Best luxury golf resorts in the world

If you’re looking to escape beyond continental Europe on your next golf break, but aren’t too sure where you will find the ultimate in luxury and service, we're here to help.

This list of the best luxury golf resorts in the world will have you making the most of your worldwide golf break, by staying in deluxe accommodation and playing some incredible golf courses everywhere from South Africa to the Dominican Republic.

The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort has been created with thoughtful Mediterranean architecture and a contemporary interior design, that offers a comfortable stay on your golf trip to Abu Dhabi. It is located right on the beachfront, offering a range of watersports to try when you aren’t on the course, or you can relax by one of the three private pools on the resort’s private beach. The Iridium Spa is also a fantastic place to unwind, as they offer individual treatments tailored to you, whether you wish to be energised or in complete relaxation.

Gary Player designed the simply incredible layout at Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, with many of the holes hug the Arabian Gulf. Many of the holes are defined by huge sandy waste areas that look good on the eye, and you may even spot local wildlife around the course, including mountain gazelles, dolphins and hawksbill turtles.

With the choice of junior suites, family suites, villas and the lavish Princely villa, Constance Belle Mare Plage is a romantic hideaway in Mauritius offering stunning architectural design in a luxurious setting. Style, space and design combine to create the perfect hotel lifestyle here, with an infinity pool and natural water reserves only adding to the décor by instilling a sense of tranquillity. The rooms are inspired by Feng Shui principles, for example, the beds stand high above the floor to help the circulation of Qi.

There are 36-holes of golf on offer here in the Legend Course and the Links Course. The former opened in 1994 and weaves its way through an indigenous forest, as well as along some of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. The Links Course is a collaboration between Rodney Wright and Peter Alliss and, although considerably shorter than the Legend Course, still offers a testing challenge for all standards of golfer.

The Casa de Campo Resort & Villas are set out across 7,000 acres in La Romana, Dominican Republic, featuring impressive hotel rooms and suites, as well as spectacular villas with private pools in a lavish setting. As well as three championship golf courses, the resort has an expansive Marina, tennis courts, polo facilities and the private Minitas Beach.

The Teeth of the Dog Course here is world-renowned and is regularly ranked as the best golf course in the Dominican Republic. Seven of the 18 jaw-droppingly beautiful holes run along the ocean, with numerous hazards, including rugged rock and coral, making for a spectacular test. The Dye Fore Course offers 27-holes of scenic golf thanks to numerous cliff-side holes dropping 300ft to the Chavon River below. Finally, The Links Course offers a slice of the British Isles in the heart of the Caribbean.

Just 20-miles outside of downtown Charleston, the exquisitely designed oceanfront Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Resort really does capture the spirit, history and charm of the beautiful south. Here you will be surrounded by the grandeur of the architecture and experience the ultimate in southern hospitality. The 255 spacious rooms and suites offer the perfect place to recharge the batteries before taking on the five golf courses.

With 90-holes of championship golf to choose from, you really are in a golfing paradise. The Ocean Course here is world-famous as it has hosted the Ryder Cup and the USPGA Championship, with the ever-changing winds making this course a great challenge for professionals and amateurs alike. Other courses include the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point, Tom Fazio’s Osprey Point, Gary Player’s Cougar Point design and the testing Oak Point Course. It goes without saying, golf here is simply sensational.

Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate is South Africa’s premier leisure resort in the heart of the Garden Route, just 7km from the George Airport. The hotel boasts 115 rooms, while the five-star boutique Manor House features 18 suites offering personalised butler-style service. As well as three 18-hole golf courses, the Estate also has Spa, with an indoor heated Roman Bath, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, cycling trails and the opportunity to try fishing, all within the backdrop of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains.

The course designs at Fancourt were spearheaded by Gary Player and are consistently ranked within the top-20 courses in South Africa. The Links Course is consistently ranked as the best golf course in South Africa, and is similar to the likes of links golf in the UK & Ireland. The Outeniqua Course offers 18-holes of parkland golf while offering its fair share of challenges including water hazards on no less than 11 of the holes. Finally, the Montagu Course offers a riveting golfing experience as you battle the tree-lined golf course that covers large tracts of varying terrain.