The Best European Golfing Holidays
Some ideas for European golf breaks to cater for various tastes and priorities; from convenient and quality golf in the UK to traditional favourites Portugal and Spain.
You’re spoilt for choice when choosing a golf course within easy reach
One of the great attractions of golf is the chance to play in all sorts of conditions around Europe and the world in beautiful and in some cases dramatic surroundings, and on courses trodden by the game’s most famous players.
Many European destinations offer superb golf without having to travel too far.
Here are a few suggestions to inspire that next golfing break.
- Portugal: Quinta do Lago, Algarve
Possibly the first place many think of as a golf destination in Europe, the Algarve bristles with golf courses of all types with new ones opening all the time.
The Quinta do Lago area is but one of many parts of the Algarve offering superb golf in an ideal climate especially in the spring, early summer and early autumn.
Quinta do Lago is only about 20 minutes by road from Faro airport, and you can choose from apartment complexes to top notch hotels and have the pick of several golf courses within easy reach of where you’re staying.
The nearby Vilamoura boasts a good half a dozen courses, and there are more courses on your doorstep including the challenging San Lorenzo and Vila Sol – staying in this area puts you within easy reach of some 19 courses.
- Spain:Costa del Sol and Murcia
Like the Algarve, Spain is very convenient for a sunshine golf trip.
Within hours of leaving the UK you can be heading for the first tee at somewhere like Valderrama in the Costa del Sol where you can tread the same course that played host to an enthralling Ryder Cup contest in 1997 when the late, great Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to a memorable victory.
Another Costa del Sol course that has hosted pro events – the Volvo World Matchplay Championship was played here for three years – is the Finca Cortesin Golf Club. Beautifully maintained and wonderful sea views make it a must if you’re basing yourself in the Costa del Sol.
The fabled La Manga resort in the Murcia region offers three golf courses at La Manga Golf Club with the West Course arguably being the pick with its wonderful variation of holes.
- The UK:Hertfordshire andNorth London
An ideal quick break with excellent transport links, a super hotel as your base and access to several excellent golf courses within a short drive away is possible by booking at the West Lodge Park, a luxury hotel in Hertfordshire.
The hotel is ideal for a convenient and enjoyable golf break; it’s close to the M25 and three international airports and offers various dining options.
The nearby golf courses are some of the best in the north London and Hertfordshire area.
The nearest, Hadley Wood, has a reduced green fee for residents of the West Lodge Park and was described as “a gem” by ‘Golf World’ magazine. Others include the James Braid designed Finchley Golf Club, Verulam Golf Club in nearby St Albans, and Bush Hill Park Golf Club set in superb parkland and with a very reasonable green fee.
With the excellent transport links, luxurious hotel surroundings and close proximity to top class golf, this is also an ideal option if entertaining clients.
- Norway:Lofoten
Just to show leaving the UK for European golf isn’t just a choice of Spain or the Algarve, how about Norway and the spectacular island course of the Lofoten Links in the north of the country?
It only opened in 2015 and its views of nearby peaks makes it a spectacular way to play golf. Indeed, if you can’t get enough of this course you can play it 24 hours from the end of May to the end of July as the sun never sets between these times.
On the other hand, if you fancy something other than golf you can see the Northern Lights between the end of August and mid-October.
- Italy: Como, Piedmont and Tuscany
Not many imagine Italy as a golf destination, but there are some superb courses so you could easily combine a trip combining the culture of this historic country and some golf action.
Situated in the Como region of northern Italy and affording spectacular views of Lake Montoforno is the picturesque Villa d’Este course winding through trees and woodland.
About half an hour north west from Milan Malpensa airport is the Del Conte and Bonara courses in Bogogno, Piedmont. The super courses have a club house restaurant run by the owner of a Michelin star establishment so you’ll be well rewarded in a culinary sense after working up an appetite while playing your round.
The relaxing southern Tuscany region is host to the Argentario retreat some 90 minutes from Rome’s Fiumicino airport. The course is situated on a sliver of land surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and nearby luxurious facilities of the retreat include a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a high tech gym and restaurant specialising in home produced Tuscan food.
Plenty of choice
From the easy to reach convenience and quality of north London and Hertfordshire golf courses in the UK to 24 hour golf in Norway, there’s plenty of European options to satisfy the keenest and most dedicated golfer.
