Golf Break in Spain/Portugal

H8GHOTI

Going to Benalmadena last week in October. Recommendations & advice welcome.
Going to rent a car & rent clubs from the place in the airport.
Just looking at what courses to play now. Might play 4 or 5 rounds.

I only took up golf about 4 months ago, so not looking for anything too challenging. I'm on Just Tee Times website now having a look & it seems many of the courses are €60+ per round. Torrequebrada is the nearest course to where I'm staying. That's €94. I wouldn't be against paying that as a once off but wondering would a lot of the top end courses be wasted on a beginner?

Also, to make a booking on Just Tee Times I need to confirm my handicap is 28 or less. I do not have one. Has anyone every been asked for proof? Was looking at other threads & seen someone say it's unlikely.

FixdePitchmark

H8GHOTI wrote: »

Going to Benalmadena last week in October. Recommendations & advice welcome.
Going to rent a car & rent clubs from the place in the airport.
Just looking at what courses to play now. Might play 4 or 5 rounds.

I only took up golf about 4 months ago, so not looking for anything too challenging. I'm on Just Tee Times website now having a look & it seems many of the courses are €60+ per round. Torrequebrada is the nearest course to where I'm staying. That's €94. I wouldn't be against paying that as a once off but wondering would a lot of the top end courses be wasted on a beginner?

Also, to make a booking on Just Tee Times I need to confirm my handicap is 28 or less. I do not have one. Has anyone every been asked for proof? Was looking at other threads & seen someone say it's unlikely.

I was just in Portugal and there was no need for proof and we were at upmarket courses - I hear spain is more casual ?

I'd say you will be fine.

Can't help you on courses ?

FixdePitchmark

Guys thanks for all the tips on Portugal was a great help over the last year.

We played Quinta da Ria and Old Course and spent our nights in Vilamoura.

The price of the golf is crazy there - but the standard is good enough - In Quinta da Ria a little off the edges was a bit rough , greens very good and bunkers only ok. The greens hold up well but, towards the end of the day you are facing considerable foot marks as there are an incredible amount of golfers on the course every day. I was 5 over drunk.

The courses in Portugal (Well the ones I've played) are not too hard - you tend to have little or no rough , forward tees and a good roll and carry.

Golf in Portugal - seems very upmarket in general - or it is the way they like to present it. There was little or no issue around type of golfers and to be honest 90 % are there on holidays and there is no real rush unless something going seriously wrong.

The first course (Quinta) was an ok test of your game as had a great variety of holes and shapes - a bit of water and a nice view. Very pleasant place. But finishes off a bit weak.
It is a good transfer out and - we loved our day there. Not sure it would be worth the transfer again.

The Old Course - was our 2nd round. Just from the first hole it is stunning - you know you are at a real course. Found staff sound, a nice warm up drink and then off - in the strange game of holiday golf (Is it real golf at all ?) - a few drinks - drive up find ball - bang - drive - wrong club bang - a drink - a putt - a laugh. A great day out and fun, but a break from golf in wind and real (Irish) conditions and testing holes and rough.

I know the Old course is considered tough - but the set up over there means you have a shot basically all over the course - the trees look great but if you can punch a ball or keep it low - you still have a chance to hit green or make par. I know they have us forward so would like to have played it from real tees. Was 3 over, not doing anything out of this world and a bit drunk

Vilamoura - is perfect for a group of lads, it is all there from - relaxed meals, to banging acoustic, to sport bars, to disco bars, to a Casino to Gin and Tonic.

It is the perfect one stop shop - yet sedate if you want.

You can see why golfers go there , year in year out. It is a great holiday - but the sun and buggy and beer , should not blind you to the golf being a bit , a bit - fake. It is perfect for groups of mixed ability , tourist golf and retired golf.

I'm sure there is harder golfer there - but would be hard work for groups and even I'm not looking for that on a holiday.

A great great time.
Is the place a bit up market and fake - yes
Is the golf over priced - yes
Is the golf great golf - No, it is fun in the sun
Would you go again - As a group , yes - with lads seriously into golf, No.

Anyway - thanks again.

thewobbler

I’d mostly agree with you Fixd.

But there’s always a trade off somewhere.

Scotland is probably the best golf destination in the world, but equates to either weather worries + expense or weather worries + isolation.

England’s weather is better but you need deep pockets to play any half famous track over the summer months.

France isn’t made for golf. It’s all spread out.

Spain is like Portugal except more expensive and spread out.

America obviously has everything, but it’s a bit more than a weekend required there.


