USPGA (9–12 August 2018)
In 2018, the iconic USPGA descends on the Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri for a week of top-notch golf that heralds the 100th playing of the tournament. For Bellerive CC it’s a chance to showcase its 7,547-yard course, which has six par fours measuring over 450 yards from the Championship tees (the longest is the whopping 519-yard 10th). Water hazards here are formidable, with the entire course built around a large creek that ensures the wet stuff is in play on 11 holes. Bellerive last hosted the PGA Championship in 1992, which was won by Nick Price.

Visit… St. Louis
With its lively bars, buzzing cafes and musical heritage, St. Louis is a favourite with weekending out-of-towners keen to drink good draught beer and experience the best in live, authentic blues. And if it’s not a neon-lit music venue, it’ll be a big-screen sports bar in hockey-loving St. Louis — the home of thrilling high-speed action on the ice at Scottrade Center where the St. Louis Blues do battle in the NHL’s Western Conference. St. Louis also plays homage to its past, in the form of the famous Gateway Arch, built in the 1960s to honour the role the town played in America’s westward expansion — you’ll still see paddle-wheelers chugging along the Mississippi River today.

Play… Tapawingo
Don’t miss a chance to play Gary Player’s Tapawingo National Golf Club where a trio of Championship nines offer a challenge to every skill level. Rivers, lakes and hardwood forests provide the ultimate golf experience. As you’d expect from a course designed by one of the only five winners of golf’s Grand Slam, Tapawingo’s 27 Championship holes are tough, testing and resplendent in a beautiful natural setting — the course is a stand-out layout that has everything in it — trees, hills, rolling terrain, terrific elevations and water, including the Meramec River bordering the low areas. Gary Player says: “God designed the first six holes. Player Design helped out with the rest.”

Getty; Jordan Spieth at the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale

The Open (19–22 July 2018)
The year 2018 heralds the arrival of 147th Open Championship and the eighth Open Championship to be held at Carnoustie Golf Links in Angus, Scotland. In 2007, the last time Angus threw open its doors to The Open, Padraig Harrington triumphed, winning the first of his two consecutive Open titles. Carnoustie is a natural choice as a host venue of this event as golf here dates back to the early 16th century. Since that time, the links has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest golf destinations in the world due to the strong winds which blow along this exposed stretch of the Angus coast, perfectly positioned bunkering and a long, skinny design which, at 7,421 yards, is the longest of any of the Open venues.

Visit… St. Andrews
In terms of Scottish charm, the town of St. Andrews is generously endowed. Situated on Scotland’s picturesque east coast, to the northeast of Edinburgh, this small seaside settlement has a resident population of less than 18,000. Yet what it lacks in people, it more than makes up for in profile as one of best-known names in world-class golf; it really is known around the globe. Easily navigable on foot, St. Andrews is visitor-friendly with all its restaurants, cafes and delicatessens located within a mile of each other. A strong sense of community spirit prevails in this pretty town, where flower beds, parks, streets and pavements are well-cared for in the name of civic pride. A handsome historic core of stone-built buildings is a protected conservation area and retains a genteel calm. Yet St. Andrews University, with its 7,000 or so undergraduates, plays a huge part in the character of St. Andrews, adding bookstores, literary events and vitality to one of Scotland’s most sophisticated tourist destinations — royalty, A-list celebrities and world leaders are regularly spotted in this seaside town.

Play… Trump International
It’s owned by, arguably, the most famous man on the planet — and has been no stranger itself to media controversy — but the turmoil that once blighted Donald Trump’s Aberdeen golf course has calmed significantly in the last two years. The North Sea crisis in 2016 saw its popularity slump among local golfers, forcing Trump to pump in extra millions to the golf resort while on the presidential campaign trail. Today, the fortunes of the Trump course in Aberdeen are much improved, with Donald himself tipping it as in the frame to host the 2019 Scottish Open. Greens are in mint condition, views over the dunes are gasp-inducing and the quietude creates a special atmosphere with just the sounds of the ocean as a distraction. Trump’s links course, which opened in 2012, has seen its popularity soar since its owner’s presidential inauguration — possibly because the 45th president (who claims a handicap of 2.8 and is entirely self-taught) clearly relishes his Aberdeen course as much as he does the game.

