How Mauritius is making a name for itself as a golfing destination

If it be true that golf is a good walk spoiled, then the walk in Mauritius is a particularly beautiful one. Especially the gorgeous fourth hole at Anahita Golf Club, which boasts one of several majestic views from the island’s fairways.

During my round, I glide down the fairway in a buggy, chased by a playful golden retriever, presumably one of the more popular members here. The course’s designer, the legendary South African player Ernie Els, has helped establish it as an African gem for golf enthusiasts of varying abilities.

While golf can often conjure feelings of frustration and irritation, moments like this one take your breath away. If you’re fortunate enough to play at the right time, you might even be able to savour a discussion with your playing partner over the target line while pointing out a passing yacht in the ocean.

Other moments will snap you back to reality, as you summon up the precision required to tame this tricky course while soaking in the surroundings.

The consolation is the panoramic view of this former sugar plantation with the outer edges of the course seemingly floating in the Indian Ocean.

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Golfers will have more opportunities to use their driver here than on arguably the best course on the island, Ile aux Cerfs. But precarious run-offs around the greens that cosy up alongside the coast, and the jagged rocks from the historic ruins that form the spine of some holes on the back nine add intriguing layers to this picturesque experience.

So while many other golf destinations, such as Spain and Portugal, can boast glorious weather with baked-out greens and fairways throughout the summer, Mauritius certainly offers a different experience altogether. Anahita is lined by coconut trees and poses a links-like challenge to test every part of your game, justifying its DP World Tour status during its time as the Mauritius Open host.

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But many will prefer the exquisite Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, which is lauded by locals and proudly boasts a lofty ranking at 10th in Golf World’s top 100 courses in Africa. It is only accessible by boat, and water does indeed emerge as the primary hazard for golfers in this…