Golf Getaways for Non-Golfers: Unique Courses with Thrilling Distractions
Experience the allure of golf beyond the greens: the fresh scent of dew-kissed grass, the satisfying crack of a perfect drive, and the sight of a ball soaring down the fairway. Golf is captivating, but not every trip needs to be all about the game.
Many renowned courses integrate exciting diversions amid their layouts, ensuring enjoyment for players of all skill levels—from pros to beginners—and non-golfers alike.
Harness Newton’s Laws at the World’s Lowest Course
At Furnace Creek Golf Course, the lowest in the world in Death Valley, California, gravity and denser air pressure shorten drives by up to 20 yards, sending chips in unpredictable directions. Everyone posts higher scores here, especially in summer when temperatures exceed 125°F.
After your round, explore jagged rock formations, sand dunes along the California-Nevada border, and Devil's Golf Course—a stunning, salt-encrusted wasteland from an ancient evaporated lake.
Relive Myths of Gods and Heroes
Legendary architect Desmond Muirhead infused mythology into Stone Harbor Golf Club in New Jersey, opened in 1987. Hole 3, 'Sleeping Shepherd,' demands a shot over a flower field evoking where goddess Diana lulled Endymion to sleep. Recent upgrades enhanced playability while preserving esoteric symbols tied to each hole's mythological theme.
Non-golfers will appreciate the club's serene setting in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, near picturesque Jersey Shore beaches.
Encounter Arctic Wildlife
North Star Golf Club, North America's northernmost course in Fairbanks, Alaska, features squirrels, foxes, red-backed voles, and coyotes as fairway hazards. The scorecard even includes a checklist of local species. Tee off early for moose on the back nine, or visit in June for 24-hour daylight to spot bears amid endless golfing.
Denali National Park and Mount McKinley (Denali) lie just hours south.
Unearth Dinosaur Fossils
Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado, lets you tread paths once roamed by triceratops 64 million years ago. Dinosaur footprints and Cretaceous fossils dot the course, especially around hole 12's sandstone pillars. Vintage mining equipment from clay pits that built Denver adds historic flair.
The nearby Triceratops Trail in Parfet Prehistoric Preserve offers fossil-rich hikes. It's 15 minutes from downtown Denver and two hours from Vail's ski slopes.
Navigate Jet Engine Roars
At Kantarat Golf Course in Bangkok, Thailand, between Don Mueang Airport runways, time your swings amid roaring jet engines built by Royal Thai Air Force officers. Cross taxiways carefully to the back nine, and expect security: call ahead for pickup and bag checks.
Bangkok's vibrant chaos is 30 minutes away by train or taxi, alongside 20+ courses. Domestic flights from Don Mueang connect Thailand affordably.
Embark on a Safari Adventure
A Skukuza Golf Club sign warns: 'Lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes—Do not run! It triggers chase.' This Kruger National Park gem, started for staff in the 1970s, draws adventurers. Tee off by croc- and hippo-filled Lake Panic (free drops for water shots). Watch for puff adders in cups or charging elephants.
Explore 7,300 sq mi of Kruger by foot or car for elusive wildlife. Nearby, Legend Golf & Safari Resort's 19th hole atop Hanglip Mountain requires a helicopter ascent.
