If you’ve been lucky enough to play golf in different parts of the world, you’ll know there are some pretty amazing courses out there. You can tee off in serene, beautiful surroundings, all while chipping away at your handicap.
But the fun doesn’t always have to end on the greens. Some of these world-class resorts have casinos too, so you can play a round during the day and have a few spins or hands of cards at night. The catch for UK readers is that you won’t find this combination at home, but there are plenty of resorts elsewhere that are well worth travelling for. We’ve picked out some of the best of them around the world.
Play it where it lies in the UK
The noble sport of golf actually started in the United Kingdom, having roots in 15th-century Scotland. And 300 years later, the game has developed into the 18-hole battle that we recognise today.
Depending on where you live in the UK, some of these courses could be right on your doorstep. Others might be on the other side of the country. But either way, they’re well worth a visit.
Famed 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 somewhere to tee off. Here are a few of the famous 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 originated. It’s also where the 18-hole standard was created.
- 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 to be one of the greatest courses in the world.
The problem? None of these UK golf courses have a casino.
But luckily, there’s an easy solution. There are loads of casino sites online that are available in the UK. So once you’re done with golf, you can browse through this list of online casinos in the UK to find a top site to enjoy a different type of casino experience instead.
That’s one option while you’re at home. But if you’re willing to travel further, the rest of the world has resorts where the golf and the casino sit side by side.
Drive across the pond to North American resorts
Like most things in North America, golf courses tend to be bigger than what you might be used to back home. So it’s no surprise that the continent, and the United States in particular, has a huge number of casinos with golf courses spread out across it.
Here’s a selection of our favourites, 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 boasts some of the most majestic greens around. With pine tree-lined holes, a full-service pro shop, and GPS-equipped carts, the Wilderness course has lots 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 resort of We-Ko-Pa, home to two of the best courses in the country, the Cholla and the Saguaro. You can enjoy views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks, and the Superstition Mountains. The casino is a sizeable affair, with plenty of table games, slots, and a sportsbook.
- Riverside Casino and Golf Resort (Iowa, USA): Riverside is home to the Blue Top Ridge course, more than 7,400 yards of calm, quiet, tree-lined greens. You can play the course and visit the casino as a day guest, or stay over at the hotel and make a weekend of it.
- St Eugene (British Columbia, Canada): Sitting between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains near Cranbrook, St Eugene offers some of the best views you’ll find on a fairway. Each hole frames a different vista, taking in the Rocky Mountain Trench, the St Mary River, and Fisher Peak. Once you’re off the course, the Casino of the Rockies has slots and table games to keep the evening going.
Tee off across the rest of Europe
European golf is steeped in much of the same history as the UK. So too are its casinos.
Across the continent, you can find regions that have long been dedicated to the luxury that casinos and gambling bring with them. Golf was a natural companion, and in some of the most beautiful European spots, many hotels offer both:
- Hotel Peralada (Catalonia, Spain): In the northern region of Catalonia, close to Figueres and the birthplace of Salvador Dali, the Hotel Peralada stands out. It sits among vineyards alongside its own golf course, and once you’re done playing you can head to Casino Peralada, which is set inside a medieval castle, said to be the only casino in the world housed in one.
- Domaine de Divonne (Divonne-les-Bains, France): Tucked beneath 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 views stretching towards Mont Blanc. It’s a relaxed spot to play a round and then try your luck in the evening.
- Evian Resort (Évian-les-Bains, France): On the French shore of Lake Geneva sits the Evian Resort, home of the famous bottled water and a championship course with serious pedigree. The Champions Course hosts big tournaments every year, while a shorter academy course nearby is ideal if you’re easing into the game. There’s a spa to soothe your swing afterwards, and the resort’s casino to round off the day.
Take a swing at Africa’s finest
With vast swaths of jaw-dropping landscape, 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 tee off in this kind of climate. But if you can master the heat, there are some spectacular options, and we’ve picked out a few where you can enjoy some casino games too:
- Sun City (North West, South Africa): This South African resort sits in a former volcanic crater on the edge of the Pilanesberg National Park, and it’s built for entertainment. Gary Player designed two championship courses here, the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Course, the latter known for its crocodile-guarded par 3. Add in the hotels, restaurants, and a buzzing casino, and there’s enough here to keep everyone busy between rounds.
- Windhoek (Windhoek, Namibia): In the Namibian capital, the Windhoek Country Club Resort has an 18-hole championship course set across natural bushveld, with the dry, dramatic African scenery 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 a spin on the slots.
- Leopard Rock (Bvumba Mountains, Zimbabwe): Tucked into Zimbabwe’s Bvumba mountains, Leopard Rock is one of Africa’s most celebrated golf resorts. The championship course winds through indigenous forest with views out towards Mozambique from many of the holes. Once you’ve finished your round, there’s a casino on site to round off the evening.
So next time you’re planning a golf trip, there’s plenty out there to tempt you. Pack the clubs, and maybe a bit of spending money for the tables too.
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