Article written for Tunisia.com by Golf Tunisia.com
Many people who think of Tunisia think first of sand. The long Mediterranean beaches come to mind, followed by the impressive Sahara desert and its inviting adventures by camel or 4 x 4 Land Rover.
Most of the beach and sand lovers do not know about the greens on Tunisia’s many golf courses. Golf in Tunisia has an unexpected quality and variety. Most Tunisian golf courses have full academies and tuition programmes for beginners. Several have hosted the European Seniors Tour and European Challenge Tour in past years, providing a touch challenge for even the best golfers. Several new golf courses are currently being developed with its twelfth 18-hole course scheduled for a November debut. Most importantly, Tunisia’s golf courses are highly rated by the European tourists who flock to them each winter. Many golfers rate them on par with more popular golf courses in Spain and Portugal, and much better value for money.
There are several golf resort areas in Tunisia to choose from:
Monastir/Skanes
Monastir-Skanes boasts a long stretch of white sandy beach, with two golf courses near the doorstep of most hotels, and two more a short distance away in Port El Kantaoui. Many hotels face the beach on one side and the Palm Links golf course on the other. This is the quietest golf resort area in Tunisia, and the closest to the main airport in Monastir which is accessible by direct flights from most UK airports. The towns of Monastir and Sousse are easily accessible by taxi or tourist trams/trains. Monastir is the preferred golf destination choice for those looking for good golf and a good night’s rest rather than a late night out. Featured golf courses:
Monastir Palm Links Golf Club
This seaside course combines a flat design amid a palm oasis, with three links style holes that border on the sea. Fairways are wide and greens are flat, but out of bounds will challenge the wayward driver. With a an excellent practice facility, English speaking pros, and full thalassatherapy spa immediately next to the golf club, Palm Links is highly recommended for combining golf tuition with a relaxing spa package.
6076 m - par 72
Monastir Flamingo Golf Club
A beautiful course which calls for beautiful shotmaking. Flamingoes rather than holiday houses grace the fairways and surrounding wetlands. Built on a plateau with seven holes bordering along the cliffs, local knowledge will improve your score and a caddy is recommended the first time you play. The natural beauty and challenging layout make this course a personal favourite for many. Features a daily green fee with unlimited golf for one low price.
6150 m - par 72
Port El Kantaoui/Sousse
Port El Kantaoui is a well developed resort and marina, with plenty to do at all hours day and night when you are not on the course. The 36 hole Kantaoui Golf Club has been a frequent host of the European Senior’s Tour, and is a short walk from our featured hotels. The marina offers a wide variety of excellent restaurants and other activities. Sailing, deep sea fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, and scuba diving to name just a few. British, Irish and German pubs are scattered between the marina and the adjacent town of Sousse. Port El Kantaoui is the recommended first choice for golfers who want to literally walk to everything: Golf, hotel, marina and pubs are all within walking distance. The busiest resort centre for active winter holidays.
The Kantaoui Golf Club has 36 holes of golf, with two distinct 18-hole championship courses. It is located within walking distance of the Port El Kantaoui Marina and many of our featured hotels. The new clubhouse is a very pleasant place for a drink or a meal even if you do not play golf. The Kantaoui Golf Club has hosted the European Seniors Tour on several occasions.
Kantaoui Sea Course
As the name implies, this course borders on the Mediterranean Sea and features beautiful sea views. Though longer than the Panorama, the Sea Course is regarded as the easier of the two.
6253 m - par 72
Kantaoui Panorama Course
Elevated tees with fabulous panoramic views over the sea and the marina, narrow fairways and plentiful water hazards will help you to remember the Panorama course.
6045 m - par 72
Hammamet
Hammamet is Tunisia’s most popular summer beach resort. Three excellent golf courses are near the hotel zone and golfers account for a high percentage of the winter tourists. Yasmine Hammamet - an extension of the original resort - is Tunisia’s new resort area, featuring a luxurious new marina and many new 4 and 5 star hotels. The beach promenade, casinos, and theme parks offer plenty of entertainment for all ages. Hammamet is Tunisia’s best known golf resort, with many golfers coming several times per year.