Le Golf National

Ryder Cup (28–30 September 2018)
in 2018, the ryder cup will be held in Continental Europe for only the second time in its history. Le Golf National in France will be hosting the biennial match on its spectacular L’Albatros course. Following recent extensive renovations, the course is shaping up to be a true test of both teams’ abilities and has a formidable reputation among some of the world’s top players and Ryder Cup luminaries. Situated around 20 miles southwest of Paris, in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines suburb, the venue is one of the best in the world for spectators and is consistently ranked in Europe’s top 10 courses. The last host in Continental Europe was Spain in 1997 and while the United States are the defending champions, they’re certain to approach L’Albatros with trepidation — they haven’t won in Europe since way back in 1993.

Visit… Paris
As one of Europe’s most evocative capital cities, Paris is a global centre for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Inextricably linked with romance, Paris is big, beautiful and historically and culturally rich, with a sprawling metropolitan cityscape crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Cafe culture is a Parisian pastime and wine, coffee and fabulous French food is served at many thousands of city centre eateries. In among chichi boutiques, department stores and speciality shops, you’ll find designer brands galore. Paris’ city landmarks include some of the most instantly recognizable in the world, such as the Eiffel Tower and The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile — the latter stands almost 165ft, dominating the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, and dates back to 1836.

Play… Disneyland Paris
Playing golf at Disneyland Paris is no Mickey Mouse affair. Facilities are impressive, as you’d expect, and the location — approximately 40 miles from Le Golf National, the host venue of the 2018 Ryder Cup, is an enticing prospect for golfing fans with families. As the venue for the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup, thanks to a nomination by the Fédération Française de Golf (FFG), the course has the full endorsement of Ryder Cup Europe and the European Golf Association (EGA). As well as being a biennial contest played between two teams representing Europe and America, the event also celebrates the impressive development work which takes place at grassroots level by youngsters and their families, volunteers, PGA professionals, clubs and governing bodies, on both sides of the Atlantic.

Getty; Cristie Kerr, Danielle Kang and Paula Creamer of Team USA celebrate

Solheim Cup (2019)
as the world’s largest and most prized event in female golf, the Solheim Cup attracts many of the most exciting female golfers from Europe and the US/Norwegian emigree Karsten Solheim — a staunch supporter of women’s golf and the LPGA — conceived the idea of the Solheim Cup in five short months, staging the inaugural event in Florida in 1990, well ahead of the LPGA evolving into the global tour it is today. The 2018 fixture will see the finest players compete for the cup at the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire.

Visit… Edinburgh
A rich history courses through the life-blood of Edinburgh: Scotland’s fine capital where the old and the new seamlessly intertwine. Edinburgh Castle holds court above the city’s historic heart where cobblestone streets scattered with street artists and musicians weave around the Golden Mile among museums, stores and restaurants and absorbing views extend all the way to the Firth of Forth.

Play… North Berwick
Of all the fine West Lothian courses, the historic West Links course at North Berwick boasts the longest golfing heritage with golf played regularly since the 17th century — and still played on the same patch of land. Gasp-inducing views abound across the Firth of Forth and the islands of Bass Rock, Craigleith, Lamb and Fidra, as well as the town of North Berwick itself. A true championship links course, having hosted Final Qualifying for The Open Championship and both Gentlemen and Ladies Amateur Championships, the North Berwick is one of Scotland’s most welcoming clubs for visiting golfers.

Getty, Si Woo Kim

PLAYERS Championship (March 2019)
combining the best field in golf with the world-class venue that’s THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, THE PLAYERS Championship has held a special place in the hearts and minds of international golf fans since its inception in 1982. As a fan-friendly Pete Dye par-72 design, the TPC Sawgrass is a mix of precision and target golf relished by the world’s top golfers as the purest test in the sport today.

