The 4 Best Destinations for a Golfing Holiday in 2024
There are more than 38,000 golf courses all over the world. This may make choosing the best golf resort difficult, but we’re here to help. Here are our 4 favourite countries for a golfing holiday in 2024 and our favourite courses and clubs there.
Portugal
The Dom Pedro Golf Club and Resort in Vilamoura is a popular choice for Brits looking to take a golfing holiday. You can stay in a 4-star hotel which is just a 10-minute drive from Dom Pedro’s 5 courses. Though the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course is undergoing reconstruction, and is scheduled to reopen in 2025. Another option in the south of Portugal is the Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, an award-winning resort in Vila Nova de Cacela. The club has several restaurants and bars, a golf academy, a putting green, and a Jack Nicklaus signature course, with a second one that is being constructed. In terms of accommodation, you have the options of staying in a hotel suite, a clubhouse apartment, or a villa.
The Royal Óbidos Spa and Golf Resort’s course was designed by Seve Ballesteros. The resort has a pro golf shop, a spa, 2 restaurants, and 3 bars, and it’s a short walk from several scenic beaches. Accommodation options range from a stay in their 5-star hotel, an apartment, or a villa. The Praia D'El Rey Golf and Beach Resort is practically next door. It’s challenging course was designed by Cabell B.Robinson. The resort has several restaurants and bars, a health club, a spa, a tennis centre, and a kids club. Travellers can stay in the resort’s 5-star Marriott Hotel and enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Turkey
Belek is a town in Turkey that is renowned for its golf courses. The ones we’ve feature here are all a stone’s throw from each other, but they each have their own charm. The Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club has hosted several championships and is a favourite of many pro golfers. It has won numerous Golfers’ Choice Awards, and with the club’s incredible course and all the services it offers, it comes as no surprise. The club has a driving range and its 18-hole course, designed by Colin Montgomerie, has floodlights, allowing for an evening round of golf. There’s a clubhouse near the 18th hole and there are suites and villas for holidaymakers to stay in. The resort has 7 restaurants, one of which is Gastro, headed by Michelin-starred chef, Alfredo Russo. It also has bars, cafes, a chocolatier, and an ice cream parlour. This high-end resort even has childcare facilities and family activities.
The Gloria Golf Resort has three courses; the New Course, the Old Course, and Verde Course. It also has a TrackMan driving range and a golf academy. This golf resort is ideal for travellers who are looking for an all-inclusive golfing holiday. There are has 6 restaurants, 8 bars, and a patisserie in the resort. They host the Gogi Kids Club and the Teen Club, and have mini golf, basketball, football, bowling, a waterpark, cinema, and an arcade for your children to enjoy. The Cornelia Golf Club is home to the 27-hole Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, which is broken down into different combinations; The King Course, The Queen Course, and The Prince Course. The club offers lessons for experienced golfers and beginners at The Leadbetter Golf Academy. Vacationers can choose to stay at the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa or at the Cornelia De Luxe Resort, both of which provide shuttle services to and from the golf course. Alternatively, if you’d like more privacy, you can stay in one of Cornelia’s Azure Villas, where you’ll have access to the Azure Restaurant, a pool, a tennis course, a cycling track, in-villa spa treatments, and private yoga classes.
Spain
One of Spain’s most popular golf clubs is La Cala Golf Club in Málaga. This resort on the Costa del Sol has a hotel, a spa, 5 restaurants, and 3 golf courses; Campa America, Campa Europa, and Campa Asia. Just an hour’s drive away is Aloha Golf in Marbella. It is located in an area known as “The Golf Valley” and it has Hosted the PGA European Tour 3 times. The club has a 9-hole course and their 18-hole course had a revamp in 2023 with new bent grass. Aloha Golf has a social club, with a restaurant, pool, wellness club, and spa, and there are plenty of nearby hotels.
Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and has hosted several other golfing championships since. The green fees may be high, but Valderrama is often rated as the top golf course in Europe. Also in Sotogrande, not far from Real Club Valderrama, is the La Reserva Golf Club. This club not only offers golf, but other fun activities such as tennis, padel, and eBiking. Travellers who enjoy visiting these clubs often prefer to stay at the Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort Hotel.
Florida
Florida has the most golf courses in the United States, so it’s no wonder that it’s a popular place for golf tourism. Choosing which courses to visit is tough, but that’s why so many people return. One of the best golf resorts is the PGA National Resort in Palm Springs. It’s home the PGA Tour and boasts a whopping 6 courses; the Champion Course, the Palmer Course, the Fazio Course, the Estate Course, the Match Course, and the Staple Course. Three of these courses were designed by Tom and George Fazio. Golf enthusiasts can improve their swing at the PGA National Resort Golf Academy and even have a friendly tournament with friends arranged by their own tournament coordinator. Travellers have the options of staying in a suite or a guest room at the luxury hotel or renting a cottage or a vacation home.
Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge is a great spot for a golfing vacation. In order to have access to the courses, you must be a member of the club or a guest at the lodge or one of the cottages. There are strict dress codes for different areas of the club, so make sure you read up on appropriate attire for the clubhouse, dining area, and golf course. There are 27 holes with three nines over 270 acres, and you will be able to spend an afternoon fishing at the Bay Hill Marina or go to the spa and fitness centre. Innisbrook Golf Resort is a 4-star golf resort in Palm Harbor with 4 challenging golf courses; the Copperhead Course, the Island Course, the North Course, and the South Course. If you choose this pet-friendly resort, you can participate in a few rounds of golf while your child is enrolled in a clinic at the Innisbrook Golf Institute. The resort has several eateries, bike rental services, tennis and pickleball courts, pools, a spa, and fitness classes at the fitness centre.
A golfing holiday is one of the best ways to take a break from everyday life. Just remember to get golf cover when purchasing your travel insurance so you’re covered for the costs of the loss, theft, and damage to your equipment and for the costs of hiring replacement golf equipment. Your pre-booked and non-refundable green fees will be covered and you’ll even get cover for a round of drinks when you hit a hole in one.