Yasmine Golf Club
Elevated tees and multitiered greens, twin lakes a meandering creek will test your skills at this contoured and well managed course. Like many golf courses in Tunisia, Yasmine offers an excellent practice facility and a 9 hole executive course. The club has previously hosted the Mediterranean Games and other international amateur tournaments and is the first golf course in Tunisia to boast GPS enabled buggies.
6115 m - par 72
Citrus Golf Club - Le Foret (The Forest Course).
As the name implies, this course features narrow tree lined fairways awaiting wayward tee shots. The hilly course also features well bunkered greens and some striking blind approach shots. Hammamet’s most difficult course and a previous host of the European Challenge Tour.
6128 m - par 72
Citrus Golf Club - Les Oliviers (The Olive Groves).
Wide fairways and large greens make this course welcoming to all players. Bunkers and water hazards also dot the landscape. Citrus Golf Club also features a large and very well equipped practice area including a 350m driving range and 9 hole executive course. Golf instruction is available from a staff of well trained professionals, including former player on the Ladies European Tour. Green fees at the Citrus courses are daily fees, with unlimited play permitted, subject to availability.
6144 m - par 72
Other Tunisian Golf Destinations - Worth a Detour
In addition to the main golf resort areas listed above, there are three more places in Tunisia of special interest to golfers. While each area features only one golf course, they are good choices for those looking to add a bit of golf to their beach or family holiday plans.
Djerba
This Mediterranean Island is designed for sun worshippers. It also boasts a 27-hole Martin Hawtree designed golf course. Excellent thalassotherapy spas and desert safaris are some of the more popular activities aside from the beach. A good choice if you want to include a few rounds in your holiday and you don’t mind playing the same course every day.
Djerba Golf Club
Nestled between sand dunes, date palms and the sea, the Djerba Gof Clubs is a 27 hole layout, each nine with a different flavor:
LES PALMIERS PAR 37, 3044m
The most technical and the most difficult of the three layouts. A sense of precision and appreciation of distances are required.
LA MER PAR 36, 3125 m
Longer than the others, the wind is often in play on this seaside layout.
LES ACACIAS PAR 36, 2685 m
Very original, shorter than the others, and more playable for beginners.
Tabarka
This quiet Mediterranean village, boasts one of the most picturesque golf courses anywhere. If you must take a Mediterranean holiday and want to play one of the best unknown courses anywhere, then Tabarka is the place to go. Flights and ground transfers available from Tunis and Monastir.
Tabarka Golf Club
Tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and forest, Tabarka Golf Club is situated on Tunisia's northern Coral Coast. With the sea on one side and eucalyptus, oak and pine trees throughout provide for a course that is as challenging as it is beautiful. Its narrow fairways and well bunkered greens are reminiscent of Cypress Point at Pebble Beach. The course is a venue for the European Challenge Tour.
6306 m - par 72
Gammarth/Carthage
Gammarth is Tunisia’s luxury resort area best known for its luxurious spa hotels. The Carthage Golf Club is nearby. One of the oldest golf clubs in Africa, dating from the 1920’s, this is a private club with an active local membership. The beautiful town and marina of Sidi Bou Said and the nearby capital of Tunis make this a good base for a combined business and pleasure trip, or to simply relax and explore the history of ancient Carthage and the bazaars of the modern city of Tunis. The three courses of Hammamet are about one hour away, and transfers are provided. A new Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed course is opening soon in Gammarth.
Tozeur
Tozeur is the gateway to the Sahara Desert and home of Tunisia’s most unique 18-hole championship golf course. Designed by American architect Ronald Fream, and employing the same specially engineered grasses used in world renowned golf resorts like Las Vegas and Los Cabos, it is a true emerald in the midst of the desert and especially inviting in winter when Europe is frozen solid. A round or two at this unique course can easily be incorporated in to our Sahara excursions, and longer stays are also possible.
This article was provided for Tunisia.com by Jack McCullars of Golftunisia.com the leading specialist golf travel agency in Tunisia.
For further information please contact.
Jack McCullars
Golf Tunisia Ltd.
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St. Albans
Herts AL1 5BL
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