As summer draws near, it is the perfect time to book a golfing holiday in the sun. Luckily, several low cost airlines fly to a number of destinations which boast some of the best golf courses Europe has to offer.
If you’re planning a long weekend teeing off on some of the best courses in Europe, the Algarve is an absolutely perfect destination to choose. Year-round sunshine and an abundance of excellent courses mean it has something to offer every level of golfer. This. is why we have featured lots of courses in this region.
Below, you will find some of the top courses and finest fairways to play at in the Algarve and other highly rated European destinations.
1. Pinheiros Altos Golf Resort – Algarve, Portugal
Staying in the Algarve and just up the road from San Lorenzo is another jewel in the region’s golfing crown – Pinheiros Altos Golf Resort.
Around 20 minutes away from Faro Airport, Pinheiros Altos is situated near to the town Loule and is a slightly shorter drive time from the Algarve’s main airport.
An established name in the European golf scene, Pinheiros Altos boasts one of the most prestigious premier golf and leisure resorts across the continent. The showpiece is a 27-hole Championship course designed by respected US architect Ronald Fream and Portuguese golf architect George Santana da Silva.
Mr Fream created the original 18-hole course before Mr da Silva’s seven-hole offering opened in 2007. They are split into three – Pines, Corks and Olives. They all offer some spectacular views of the area and provide challenges to all levels of golfers.
Pines is the newest addition to the resort and is named after the abundance of pine trees across the course. The highlight of this course is undoubtedly the 9th which overlooks a glorious valley but requires a lot of skill to avoid ending up in the rough.
Corks is the longer of the trio but is the most demanding with the eighth stretching for 580 yards, providing the biggest headache of the lot, but the views more than make up for it. When taking on Olives, be sure to have an eye out for the native Pinheiros Altos birdlife which can seen throughout the course.
2. Parador de Malaga Golf – Malaga, Spain
Heading back to Andalucia and just along the coast from Portugal’s Algarve is Malaga, another golf lover’s paradise. When you’re coming into land at Malaga Airport you will see one of the oldest golf courses in Spain – Parador de Malaga Golf.
Little more than five kilometres away from the airport, you can be from the arrivals to the tee in a matter of minutes. This huge course overlooks the Atlantic and provides not only stunning views but also a thoroughly enjoyable round for anyone visiting.
Designed by Tom Simpson and opened in 1925, the Parador de Malaga Golf is influenced by the famous course of Scotland. Muirfield was designed by Simpson and you can see this reflected in Malaga’s premier golf resort.
3. San Lorenzo Golf Club – Algarve, Portugal
Just a 25-minute drive from Faro Airport in Quinta do Lago is the award-winning San Lorenzo Golf Course.
Opened in 1988, the club is known across the globe and has a truly spectacular 18-hole course looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Ria Formosa Estuary and its salt water lagoons. The course itself was designed by US golf architect Joseph Lee and, thanks to the Bermuda grass fairways, is a joy to play on and has been previously crowned Europe’s Leading Golf Resort.
The variety of holes, set in a figure of eight, will put even the best golfers through their paces. It eases golfers in before reaching Hole 6 where the real work begins. While holes 1 to 5 have provided some spectacular views across the coast, Hole 6 requires precise skills to ensure you don’t end up in the shrubs.
It is a hugely enjoyable round and finishes with an eighteenth which is renowned around the world. The stunning scenery does not detract from a difficult water shot that will take all of your skill to navigate.
Afterwards you can relax in the clubhouse and stay at the luxurious 154-room Dona Filipa Hotel.
The San Lorenzo course is widely considered to be the finest course in the whole of the Algarve – and, indeed, the world. Located in Vale do Lobo around 7 km from Faro, the regional capital, this course was designed by US architect Joe Lee.
It has a lot of challenging water hazards, some of which are posed by the marshland bird sanctuary the Ria Formosa, which borders the course. Thanks to the fairways lined with pines and its position on the Atlantic coast, San Lorenzo is an exceptionally beautiful course too.
4. Oceanico – Algarve, Portugal
Located in the town of Vilamoura, which is famous for its golf courses, the Oceanico (Old) course is the second oldest in the Algarve. It was designed by Frank Pennink and, when you start to play, you might think that it’s relatively straightforward.
However, while the first four holes may seem uncomplicated, the remaining 14 will soon prove you wrong! This course is known for requiring exceptional concentration, so if you are looking for a test of your skills, this is a good place to come to.
5. Vale do Lobo – Algarve, Portugal
The Vale do Lobo course has the distinction of being the Algarve’s oldest. Created back in 1962, it was originally one course, but since then has been tweaked to feature two – the Royal and the Ocean; we will focus on the former.
Often said to be the best of the two courses, the Royal is a stunning course that’s renowned for its wonderful scenery. Keep a particular eye out for the 16th hole, which has a cliff-top location that has made it one of the most photographed holes in Portugal.
6. Monte Rei – Algarve, Portugal
Last on our list is Monte Rei (North), which in the Sotavento region in the east of the Algarve. While playing here, you can enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean to one side and the Serra do Caldeirao mountains to the other.
A Jack Nicklaus ‘Signature’ course (one of the few in Europe), it has a reputation for its water hazards and impressive bunkering.
Other Top Rated Golf Courses in Europe
Portugal’s Algarve region has long been a favourite for golfers from all over the world. Blessed with year-round sunshine, this coastal resort is absolutely perfect for a relaxing break a few of rounds. But there more destinations which are recommend too, including:
• St Andrews – Scotland
• Poggio Dei Medici – Italy
• Elba Palace – Fuerteventura
• San Roque – Spain
• Terre Blanche – France
So get set, and let’s golf in the sun this summer!
