The 10 best golf stag do destinations in the world

Golf and stag parties go hand in hand, and if the presumptive groom happens to also be an ardent golfer, it's pretty much a given that 

Planning a golf-centric stag do can often be a tricky affair. The best places in the world to play golf often don't have nightlife to match, and vice versa. When you do find a place that has both, figuring out a course that'll cater to all levels (after all, not everyone in the party will be a golfer) and a place with decent vibes to go out after is just as much of a headache.

As such, we've taken it upon ourselves to curate a list of foolproof stag do locations around the world – whether you want to stay local or head off on an intercontinental blow-out – all of which promise quality golf, great nightlife, with solid bites to eat and excellent coffee for those delicate mornings after. 

Antalya, Turkey

Not so much a centralised place but a region that constitutes one of Turkey's most vibrant resort cities and, in neighbouring Belek, one of Europe's fastest-growing golf destinations.

Where to play: The all-inclusive golf resorts of Belek, just along the Black Sea coast from the main hub of Antalya, are the perfect place to set up base camp and get your golf in. Carya, Montgomerie Maxx Royal and Antalya Golf Club are considered Turkey's three finest courses.

Where to go out: While Belek's nightlife is more relaxed due to it mostly consisting of exclusive resorts, the city of Antalya itself is far more vibrant, particularly around the historic Kaleiçi (Old Town) district. It's around 45 minutes away in a cab.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is already a famed destination for nightlife-loving Brits and golfers keen to catch some winter rays alike, so it makes sense that this is one of the most centralised places in the world to embark on a memorable golf trip (if you're willing to fork out, of course).

Where to play: Dubai has a bevy of world class courses that are open to visitors and have DP World Tour credentials. Emirates Golf Club is the city's oldest and most luxurious course, while the Els Club, Dubai Creek and Dubai Hills are all incredible courses well worth braving the Arabian sun for.

Where to go out: Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai are the city's three main party hubs, offering the archetypal blend of luxury and ostentatious wealth we've all come to associate the Emirate with. Business Bay is also emerging as a boutique space, with plenty of more reserved lounges and bars.

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland's capital isn't hugely well-known for its courses compared to Northern Ireland or its more out of the way coastal areas, but boasting great golf and the best Guinness in the world, as a tailor-made golf stag do destination, it's about as good as they come.

Where to play: Portmarnock, 35 minutes drive north, is the bucket list course. Out west, Kildare's K Club is the regular host of the Irish Open and one of the island's finest inland courses, while Castle and Grange are both excellent parkland tracks situated in the city's inner south. 

Where to go out: Temple Bar is the obvious choice to start if you're happy to deal with big crowds and inflated prices in the pursuit of a great pint. Harcourt Street is the clubbing capital while the The Liberties has a great array of historic musical pubs. Capel Street and Smithfield are trendier, replete with indie bars and pubs.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Replete with some of Scotland's (and by extension, the world's) historic courses, architecture drawn straight out of a Harry Potter novel and whisky bars as far as the eye can see, Edinburgh is perfect for a golf stag with a little extra culture. Of course, there are also plenty of places here to get a little messy if you wish.

Where to play: Muirfield is regarded by many as the finest links on the planet, but is equally exclusive and a bit of a drive to get to. The Old Course at Musselburgh racecourse is an approachable 9-holer anyone can play and also happens to be one of the oldest golf courses on the planet, while Royal Burgess, home of the oldest golf society in the world, is the finest course to be found within the city confines.

Where to go out: The Old Town is replete with whisky bars and historic pubs, with Grassmarket, Cowgate & George IV Bridge all melding into one vibrant strip flanking the Royal Mile. Cross the bridge into New Town and you'll be met with the West End and George St, the former famed for its culture and bars, the latter a clubbing hotspot.

Las Vegas, USA

The leisure capital of the world, Vegas also has some of America's finest (and most expensive) courses. It's the ultimate stag do destination for a reason.

Where to play: Shadow Creek is Vegas's golfing mecca – an ultra-exclusive playground only open to MGM guests. Wynn Golf Club sits just off the strip, but be aware – both are among the top five most expensive golf courses on the planet. Bali Hai, TPC Las Vegas and Cascata are all publicly accessible options that also offer outstanding desert golf.

Where to go out: Do we really need to tell you?

