Whether you’re a serious or casual golfer, these spectacular courses will take your breath away, with equally luxe accommodations to match

BY AMBER GIBSON

St. Regis Bahia Beach
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
SPREAD ACROSS A 483 ACRE PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE IN PUERTO Rico, St. Regis Bahia Beach is the only Certified Gold Audubon International Sanctuary in the Caribbean and a year round golfer’s paradise. Golfers enjoy views of El Yunque National Rainforest throughout the 18 hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. with more than 50 species of birds and wildlife like the Puerto Rican boa looking on. Guests at the St. Regis have direct access to more than two miles of pristine beach frontage as well as the Aquavento Water Sports Center where you can learn to surf, windsurf, kiteboard, sail, and e foil an electric surfboard that was first invented in Puerto Rico by Lift Foils. It’s a thrilling challenge, but feels like flying on a magic carpet above the water.

Once a Spanish coconut palm plantation, the Bahia Beach Resort is now a nature lover’s dream with freshwater swamps, mangroves, sandy beaches, and coral reefs to explore. Nearly two thirds of the land is undeveloped and dedicated to conservation. A marine biologist and environmental scientist lead nature tours, bird watching, and kayaking expeditions around the property. Between February and July residents and guests can spot leatherback sea turtles nesting and hatching their young on Bahia Beach.

A new tower of Ocean Drive three and four bedroom beachfront residences is currently under construction, including ground level models with private infinity edge pools and penthouses with rooftop terraces and private pools. There are also still a few select coastal homesites available for custom projects. Development here is done very carefully, always mindful to minimize environmental impact and preserve the surrounding wildlife habitat.

Rates start at $749 for a deluxe garden view room and $1,149 for a one bedroom suite. State Road 187 Kilometer 4.2, Río Grande, Puerto Rico, stregis.com/ bahiabeach

Miraval Berkshires
Lenox, Massachusetts
Miraval’s newest property and East Coast flagship is also the only Miraval property with a golf course 18 holes at adjacent Wyndhurst Manor & Club. Mindfulness is at the core of Miraval’s philosophy, and the resort’s unorthodox approach to golf teaches not only technique but breathing practices and meditations to take your game to the next level. The historic tree lined course and naturally contoured greens were first built in 1926 by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek. Callaway club rentals are available, and there’s a new practice putting green to accompany the ten acre driving range.

The all-inclusive spa resort sprawls across 380 acres and includes 100 guestrooms and suites, each including wellness amenities like Tibetan singing bowls and meditation cushions. Cell phones are switched to silent on arrival, with texting and talking relegated to your room. At the center of the resort is a 29,000 square foot spa with 28 treatment rooms and unique spa services like Sanskrit facial rituals and Manuka honey massages. There’s no strict daily regimen, but rather guests can design their own personal journey to health and wellness, aligned with their individual goals. There’s an obstacle challenge course, Life in Balance kitchen for healthy cooking classes, an art studio to learn how to spin clay, and a horse ranch with award winning equine experiences to release fears and spark creativity. The resort grows much of its own produce in the Meadowview gardens and farm. Guests can learn about chicken keeping and bond with the hens, who supply Miraval’s restaurants with fresh eggs daily. Dress for comfort with layers of athleisure throughout the day.

Rates start at $1,098 per night for two guests including all meals, group activities, and unlimited fresh smoothies, snacks, and specialty coffee drinks throughout the day. Most packages include a nightly resort credit. 55 Lee Road, Lenox, Massachusetts, miravalberkshires.com

THE LODGE AT EDGEWOOD TAHOE
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Lake Tahoe’s sexiest resort exudes an atmosphere of contemporary mountain chic with majestic high ceilings and modern metallic and wood finishes. There are abundant outdoor activities year round, including golf from May to October. The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is an American classic, regarded by Golf Digest as one of America’s greatest public courses. It was first designed by George Fazio in 1968 and later renovated by his nephew Tom Fazio. Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, and Lee Trevino have all played the course, famous for its views of the High Sierras. Edgewood has been home to the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship since 1991 with the next event planned for July 6 11, 2021. Before the snow melts you can snowshoe to the Veuve Clicquot champagne chalet near the 10th hole for an intimate retro inspired bar with hot cocoa, gourmet popcorn, and flutes of reserve champagne.

