Island Golf Around the Globe: Where Nature Meets the Fairway
All Square 6min read •
9 Aug 2025
There’s something magical about island golf. It’s more than fairways and greens — it’s the salt in the air, the rhythm of waves crashing against rugged cliffs, and the constant dance between natural beauty and golfing precision. On islands around the globe, course architects have embraced the landscape, sculpting holes that flirt with the sea, weave through lush forests, or perch high above sparkling bays. These destinations aren’t just for the game — they’re invitations to experience the very soul of a place, club in hand.
Port Royal Golf Course – Bermuda
In the heart of Bermuda’sSouthampton Parish, Port Royal commands a setting that feels purpose-built for golf postcards. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1970, the course quickly earned global attention for its strategic layout and dazzling oceanfront views. Its signature 16th hole, a 235-yard par 3, plays over a sheer drop to the Atlantic Ocean, where the wind can turn club selection into a guessing game. After a $14.5 million renovation in 2009, timed perfectly for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Port Royal has solidified its place as one of the most photogenic — and challenging — island courses in the world.
Teeth of the Dog – Dominican Republic
Casa de Campo’s crown jewel, Teeth of the Dog, is the result of Pete Dye’s daring vision and a lot of hand labour — literally, as much of the original construction involved manual work by local crews in the early 1970s. The name stems from the jagged coral rock that lines the shoreline, resembling canine teeth. Seven of the holes kiss the Caribbean’s edge so closely that the ocean spray can be part of the round. With constant trade winds and Dye’s notoriously tricky bunkering, it’s a test even for seasoned pros, but the setting more than softens the sting.
The Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita & Ile aux Cerfs – Mauritius
Mauritius is a golfer’s dream, and the east coast delivers two unforgettable experiences. The Ernie Els-designed Anahita Golf Club sprawls across former sugar plantation land, weaving in volcanic rock formations, mangrove forests, and ocean views from nearly every tee box. The fairways are generous, but the greens demand respect. Just a short boat ride away lies Bernhard Langer’s Ile aux Cerfs course, set on its own private island. Here, fairways snake through tropical vegetation and along serene lagoons, with volcanic outcrops reminding you of the island’s fiery origins. Playing here feels less like a round of golf and more like a voyage through paradise.
Old Head Golf Links – Ireland
Few golfing experiences are as dramatic as Old Head, perched atop a narrow headland in County Cork that juts nearly two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The course is ringed by cliffs plunging over 300 feet to the waves below, with 360-degree ocean views that shift in mood as Ireland’s famously changeable weather rolls through. Nearly every hole hugs the cliff edge, demanding equal parts nerve and precision. While the links-style design pays homage to Ireland’s golfing heritage, the raw power of the setting ensures this is no ordinary round — it’s a battle between golfer, architect, and the elements.
Hamilton Island Golf Club – Australia
In Queensland’sWhitsundays, Hamilton Island Golf Club sits on Dent Island, reachable only by boat or helicopter. Designed by five-time British Open champion Peter Thomson, the course rises and falls through valleys and along ridgelines, offering panoramic views of the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef. Fairways here are often perched high above the surrounding waters, and the constant trade winds ensure no two rounds are ever the same. Post-game, players can retreat to the clubhouse for sunset drinks overlooking a seascape so perfect it almost feels staged.
The Els Club Teluk Datai – Langkawi, Malaysia
Ernie Els’s Teluk Datai course offers a different kind of island golf — lush, shaded, and framed by ancient rainforest. The layout makes the most of the island’s natural contours, with no bunkers at all; instead, the challenge comes from streams, towering trees, and changing elevations. Wildlife is a common sight — hornbills, monkeys, and even the occasional monitor lizard. The course also opens up to glimpses of the Andaman Sea, with the towering Mat Cincang mountains providing a majestic inland backdrop.
Moorea Green Pearl – Tahiti
Nicklaus Design’s Moorea Green Pearl captures the split personality of French Polynesia’s beauty. The outward nine plays along dazzling white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, while the inward nine climbs into the slopes of an extinct volcano, offering sweeping panoramas of the lagoon and neighbouring islands. Fairways are often lined with tropical flowers, and the air is heavy with the scent of frangipani. Playing here is as much about the sensory immersion as the scorecard.
Kauri Cliffs – New Zealand
On New Zealand’s North Island, Kauri Cliffs stretches across a 6,500-acre working farm and offers views of Matauri Bay and the Cavalli Islands from 15 of its 18 holes. Designed by David Harman, the course is known for its blend of cliff-top holes and sheltered inland tracks through native bush. Off the course, guests can enjoy private beaches, fishing, and guided hikes — making it one of the most complete island golf retreats in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sentosa Golf Club – Singapore
While Singapore isn’t a secluded getaway, Sentosa Island offers world-class golf in an urban resort setting. The club’s Serapong Course is famed for its demanding layout, lightning-fast greens, and skyline views of the city. The New Tanjong Course, by contrast, channels a more tropical, artistic vibe. Both have hosted top-tier events like the HSBC Women’s World Championship, proving that island golf can thrive even in the shadow of skyscrapers.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort – USA
Off the coast of South Carolina, Kiawah Island is a mecca for serious golfers. The Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye, is ranked among the most challenging in America, thanks to strong coastal winds and tricky dune-top greens. It’s hosted the Ryder Cup, the PGA Championship, and more — yet still offers public tee times for those brave enough to test it. The resort’s other four courses provide a variety of styles, from parkland to marshland layouts, ensuring there’s a challenge for every golfer.
Laucala Island – Fiji
Laucala is the epitome of private island luxury. Accessible by private jet, it offers a David McLay Kidd course winding through volcanic mountains, coconut plantations, and beaches where your only audience is the ocean. With a 1:7 guest-to-staff ratio, every element — from your golf buggy to your post-round champagne — is handled with understated perfection. Here, golf is just one part of an all-encompassing tropical escape.
Cyprus: Aphrodite Hills and Beyond
The island nation of Cyprus offers a Mediterranean twist on island golf. Aphrodite Hills Golf Club, designed by Cabell B. Robinson, boasts a cliffside par-3 7th hole where tee shots carry over a deep gorge to a green framed by the sea. Nearby, Minthis Golf Club wraps around a centuries-old monastery, while Elea Golf Club, a Sir Nick Faldo design, weaves subtle strategy into a landscape of olive trees and limestone outcrops. Off-course, ancient ruins and vibrant tavernas add cultural depth to any golf holiday.
The Ultimate Island Tee-Off
Island golf is the purest fusion of sport and scenery. Whether it’s the wild Atlantic energy at Old Head, the barefoot luxury of Fiji’sLaucala, or the volcanic drama of Mauritius, these courses offer far more than just a game — they’re immersive journeys through some of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth. For golfers, they represent a dream worth chasing, one swing (and one island) at a time.
