Golf holiday in Portugal or Spain

Stevie555 · 07-05-2014 6:51pm #1

Lads, looking for some advice on a golf holiday. Myself and a few buddies are looking at booking our first Golf holiday for sometime in late September for 4 nights. We are very open to something in the Algarve or Spain. Any ideas on where would be best to go, who to book through etc would be great.

Anyone every been on a trip around Alicante, one of the lads has access to two apartments there that we could use if the golf was any good. From talking to a few people Portugal seems to be the best spot.

Very open to all suggestions, plan is to get it sorted this year so it becomes an annual event before the better halves put a stop to it for some lads!!!

millerj · 07-05-2014 7:36pm

A group of four of us went to Vilamoura for the US Masters weekend and played three rounds on the Thursday, Friday and Sunday. It was my first trip but the other three had travelled last year also (same time), out Wednesday afternoon and back Monday morning. Both times the trip was organised by teetimes.pt and more specifically marta@teetimes.pt I must admit the organisation was fabulous including all transfers to and from courses and airport, hotel etc. I would recommend sending her an email to see what she can put together. The chap that organised our end said she was a dream to deal with. All you need to organise is flights. We played Milenium, Victoria and Old Course. The last two were fabulous and the Milenium eased us into it. Hope this helps to some degree.

ForeRight · 07-05-2014 8:00pm

Miller did you rent clubs over there?

How did you find that if you did?

millerj · 07-05-2014 8:47pm

ForeRight wrote: »

Miller did you rent clubs over there?

How did you find that if you did?

Yes we rented the clubs. €60, picked up at the airport. I rented the same TM irons as I have here. Had the RBZ driver, three wood and 5 wood although I have a Titleist 910 driver here, Burner 3 wood and Cobra rescue. Drove the ball well there so no complaints to be honest. In fact I would probably go so far as to say it was nice for a change to try out something different. Decent driving ranges at all courses so got there early each day to hit some balls beforehand. All clubs were in excellent condition so no complaints.

Senna · 08-05-2014 12:42am

What would be the average green fee over in Spain, I'm thinking of somewhere around Malaga in early September but nothing sorted yet.

shamco · 08-05-2014 8:54am

Golf around Malaga is expensive enough. We played Santa Clara for €75 (Don't bother) and Santana for €85 (which is excellent) with carts in April

searay · 08-05-2014 9:39am

Stevie555 wrote: »

Lads, looking for some advice on a golf holiday. Myself and a few buddies are looking at booking our first Golf holiday for sometime in late September for 4 nights. We are very open to something in the Algarve or Spain. Any ideas on where would be best to go, who to book through etc would be great.

Anyone every been on a trip around Alicante, one of the lads has access to two apartments there that we could use if the golf was any good. From talking to a few people Portugal seems to be the best spot.

Very open to all suggestions, plan is to get it sorted this year so it becomes an annual event before the better halves put a stop to it for some lads!!!

We've been to the Alicante/Murcia region 3 times and are heading back in a few weeks. We picked the region because one of the guys had access to an apartment like you which is a good saving.

It's very accessible. You can fly in and out of Murcia with Ryanair and Alicante with Aer Lingus. The airports are only an hour's drive apart so it's easy do a short trip.

We've always gone in May and found the nightlife a bit quiet but the golf is good and there is plenty of choice. My favourite courses there are:

Los Colinas
El valle
Lo Romero
Hacienda Riqueleme
La Finca

We're averaging around €65 per round including buggy. Los Colinas is dearer. It's best to book beforehand through an agency like clubmurcia.com justteetimes.com or greenfeesdirect.com

razorblunt · 08-05-2014 1:14pm

+1 for Vilamoura, the facilities are excellent and it includes the two courses at Amondoeira also.
The clubstohire at the airport are excellent too. If you fancy somewhere different than staying in Vilamoura for all your rounds you can head west to Parque de Floresta (about 40 mins away), my favourite course over there.

