Winter is now behind us and for those in the Southern Hemisphere, it is time to take the covers off your drivers and head on a holiday to some of the world’s best golf courses.

America, Japan and the UAB usually steal the majority of golfing enthusiasts, but there are plenty of other countries which hold some great, unknown courses.

One of these destinations is South Africa, which boasts an underrated stable of breathtaking and eye capturing courses.

Here is a look at the main golf attractions in the country:

Garden Route: An ideal location for extended golf holidays as well as short golf breaks because of its tourist attraction and strong concentration of top golf courses.

Cape Town: Boasts some of the highest rated courses and most popular greens in the country. There is a plethora of locations to choose form that cater for all golfers.

Sun City: The superb and always challenging layout of the courses in the region make this a desirable destination. Home to the highly lucrative Nedbank Golf Challenge, which nestles down in a natural amphitheatre on the edge of an extinct volcano.

Kwazulu: One of the hidden little gems in South Africa. Often overlooked by golf enthusiast, but those who visit the courses in the area will be sure to return.

Kruger Park: Plenty of natural beauty surround this are of South Africa, and effectively creates some of the most scenic backdrops for any golf course.

Answer: stay at a place that offers both a stunning golf course as well as plenty of family-friendly activities.

Sound tough? Read on.

Golf holidaying with a family presents its own special challenges. Keeping non-golfers in the family happy and feeling like they are having a real holiday, while at the same time getting your fill of golf, is worth that bit of extra travel planning. Here are our favourite European golf resort holiday destinations that are also perfect for family holidays:

Central Algarve, Portugual
With beautiful scenery, perfect weather and exceptional golf courses, Central Algarve is one of Europe’s top golfing destinations. Resorts such as Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, and Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura offer much more than golf and will provide non-golfers with all the holiday variety they would expect from a first-class resort.

Quinta do Lago, a 2,000-acre exclusive residential and recreational estate, is set amongst a beautiful countryside and pine forests, the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa nature reserve as your playground. It offers horse riding and tennis as well as a variety of water sports to keep the family occupied during the day and a 72-hole golf course for the golfer among you. There is also a huge selection of classy restaurants and hip nightclubs for nighttime entertainment, as well as the Bougainvillea Shopping Centre and a health club. The stunning two-mile beach of golden sand is a bonus.

Vale do Lobo, receiver of accolades such as “Best Resort of the Millennium” and the Algarve’s largest leisure resort has quality accommodation and diverse sporting facilities. Its many facilities include having one of the largest tennis courts in Portugal. Vale do Lobo, with its two (going on three) 18-hole championship courses, hosts around 100,000 golfers each year.

For a resort twice the size of Vale do Lobo that has tennis courts, a riding school, fishing and shooting facilities, indoor and outdoor sports complexes as well as five golf courses, Vilamoura is the place to be. Amazing vessels are moored at the large marina that is also home to restaurants, cafes and shops. A surprisingly cosmopolitan nightlife exists too due to the many bars, clubs and restaurants in the region.

Costa Del Sol, Spain
Costa del Sol offers variety both on and off the fairways and the mild winters and beautiful springs and autumns are perfect for hitting the green. There are around 20 courses, leisure areas, playgrounds and family attractions as well as beaches and seaside promenades. Three excellent water parks are open from Easter for the summer season, and include water slides and pools for all ages and abilities as well as picnic areas and restaurants. At the various nature parks you can see animals and enjoy educational programs. A nature park by the name of Selwo Aventura has over 2,000 wild animals and an unrivalled nature reserve as well as exotic birds, an underwater observation centre and dolphins. At the Benalmádena Sea Life Centre, an interactive underwater park, you can walk on the bottom of the sea and see thousands of aquatic species.

The Lisbon Coast, Portugual
Home to many great golf courses, the Libson Coast is also equipped with beautiful beaches for families who want a beach holiday and golf holiday rolled into one. The scenery, magnificent with its small fishing bays and towering cliffs, and the superb local cuisine is worth the trip alone. The CBD of Lisbon has all the diversity that a capital city can offer.

