If you have been lucky enough to play golf in different parts of the world, you will know that there are some amazing courses out there. You can play in a calm, beautiful environment, while removing your disability.
But the fun doesn’t always have to stop at the greens. Some of these world-class resorts have casinos as wellso you can play a round during the day and have a few spins or hands of cards at night. The catch for UK students is that you won’t find this combination at home, but there are plenty of resorts elsewhere to visit. We have selected some of the best from around the world.
Play it where it lies in the UK
The famous game of golf actually started in the United Kingdom, from Scotland in the 15th century. And 300 years later, the game has evolved into the 18-hole tournament we see today.
Depending on where you live in the UK, some of these courses may be on your doorstep. Some may be on the other side of the country. But still, they are worth a visit.
Famous for its links courses, particularly in Scotland, the UK is home to some of the most historic courses in the world. Almost anywhere you go, you can find a place to take off. Here are a few popular ones:
- Royal St George’s: Part of the Open rotation, the Royal St George’s course is located in Kent, in the south of England. It dates back to 1887 and is steeped in history.
- St Andrews: Considered to be the oldest golf course in the world, St Andrews is thought to be where the game began. This is also where the 18-hole standard is made.
- Royal County Down: Located in County Down in Northern Ireland, this is also one of the oldest clubs in the country. It has two links courses and is often considered one of the largest courses in the world.
The problem? None of these UK golf courses have a casino.
But luckily, there is an easy solution. There are a number of online casino sites available in the UK. So if you’re done with golf, you can check out this list of online casinos in the UK for a top site to enjoy a different kind of casino experience instead.
That’s one option while you’re at home. But if you’re willing to take it a step further, the world has resorts where golf and casinos sit side by side.
Drive across the pond to North American resorts
Like most things in North America, golf courses are often larger than what you may be used to back home. It is therefore not surprising that the continent, and the United States in particular, has a large number of casinos with golf courses spread throughout.
Here’s a selection of our favorites, three in the US and one just over the border in Canada:
- Fortune Bay (Minnesota, USA): Located on the shores of Lake Vermilion, this award-winning golf course has some of the most beautiful greens around. With pine-lined holes, a full-service shop, and GPS-equipped carts, the Wilderness course has a lot to offer. As for the casino, it’s just a short walk from the clubhouse and has slots, blackjack, and poker.
- We-Ko-Pa (Arizona, USA): In the heart of the Sonoran Desert is the We-Ko-Pa resort, home to two of the best courses in the country, Cholla and Saguaro. You can enjoy views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks, and the Superstition Mountains. The casino is a big deal, with plenty of table games, slots, and a sports book.
- Riverside Casino and Golf Resort (Iowa, USA): Riverside is home to the Blue Top Ridge course, over 7,400 yards of calm, quiet, tree-lined greens. You can play the course and visit the casino as a day visitor, or stay at the hotel and make a weekend of it.
- St Eugene (British Columbia, Canada): Nestled between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains near Cranbrook, St. Eugene offers some of the best views you’ll find from the fairway. Each hole creates a different vista, taking in Rocky Mountain Trench, the St. Mary River, and Fisher Peak. Once you’re off the course, Casino of the Rockies has slots and table games to keep the night going.
It is available throughout Europe
European golf is steeped in much of the same history as the UK. So are its casinos.
Across the continent, you can find regions that have long been dedicated to the glamor that casinos and gambling bring. Golf was a natural companion, and in some of Europe’s most beautiful locations, many hotels offer both:
- Peralada Hotel (Catalonia, Spain): In the northern region of Catalonia, near Figueres and the birthplace of Salvador Dali, Hotel Peralada stands out. It sits among vineyards next to its own golf course, and when you’re done playing you can head to Casino Peralada, set inside a medieval castle, said to be the only casino in the world that stays in one place.
- Domaine de Divonne (Divonne-les-Bains, France): Nestled in the foothills of the Jura Mountains in eastern France, near Lake Geneva and just a short drive from the Swiss border, Domaine de Divonne pairs an 18-hole course with a casino, a spa, and sweeping views of Mont Blanc. It’s a relaxed place to play a round and try your luck in the evening.
- Evian Resort (Évian-les-Bains, France): On the French shores of Lake Geneva sits the Evian Resort, home of famous bottled water and a championship course with a storied pedigree. The Champions Course hosts major tournaments every year, while the nearby school’s short courses are perfect for practicing your way into the game. There’s a spa to cool off after your swing, and the resort’s casino to round off the day.
Take a swing at the best in Africa
With a jaw-dropping expanse of land, Africa is home to some of the most impressive golf courses in the world. The flip side is the heat, so it’s worth knowing how to stay cool on the golf course before you go in this type of weather. But if you can handle the heat well, there are great options, and we have selected a few where you can enjoy with other casino games:
- Sun City (North West, South Africa): This South African resort is located in a former volcano on the edge of the Pilanesberg National Park, and is designed for relaxation. Gary Player designed two championship courses here, the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Course, the latter known for its alligator-guarded par 3. Add in hotels, restaurants, and a hot casino, and there’s enough here to keep everyone busy during the round.
- Windhoek (Windhoek, Namibia): In Namibia’s capital, the Windhoek Country Club Resort has an 18-hole championship course set across the jungle, with the dry, spectacular African landscape surrounding you as you play. Afterwards, you can relax by the pool, enjoy a meal, and head to the Desert Jewel Casino for a few hands of poker or tossing the slots.
- Leopard Rock (Bvumba Mountains, Zimbabwe): Nestled in Zimbabwe’s Bvumba mountains, Leopard Rock is one of Africa’s most prestigious golf resorts. The championship course passes through indigenous forests where views over Mozambique can be enjoyed from several holes. Once you’ve finished your round, there’s an on-site casino to wind down for the evening.
So the next time you’re planning a golf trip, there’s plenty out there to tempt you. Raise the clubs, and maybe a little money to use the tables too.
