From Wikitravel

This article is a travel topic.

Golf is a game that is variously considered a pastime, recreation, sport, profession, religion or an obsession. The apparent object is to knock a small hard ball into a designated hole, using only a minimum number of blows of a stick or club, while avoiding the hazards of the terrain such as vegetation, water, soft ground and loose sand. While this may appear frustrating to some, the pleasure that so many people do derive from working out their frustrations in the course of this game means that golf and visiting the golf courses where the game is played is a significant reason for travel.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Destinations 2.1 Europe 2.1.1 Scotland 2.1.2 England 2.1.3 Spain 2.2 Africa 2.3 Asia 2.3.1 China 2.3.2 Thailand 2.3.3 Malaysia 2.4 Australasia 2.4.1 Australia 2.4.2 New Zealand 2.5 North America 2.5.1 United States of America 2.6 South America 3 Buy 4 Eat 5 Drink 6 Stay safe 7 Tipping 8 Get out

Understand

Golf originated at Saint Andrews, in Scotland. Because of this, Scotland, and in particular the Old Course at St. Andrews, is considered the traditional home of Golf, and the standard to which all other Golf Courses are compared.

Today, perhaps one of the first two things that developers consider when wanting to attract more tourism to a destination is where to put the (next) golf course to go with the hotel they are wanting to develop.

Destinations

Europe

Scotland

• St Andrews - where else but...

England

See Golf in England

Spain

Africa

Asia

China

See Golf in China

Thailand

See Golf in Thailand

Malaysia

Australasia

Australia

See Golf in Australia

New Zealand

See Golf in New Zealand

North America

United States of America

Although not the traditional home of golf, this is where many of the major golf tournaments are played, and where some of the most famous, and best, courses can be found.

South America

Buy

At larger and more popular courses, the on-course Pro Shop will normally be able to supply all the necessary accessories.

Eat

Many golf courses have a Clubhouse that serves meals. Some provide a full service restaurant.

Drink

Most Clubhouses have a bar; such establishments are colloquially known as the 19th hole.

Stay safe

Golf is the sort of game that can be played in all sorts of weather conditions, especially if one wants a challenging game. However, lightning and severe storms are contraindications for safe play.

Consider golf insurance. This will pay out in the event of a hole-in-one, or if you injure other golfers.

Tipping

If you use a caddies (and in many places you have no choice), you may be expected to tip them. In other places tipping is not permitted. You should ask when you book your round what the expected tip is.

Get out

Once you have finished playing be sure to clean your equipment. If you are crossing borders with your gear be sure to declare it, particularly where countries have biosecurity controls to limit the importation of equipment that has been in contact with farmland and the like. Otherwise you might find you are delayed while the equipment is cleaned, or worse, confiscated.

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