The best golf holidays in Europe

There’s nothing like a game of golf in the sunshine. It’s just a shame the British summer can be a bit hit and miss on that front. So, if you fancy swinging those irons in some practically guaranteed sunny weather, you can’t go wrong heading for warmer shores. What’s better than a round or two followed by cocktails by the pool? After a whizz around on the buggy, of course. We’ve rounded up the best golf holidays in Europe, starting with an 18-hole championship course and ending in the ‘Costa del Golf’...

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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. Plus, this place has 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 BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Aphrodite Hills. Follow your 18 holes with five-star luxury, an award-winning spa, and plenty of restaurants to build your energy levels back up.

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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 as Victoria Golf Course is quite literally on your doorstep. It’s hosted the PGA Portugal Masters, too, so you’ll be swinging in the footsteps of the pros.

 

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For a relatively small place, Palma packs in a lot of 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 wow-worthy 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.

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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 seven restaurants, saltwater pool, freshwater waterfall, and indulgent spa.

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Otherwise known as the ‘Costa del Golf’, thanks to its roster of over 70 courses, 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 Club de 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 Medplaya Hotel 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.

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Or, for more inspiration see more on our golfing holidays and read about the best destinations for a walking holiday.