The Best Golf Holidays in Europe 2018

APHRODITE HILLS, CYPRUS

Spread out over 6,289 metres, the Championship golf course at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus serves up unparalleled views over the Mediterranean. Work your way through the course’s olive trees and try to avoid losing a ball or two in the 7th hole’s 130 metre gorge.

In 2017, the Aphrodite Hills Golf Course underwent a large-scale upgrade — £2.5 million worth, in fact — so expect to find refurbished greens and bunkers, and fully modernised facilities. We’ve heard the 19th hole will be rather special, if you catch our drift. Not to mention the fact that it’s got the largest golf shop in Europe - so you can stock up while you’re away.

Of course you can’t spend your entire holiday on the fairway. Luckily, the golf course is in the same exclusive complex as the TUI SENSATORI RESORT Aphrodite Hills by Atlantica. Follow your 18 holes with five-star luxury, an award-winning spa, and plenty of restaurants to build your energy levels back up.

ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

How do you decide where to go in the Algarve for a game of golf? With so many world-class courses to choose from, the entire region is worth a visit. But Vilamoura, with its four courses in a small area, is considered one of the brightest stars. Pinhal, Millenium, Victoria, and Laguna golf courses are all pretty close together, and they’re some of the most sought after courses in Portugal. So if you want to spend your entire holiday on the green, you’ll have plenty of variety. Pinhal has a woodland layout, Millenium's known for its water hazards, and Laguna’s coastal location gives it spectacular views.

And, if you stay at the stylish Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort, you’ll be sitting right in the middle of the action - Victoria golf course is quite literally on your doorstep. It hosts the PGA Portugal Masters, so you’ll be swinging in the footsteps of the pros. Plus, as it’s one of our handpicked A La Carte hotels, you get 20kg of luggage as standard - so there’s plenty of room for all those argyle socks you’ll be needing.

PALMA, MAJORCA

For a relatively small place, Palma packs in 14 golf courses, from Son Gual — reportedly one of the finest collections of par-threes to be found anywhere - to Son Vida Golf, the oldest course in Majorca, with spectacular mountain views. For something a bit different, try Golf de Andratx — it’s well known for its originality. There are several raised tees that offer unbeatable views of the coastline, and plenty of challenging holes that will trap the unwary in the middle of the rough. If that sounds like too much hard work while you’re on holiday, Golf Santa Ponsa II offers an easier, but no less enjoyable, game.

Stay at the RIU Festival Hotel and you’ll be able to combine tees with tapas, balls with beaches, and caddies with cocktails. Set in its own neatly-clipped gardens, the hotel offers a slice of quiet on the outskirts of Palma, so you can relax after a long day. But you’re not far from the city centre, either, so you won’t be lacking for entertainment.

GOLF DEL SUR, TENERIFE

If you’re going on a golfing holiday, then Golf del Sur in Tenerife is the perfect choice — it’s got ‘golf’ right there in the name, after all. But what’s in a name? It’s the 27-hole Championship course you’ll really want to come here for. This is a course that’s seen two golf driving distance records set and smashed - both by British golfer Karl Woodward. See if you can match his 408 yard stroke, or simply enjoy the wide fairways, black-sand bunkers, palm trees and towering cactus plants.

You can stay in Golf del Sur itself, but if you’d like to exchange your clubs for clubbing come nightfall, you’ll want to be closer to the party capital, Playa de las Americas. The five-star Hotel Villa Cortes is on the ‘golden mile’ of beautiful sand, and you’ve got all the shops, bars and restaurants you could want along the nearby pedestrianised area. Golf by day, party by night. Or you could simply enjoy the hotel’s six restaurants, saltwater pool, freshwater waterfall, and indulgent spa.

COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

Otherwise known as the ‘Costa del Golf’, thanks to its roster of over 70 courses, the Costa del Sol should be on the list of any card-carrying golf lover. With so many to choose from, it doesn’t much matter which area of the coast you pick — you’ll have a great game no matter where you are. If you want to be close to the top-rated course in the area, Real Sotogrande, head for the Andalusian town of Estepona. Golfing here is a real challenge — the pro-level course requires some careful planning.

Further up the coast, stay at the TUI SENSIMAR RIVIERA and you’ll be right next door to three courses, and not far from even more - you never have to go far for a round here. And if your partner doesn’t fancy traipsing around while you putt away, they’ll have a stylish, modern hotel to explore. The state-of-the-art wellness centre, sophisticated restaurant, and adults-only atmosphere offers up plenty to enjoy when you’re not practicing your swing.

Fancy golfing in the sunshine?

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Author: Natalie Howells