Stevie555 · 13-05-2014 11:06am

Thanks for all the advice lads, really appreciate it.
I have got a quote from one company on Vilamoura in Portugal and the courses they included are Pinhal , Laguna and Millennium.
Would these be any good to play, any other recommendations people might have on courses in the are that they rate would be great.

Thanks again

millerj · 13-05-2014 11:52am

Stevie555 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice lads, really appreciate it.
I have got a quote from one company on Vilamoura in Portugal and the courses they included are Pinhal , Laguna and Millennium.
Would these be any good to play, any other recommendations people might have on courses in the are that they rate would be great.

Thanks again

Think you will really enjoy Vilamoura in general. I only played Milenium of your three suggested and found it to be enjoyable but the lesser of the three we played. I would strongly recommend the Old Course and Victoria though if you can get these included

idle · 13-05-2014 11:57am

Laguna is a poor enough course by Vilamoura standards. I haven't played the Millennium but I believe it is on a par with it.

Although not cheap, I would say the Old Course is a must, and would highly recommend Victoria (Portugal Masters venue)

Also I don't think the O'Connor course is worth the fee. Not sure about the Faldo next door but they looked similar.

Vilamoura is a great destination though and I cant wait to go back

shamco · 13-05-2014 12:02pm

Laguna Pinhal and Millenium are very average. We played Victoria for about €75 with a cart. You can get early bird and twilight deals at some of the local golf agencies for a reasonable price. Amondeira O'Connor course well worth a visit also.

DaveyLad · 13-05-2014 1:05pm

shamco wrote: »

Laguna Pinhal and Millenium are very average. We played Victoria for about €75 with a cart. You can get early bird and twilight deals at some of the local golf agencies for a reasonable price. Amondeira O'Connor course well worth a visit also.

Hey Shamco, how average or bad are the Laguna, Pinhal & Millenium courses? Theres 5 of us going over for 5 night in October and were booked in the play those 3 courses, not really concerned if its just a value for money thing or if the other courses are better, hoping the 3 arent complete kips though, are they badly maintained or just bad courses?

shamco · 13-05-2014 1:09pm

No not badly maintained but just ordinary run of the milll courses that you would get anywhere. I thought Millennium was the best of them. They tend to be very busy also but if you are just looking for a bit of fun on holidays they are fine.

Russman · 13-05-2014 2:02pm

DaveyLad wrote: »

Hey Shamco, how average or bad are the Laguna, Pinhal & Millenium courses? Theres 5 of us going over for 5 night in October and were booked in the play those 3 courses, not really concerned if its just a value for money thing or if the other courses are better, hoping the 3 arent complete kips though, are they badly maintained or just bad courses?

I haven't played Pinhal, but Laguna and Millenium are grand (I could be mixing them up, but they're the two that share a clubhouse, right ?). OK they're not world beating but they're fine.
IMHO the overrated one is Victoria, there's nothing interesting about it at all.

You'll enjoy Vilamoura though. Try getting out on Quinta do Lago, about 45 mins away, now that's a proper golf course !

thewobbler · 13-05-2014 2:05pm

A learning from playing Vilamoura.

Prices for Laguna, Millennium and Pinhal tend not to include buggies, and you'll be looking at least €40 for a cart.

Prices for Old, Victoria, Faldo and O'Connor prices will normally include buggies.

If you're definitely taking buggies, the difference in price between the A tracks and the B tracks doesn't work out as much as you'd think.

And you'll enjoy the A tracks a lot more. Millennium wouldn't make the top 200 in Ireland. It's a grand day out, but nothing memorable.

Russman · 13-05-2014 2:07pm

thewobbler wrote: »

Millennium wouldn't make the top 200 in Ireland.

True, and also true of most courses down there. Its the weather that gives them the edge, along with "being away" !

thewobbler · 13-05-2014 2:12pm

Russman wrote: »

True, and also true of most courses down there. Its the weather that gives them the edge, along with "being away" !