Lisbon, Portugal

The Algarve is the area of Portugal most associate with a mix of party culture and golf. But while it is indeed an incredible area for both, it's also large and tricky to get around while its party towns are notoriously seedy. For a more centralised experience, we recommend Lisbon, which in addition to having some of Europe's finest food and nightlife is also a pretty underrated golfing destination in its own right.

Where to play: Oitavos Dunes is one of Western Europe's most spectacular coastal courses just beyond Lisbon's western limits. Penha Longa Resort offers up a challenging, uniquely mountainous experience not far from the city centre, while an hour's drive north on the Silver Coast, West Cliffs is an incredible links routinely cited among the top five courses in the country.

Where to go out: Bairro Alto is a veritable maze of twisting streets, all replete with bars and taverns where patrons spil in to the street with ice-cold beers and wines in hand. Cais do Sodré’s “Pink Street”, formerly a red light district, has found new life as a hub for trendy bars. Both areas also house a decent selection of nightclubs for those who want to take the party into the morning.

Liverpool, England

Already widely renowned as one of the UK's best stag do destinations, Liverpool offers up a uniquely welcoming atmosphere and some of the nation's best party venues. It's also the gateway to the North West Coast, with some of England's best links less than an hour's drive away, while Royal Liverpool remains one of the country's most iconic Open venues.

Where to play: Royal Liverpool is the obvious choice if you can swing it, while nearby Wallasey is a great course that offers far more affordable alternative with a similar flavour. Just north of the city, Formby, Hillside and Royal Birkdale combine to form a trio of England's finest coastal links.

Where to go out: Concert Square is the nightlife hub in Liverpool and the archetypal stag do destination. Mathew Street is the place to be for live music, while the Baltic Triangle has its share of great eateries, pubs and dive bars. 

Marbella, Spain

It's tough to find a stag do destination in Spain that isn't going to be chock full of Brits as a matter of course, but we feel that Spain's Costa Del Sol offers up the best combination of golf and varied nightlife. It's too big to see its entirety in one weekend, but has plenty of spots to set up base depending on the kind of vibe you're after. We recommend Marbella, which is more centrally located than northerly Malaga, offering better access to the incredible courses to be found towards the region's south.

Where to play: Marbella's surrounding "Golf Valley" boasts almost 70 courses in the surrounding area with Aloha and Finca particular highlights. Legendary courses such as Valderrama, La Hacienda and Sotogrande sit at the Costa Del Sol's southern tip, around an hour's drive away.

Where to go out: Marbella is the most central of the coast's two major hubs, with the world famous Puerto Banús marina providing a luxurious base for any stag. If you want to venture north, Malaga and Fuengirola are more varied and affordable.

Melbourne, Australia

Few cities boast the wealth of spectacular inner-city courses that Melbourne does, with its unique sandbelt geology making for some of the world's best courses and some truly elite public access tracks. Add in some of Australia's best food and nightlife and you have a stag do destination worth travelling for.

Where to play: Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club are all prime examples of Melbourne Sandbelt Golf that are open to international visitors. The Sandhurst Club boasts two public access courses within Australia's 100 best, while a drive south to the Mornington Peninsula will bring you to St Andrews Beach, a stunning public access links designed by Tom Doak.

Where to go out: Chapel Street offers Melbourne's best mix of bars, pubs and light night eateries, while a short cab ride to Fitzroy's Brunswick Street will open up a world of indie pubs, live music and trendy wine bars. Come back the next morning and you'll also find some of the world's best coffee.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's cultural wealth and incredibly varied nightlife speaks for itself, but Japan's unique golfing culture makes this most devout of golf nations a must-visit for any passionate player. Expect pristine courses, mid-round lunches, robotic buggies and leisurely soaks in a post-round Onsen.

Where to play: Narita Golf Club is one of the capital's most celebrated courses yet still welcoming to visitors, set within immaculate grounds with fairways rolling through dense pine forest. Fuji Classic offers perhaps the most iconic backdrop of any course in Japan, looking out over the national park towards the namesake mountain, while Wakasu Golf Links is more central with a distinctive coastal layout that runs along the shores of Tokyo Bay.

Where to go out: Golden Gai is famed for Tokyo nightlife at its dizzying best, while neighboruing Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi are all replete with bars, inns and izakaya spots. Red-light district Kabukicho is also a must-visit for its countless bars, clubs, and karaoke joints.