Ireland is genuinely top class, apart from the lack of a roof... though green fees are noticeably moving up over the past year.

——

In the next couple of years I’m aiming to do trips to Holland and Germany.

But as you point out, my society of 20 ****tional alcholics will prefer Portugal. They just will!

FixdePitchmark

thewobbler wrote: »

I’d mostly agree with you Fixd.

But there’s always a trade off somewhere.

Scotland is probably the best golf destination in the world, but equates to either weather worries + expense or weather worries + isolation.

England’s weather is better but you need deep pockets to play any half famous track over the summer months.

France isn’t made for golf. It’s all spread out.

Spain is like Portugal except more expensive and spread out.

America obviously has everything, but it’s a bit more than a weekend required there.


Ireland is genuinely top class, apart from the lack of a roof... though green fees are noticeably moving up over the past year.

——

In the next couple of years I’m aiming to do trips to Holland and Germany.

But as you point out, my society of 20 ****tional alcholics will prefer Portugal. They just will!

:D

Would agree - Ireland golf trips are unreal - but a trip away will get the lads in great form and craic at another level.

One thing - I was told by a good few pub golfers that the likes of benalmadena is a good standard of golf and way cheaper than Portugal ?

Not sure I could face Benalmadena myself at this stage in life. I mean I can go to Sillogue to be in Ballymun. :P

I just like the relaxed feel in Portugal.

dan_ep82

I usually stay around Sotogrande ( just south of Marbella) and can't say the golf is spread out at all in Spain.

Valderamma,La Reserva and the Almenara all within 15 minutes of each other. 30 minutes brings another 6+ courses into range.

Some expensive and some cheap golf and some Ok courses mixed in with great courses.

FixdePitchmark

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I usually stay around Sotogrande ( just south of Marbella) and can't say the golf is spread out at all in Spain.

Valderamma,La Reserva and the Almenara all within 15 minutes of each other. 30 minutes brings another 6+ courses into range.

Some expensive and some cheap golf and some Ok courses mixed in with great courses.

Do you go every year Dan - how much all in - well flights - golf - hotel ?

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Do you go every year Dan - how much all in - well flights - golf - hotel ?

Its becoming a yearly thing yeah.

I stay with relations so can't comment on the cost of hotels.

Flights for two are usually around €200.

The price varies but €50-80 is standard for a decent course (Geeko Tour plays on them) and up(San Roque New for €80 held the Spanish Open). Valderamma (Spanish Open) €350 is the highest I seen but it is meant to be one of the very top courses in Spain.

thewobbler

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I usually stay around Sotogrande ( just south of Marbella) and can't say the golf is spread out at all in Spain.

Valderamma,La Reserva and the Almenara all within 15 minutes of each other. 30 minutes brings another 6+ courses into range.

Some expensive and some cheap golf and some Ok courses mixed in with great courses.

What I meant by spread out (which admittedly was a touch opaque!) is that there’s 5-6 major towns along the Costa Del Sol, and none of them is golf focused like Vilamoura. So golf tourists are more spread out across the region. The upshot of this is that bars don’t have the same demographic of mid-forties male midlife crisis. The downside is that things like transfers aren’t quite as convenient.

There’s more choice and some excellent courses on the Costa Del Sol, but I prefer the compactness of a Vilamoura trip.

Btw Fixd, you won’t find those those artful, thoughtful courses you’re looking for their either. I’ve played around a dozen, all of which were perfectly pleasant. But none would hit the top 100 in Ireland (which, I’d argue, neither would Vilamoura Old).

That said I haven’t played Valderamma, Sotogrande or Finca.

boban z

A group of 8 of us go to either Portugal or Spain each year for 4 night.

Just booked Portugal again for Next May. Coming in at €498pp. Broken down as follows

Flight €120
Transfer from airport to Vialmoura €8 (sun transfers)
First night cheap and cheerful in Vilamoura €10 (arriving late, drop of bags and head for a few beers). Somewhere to lay the head for a few hours.
3 nights B&B with unlimited golf, Transfers to the resort and back to Airport, Welcome dinner £299 or (€340)
The resort is amendoeira which has the Faldo course and the O'Connor Course plus a 9 hole par 3 course.
Have played the Faldo before and it's a serious test. some people don't like it because it's hard but I think its class. Never played the O'Connor.

as the flight is late leaving Ireland we will play somewhere that morning near the airport €20

All in €498

kopkidda

boban z wrote: »

A group of 8 of us go to either Portugal or Spain each year for 4 night.

