August is National Golf Month, so here are some of the world’s top resorts offering spectacular scenery, luxury accommodations and memorable après-golf experiences.
© Courtesy of Cabot Highlands
Cabot Highlands
Cabot recently acquired Castle Stuart Golf Links and its resort amenities near Inverness, Scotland, rebranding the property as Cabot Highlands. Set in the dramatic Scottish Highlands, the resort combines world-class golf with boutique and luxury lodging options including Golf Lodge, Farm House and Castle Cottage, along with nearby hotels and B&Bs. Castle Stuart Golf Links was recently ranked among the top courses in Britain and Ireland by Golfweek.
The resort features an Art Deco–inspired clubhouse, a modern practice facility, a putting green and a new short course. Holes are framed by water on one side and dramatic bluffs on the other, with rumpled fairways and infinity-edged greens that appear perched above the sea. A second course designed by Tom Doak is scheduled for completion in 2024. Inverness, just 10 minutes away, offers Victorian-era marketplaces, cathedrals, museums and a lively restaurant scene for guests who want to explore local culture between rounds.
Cabot Cape Breton
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Cabot Cape Breton is a bucket-list destination perched on majestic cliffs in Nova Scotia, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The resort features a 72-room lodge with ocean views from every room, three restaurants focusing on fresh seafood and abundant outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking and heli fly-fishing. The Nest, a new par-3, 10-hole short course, sits atop the highest point of Cabot Cliffs for scenic, quick rounds. Summer room rates begin around $382 per night.
Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas © Channing Benjamin
Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas
Situated on the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the Greg Norman Signature Course at Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas moves through three ecosystems and delivers ocean views from every hole, including a signature island green. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas, the course sits in desert foothills that lead to 1.2 miles of Pacific beachfront. Suites offer ocean vistas and the resort amenities include multiple restaurants, a seaside spa with private beachfront cabanas, infinity pools, a saltwater lagoon and new pickleball courts. Summer rates start near $398 per night.
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Also on the Baja Peninsula, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto lies on the eastern coast within the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO-recognized marine area. This tranquil retreat is becoming known for relaxation, culture and ecotourism while remaining relatively undiscovered. The resort features four restaurants, five pools, the 39,000-square-foot Sabila Spa and the outstanding 18-hole TPC Danzante Bay Golf Course—the only TPC course in Mexico—offering a distinctive golf experience. All-inclusive summer rates begin around $354 per night.
© Montecito Club
Montecito Club
For those seeking exclusivity and tradition, the Montecito Club in Montecito, California, offers membership at one of the state’s most prestigious private clubs. About 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, the club dates back to 1918 and recently completed a $120 million renovation. The updated facilities include a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, elevated dining and social amenities, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, delivering a classic, private-club experience for members.