This is it in a nutshell. I'd happily spend the rest of life in the Algarve due to the weather and number of courses. But even if you took a course as feted as the Old Course, and plonked it in any county in Ireland, it probably wouldn't make the top 5 for that county, and would struggle for top 10 in more than a few.

DaveyLad · 13-05-2014 3:00pm

Russman wrote: »

I haven't played Pinhal, but Laguna and Millenium are grand (I could be mixing them up, but they're the two that share a clubhouse, right ?). OK they're not world beating but they're fine.
IMHO the overrated one is Victoria, there's nothing interesting about it at all.

You'll enjoy Vilamoura though. Try getting out on Quinta do Lago, about 45 mins away, now that's a proper golf course !

Thanks for that Russman, Im looking forward to either way, its golf in the sun with plently of drink to be had, just fine courses is grand for us, its more about the few days away from work and the wives

rrpc · 13-05-2014 5:05pm

If you're thinking of hiring clubs, clubstohire.com is very good. Used them last summer and not only was it very cheap, but they have everything you might need, all the latest clubs (useful if you're thinking of changing) and are extremely helpful and friendly.

Depending on the clubs, they start at about €35 a week. Top line stuff comes in closer to €60.

Benny Cake · 13-05-2014 5:09pm

Having played allot of golf in Portugal, Laguna, pinhah and millennium are all very ordinary courses. Victoria and the old course are streets ahead...

RGS · 13-05-2014 7:10pm

Have you tried the eastern algarve, a number of courses including Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria, Quinta da Cima, Benamor, Quinta do Vale, Benamor, Castro Marim.

A group of us have just returned from a few days golf in the region. Played Benamor which is a gentle starter. Quinta do Vale is well worth a vist, last course seve designed contains 6 par 3, 6 par 4 and 6 par 5 to reflect his 6 major wins.

Stayed in Cabanas close to Tavira which is a lovely village and where the food and drink is roughly 20-25% cheaper than Vilamoura.

Our contact a irish man was superb, airport pickup, golf course drops all included.

+1 for clubsforhire.com clubs ready at the airport when we arrived, bags name tagged and ready to go.

If you want the contact details just PM me and i will respond.

grip n rip · 13-05-2014 8:30pm

The golf in vilamoura is great in fairness especially the old course and victoria . But its more the whole experience i think . Its a great spot , no hassle , lots of bars & restaurants , a casino .

Going golfing with your buddies by day and relaxing at night over a few pints is brilliant , we go when the masters is on so we can watch it in the pub at night .

Also having used clubs to hire a few times i must say i couldn't fault them . 5 minutes after you land you are out the door with the clubs n bag which are always in great nick .

Going back next year again for sure & with the same friends i already know it will be great

the greatest game · 14-05-2014 9:54pm

Just back from Amendoira Golf Resort , I was there for 3 days, fitted in 6 rounds ! ,
I have played all the oceanico courses, and the Faldo IMO is the best of them, we played this four times on our stay, and the O'Connor once which are both on the resort, the faldo is just something else, tough as hell, but fantastic.

We gave the Victoria ago, I can honestly say , I did not rate it at all, the first 9 holes are bland and wide open, not the tidiest of courses.

The amendiora offer of unlimited golf is great value, breakfast every morning, welcome dinner, as you much golf as you can eat..and fantastic apartments, could not rate it high enough.

Stevie555 · 14-05-2014 10:35pm

Sounds like a good deal, who did ye book that with, Oceanico direct??

the greatest game wrote: »

Just back from Amendoira Golf Resort , I was there for 3 days, fitted in 6 rounds ! ,
I have played all the oceanico courses, and the Faldo IMO is the best of them, we played this four times on our stay, and the O'Connor once which are both on the resort, the faldo is just something else, tough as hell, but fantastic.