Just booked Portugal again for Next May. Coming in at €498pp. Broken down as follows

Flight €120
Transfer from airport to Vialmoura €8 (sun transfers)
First night cheap and cheerful in Vilamoura €10 (arriving late, drop of bags and head for a few beers). Somewhere to lay the head for a few hours.
3 nights B&B with unlimited golf, Transfers to the resort and back to Airport, Welcome dinner £299 or (€340)
The resort is amendoeira which has the Faldo course and the O'Connor Course plus a 9 hole par 3 course.
Have played the Faldo before and it's a serious test. some people don't like it because it's hard but I think its class. Never played the O'Connor.

as the flight is late leaving Ireland we will play somewhere that morning near the airport €20

All in €498

Savage package that. Whats the best site around to look at holiday rental villas for close to golf courses over here?

FixdePitchmark

thewobbler - I get what your saying - we will only miss the fantastic convenience of Vilamoura when we don't have it.

There is always going to be a need to see what is in Spain - but for a quick golf trip and golf atmosphere , be hard to beat Vilamoura.

Jawgap

Have just booked for Northumberland in March......it definitely won't be possible to confuse it with Portugal or Spain.....

searay

boban z wrote: »

A group of 8 of us go to either Portugal or Spain each year for 4 night.

Just booked Portugal again for Next May. Coming in at €498pp. Broken down as follows

Flight €120
Transfer from airport to Vialmoura €8 (sun transfers)
First night cheap and cheerful in Vilamoura €10 (arriving late, drop of bags and head for a few beers). Somewhere to lay the head for a few hours.
3 nights B&B with unlimited golf, Transfers to the resort and back to Airport, Welcome dinner £299 or (€340)
The resort is amendoeira which has the Faldo course and the O'Connor Course plus a 9 hole par 3 course.
Have played the Faldo before and it's a serious test. some people don't like it because it's hard but I think its class. Never played the O'Connor.

as the flight is late leaving Ireland we will play somewhere that morning near the airport €20

All in €498

Will you post here to let us know how you get on?

We've considered amendoeira in the past but I heard the courses can be very crowded which limits the 'unlimited' golf.

We ventured over to old town albufeira for a night out and we thought it was a lot livelier than vilamoura. You'll be closer to it than vilamoura.

Eaglebridie 32

12 of us heading for ALvor in February, 6 nights b&b, 5 golf. Pinta,Silves, Gramancho,Alto, VIlla Sol, Anyone played any of those courses?

€400 inc transfers to golf & airport. Flight €80, golf clubs extra, so all in < €550.
Can't wait, will break up the winter!

BigChap1759

Eaglebridie 32 wrote: »

12 of us heading for ALvor in February, 6 nights b&b, 5 golf. Pinta,Silves, Gramancho,Alto, VIlla Sol, Anyone played any of those courses?

€400 inc transfers to golf & airport. Flight €80, golf clubs extra, so all in < €550.
Can't wait, will break up the winter!

Sounds like great value

boban z

I have played all those courses. It's a very popular deal.

For me the best of those is Vila Sol and Gramancho but all are enjoyable.

If you eat at the courses you will no doubt get sick of the food. Same menu in each course.

Enjoy

Dbu

Eaglebridie 32 wrote: »

12 of us heading for ALvor in February, 6 nights b&b, 5 golf. Pinta,Silves, Gramancho,Alto, VIlla Sol, Anyone played any of those courses?

€400 inc transfers to golf & airport. Flight €80, golf clubs extra, so all in < €550.
Can't wait, will break up the winter!

Where are you staying?

Eaglebridie 32

Dbu wrote: »

Where are you staying?

Pestana Dom Joao

reax

All of those courses owned by Pestana hence the great deal. Alvor will be quiet enough in Feb but the Leinster House will be open on the bar street. Always good in there

Halfprice

searay wrote:

We've considered amendoeira in the past but I heard the courses can be very crowded which limits the 'unlimited' golf.

Played the 2 courses last year for first time and while it was a super holiday it was very slow going about, but didnt care as there wasnt a cloud in the sky for the few days we were there. This was in September, Ryder Cup weekend. Faldo is a better course alright

FixdePitchmark

Lads any more info on Benalmádena / Torremolinos

I haven't found much on here. I think I haven't found much , because nobody can spell them.

We are thinking of staying in a place called sunset beach - would be great if anyone could post who stayed there.

Anyway.

