Local golf courses, in much of the country, at this time of year hardly resemble the places we go to early on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the warmer months. They look weather-worn and tired and less welcoming; winter has a way of doing that to the most resilient of souls.

As a distraction from the winter chill, I have put together a list of the top five international exotic golf destinations, chosen as much for the stunning surroundings in which they are located as for the luxury accommodation and quality of golf for which they are famous. Left out of the list are historic heavyweights like St. Andrews, just because few places on Earth stand a chance against the House of Golf. Keep in mind that this is an international list, so places like Pinehurst and Pebble won’t be there either. Let us begin.

In reverse order we start with number five:

5) The Peninsula Hotel and Thai Country Club – This is a travel, golf and lodging destination at its most exotic level. Designed by Denis Griffiths, Past President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, it meets the international standards of the US PGA. Designed with everyday members in mind, the course is also a world-class golf destination; This point was never clearer than in 1997, when it hosted the Asian Honda Classic; an event won by a newcomer to the PGA Tour, by the name of Tiger Woods.

4) The Golden Bear Lodge and Spa, in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, a premier golf destination, The Golden Bear Lodge & Spa offers golf in a setting you would expect at one of the world’s most exotic golf getaways and accommodations. The sugar-white sand beaches, sunshine, and tropical blue waters of the Caribbean combine to make the Cap Cana golf experience worthy of one of the top five spots on this list.

3) La Leyenda Golf & Safari Resort located in the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. There are golf vacations in exotic destinations and then there are golf vacations in South African destinations. South Africa has an aura of its own; few places in the world can match it for its culture and beauty. Add to this aura the Legend Golf & Safari Resort and you have one of the most unique and inspiring golf layouts to be found anywhere in the world. Designed by 18 different members of the professional golfing community, the course combines 18 different concepts into an amazingly cohesive vision of championship golf. Accessible only by helicopter, The extreme 19th hole It is a 400 meter high par 3 whose landing zone is a green in the shape of the African continent.

2) The Lodge on the Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay, New Zealand – Some say “one of the most exotic golf vacations you could hope to take is a New Zealand golf vacation.” One look at the Kauri Cliffs Golf Course and its spectacular setting and you see why. The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs joins two sister properties to create an exotic golf destination and accommodation package that spans the entire country of New Zealand; two of the properties have magnificent golf courses with views that are equal to those of any other place on the planet. The third location has no golf, but once again, the views more than make up for it.

1) Old Head Golf Courses – Located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in County Cork, Old Head Golf Links is a 220-acre diamond-shaped course that stretches over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most recognized and sought after golf experiences anywhere in the world. Old Head Golf Links ranks first on this list, although it most likely has the worst weather of the five; Truth be told, if you focus on the weather here, you’ve missed the whole point. One of the most impressive settings for a golf course, bar none, Old Head prides itself on offering a golf experience that combines unrivaled golf with the warmth of Irish hospitality. Considered one of the most beautiful courses in the world and I have to agree.

There you have it, you may not agree with these picks, but when you visit their websites and find out more about them, you’ll understand why they deserve to be mentioned on any list of exotic international golf and accommodation destinations.