We gave the Victoria ago, I can honestly say , I did not rate it at all, the first 9 holes are bland and wide open, not the tidiest of courses.

The amendiora offer of unlimited golf is great value, breakfast every morning, welcome dinner, as you much golf as you can eat..and fantastic apartments, could not rate it high enough.

the greatest game · 14-05-2014 11:06pm

Stevie555 wrote: »

Sounds like a good deal, who did ye book that with, Oceanico direct??

Yep, you will get through to a lovely lady named " Ana"

I think for a group of 4 you can get unlimited for 290, apartment, free welcome dinner, breackfast,free golf buggies, unlimited golf on faldo - o'connor, upgrade to old course -victoria for 35 ( go for old course)

Next october there is a 230 offer for all the above..

PS ... By right we should all be allowed play there for free , as we own it, NAMA have taken control of it, it must have cost well over the billion mark to develop it.. i'd save they have made enough to pay back the front car park !

Get there before while its discounted.

razorblunt · 15-05-2014 12:32pm

the greatest game wrote: »

Yep, you will get through to a lovely lady named " Ana"

I think for a group of 4 you can get unlimited for 290, apartment, free welcome dinner, breackfast,free golf buggies, unlimited golf on faldo - o'connor, upgrade to old course -victoria for 35 ( go for old course) [EDIT - looks like last years prices I quoted.]

Next october there is a 230 offer for all the above..

PS ... By right we should all be allowed play there for free , as we own it, NAMA have taken control of it, it must have cost well over the billion mark to develop it.. i'd save they have made enough to pay back the front car park !

Get there before while its discounted.

Not far off, 280 for the month of October, 230 November through to February.
Looking into it myself now.

Only problem would be, I'm guessing if you're sat out at Amondeiro the "night life" would be non existant compared to Vilamoura, right?

I've been to the restaurant there before and been very impressed with the courses so really keen on this.

the greatest game · 16-05-2014 12:31am

razorblunt wrote: »

Not far off, 280 for the month of October, 230 November through to February.
Looking into it myself now.

Only problem would be, I'm guessing if you're sat out at Amondeiro the "night life" would be non existant compared to Vilamoura, right?

I've been to the restaurant there before and been very impressed with the courses so really keen on this.

Aiy,

The Night life would be fairly dim, you would not want to bringing female company :-)

The Clubhouse at night is quite, the food is top notch in the restaurant.. really good, you get a free 3 course welcome dinner,

There are towns nearby that you can head out too, but after 36 holes aday, I was only fit for a quite reflective pint or two and then bed,

razorblunt · 16-05-2014 10:26am

the greatest game wrote: »

Aiy,

The Night life would be fairly dim, you would not want to bringing female company :-)

The Clubhouse at night is quite, the food is top notch in the restaurant.. really good, you get a free 3 course welcome dinner,

There are towns nearby that you can head out too, but after 36 holes aday, I was only fit for a quite reflective pint or two and then bed,

Agreed, have an apartment in Luz and normally stay therer, its not a bustling metropolis either, usually after a bit of grub and a pint or two its back to the leaba. Nothing worse than a hangover in even mild heat, cart or no!

martinsvi · 25-05-2014 3:44pm

how busy are courses in Portugal? I'm considering going for a holiday with my GF, I was thinking of maybe wondering of for a round or two, but would I be stuck between slow-paced 4-balls?

Benny Cake · 25-05-2014 3:54pm

martinsvi wrote: »

how busy are courses in Portugal? I'm considering going for a holiday with my GF, I was thinking of maybe wondering of for a round or two, but would I be stuck between slow-paced 4-balls?

Depends when you go. Course are very quite in early June when I normally go with the missus. As I don't want to be leaving herself on her lonesome all,day I tee off as early as possible, and am normally on the course by 745. That way I'm either on my own or paired up with a like minded individual who wants to play at a decent pace.

Golf holiday in Portugal or Spain

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