Best Golf resorts in Portugal, France or Spain

Moscow Flyer

please let me have your thoughts on the above

carnsoreboxer

Villamoura

madds

carnsoreboxer wrote: »

Villamoura

Not since the Oceanica group bought out the majority of courses in Vilamoura and set the green fees at a similar rate thereby removing competition they're not. Well maybe it is still the best region for golf but it's not as appealing as it once was.

killbillvol2

madds wrote: »

Not since the Oceanica group bought out the majority of courses in Vilamoura and set the green fees at a similar rate thereby removing competition they're not. Well maybe it is still the best region for golf but it's not as appealing as it once was.

+1

Oceanico have seriously messed up Vilamoura by overcharging. It's a pity because it's easy to organise a golf trip there and there are some good courses.

You'll get much better value in most parts of Spain as there's more competition and the Spaniards have realised that they needed to adjust given the current economic circumstances. Haven't played in France so can't comment.

RGS

In Portugal go west and stay in Luz, numerous courses available--Penina, Morgado, Alamos, Boavista, Palmeres and a few others.

Oceanico do accommodation and course deals, you get an apartment for 5 nights and 4 rounds of golf.

carnsoreboxer

I have to say that I have always found good deals in Villamoura but apart from anything else I think it's a great place to travel with a group. Car hire is not a necessity as the hotels provide minibus transfers to and back from your golf. Having had many trips with a group of mad girls I would never hesitate in going back to Villamoura. There are a variety of restaurants/bars on the marina and we have certainly never been bored nor felt isolated which we have done in other places. Another suggestion would be to organise your own trip and stay in Quinta, owners are renting out at very reasonable rates now.

lotie

It really boils down to what you're after.

If you're not that experienced travelling for golf and want to ensure you keep a group happy then Vilamoura is the best option.

It is just the number and variety of courses within a 30 minute spin (so you can try out Quinta do Lago courses as well - well worth doing!).

I don't agree with the comments above on Oceanico. I have been golfing in Vilamoura for nearly ten years and Oceanico have improved the presentation of these courses (Laguna for example) and their new Faldo and O'Connor courses are outstanding additions to the central Algarve golfing area.

Vilamoura is more expensive for golf than other Iberian resorts but this is because it is the best and for those of us who only get to escape Ireland for a week every year it's just not worth compromising!

gerrymadden1

I've been to Vilamoura on a number of occasions over the years & while it offers golfers tremendous convenience & decent golf courses, it has become extremely expensive.

Went to the bar at the Old Course in 2008, ordered 4 bottles of Magners & was asked for €28. Very over the top in my opinion.

Most courses also tack €40 on to the green fee for buggy hire and while the courses are not bad, they wouldn't compare to the better Irish courses. The simply have that added extra ingredient - sunshine!!!

For as long as we are prepared to pay these over the top rates, they will continue to charge them. Last time I was so annoyed that I wrote to the local tourist board. 18 months later, no reply!

Go to Spain or France.

killbillvol2

gerrymadden1 wrote: »

I've been to Vilamoura on a number of occasions over the years & while it offers golfers tremendous convenience & decent golf courses, it has become extremely expensive.

Went to the bar at the Old Course in 2008, ordered 4 bottles of Magners & was asked for €28. Very over the top in my opinion.

Most courses also tack €40 on to the green fee for buggy hire and while the courses are not bad, they wouldn't compare to the better Irish courses. The simply have that added extra ingredient - sunshine!!!

For as long as we are prepared to pay these over the top rates, they will continue to charge them. Last time I was so annoyed that I wrote to the local tourist board. 18 months later, no reply!

Go to Spain or France.

That was the point madds and I were making. The price of green fees, bar food and drink went up when Oceanico took over. On some courses bar prices went up 50% from 2007 to 2008.

Nobody is disputing that Villamoura offers unrivalled convenience but if I can save up to €400 for a week's golf by moving 100 miles down the coast to Spain then it's a no brainer.

lotie

Point about Oceanico taken and well made!

Given that Oceanico are Irish owned (part of anyway) we should try and get some answers on the pricing structures they have.

I guess that it's a supply and demand issue (and there is a reason why Vilamoura is in high demand!).

I played Millenium for €35 (with a buggy thrown in) last July so they are prepared to lower their costs when needed but obvioulsy nobody goes on a golf holiday in July so even at this price I had the place to myself.

killbillvol2

lotie wrote: »

Point about Oceanico taken and well made!

Given that Oceanico are Irish owned (part of anyway) we should try and get some answers on the pricing structures they have.

I guess that it's a supply and demand issue (and there is a reason why Vilamoura is in high demand!).

I played Millenium for €35 (with a buggy thrown in) last July so they are prepared to lower their costs when needed but obvioulsy nobody goes on a golf holiday in July so even at this price I had the place to myself.

