A golf holiday to Portugal may be something that a great many foreign visitors won’t initially consider. In terms of European golf, the country is competing against the golfing super-powers of the British Isles, with its golfing heritage, and neighboring Spain, with its range of courses.

In the past thirty years the Portuguese golfing industry has really taken off and is finally maturing with a number of regions containing excellent golf resorts and a high caliber of courses to play.

To get your bearings, Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe sitting alongside Spain. The principal golfing regions are the Algarve (in the south), Lisbon and the Estoril Coast (in the south-west), the Oeste Region (west coast) and the island of Madeira.

For those wishing to combine their golf holidays in Portugal with sight-seeing and culture, then a stay in Portugal’s capital Lisbon and the Estoril Coast could make the ideal solution. Given that the IAGTO organization voted the region as the Best European Golf Destination in 2007 you can be sure that the services, facilities and range of clubs are going to be enough for the most demanding tastes. The Estoril coast has over 10 quality golf resorts. To the west there are some challenging and windswept (by Atlantic breezes) clubs – most notably, Praia d’El Rey, which would have to be the most famous in the region and really is one to savor.

The Algarve, in the south of Portugal offers the largest range of clubs to play, and for every type of budget. The southern Portuguese coast benefits from a balmy Mediterranean climate that ensures all year round golfing is possible.

The central area hosts Vilamoura, a range of top-class courses, plush hotels and holiday resorts. The Oceanico golf clubs are highlights of the area especially the Old Course which is a ‘must-play’ course to this area. To the east, the climate becomes a little cooler and the courses become a little more elite and pricey with the Jack Nicklaus designed Monte Rei being the jewel of the area.

The island of Madeira is something different in terms of golf holidays Portugal has on offer. Its location, 500 kilometers west of the Portuguese coast in the Atlantic Ocean, is something that could put some golfers off.

The Santo da Serra is a 27-hole course that can be played in 3 combinations which does offer some variation in the courses played. For most golfers though, it is the wonderful scenery that is a backdrop to the golf clubs that offers a unique golfing experience. Steep mountains cliffs surround the island and its isolation makes for a unique laid back atmosphere.

Finally, the Oeste region marks a more recent golfing area which doesn’t yet boast the range of golf seen elsewhere, but what it lacks in championship clubs it makes up for in tranquil scenic countryside and charming villages. Of all the regions it is also the one place where a number of new courses are springing up with future developments expected in Sizandro Village, Vimeiro, Paimogo, Falsia del Rey and the Rainha Golf and Spa.

The majority of Portuguese golf clubs have green fees ranging from 50 Euro in winter to 85 Euro in the high season. Championship courses and more mature clubs (mostly in the Algarve) are generally over the 120 Euro mark.

All courses can be booked online and its generally good practice to make advance bookings in the summer season. Remember to bring your PGA handicap proof as some championship courses have a maximum-handicap rule for all visitors (confirm via their websites).

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday, the Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays Portugal website to learn more.

Tags: Europe, Golf, golf holidays, golf travel, holidays, leisure, portugal, recreation, sports, travel, travel destinations, Travel Tips, vacation, vacations

This entry was posted on Friday, March 26th, 2010 at 7:10 am and is filed under vacation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.