Wake up to complimentary morning yoga and breakfast in bed overlooking Lake Tahoe in one of 154 guest rooms and suites, all with gas fireplaces and private terraces. Then meander over to Spa Edgewood in a plush Frette bathrobe for a pampering gemstone ritual, exfoliating Hydra facial, or full body massage with warming CBD oil to loosen tight muscles. Both the Bistro in the main lodge and Edgewood Restaurant overlooking Lake Tahoe with floor to ceiling windows serve up exquisite meals for dinner. Choose from venison stuffed with garlic and pine nuts or butter poached lobster tail atop house made tagliatelle pasta after snacking on house cured charcuterie. Here, the Wild West gets an elegant touch.

Rates start at $329 midweek and $399 on weekends. 180 Lake Parkway, Stateline, Nevada, edgewoodtahoe.com

MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF
Bluffton, South Carolina
The 20,000 acre Palmetto Bluff community in South Carolina’s Lowcountry has so much to offer, between its riverfront marina, nature preserve, eight Southern inspired restaurants, and world class spa, but it’s the plethora of outdoor recreation that lures so many visitors to purchase homes here. Biking among the towering oaks, kayaking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, fishing, and sporting clays are all popular, but the Jack Nicklaus designed May River Golf Course is the community’s crowning glory.

The golf course is managed carefully with Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, incorporating indigenous vegetation, using minimal pesticides, and testing soil and water quality regularly to ensure a healthy environment. Caddies are required and golfers are encouraged to walk the course to better savor the landscape. Even if you don’t tee off, take a guided walking tour of the back nine holes with a historian and naturalist.

Soothe sore muscles at Spa Montage, alternating between saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, and whirlpools for a dose of hydrotherapy before a deeply nurturing massage. For dinner, Cole’s is famous for its smoked meats and fried chicken, and the seafood, including cornmeal crusted flounder, is surprisingly excellent. Octagon is a more elegant affair, where you can begin with local May River oysters, caviar, and champagne before digging into red wine braised short ribs or Lowcountry shrimp and grits.

Rates start at $485 for guest houses, $685 for cottages, and $1,200 for two bedroom residences. 477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, South Carolina, montagehotels.com/palmettobluff

DESTINATION KOHLER
Kohler, Wisconsin
The Ryder Cup, a team competition pitting the best professional golfers in the United States against their European counterparts, has been postponed until September 2021, but it will still be held in Kohler, Wisconsin. Between Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, the four Pete Dye designed courses are among the best and most challenging in the world. The Baths at Blackwolf run, a new ten hole par three course and two acre putting course, will open in June 2021 as well. Kohler’s golf academy is one of the best in the country, providing year round instruction for all levels. Improve your swing with state of the art simulators to better understand ball flight, along with helpful guidance from the pros. Club fittings and repairs are available, too.

While American Club is a beautiful five star property where most golfers stay, guests looking for more privacy should book one of Kohler’s four one of a kind private cabins thoughtfully located on the outskirts of the resort. The two newest cabins Pond and Lake have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a wrap-around deck, sleeper sofa, and a state of the art kitchen that can be pre stocked before arrival with gourmet specialty foods and fresh produce from Kohler’s Woodlake Market. Try local Wisconsin cheese and craft beer along with marinated meats, house made sausage, and prepared foods like bruschetta and couscous salad to easily create a cozy fine dining experience in front of your woodburning fireplace. Kohler’s house made chocolate paired with its original chocolate brandy is the perfect nightcap after a round of golf.

Rates start at $842 for Pond Cabin on weekdays, $1,165 on weekends. 419 Highland Drive, Kohler, Wisconsin, destinationkohler.com