Golfing Holidays …for a non-golfer
I’m not a golfer — but I’ve been on plenty of golf holidays, and I’ve loved them.
You could probably describe me as a “golf widow.” My husband currently plays golf three or four times a week, though a few years ago, when we lived on a golf course, he played every single day. I’ve never minded. Most of the time, I was working while he was golfing, and it’s a hobby he genuinely loves. It keeps him active, gets him outdoors, and gives him plenty of fresh air.
My husband loves golf trips and in recent years has had holidays to the west coast of Scotland, Morocco and Turkey. While working overseas, we’ve twice lived on/next to a golf course which gave us superb views and a quiet life. However, over the years, I’ve discovered that golf holidays can be just as enjoyable for non-golfers too. I’m perfectly happy strolling around beautiful courses while he plays — and even happier when I’m allowed to drive the buggy.
Two of my favourite courses for this are The Kittocks Course at Fairmont St Andrews and La Cigale Golf Course in Tabarka, Tunisia. Both offer spectacular coastal views as well as outstanding golf. Of course, visiting either also means an excuse for a luxurious night away. In St Andrews, we’ve often stayed at Rufflets, a charming hotel just outside town, though we’ve also enjoyed apartments in the centre and stays at the Fairmont itself. In Tunisia, La Cigale Hotel is equally perfect for a relaxing weekend, especially when combined with lunch on the golf club terrace overlooking the course.
Around 2014, our golf travels took on a new twist when we started attending professional tournaments. Initially, we followed my second cousin, who is a professional golfer, but we quickly discovered how much we enjoyed the experience. Since then, we’ve planned many holidays around European Tour events and have attended around 20 tournaments.
In Scotland, we’ve watched events at St Andrews, Gleneagles, Gullane, and Trump International Golf Links and The Renaissance Club. While these are iconic venues, Scottish weather always adds an unpredictable element — even in July, you might need sunscreen, an umbrella, or a woolly hat and gloves, sometimes all in one day. Some events are also extremely busy, which can make viewing more difficult and the day more expensive.
International tournaments, however, offer a very different experience. We’ve attended events in Dubai, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, while my husband has also visited Ras Al Khaimah to watch golf. For me, the Middle East events are especially appealing. The cooler winter temperatures are ideal, crowds are far smaller, and you can get much closer to the action. Entry is often inexpensive — sometimes even free — and there are rarely queues for food, drinks, or facilities.
In Southeast Asia, the tournaments are equally enjoyable, though Malaysia and Singapore’s heat and humidity can make walking all 18 holes a little more challenging. After nine holes, I’m often happy to retreat to a shaded seat and follow the rest on a big screen.
My husband has enjoyed the tournament atmosphere so much that he has even volunteered at several events.They need volunteers to help with ticket checks, crowd guidance, scoring, and course marshalling. But as an avid golfer, he was given different duties - he has worked as both a spotter and even as a driver for camera crews.
One of the biggest surprises of these trips has been the wildlife. Golf courses often provide incredible opportunities for nature lovers, especially birdwatchers. In Scotland, we’ve seen gannets, oystercatchers, and even a magnificent eagle at Gleneagles. Oman’s Al Mouj Golf Course, designed with coastal sustainability in mind, is particularly impressive, attracting more than 150 bird species, especially during migration seasons.
Beyond birds, we’ve encountered dolphins off the coast in Oman, what we believe was a desert fox in Dubai, monitor lizards, monkeys, and deer in Malaysia, and even otters on the course in Singapore. But for me, nothing has topped the unforgettable sight of kangaroos bounding across fairways in Perth, Australia.
So, if you enjoy travel, luxury hotels, wildlife, and world-class sporting events — even if you don’t play golf yourself — a golf holiday might be the perfect getaway.
Sometimes, golf holidays really can be about far more than golf.
