GOLF HAPPINESS

If there is one sport you can safely play in these times without the risk of contamination, it is golf. Endless space for social distancing, fresh air in abundance, being competitive and enjoying views together that will make you quiet. Here are three of our favourite courses in Europe

TURNBERRY | SCOTLAND

Turnberry is located on the south-west coast of Scotland and is part of a resort. It is one of the best-known golf clubs in Scotland, partly because it has hosted the British Open and other major tournaments several times, but also because it is a club with a long history. Indeed, during both WWI and WWII, the hotel was used as a hospital, while the estate served as an air base. It was therefore the place where some 200 servicemen breathed their last, and on hole 12 of the Ailsa course there is therefore a monument to commemorate the fallen servicemen. After World War II, the Ailsa course was renovated by Mackenzie Ross and reopened in 1951.

This course, right by the sea and overlooking Ailsa rock, is the finest the club has to offer and thus the venue for the major tournaments. Turnberry has changed hands several times in recent decades, until Donald Trump bought both the hotel and the golf courses in 2014 and, of course, promptly stuck his own name to it: Trump Turnberry Resort. www.turnberry.co.uk

FINCA CORTESIN | SPAIN

Retrieved from Finca Cortesin in addition to a golf course, you will find a hotel, tennis courts and swimming pools. The resort is located on the Costa del Sol, on the 'wrong side' of the Autopista del Mediterràneo, so not directly by the sea. But that should not spoil the fun, as the views are phenomenal. The golf course was opened in 2006 and since 2009, years ang the World Matchplay Championship has been played there, with the world's 24 top players taking part. Consequently, the course was built by Cabell B. Robinson, an American historian who reinvented himself as a golf course architect and, working for the renowned firm of Robert Trent Jones among others, has designed several courses in Europe.

Gerald Huggan's course design and attractive landscaping blend perfectly with the natural surroundings, providing a nice balance between the many types of flora, including very old cork oaks and olive trees, the typical Mediterranean forest and the perfectly manicured Bermuda grass on the job. www.fincacortesin.com

ARGENTARIO GOLF CLUB | ITALY

Monte Argentario used to be an island, but became connected to the mainland at the beginning of the 18th century by silting up two headlands. For nature lovers, this area is a mecca: the eponymous golf course is itself in a beautiful nature reserve, just five minutes from the Duna Feniglia nature reserve and twenty-five kilometres from the Parco dell'Uccellina reserve. Argentario Golf Club was the first course in Italy to receive the PGA National Italy designation. Situated between sea and mountains, this 'links course' is an ecological gem with flora, fauna, olive groves, cork trees, ponds, lakes and stunning sea views. The adjacent Orbetello Lagoon, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the hills also create a microclimate that makes it possible to play golf here at any time of the year. The 18-hole golf course and driving range were designed by architect David Mezzacane and pro golfer Baldovino Dassù. The holes were then shaped by Brian Jorgensen, resulting in a highly varied, spectacular and technically challenging course. Not least because of the rich Mediterranean vegetation, water along the greens and the ever-present refreshing breeze. www.argentariogolfresortspa.it

GOLF TOOL | GARMIN

As a serious golfer, you are always improving your game. Technically and tactically. The MARQ Golfer from Garmin can help you do just that. Besides a stylish design and comfortable wearability, this watch offers several features to take your game to the next level. For example, it has as many as 41,000 golf courses pre-programmed on it and displays full-colour course views of every hole you are playing.

The smartwatch uses the PlaysLike Distance option to set distances for uphill and downhill shots. In addition, the Hazard View feature allows you to scroll through a list of obstacles so you can adjust your game accordingly. Furthermore, the MARQ Golfer is equipped with an Autoshot Round Analyzer to measure and record stroke distance. This feature can also be further combined with Approach CT10 sensors for accurate club tracking (the watch comes with three sensors that automatically track every shot, including shot locations, distances and club type). Even 'Great White Shark' Greg Norman, winner of more than 90 tournaments worldwide, including two Open Championships, is enthusiastic about it: "I have been golfing for decades now. I too see developments in golf technology and have experienced the benefits of a Garmin on my wrist first-hand," he explains. "At first glance, you might not expect from its good looks that this watch has state-of-the-art GPS technology and so many smart functions. This is partly why I think it is such a perfect thing, both for the golf course and the office." The MARQ Golfer has a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a display that is easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The watch has a 46-mm titanium case, a ceramic bezel with engraved markings for 1-18 holes and a dark green jacquard-woven nylon wristband, which is quickly interchangeable. Costs €1850 www.garmin.com