If you are done with lush colored fairways and manicured greens, then probably it is time you start exploring the real vast lands that used to cater the golf lovers of past and provide opportunity to explore golf at its best. One not only gets a challenging course that provides an all new experience and definition to how one should play golf, but there is also a chance to get closer to the nature. Given below is a short description of top seven golf courses in the world that have been developed without chemicals, pesticides, heavy machinery or even artificial irrigation systems.
1. Vineyard Golf Club, Edgartown, Massachusetts (USA)
Spread in 7012 yards, this golf course is designed by British architects Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie. Vineyard Golf Club has a reason to be among the best known environment friendly golf courses in the world. Prior to its development, it faced a lot of opposition from environment activists and local organizations. Marthaâs Vineyard County Commission which took care of the issue finally instructed officials to make entire operations completely organic in nature. The result is a course that has been developed with traditional pesticides, bio-stimulants and composted fertilizers.
2. North Shore Country Club, Glenview, Illinois (USA)
Located just 32 kilometers north of Chicago, North Shore Country Club has a golf course spread in sprawling 7103 yards. It has been operational since early eighties and attracts a lot of people due to its environmental commitment. An innovative idea at the time, the course also offered out-of-play area for the first time.
The course is abundant in diversified flora, fauna and wildlife. One of its programs utilizes organic plants to balance the water column in its ponds. The club also runs a program which serves as research facility to find solutions to suppress grass disease.
3. Stone Mountain Golf Club, Georgia
Spread in the foothills of Stone Mountain and at few minutes of drive from downtown Atlanta, Stone Mountain Golf Club in Georgia is yet another golf course that boasts about its environment friendly approach. This Golf Club offers two championship courses that can prove to be a perfect challenge for all skill levels.
The courses – Stonemont and Lakemont are nestled along the forests of Georgia pines overlooking the Stone Mountain Lake. It is a truly remarkable site for all golf and nature lovers. Besides golf other sightseeing activities are also major attraction of this place.
4. Club Pelican, Queensland, Australia
Club Pelican is spread across the Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, an hour north of Brisbane in Australia. It is one of Australia’s top 10 resort courses and has also won the prestigious GCSAA International Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. Opened for public for the first time in year 2000, it is a 18 hole golf course designed by Greg Norman. The golf course is known for its chemical-free approach towards maintaining the greens and development of nutrient-stripping zones that reduce algae growth in the wetlands.
5. Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, Canada
The lush green golf club in Priddis, Alberta is a privately owned course with an exclusive membership of 800. It has been in service for the last 20 years and has constantly improved on its facilities and environmental friendly approach. The club has been given gold status in July 2003 under âBest Private Course in Canadaâ category by Score Golf Magazineâs Golfersâ Choice Awards. It is also listed among the winners of GCSAA International Environmental Leaders in Golf Award.
The private golf course has also organized several tournaments in the past. Alberta PGA Championship – 2000, Alberta PGA Head Pro Championship – 2003, Alberta PGA Players Tour – 2008 and CN Canadian Women’s Open – 2009 are among the latest of these tournaments.
6. Loch Lomond Golf Club, Alexandria, Scotland
One of the most exquisitely designed and perfectly located golf courses in the world, this private golf course is meant for elite. Loch Lomond is bestowed with some of the most amazing scenery nestled between the Scottish Highlands producing a perfect backdrop. Spread in 7100 yards the golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. It has consistently topped the rankings among the best inland courses in Great Britain and Ireland by Golf World (UK) magazine.
7. Machrihanish Dunes, Scotland
If Loch Lamond in Alexandria proves to be elusive then probably there are alternatives in Scotland which will not disappoint you. Machrihanish Dunes is one of the latest examples of how Scottish landscapes require very little of imagination and efforts to develop its vast stretches into a world class golf course. Having a rare distinction of being the only golf course in the world built at a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it is fundamentally restricted from causing any damage to the flora, fauna and geography of the region. Interestingly, all this goes into its favor.