One notable resort in the region is Quinta da Marinha. It has extensive leisure facilities including three salt-water outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre with a heated indoor swimming pool, six tennis courts, a tennis school, a Turkish bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, massage room, bicycle hire, horse riding, and finally, an 18-hole golf course.

For a more secluded getaway, Praia D’el Rey Marriott is just 60-minute drive from Lisbon airport and is a beachfront hotel with spacious family rooms away from tourist hustle and bustle. The resort has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a health club, Jacuzzi and tennis courts. The nearby town of Obidos is a charming locality set amongst rolling hills and 14-century castellated walls, making it a perfect day trip destination. And for the golfers, Obidos is a stone’s throw from the Praia d’el Rey golf course – one of Europe’s finest and right on your doorstep.

Founded in 1894, Portmarnock is one of Ireland’s classic golf clubs. Its recognition and testament to its fine quality golf course is underscored by being the venue for the first ever Irish Open Amateur Championships done in 1896, barely two years after it was opened. Almost a century after, the Walker Cup was hosted by the Portmarnock Golf Club in 1991. Portmarnock has also been awarded the great honour of being ranked number 30 of the top 100 golf courses in the world outside the US by the famous Golf Digest in 2005.

Initially, Portmarnock Golf Club started with only 9-holes, but two years after nine more were added making it a complete 18-hole championship course. Eight decades after, another 9 holes were added making it a massive 27-hole course. Every stage of adding more holes was a joint effort by both the amateur and professional members who wanted to provide the club with a golf course that was not only beautiful, but extremely challenging as well.

The golf course itself is situated 20 kilometres from the CBD and is hugged on one side by the Howth peninsula coastline. While playing, a golfer is rewarded with stunning views from Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. Taming the course is a delectable experience mixed with the peaceful ambience, the well-manicured greens, tended landscape and volatile winds that change both in direction and strength constantly.

But apart from the golf course that makes the club well known, the Portmarnock Golf Club offers a variety of amenities and facilities as well. Backed by a dedicated and smiling staff, the Portmarnock Golf Club provides high international standard service to its members and guests.

Golfers may choose to head straight to the club house’s locker rooms after a round to refresh themselves by means of its guest-only shower facilities. Alternatively, golfers could go to the bar and restaurant where fine dining on authentic Irish fare can be enjoyed.

A well-stocked pro shop also is also on site and offers a wide range of top quality golf equipment like clubs, balls and tees. Visitors are also able to purchase great Portmarnock Golf Club clothing encrusted with the name and logo as souvenirs or gifts.

Portmarnock also offers practice facilities including a putting and chipping green just adjacent to the clubhouse. Furthermore, golfers are able to rent pull carts and caddies if they are available.

When it comes to a golf vacation in Ireland, the name Portmarnock is not to be missed.

There are many options when it comes to choosing what to do while on a Mauritius golf holiday. Both eighteen-hole and nine-hole courses are available and many of the island’s luxurious resorts have their own landscaped golf courses. The largest and most popular golf course resort is the Gymkhana Club. It offers stunning accommodation, excellent service, well-kept grounds, modern facilities and a fantastic golf course.

Those who wish to structure their time efficiently to get the most out of a golf holiday on Mauritius can choose between different special travel packages. These all-inclusive packages cover accommodation, food, flights and golf-course usage fees. Some packages even include a car rental service for added convenience when travelling around the island. The price range of the all-inclusive packages varies from budget to indulgent.

Whether you are a golfing expert who wants to focus as much time as possible into the game, or a beginner who will gain much hands-on learning experience from the available lessons, there is a golfing vacation that will be just perfect for you!

And even though it will be hard for visitors to tear themselves away from the course, it is recommended that they take some time to explore everything else that Mauritius has to offer. Apart from golf, there are various other family-friendly activities, shopping districts as well as opportunities for pure relaxation. There is no limit to the enjoyment that can be had while holidaying on Mauritius – you simply need to find out for yourself.