Visit… St Augustine
St. Augustine is a byword for ancient history in America, as it boasts the distinction of being the longest continually inhabited European-found city in the USA. It was founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain, and today St. Augustine’s four centuries of history are enjoyed by culture-vultures from all
over the world keen to discover its Spanish, English, Greek, Native American and African American heritage. Take a stroll along pretty narrow lanes to discover beautiful buildings, fine museums and landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos, Ponce de Leon’s ‘Fountain of Youth’, and even the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, set around charming neatly paved plazas.

Play… Sea Island
At Sea Island, a trio of championship 18-hole golf courses also offer visiting golfers top instructors and an award-winning Golf Performance Center that caters for everyone from juniors just starting out right up to PGA champions — and everyone in between. Laid out in Scottish links style, surrounded by tidal creeks, dunes, salt marshes and the Atlantic Ocean, the Seaside course is an enjoyable challenge for all who play here. Old style traditions at the course mix harmoniously with modern, futuristic technologies and facilities that make Sea Island a popular place for pros to live, train, and play.

Getty; Alex Norén

BMW PGA Championship
Since it was founded in 1955, the pga Championship has been a much-anticipated part of the prestigious European Tour schedule, and today is the first event in the new look Rolex Series. Billed as the most unmissable tournament yet, the 2018 will see the PGA giants of the golfing world descend on a revamped Wentworth Club. All have their eye on one of the most sought-after titles outside of the Majors, following in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam — to name but a few.

Visit… London
England’s capital city is one of the most exciting of the world’s great metropolitan centres, mixing bold 21st-century architecture with history stretching back to Roman times. From haute couture, Michelin-starred bistros and famous boutiques to cutting-edge street fashion, red buses, black cabs and paper-wrapped fish and chips — London has it all. Visit the royal parks, the imposing Houses of Parliament and look out for the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower with the London Eye observation wheel providing unparalleled views across the South Bank — and rooftops beyond.

Play… St George’s Hill
With its attractive setting and fine, historic heritage, St George’s Hill Golf Club is steeped in golfing traditions. Handsome and statuesque, and set among stately Scots fir trees, silver birch trees and heather, the beauty of inland golf course lies in the curvaceous natural contours of the land. Each hole, of which there are three loops of nine, is memorable and individual in character — an enticing 1930s masterpiece created by Harry Colt, the most prolific golf architect of his generation.

Getty; Matthew Fitzpatrick

DP World Tour Championship Dubai (November 2018)
It’s billed as the golf season’s grand finale, and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai is one heck of a decadent climax. Staged at the end of the Race to Dubai, a season-long competition spanning 46 tournaments played in 25 different destinations across the globe, to decide who Europe’s number one player is, the DP World Tour Championship is all about signing off in style to steal victory from all your money list rivals. Hosted by the Greg Norman-designed Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, a layout that’s earned a place alongside the Majlis as a ‘must-play’ trophy course in Dubai, the DP World Tour Championship is now in its eighth year.

Visit… Dubai
Just a few short decades ago, Dubai was just a humble fishing village. Today, it’s a glitzy, highly developed holiday playground rammed to the gills with no-expense-spared luxury. Totally unrecognizable now after vast sums have been invested, Old Dubai has been swallowed up by dazzling beach resorts, thousands of gleaming skyscrapers, caviar restaurants, Champagne bars, luxurious spas and some of the world’s largest shopping malls. With nothing done on a small-scale basis, Dubai is big and bold: standards are impeccable, experiences decadent and with year-round desert sunshine and an abundance of gilded decor, practically everything glistens alluringly.

Play… Al Zorah
Head to the newest course in the UAE, the lavishly appointed Al Zorah, a striking par-72 layout designed by Nicklaus Design and located in Ajman, just 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Set amid a beautiful naturally preserved environment of one million square metres of mangrove forest, this is Ajman’s first ever golf course — and it sets the standard sky-high. Manicured fairways and greens follow the natural layout of the land in which an abundance of wildlife thrives. What’s more, nearly eight miles of waterfront and coastal areas with a constantly changing tidal system present a unique challenge for players — no two hours are the same.