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A Guided Tour Of Two Hundred Bunkers

by: RussellR.Collins
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Golf has been referred to in the past as a good walk, spoiled by the interruptions. Golf has been described in various other ways too, some of the colourful being by the golf widows who only occasionally see their partners return victorious from the course. If this sounds like you, then you may have heard of Jack Nicklaus. He is a world champion at golf, having been voted as Golfer of the Century. Unfortunately it doesn't appear as though I was nominated for the honour, but then Jack does tend to sink more balls than I do. In fact, mine seem to have an aversion to the little holes scattered across the course, unless of course they have sand in them.

When he's not hitting birdies and eagles, Jack tends to also excel at designing golf courses, and he's created quite a few. I just read somewhere that he has recently designed nine full courses for Polaris World. They're all laid out nearby each other so that the lucky residents get to play through 162 holes. The article didn't say how many sycamores there are on the course, but I'm pretty sure I'd fine most of them pretty quickly. Still, at least the lakes would be pretty to look at while wondering whether to risk diving in to find my ball. There is certainly something to be said for a lifestyle which involves living in luxurious Spanish properties, constantly bathed in sunshine, with enough golf to last a lifetime.

For some reason I always picture other people in these glorious scenarios. Like my well tanned and absurdly happy neighbours who seem to disappear off to exotic locations and come back with tans that make me look whiter than a sheet of paper. I hate my neighbours. They're lovely people, but it's people like them, not like me, who get to live that kind of paradise lifestyle. Having said which, I had never really given it serious thought, until I discovered that these overseas property arrangements weren't just for the absurdly rich, the fragile ancients or both. In fact, because they've made such a big thing of the golf, it's appealing more and more to people like me who enjoy a good game, or more frequently, a dismal one.

I was trying to play a game of golf at my local course recently, and it wasn't easy. We'd had a lot of rain lately - which isn't surprising, it's what we're known for here. The problem was that the whole course was so waterlogged that I was seriously considering trading in my golf cart for a dinghy. Rowing across to the eighth whilst waving a cheery greeting to some poor soul who's stranded on the edge of a bunker and looks very much as though he's Man Friday is not the traditional or preferred style of playing golf. If I liked getting wet I'd have taken up swimming and if I enjoyed getting muddy I'd have taken up rugby.

So that's what made me think that moving to Spain sounds like a great idea. Imagine it - nine golf courses, endless sun, beautiful views, guaranteed good weather. Sounds like a dream. Maybe those neighbours of mine have got the right idea. But then there's the hassle of moving over there and it all is so difficult, I wonder whether it's worthwhile. But amazingly, I recently found out that many of these companies that deal with overseas property actually offer free trips over there to have a look and see what it would be like. They'll even throw in a round of golf while you're there. A free trip to Spain? A round of golf on a Jack Nicklaus course - it's all sounding very tempting. I may even start to consider what I'd look like with a tan and a smile.

Do you know what your house is worth? I had mine valued recently, and paid little attention to it. Then I saw one of those television adverts for overseas property with golf courses and sun, and couldn't believe that the cheapest houses there were half the cost of my home, and for the price my house is worth I could get a grand villa! Imagine that - a grand villa in Spain with all that sun, a private balcony overlooking the mountains on one side and the blue ocean on the other, and 162 holes just crying out for me to try to sink a small white ball into them. And even more bunkers starting to get excited at the prospect of more company.

It's surprising how quickly images start to build in your mind of lazy summer days even in the winter, or rolling golf courses crying out for you to have another go today, blue rolling oceans and vast mountain ranges. It starts to make my suburban semi look a bit cold, bleak and small. Not to mention crowded. I almost feel as though the tan is starting to appear just by thinking about it. The houses themselves look very stylish, with a contemporary design coupled with traditional colours, materials and features. It's a bit like living the fantasy without the inevitable bad bits you assume will haunt you. I wonder if I would miss the rain and grey skies?

That free trip to try things out is very tempting, and I suppose I have nothing to lose. If all else fails, I'll get a free trip to Spain, and a good game of golf. Well, as good as my game of golf is ever likely to get. My only handicap is myself. The adverts and brochures all used to see aimed at people who were retiring to Spain, or had bags of spare cash to invest, but today companies like Polaris World seem to be aiming more at people like me as well. Ordinary people who want something more than just damp, cold gloom. I like the idea of getting up in the morning and looking forward to a game of golf, rather than wondering if the weather will be good enough to let me make a dash to the car. The adverts certainly make the whole process sound easy. You never know, I might even bump into Jack as he designs his tenth course there. Maybe he'll give me a few tips. Maybe I'll give him some too. Maybe.

About the Author

Looking for great golfing properties. Find them here at Polaris Golf Spain. Wide range, low prices and free viewing trips from selected UK airports. Why not buy abroad today?

A Guided Tour Of Two Hundred Bunkers

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