As a travel advisor who specializes in golf trips, these are exciting times. The sport continues to surge in global popularity, and so do the travel opportunities surrounding it. Tourism around the sport is expected to reach approximately $27 billion by the end of 2025 and over $65 billion by 2035, according to research firm, Future Market Insights. New courses and golf-focused resorts are being built around the world, opening doorways to several exciting destinations. Here are two of my favorite under-the-radar options for a golfing trip with top-tier courses and local cultural experiences to match.

Al Mouj Golf Resort, Oman

While Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well known for luxury golf experiences, Oman has quietly established itself as a top-tier destination as well. Al Mouj Golf Resort in Muscat, the country’s capital city, is a course designed by former world number-one golfer Greg Norman, with beautiful holes along the ocean and incredible mountain views. While you wouldn’t be blamed for staying put at the resort to enjoy the spa and nine dining options, Muscat’s 2,000-year history as a major port city between the east and west makes it a fascinating place to venture out and explore.

Estonian Golf and Country Club, Estonia

If you want to tee off somewhere in Europe besides the old standards like Scotland and Ireland—which are never bad choices, by the way—consider visiting Estonia. Just over 15 miles outside of Tallinn, its capital city, is the Estonian Golf and Country Club, situated along the gorgeous Baltic Coast. The “Sea Course” is an especially beautiful experience. And when you’re not golfing, Tallinn’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets, Gothic churches, and historic merchant houses to explore.

Both of these destinations are beginning to draw golf travelers because of their fusion between authentic cultural experiences and world-class courses—along with the fact that a postcard-worthy backdrop makes an ill-timed bogey a bit easier to stomach. Though they’re hidden gems today, they’ll soon be on every golf tourist’s bucket list.

Robert Markovich is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in golf travel. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Markovich at Robert.Markovich@SofiasTravel.com. 

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