The Most Historic, Scenic European Golf Courses

Games in which players hit a ball or stone with stick have been around for hundreds of years. Archeologists have found evidence of a similar game in first-century China. Holland, too, records a game in which players strike small pebbles with sticks. However, golf historians indicate that 15^th-century Scotland is the birthplace of modern-day golf because the Scots added the hole.

In 1457, King James II banned the sport because he was afraid men would be distracted from their archery. Years later, Mary, Queen of Scots, played the game a few hours after the death of her husband. This sport of royals eventually spread throughout Europe. Many golf courses in Europe reveal the sport's intricate history, and a golf trip to these locations carry you back in time.

Prestwick Golf Club

2 Links Road

Prestwick, Ayrshire

Scotland KA9 IQG

+01292 671020

This club, the birthplace of the open championships, invites golfers from around the world who want to test their skills on one of the oldest courses in the world. The club, founded in 1851, hosted the first open in 1860, won by Willie Park of Musselburgh. You get a temporary membership to the club, giving you complete access to the 18-hole course that features rolling hills and to the clubhouse. Visitors must dress in proper golf attire. Green fees vary throughout the year, and winter offers more specials.

You can stay at Manor Park Hotel at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, only a mile away from Prestwick Golf Club. The hotel resembles a Scottish manor and offers guest services such as chauffer and car hires, golf packages and Scottish tours.

The Curragh Golf Club

The Curragh

Co. Kildare

Republic of Ireland

+353 45 441714

The golf course at Curragh is the oldest one in Ireland, dating back to 1852. The 4,700-acre property invites people of golf trips, offering temporary membership to the club. The 18-hole course, which features open plains, has a rich military history as a once private course used by the Officers of the British Curragh Garrison. The course still bears trenches dug during World War II, a water tower, and the site of firing ranges and parade grounds. Guests can reserve tee times on their website. Call the club for booking information.

Lord Edward, an 18-room bed and breakfast, sits next to a 13^th-century Norman castle maintains its classic design while providing modern amenities like Internet access. The bed and breakfast is about 15 minutes from Curragh in Silken Thomas. The best time of year to make your golf trip is May, June and September to avoid summer tourist crowd and still have good weather for golfing.

Pau Golf Club

Rue du Golf

64140 Billere

France

+05 59 13 1856

Pau, founded in 1856, is the oldest golf club on the mainland of the European continent. Supposedly, the course came about when Scottish soldiers combined on the Island created the course because the missed the game of their homeland. The area eventually became a British colony; they brought sports of their homeland, particularly golf, with them. The club is private but is open to visitors. The clubhouse, built in the 1880s, features memorabilia and pictures that documents the clubs history. You can call to reserve your tee time in advance.

Brit Hotel Bosquet is eight minutes from the golf club. The 29 bedrooms in this boutique hotel have anti-fog mirrors in the bathrooms and tea in each room. The hotel provides underground parking and is a short walk from Chateau de Pau, which is not too far from the golf club, and local attractions.

Moscow City Golf Club

1 Dovzhenko Street

Moscow 119590

Russia

+7 (495) 921-28-55

Founded in 1987 by Swedish hockey player Sven Johansson, this European golf club is a 9-hole course with narrow fairways and lateral water hazards. The course shares the neighborhood with World War II Park and a cathedral in Troitse-Golenistchevo. The pro shop has a variety of golf apparel, and the clubhouse restaurant serves gourmet meal and caters events. The location in the center of Moscow gives you an opportunity to enjoy local attractions.

Hotel Novotel Moscow Centre is a 4-star hotel less than a mile from the golf club. The 255-room hotel has 24-hour room service, concierge desk, tourist information desk, currency exchange, and spa and fitness service. The hotel restaurant serves a variety of menu items, including specialty foods like diabetic, vegetarian, kosher and gastronomical. The hotel is walking distance from Moscow attractions.

Glyfada Golf Club of Athens

Terma Pronois

Glyfada Attica

P.O. Box 70116

Greece 16610

Hellas

+30 210 8946459

The southeastern European of Greece located on the Balkan Peninsula is the home of one of the earliest western civilizations. Athens, the capital of this Mediterranean country, includes an 18-hole, par-72 course designed amid rolling hills dotted with mature trees and shrubs. This course, which opened in 1966, has hosted numerous tournaments since 1979. The facility also has a junior golf academy.

More than 10 hotels are close to Glyfada. Blazer Suites Hotel is a five-minute drive from the golf course. The hotel has 28 guest rooms with kitchenettes that include refrigerators, microwaves, cookware and utensils, and a coffee/tea maker. Blazer Suites offers full-day room service, car and bike rentals, and sightseeing tours assistance.

Golf courses in Europe offer a variety of scenery for golfers. When you plan your trip, you can choose from flat courses or courses carved in rolling hills and wooded areas. The golf courses mentioned above provide a short history of the game that was once reserved for royalty or elite members of society. Prices for golf courses and hotel change depending on the time of year you plan your vacation. Check their websites for specials and packages offered at the clubs.

Sources:

http://www.golfeurope.com/almanac/history/history1.htm

http://www.scottishgolfhistory.net/oldest_golf_sites.htm