Europe's winter can be down time for less intrepid golfers, and many avoid the winter chill and opt for a golfing holiday in southern destinations. Whether it's a trip to the nearby Canary Islands or Cyprus, or a longer journey to Mauritius, a relaxing game of golf in the sunshine is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Just imagine, in just a few hours you could be on a green with the sun on your back.

Cyprus offers golf and more
Cyprus is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean and its warm climate makes golfing a pleasure year-round. Scenic pine-clad mountains and a stunning coastline form a backdrop to its excellent golf courses. If you fancy a touch of luxury, stay at the Paphos Amathus Beach Hotel and you'll have good access to the island's 3 golf courses as well as the charming old town of Paphos. The many local vineyards offer wine tasting and there are excellent dining options outside of the hotel.

The oldest course in Cyprus, the Tsada Golf Club, with its undulating, natural fairways, runs through fruit orchards and vineyards. It is a par 72 course set 500 metres above sea level, that would suit both high and low handicappers. At the nearby par 72 Secret Valley course, well-maintained fairways are well separated. The newest course, Aphrodite Hills is set on cliffs above a beach and is surrounded by forest. The par 71 course is divided by a deep ravine.

Canary Islands � a winter golfing favourite
Gran Canaria is a fantastic winter golf destination, and the historic par 72 Real Club de Golf Tenerife in the north of the most popular of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, is the second oldest golf club in Spain. The club is situated at 600 metres above sea level, with well-established trees, rolling fairways and deep cliffs, and accuracy is the name of the game here. But since there are six golf courses on Tenerife, you'll have a chance to try more than one. Par 72 Abama, set amongst thousands of trees, is winding and tactical with 22 lakes to get over or around.  Preference is given to residents of the Abama Resort.

Gran Canaria, known for its beaches, is evolving as an excellent golf destination and there are now five courses. The par 7 Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, in the centre of the island, is the oldest golf club in Spain. Located next to the crater of an old volcano, its short course, with its narrow fairways and small greens, require accuracy more than power. Near to the city of Las Palmas, the par 72 El Cortijo Club de Campo is dotted with lakes and features views of the ocean.

Mauritius � golfing in paradise
This idyllic Indian Ocean island, with its white sandy beaches, offers golfers a choice of three courses. Belle Mare Plage a luxurious four-star golf resort, sited on a beach protected by an offshore coral reef, has two championship courses. The demanding Legend Course has two sets of 18 holes, with fairways lined with trees, and greens with spectacular backdrops. The relatively new par 71 The Links Course includes a practice fairway and a tough uphill fairway with a water trap. The hotel also offers a variety of water sports. All the well-appointed rooms have sea views.