Destinations • April 2015
Five golf courses within sight of a runway
While many golf courses claim to be a ‘short drive from the airport’, some are literally that – a Justin Rose tee shot away from the runway. For when you’ve got time to kill before your next BA flight, Matthew Dunn, sports reporter at the Daily Express, chooses his favourites
The Wave Golf Club, Almouj
Fly from Muscat International Airport, Oman
Distance (sat nav): 9 miles
Runway to fairway: 298 yards
High-quality links golf with the sun on your back as you meander along a four-mile stretch of land between the dazzling sea and imposing mountains – what’s not to enjoy? The par three course (above) would suit those with a tight schedule, but the Greg Norman-designed championship course is the real challenge. And bring plenty of balls – the rough here really is Great White Shark country.
Kogarah Golf Club
Fly from Sydney Airport, Australia
Distance (sat nav): 2 miles
Runway to fairway: 391 yards
A gravel runway had barely been laid at Sydney Airport when this club was established the other side of Cooks River 80 years ago. So it has grown up with the thrum of jet engines. This tight parkland course has six par fives to balance the half-dozen par threes, with plenty of water and less-common hazards. The green on the short 7th, for instance, is completely obscured by mangrove trees.
Corales Golf Course
Fly from Punta Cana International Airport, Dominican Republic
Distance (sat nav): 2 miles
Runway to fairway: 349 yards
Corales (pictured) is essentially exclusive to local resort guests, but worth the effort of trying to secure a tee time. Six of the holes run alongside the coast, including the signature last three – called the Devil’s Elbow for good reason. The final tee shot requires a carry over 230 yards of swirling Caribbean waters crashing on the rocks below. Hitting one or two into the ocean is no bad thing – it gives you longer to admire the view.
Westchester Golf Course
Fly from Los Angeles International Airport, USA
Distance (sat nav): 2 miles
Runway to fairway: 351 yards
This is a functional public course with decent range and practice facilities, ideal if you don’t have time for the full 18. With a par of just 64, though, there’s no danger of getting stuck beyond the four-hour mark. You can’t expect to fall out of a terminal building onto the world’s greatest course, but it is gratifying that the chance to swing some clubs relatively cheaply exists so close to such a big airport.
Golf Club Grand Ducal
Fly from Findel Airport, Luxembourg
Distance (sat nav): 0.25 miles
Runway to fairway: 763 yards
It would need a hefty blow from the runway to the course, but the private drive to this club starts outside the airport’s main exit. Built in 1936, the country’s oldest and most stately course had Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix as founder patrons. The European Golf Association is the current resident. A narrow course with no water hazards makes it a grand and somewhat genteel round.
This article has been tagged Destination, Sport