July and August are actually the cheapest months because of the heat. It's something I can't figure out...people are prepared to scorch themselves for hours on a beach like sardines on a grill but it's too hot to go around a golf course?

adamfit4

Having gone to villamoura every easter for the last ten years i agree with all of you.it is gone too expensive.due to economic circumstances we decided to go to murcia in spain this year and we got 5 nights 5 games golf all with buggies and breakfast included.flights and carriage of clubs all for about €565.we are staying in la manga(5 star resort) for 4 nights 3 golf and moving up to los alcazares.A no brainer but i will villamoura as the courses are fantastic

Swingguru

What about checking out some of the courses in NE Spain in Catalonia? No really big golf resorts as such, but you have PGA Catalonia which is one of the best courses in Europe, you also have 2 top class courses at Emporda and many others in the area. Loads of flight choices into Barcelona and spoilt for choice on the coast. The area is also cheap to eat and drink in and the people are still genuinely delighted to welcome you.

Russman

Agree that Vilamoura has gone too expensive in the last few years. I found that we were treated quite poorly also - on one of the Oceanico courses we arrived to be told that our tee time had been moved forward by 1 hour ! We asked why were we not told in advance, they said "we called the hotel" !! After much arguing (and we had a group of 42 players) we were let out but had to start on the 10th - no big deal in terms of golf, but certainly left a very sour taste and we won't be returning. Pity because the courses are pretty good.

It seems that the way prices have gone of late, for a little more you can now get a great golf holiday in somewhere like Myrtle Beach in the States where you're treated brilliantly. If you can handle the long journey.....

Those are my thoughts anyway

Carpenter

Quinta do Lago IMO the best by far

DoctaDee

Dunno if this helps, but when I organised our trip to villamoura, there was a special package deal .. the "Diamante Oceanico" I think it was called, you could tailor your golf to suit yer pocket. handy thing with oceanico and hotels is the free shuttle bus to all the courses

nige

I have been away on alot of golf trips to Spain , the canaries islands and Portugal on golf trips with golfholidays.ie they specialise in Portugal but do spain as well.The thing that caught my eye is they do Padraig Harringtons travel and also the golfing union of Ireland

I found Vilamoura very good with a good few courses within 5/10 mins and there is no need for a car,Albuferia (think thats the spelling) was also vey good but not as close to the golf courses.Alvor is a nice area also
Also I thought the quality of the courses in Portugal better than Spain

killbillvol2

Russman wrote: »

Agree that Vilamoura has gone too expensive in the last few years. I found that we were treated quite poorly also - on one of the Oceanico courses we arrived to be told that our tee time had been moved forward by 1 hour ! We asked why were we not told in advance, they said "we called the hotel" !! After much arguing (and we had a group of 42 players) we were let out but had to start on the 10th - no big deal in terms of golf, but certainly left a very sour taste and we won't be returning. Pity because the courses are pretty good.

It seems that the way prices have gone of late, for a little more you can now get a great golf holiday in somewhere like Myrtle Beach in the States where you're treated brilliantly. If you can handle the long journey.....

Those are my thoughts anyway

I'd agree about Myrtle Beach. Superb courses and real quality service.

The issue of the distance involved doesn't bother me but most of the lads I travel with find it too much of a strain.

Sandwlch

First time in Vilamoura for a family holiday for a couple of weeks in June. Hope to play 2 or 3 games. Any recommendations from you regulars there on the best courses to play? Not interested in paying the earth, but a couple of good courses that are interesting and value.

western red

Hope to book a golf trip in october in portugal, any advice please, accomodation ? courses?

gripcasey

I think it all depends on what you want from your holiday. After ten years of organising golfing holidays to spain and portugal for our group of 20 golfers and listening to complaints I think Spain wins hands down, Costa del sol always seems to have what most wanted. Good golf, lively bars and restraunts and better beeches. I always organise trip myself and seem to get better value . Fights aer lingus, Car hire www.doyouspain.com Hotel sunset beech or Flatotel Belamedena. loads of courses in area. Thats my tupence worth anway. Would love to do Mrytle beech alright!

heavyballs

gripcasey wrote: »

I think it all depends on what you want from your holiday. After ten years of organising golfing holidays to spain and portugal for our group of 20 golfers and listening to complaints I think Spain wins hands down, Costa del sol always seems to have what most wanted. Good golf, lively bars and restraunts and better beeches. I always organise trip myself and seem to get better value . Fights aer lingus, Car hire www.doyouspain.com Hotel sunset beech or Flatotel Belamedena. loads of courses in area. Thats my tupence worth anway. Would love to do Mrytle beech alright!

woould agree with the above if you take Belamedena out,thought it was a kip and no comparison to the likes of Albufeira,find the people in Portugal a lot nicer also

bridestream

Fly direct Dublin to Orlando with Lingus 3 days weekly.
Golf in Remington, Kissimmee (southern suburb of Orlando) including Breakfast, Hot Dogs after 9 holes and lunch after 18 plus soft drinks and Cart (Buggy) approx 100 USD for two people. (Total price 100 for two - not each!).
And eating out there is so much cheaper too.
Have been doing it for 6 years and love it.
I've also been doing Spain - Costa del Sol - for 25 years and still enjoy it but so much more expensive compared to Central Florida.
Oh, I nearly forgot, the service in the USA is so much better!