Golf Holidays in Sri Lanka
Located just south of India in amongst the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka boasts an incredibly diverse landscape with deep rainforests and stunning sandy beaches. There may only be 4 golf courses in this tropical country, however they are nicely spread out around to allow you to explore more of the country when you are away from the fairways. For those who are more into resorts, the Shangri-La Hambantota on the south coast is the perfect retreat, with its own golf course also.
Away from the golf course there is plenty to explore whilst visiting Sri Lanka, including various National Parks, Safaris and amazing beaches. However the four golf courses scattered around the country compliment the stunning landscape very well, and are well worth the visit with their tree-lined layouts.
The Shangri-La Hambantota Resort only opened in 2016, but with secluded beaches and its own golf course it comes at no surprise that it has become a large attraction for visitors.
Something that is unique to golfing in Sri Lanka is the abundance of nature and wildlife, framed by lakes and the beautiful Indian Ocean, shaping the course for the most incredible experience.
The award-winning Donald Steel designed masterpiece spread across the hills and bordering the Victoria reservoir offers the most picturesque scenery and breathtaking views of nature.
The 18-hole golf course is made up of long, narrow fairways, bordered by rows of towering eucalyptus trees and elegant cypresses, held together by dense acacia shrubbery.
Just over an hours drive from Shangri La’s Hambantota Resort, sits the Yala National Park, which is a huge area of forest, with grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean. It’s home to a variety of wildlife including leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and hundreds of different bird species and is certainly worth the visit.
When staying at Nuwara Eliya, and after enjoying the golf course here, it is an absolute must to visit the Hill Country’s Haputale Mountains, where Sir Thomas Lipton launched his tea empire. So if you are into your tea, it will be worth stopping by here to enjoy the lush green tea gardens here at “Little England”.
With Sri Lanka requiring an 11 hour flight from London, why not consider pairing up your golf holiday with another long haul destination to make the most of your time away? Other destinations to potentially pair up with include Dubai or Mauritius, taking your holiday experience to the next level.
The international airport used in Sri Lanka is at the largest city in Colombo, where you will then take a transfer to your final destination. You can explore most of the island within a few hours drive, so take a look at the average drive times between the airport and golf course regions in Sri Lanka.
Drive Times by Car
2.5 hrs
2.5 hrs
4 hrs
4 hrs
The great thing with visiting Sri Lanka is that you can secure direct flights with SriLankan airlines to visit the tropical island, making the journey a lot more comfortable and allowing you to enjoy more time on the island exploring. So take a look at the key flight details and when the best time of the year is to visit.
Flights & Weather
11 hrs
Bandaranaike International Airport
December - March
24 - 32° C