Links, California, U.S.

Different Because: Considered to be the toughest golf course in the world, and the greatest public golf course in America. Set on the Monterey Peninsula, hugging the rugged coastline, Pebble Beach Golf Links features wide-open vistas, cliff-side fairways, and small, sloping greens. The seventh green at the end of the peninsula, surf pounding the rocks, is world famous. Don't use a golf cart, take a caddie, it will be well worth it.

Stay at: The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Approximate cost: 5 nights/suite/golf—£8,100.

Did you know: In 1962 snow delayed the final round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am: That was the first time in 40 years it had snowed on the Monterey Peninsula.

Après-golf: For a lot of laughs take an educational five-hour guided Wine Trolley Tour (a bright red tram) and sample wine at five different wineries: It's a fun and
casual way to experience the sights and flavors of Carmel Valley.

Nearest transport hub: Monterey Peninsula Airport, San Jose International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport.

Yas Links Golf Course, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Aldar Hotels and Hospitality

Yas Hotel

Different Because: Featuring a unique custom-made coastline, this Kyle Phillips-designed course is akin to the famous Scottish links course of Kingsbarns, which is one of world's oldest clubs and dates back to the eighteenth century.

Winding through three kilometers of sandy hillocks along the Arabian Gulf, Yas Links is a tough cookie with uneven fairways, pot bunkers and unpredictable wind conditions. It's a very challenging course which might be frustrating for high handicappers.

The course features nine seashore greens, while plenty of water and hidden bunkers can trip up even the most experienced of golfers.

Stay at: Yas Hotel.

Approximate cost: Five nights/presidential suite/golf—£21,000.

Did you know: Yas Island is home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Half the hotel extends over the marina and the other half stretches over the race track.

Après-golf: Visit the world's first Ferrari theme park. The Park offers more than 20 Ferrari-inspired rides and attractions, including a diverse array of rides for adults and children, and advanced racing simulators.

Nearest transport hub: Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The Grenadines Estate Golf Course, Canouan

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Grenadines Estate Golf Club

The Grenadines

Different Because: This is possibly the most beautiful golf course in the Caribbean and, because of its remoteness, will never be crowded.

The Jim Fazio course features dramatic elevation changes and offers unrivalled panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic.

Eleven holes are situated within a natural amphitheater, while the other seven are built around Mount Royal, an extinct volcano.

Tricky tee shots and dog-legs are challenges to watch out for at the start. There's a deep ravine to drive over on the 11th-hole, while the 13th –hole —the highest point on the course —offers views to Mustique and Mayreau.

Stay at: The Canouan Resort.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£7,600.

Did you know: This is the only golf course in the Grenadines.

Après-golf: Snorkel with turtles around Tobago Cays, a cluster of four uninhabited islands and a National Marine Park, or dive around Canouan Island for some of the finest scuba diving in the Southern Grenadines.

Nearest transport hub: Canouan is accessible by air from the U.S., U.K., Canada and Europe through five major gateways: Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia and Mainland St Vincent—with connections to Canouan Airport.

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, The Algarve, Portugal

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Monte Rei Golf and Country Club

Monte Rei

Different Because: This Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is in a unique and tranquil setting in the picturesque foothills of the relatively undeveloped Eastern Algarve, boasting breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic Serra do Caldeirão mountains. Opened in June 2007, the course features a series of eight par-fours, five
par-threes, and five par-fives in a challenging and distinctive layout, with water coming into play on 11 holes. Fairways and greens are bordered by several lakes, indigenous plants, and native grasses and trees.

This golf and country club oozes quality. From the grandeur of its entrance all the way to the imposing and luxurious marble-floored clubhouse.

Stay at: Monte Rei Golf and Country Club.

Approximate cost: Five nights/four-bed villa/golf—£9,000.

Did you know: A 1,838 square meter building plot on the Monte Rei golf course was recently valued at €6450,000

Après-golf: Visit Tavira, a local town which features fine examples of Roman architecture and traditional Portuguese buildings. Also nearby is the scenic fishing port of Vila Real de Santo António, and the Ria Formosa Nature Park .

Nearest transport hub: Faro Airport.

Olazabal Course, Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China

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Mission Hills

Olazabal, Mission Hills

Different Because: With 12 signature 18-hole golf courses at Mission Hills Resort it's difficult to choose which one to play. For one of the club's strongest tests, play the Olazabal Course: It boasts 155 bunkers. This 20 square-kilometer golf complex is China's highest rated golf and leisure resort and, according to the Guinness World Records, the World's Largest Golf Club.

Stay at: Mission Hills Resort.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£1,700.

Did you know: The Mission Hills' cart paths equate to the distance from New York to Boston.

Après-golf: Shenzhen's "Happy Valley" is split into nine areas with varying themes—designed to appeal to all ages. For tennis enthusiasts, there's also a 51-court tennis academy on-site.

Nearest transport hub: Hong Kong International Airport.

Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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The Farm, Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers

Different Because: The links-style golf course is draped over cliff top ridges with dramatic fingers of land that stretch into the ocean. The fairways are generous, but hit a wayward shot and you'll be punished. Tee shots will have to carry some ravines, wind can make play tricky, and some green-side bunkers are deeper than deep. It's a course better suited to moderate to good players but enjoyed by all. Just stand on the cliffs and look at the waves 140 meters below, it's an overwhelming experience.

Stay at: The Farm, Cape Kidnappers.

Approximate cost: Five nights/suite/golf—£4,300.

Did you know: Cape Kidnappers was named after a kidnapping attempt in 1769 when local Māori tried to abduct the Tahitian servant of a crew member on HMS Endeavour, Captain Cook's ship.

Après-golf: Tour the 6,000 acre working sheep and cattle farm by quad bike.

Nearest transport hub: Auckland Airport and Wellington Airport.