For those who like to tee off is warm weather and against spectacular backdrops, there are few places better than the Algarve. Golf holidays here can be a great way to escape the chilly weather of the UK, as they provide the opportunity to work on your game on 31 fantastic – and not to mention sunny – courses. Unsurprisingly, golf retreats in the Al-garve are popular, but you can make the most of your trip by ensuring that you conquer the best courses in the region during your stay. Here are the region’s five unmissable places to perfect your putt.
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club
This is what golfing holidays are all about. The spectacular Monte Rei Golf & Country Club has been rated as the best club in all of Portugal for three years running, and it is easy to see why. The course itself is brilliantly designed and provides amazing views of the ocean and surrounding mountains, whilst the service and hospitality are of the highest standard. Be sure to treat yourself to tantalising Portuguese cuisine in the clubhouse after a round.
Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course
This challenging 90-hectare round is the only signature project by Arnold Palmer in all of Portugal, and is well worth visiting. Expect plenty of water hazards and tricky bunkers, which can even catch the most advanced players off guard!
San Lorenzo
This lovely course, designed by Joseph Lee, is a real treat for the eyes, as it brilliantly uses the natural features of the Quinta do Lago estate. It features a figure eight shape, taking advantage of the surrounding pine woodland and pristine fairways. At the heart of the figure eight, you will find a charming clubhouse, complete with changing facilities, a gift shop and a bar and restaurant.
Quinta do Lago
Unsurprisingly, this resort has won numerous awards for excellence, thanks to its picture-perfect setting. Hidden away within almost 2,000 acres of pine forests and countryside, which border on a natural park and the Atlantic Ocean, this idyllic setting provides the perfect escape. It’s is a place to which you can keep returning, as the resort boasts three 18-hole courses! Trust us: you will never get bored of teeing off at Quinta do Lago, and its fantastic variety will help to develop your game.
Vale do Lobo
Catching the sun with views out to sea is exactly what you should expect when you come to the Algarve. Golf holidays here should always include a trip to Vale do Lobo, which features two 18-hole courses that hug the coastline for spectacular views of the ocean. One will take you along the cliff edge, whilst the other will gradually take you down to the beach.
The above are five of the best courses in the Algarve. Golf holidays here provide the perfect opportunity to work on your game whilst enjoying the amazing natural surround-ings and good weather. You are sure to return home recharged, well-tanned and with a few strokes taken off your game!
Steve Frewin is the Managing Director of A Golfing Experience, a company with more than 25 years experience organising bespoke golf holidays and escapes throughout Europe for individuals, societies and groups. If you're looking to explore the possibilities in the Algarve, golf holidays to this beautiful region are just one of our specialties. We also operate in all the other major European golf destinations and, if you'd like to consider options further afield, we can arrange holidays to the world's greatest golf courses in The Caribbean, Mauritius, Bermuda and USA.
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