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Golf Your Way Around The World
by Belli Roudles
http://www.figagolf.com
Any world tour of golf should set out where golf began. Do
not listen to those pedants who think that the Roman game
paganica was the origin or golf, or those who argue that
the Dutch got there first - we are talking Scotland, where
they were playing it in the fifteenth century.
Founded in 1754 the Royal and Ancient Golf Club still has a
role in the rule making of the game. It is situated in a
Scottish University town which lies between Dundee and
Edinburgh. Here you will find many fantastic courses but
make sure you take some wet weather gear with you.
Staying in Europe, a few hours by airplane from Scotland
takes you to the sunny climes of Valencia where the El
Saler golf course awaits. It glistens by the Mediterranean
Sea, but it is a tough course with a lot of bunkers.
Another site for your golfing pilgrimage is found in the
north of Europe. In Northern Ireland you will find the
Royal County Down - a course with great views on two sides,
the sea on one and on the other the Mourne mountains.
However, to get a round at the two courses here, Annesley
or Championship you will need to plan in advance.
Taking pretty much straight line south we eventually (it is
a long way) come to South Africa. Here we can try our
skills on the same links that fostered the skills of Gary
Player or Ernie Els.
It is also a handy way to take in another continent,
Africa, on the way to our third, Asia. Golf in Japan has
grown more quickly than just about anyplace else. There are
plenty of great courses to be played in a fascinating and
beautiful country. The course at Hirono in Kobe is usually
highlighted. It was designed way back in 1932 by Charles
Alison, and is set amongst pines and breathtaking gorges.
Still within Australasia - not so far from Japan in New
Zealand, we can visit Paraparaumu Beach, the course where
many may recall watching Tiger Woods win back in 2002.
Based on the North Island you can play on this course if
you book a few weeks in advance.
Back on a plane and heading for another new world
continent, America, lots of options open up for us. The
Carribean has plenty of great courses, as does Mexico. J
Nicklaus is likely to point you towards some of the courses
he designed - how about Cabo del Sol, Los Cabos. On the
coast it tend to catch the wind, so your previous
experience on the similarly windy Paraparaumu Beach will
stand you in good stead.
Hopping a plane north brings us to the golf paradise that
is the USA. Where next? Augusta, Palm Springs,
Clementon....
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