There is little better for a club golfer than strolling back to your clubhouse after a great golf break sporting your new golf top and everyone asking you about your holiday

And of course, if you are first to try the latest hot news destination, you can enjoy a secret smile or two as you describe the fantastic and empty fairways and the cheap cost of the drinks in the welcoming clubhouses.

Unique experience

The Baltic States are now the hidden gems of the holiday golf circuit, but our resident golf pro Nigel Burch thinks it won’t be long before they become the next Algarve or Costa del Sol. Well-travelled golfers will be attracted by the big name designers, well maintained golf courses and the incredible prices.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are already popular with people looking for short breaks with a difference. Now these beautiful countries have come to the attention of pioneering golfers keen to be ahead of the curve.

The golf season in the Baltic States is short but definitely sweet. From May to end September you can enjoy sparkling skies, plenty of daylight and very enjoyable nightlife.

How to get there

With direct daily flights from a choice of airports in UK and private transfers arranged by Golf Planet Holidays, you can be on the first tee in the afternoon before heading to your attractive hotel.

The best of the Baltic

Lithuania

The V Golf Club at Vilnius Resort is a supreme parkland golf with the odd hazard getting in the way! In its young life it has already hosted several prestigious competitions on both the Pro and Amateur Circuits. There are six tee options on each hole and don’t aim too high on your first round there.

You are not too far from the European Centre Golf Club (close to the centre of mainland Europe, if you want to mix and match. No holiday here is complete without at least one night in downtown Vilnius.

If you need any further incentive, a five night, four golf round holiday is £445 through Golf Planet Holidays.

Latvia

One of Nigel’s favourites is Jurmala Golf Club and Hotel in Latvia, created by Nicklaus Design. Just 20 minutes from Riga airport here is an18-hole Championships course carved out of a pine forest with a 9 hole Par 3 Academy course to test your short game skills. Practise in the state-of-the-art driving range and relax in the hospitable clubhouse, before heading to the attractive on-site bedrooms. All this makes for a wonderful golf holiday.

My next choice in Latvia would be Ozo Golf Club, 20 minutes from Riga City centre. If water is your nemesis, perhaps not for you. Load your bag with balls as the water of Lake Kisezers plays

a big part in negotiating your way around this Rod Swedberg design. The club has hosted many top events since it opened in 2002.

Estonia

Moving onto Estonia where no golf trip would be complete without a round at Parnu Bay, south of Tallinn, designed by Lassi Pekka Tilander and Mick McShane. The course is the first links in the Baltic region, featuring wide fairways and expansive sand areas. The combination of water hazards, narrow fairways and coastal winds mean your game head is needed for the full 18 holes.

Parnu Bay is a popular holiday resort so there are plenty of choices for hotel accommodation and restaurants in the evenings.

Exciting news — we’ll be adding golf breaks in the Baltic States soon. Keep an eye on our website and be the first to hear about them.