Beyond the Fairway: The World’s Most Unforgettable Golf Journeys
From the windswept links of Scotland to South Africa’s safari greens, WhirlAway Travel redefines the luxury golf trip—for players and their companions alike.
More than keeping score, golf is about the stories: the putt sunk against a backdrop of crashing waves, a winning moment at sunset, the shared adventure that bonds a group for life. For WhirlAway Travel, these moments are at the heart of curated golf vacations. As a Luxury Travel Advisor, Alison Warner specializes in golf vacations. Here, she shares five reasons why you should start planning your next golf escape.
1. Legendary Links are Our Specialty
Many destinations are a golfing rite of passage. Scotland, the birthplace of golf, offers hallowed fairways from St Andrews to Muirfield, while Ireland’s southwest coast beckons with Ballybunion and Old Head, where sea views frame every swing and evenings linger in lively pubs. Portugal features a trifecta of championship courses, exquisite cuisine, and year-round sunshine, and Spain shines with golf that pairs beautifully with tapas and rioja. For those seeking the extraordinary, South Africa combines rounds on world-class courses with Big Five safaris and wine tours through the Cape Winelands. And few settings rival New Zealand and Australia, where epic coastal cliffs and exclusive lodges redefine “the 19th hole.”
2. We Discover the Lesser-Known Courses
New Zealand is quickly emerging as a must-play, with coastal courses like Rosewood Cape Kidnappers raising the reputation of the country’s golf scene. In France, the greens of Bordeaux and Provence tempt wine and beach lovers, while Normandy offers history that will captivate golfers and non-golfers alike. And, Italy! While we will always cherish this country for its vineyards, cypress trees, and olive groves, Alison says, “Sicily’s Verdura Resort is one of the top courses in all of Italy, which is underestimated as a golf destination."
3. We Create Rare Access & Seamless Luxury (for Non-Golfers, Too)
Every WhirlAway itinerary overflows with personalization. Tee times, luxury lodging, and private transfers are handled with ease, while non-golf experiences—vineyard tours, spa days, cultural excursions—make every guest feel part of the journey. Through an exclusive network of global partners, WhirlAway grants rare access to private clubs and coveted events such as The Masters and The Ryder Cup.
4. A Golf Trip is Perfect for Milestones Celebrations
Graduations, retirements, milestone birthdays, and family reunions are marked in style, with heritage touches woven throughout, like playing near a grandparent’s hometown or cultural stops tied to a family’s story, like Dromoland Castle. An excellent addition to any Irish golf itinerary, this 18-hole, par-72 championship course was designed by the legendary Ron Kirby and JB Carr and is considered a golfing rite of passage. These types of milestone moments, paired with top courses, quickly become favorite family vacations.
5. If You Plan Ahead, We’ll Dream Big
Whether it’s walking the historical fairways of St Andrews or discovering an unexpected gem on the other side of the world, WhirlAway crafts golf adventures that are about so much more than the game. As Alison reminds clients: “Even if you’re not a golfer, we specialize in making golf trips feel like dream vacations—for everyone in the group.”