Lads love their night out. (group of about 12)
Golf needs to be good - but not top of the range.
They would rather play a place closer - got the head taken off me last time for a 40 minute transfer.

Also - what is general area like - layout.
Night outs
Food etc.

Thanks
Fix.

Went to Vilamoura last time - and to be honest, couldn't fault it for our group.
We still want to try Spain - If from what I'm told - it just sounds a bit more work.

Dormy

The only golf course of note within 30 mins of Sunset beach is Torrequebrada which is nearby. Excellent golf course.
Most of the golf is further down the coast towards Marbella or beyond. Havent stayed in Sunset beach but its not an area I would base myself if travelling is an issue

Putt it there

Booked Vilamoura again for April . 10th year in a row now i believe . Could look around n try somewhere else but nobody wants to if im honest . All prices in spain and portugal up about 15-20% though this year . The crowd we book with warned us last August . Hard to beat it and as we only play 3 rounds in our 5 night stays you can leave courses off for 3/4 years as theres such a choice. Might try Spain one day though.

kieran.

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lads any more info on Benalmádena / Torremolinos

I haven't found much on here. I think I haven't found much , because nobody can spell them.

We are thinking of staying in a place called sunset beach - would be great if anyone could post who stayed there.

Anyway.

Lads love their night out. (group of about 12)
Golf needs to be good - but not top of the range.
They would rather play a place closer - got the head taken off me last time for a 40 minute transfer.

Also - what is general area like - layout.
Night outs
Food etc.

Thanks
Fix.

Went to Vilamoura last time - and to be honest, couldn't fault it for our group.
We still want to try Spain - If from what I'm told - it just sounds a bit more work.

Stayed in Sunset Beach for a family holiday last year. Located right on the seafront beach across the road. Good rooms quite generous in size. Fully stocked shop in the basement. Maxi store , filling station shop and a large burger king across the road. Large bar on the main floor has music most nights, they have guiness on tap tap dont be tempted. Pool side restaurant is nice and reasonably priced. Helpful staff through the hotel.

Some nice food within 5 - 10mins walk Mexician & italian. No bars in the general area. Couple of mins in a taxi to the marina area we're most of the bars are.

Bottle

We are looking at booking a long weekend in May, there is a good deal staying in Salgados. I played there before and it is faily average but there are another couple of courses incl Morgado included in the pack. Anybody ever say in Salgados Palm Village and play Morgado and Alamos?

FixdePitchmark

Dormy wrote: »

The only golf course of note within 30 mins of Sunset beach is Torrequebrada which is nearby. Excellent golf course.
Most of the golf is further down the coast towards Marbella or beyond. Havent stayed in Sunset beach but its not an area I would base myself if travelling is an issue

Approx. how much is golf with a cart in Spain - I think October is High Season ?

Any other course / nearer Benalmádena

I think I'll play that Torrequebrada - looks nice

Benicetomonty

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lads any more info on Benalmádena / Torremolinos

I haven't found much on here. I think I haven't found much , because nobody can spell them.

We are thinking of staying in a place called sunset beach - would be great if anyone could post who stayed there.

Anyway.

Lads love their night out. (group of about 12)
Golf needs to be good - but not top of the range.
They would rather play a place closer - got the head taken off me last time for a 40 minute transfer.

Also - what is general area like - layout.
Night outs
Food etc.

Thanks
Fix.

Went to Vilamoura last time - and to be honest, couldn't fault it for our group.
We still want to try Spain - If from what I'm told - it just sounds a bit more work.

Id avoid la cala anyway. Quite hilly and incredibly punishing for a resort course. Played all 3 courses 3 years ago and wouldnt be in a rush to go back whatsoever.

Dont remember much about the nights out. So it does have that going for it.

thewobbler

Benicetomonty wrote: »

Id avoid la cala anyway. Quite hilly and incredibly punishing for a resort course. Played all 3 courses 3 years ago and wouldnt be in a rush to go back whatsoever.

Dont remember much about the nights out. So it does have that going for it.

Fixd, try to play Santana (Mijas Costa). Very pleasant course. Maybe not quite a full championship test but not a kick in the backside off it either. Unusually walkable for a CDS course too.

FixdePitchmark

thewobbler wrote: »

Fixd, try to play Santana (Mijas Costa). Very pleasant course. Maybe not quite a full championship test but not a kick in the backside off it either. Unusually walkable for a CDS course too.

Looks nice and not too far

only thing it is 112 euro a round :eek: - without a cart.

I'd pay it - but these lads look at that as lost drinking.