3-4 night - 4 round golf holiday suggestions

Jesper

4 of us went last march to southern Spain. Great trip 3 great courses, la Cala, Marbella GC etc (1 terrible). We booked the courses, club hire, car, flights all separate so we'd like any suggestions on packages.

We would consider anywhere. All ranges of golfers. Mid-late march ideally.

All suggestions welcome. Ideally fly from Cork/Shannon.

thewobbler

Just back yesterday from Mallorca.

Stayed in Palma City, played Son Muntaner, Son Gual and Son Vida. 

It has a different vibe to it compared to our usual Portugal jaunts, and I have to say in a very positive way. Staying in a proper city brings in a better array of cultures, restaurants and bars. Plus the proximity of everything is a real bonus. Airport to town, 10 mins. Longest trip to a course, 20 mins. Palma airport was an absolute breeze too. 

Muntaner was lovely, just a very enjoyable trek with a good mix of holes. Great clubhouse and facilities and staff. Gual was the kind of big track I loved a few years back (think Christy O’Connor type course) but these days I prefer more subtle. Again superb facilities and people. Vida felt a little cramped after those two, until the back 9 opened up a little, and I suppose would be easily described as a solid resort course. 

Downsides? None. Maybe a few quid more expensive than Portugal equivalents, but only just. At the time of year you’re talking about you run more of a weather risk (than you would for example where you were in La Cala), but then again there would be more to do if you did get rained off. You might even catch a La Liga game (we didn’t).

soverybored1878

Following this thread as I'm looking to arrange something with the lads myself.

I've heard mixed reviews on Portugal. Some of the courses apparently are fairly bog standard for the price and majority of them would be overlooked in Ireland (I know we are spoilt tbf).

Kevinmarkham

It's very easy to be drawn into the golf package mentality when it comes to going abroad. It is hard work doing it all yourself but if you can identify the courses you want to play there aren't many operators who won't create a package for you.

I can't speak to Spain - only played Infinitum's courses - but Portugal I know much more about. Excluding any of the city/culture elements, I would highly recommend:

The Centro region, north of Lisbon: West Cliffs, Praia d'el Rey, Royal Obidos, Bob Successo.

South of Lisbon (over the bridge): Aroeira x 2 and Quinta do Peru. Tie in a round at Troia and/or Comporta Dunes

Algarve Central: Vilamoura Old, Quinta do Lago South, North and/or Laranjal, Pine Cliffs (9-hole). The high-price option but best courses, IMO

Algarve West: Gramacho, Santo Antonio, Espiche (pic below), Alamos. The 'fun' option, least expensive but by being different resort groups you won't enjoy the package discounts.

sylvanb

My group (from Cork) play courses around Marbella every year. We used to book each course seperately but the past few years have used a broker - we tell them where we want to play, teetimes etc and they will provide a quote - it's my experience that the rate offered is lower than what the courses are charging. We pay the full amount one month out. Once we have sorted the golf, we use a broker to book transfers with payment three weeks out - we used to hire a van but transfers work better. We book our own accomodation as we stay in the same aparthotel every year.

It's not a package as such but going through a broker to book the golf saves a lot of time. The rest is straight forward.

Russman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680162#Comment_122680162

Haven't played all of these by any means, but for 3 quality courses, I reckon you'd be hard pushed to beat the south of Lisbon option with the two Aroeiras and Quinta do Peru. 3 seriously good tracks. We did this exact trip a few years ago, staying in Sesimbra, and threw in a 4th game in a place called Montado, just outside Setubal. Not a bad course at all tbh.

Obviously in mid March the weather can be iffy sometimes, but I think Lisbon is one of the sunniest cities in Europe afaik and its less than an hour away from those courses.

REFLINE1

What courses would people recommend within a reasonable commute of Malaga area?

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122680308#Comment_122680308

The travel rep from the last time I was on a golf holiday confirmed this. He said if you want extra tee times in different courses that he will always beat the course/resort price, they have agreements and local contacts to assist. The individual punters will never be offered anything better than tourist rate on the course website.

Would you be able to link to a website of the broker you used by any chance?

Electric Nitwit

That's a great tip on brokers, never knew that was thing so thanks for the tip

Planning a Ryder Cup weekend in Spain or Portugal next year, play during the day and watch in the evening, so watching this thread with great interest

sylvanb

I use Elite Golf Services (https://elitegolfservices.com/) - never a problem. We use Golf Breaks in Spain (https://www.golfbreaksinspain.com/) for transfers - they also will put together the courses so but found Elite slightly cheaper on green fees.

gripcasey

Just back from a trip to Costa del Sol and I used https://directgolfholidays.com/costa-del-sol/

Very helpful, no issue's at all, and very good price wise. I will be using them again for next year.

REFLINE1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723403#Comment_122723403

what courses did you play? any recommendations

gripcasey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122723552#Comment_122723552

We played Santana, Mijas Lagos, Calanova. Torrequebrada all were in great condition and I would happily play again. I was taling to a few golfers out and they said El Chaperal, and Cabopino are not the best.

DaveQuinn2020

A bit of a left field suggestion here, but Liverpool a great option. The city is buzzing these days with some fantastic nightlife. Some of the best golf courses in the world, with a few bucket list courses.

Bucket List but Expensive - Birkdale, Lytham, Hoylake

Better Value - Wallasey, Hillside, Southport and Ainsdale, Formby.

Easy to get to, and much more memorable golf than Portugal / Spain!

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682769#Comment_122682769

Anoreta - Really nice course. Own water system, so in great condition.

Baviera - needs some rain (it got some this week, but needs more). Difficult enough course and they don't do any deals other than those on their website.

Both take the Golfamore card. (Open Fairways)

soverybored1878

Looking for a bit of guidance here. Never booked a golf trip away before other than a weekend away in Ireland.

Me and a mate looking to get away in March. As we're not a big group, is it best to look at booking everything ourselves or would a tour operator still be able to help us?

Also, hearing mixed reviews about the Algarve (water restrictions, patchy greens and fairways, bog standard courses). Would you take Spain, Portugal or somewhere else?

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123034176#Comment_123034176

With the Irish weather you're rolling the dice for March.

Go abroad and as far south as you can go.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123034848#Comment_123034848

Sorry I wrote on the post on my way out from work yesterday. We would be looking at Algarve or Spain. Just not sure which one but open to suggestions!

coillcam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123036346#Comment_123036346

I probably should have copped that from the original post tbf. My reading comprehension wouldn't be the best on smartphone.

I know mates who went to the Algarve last year, and it rained half the trip. Others had a solid 21C for their trip and no rain. Pot luck tbf.

A tour operator may well have a particular group event week set aside that anyone can join - killester definitely offer this. Other than that there are holiday sites where you can book the lot even as just 2 people sharing.

The cheapest option is probably DIY Ryanair flight to Faro or Malaga and pay separately for golf/hotel. You can take a resort course to stay on-site with golf and buggies included. Or a self catered basic hotel/apartment and pay green fees. I'd probably lean toward the resort option as I'm lazy and don't want much driving/hassle. Especially if tired and golfing every day. My goal is to golf and just chill 100% the rest of the time.

I did go to Novo Sancti Petri (Cadiz) via Killester in 2023 and it was excellent albeit a bit pricey. Otherwise I don't have specific location recommendations but there are some older threads to search. You could always see what packages uk operators have on offer and mimic that.

Morocco and Turkey seem to be getting a big push from the tour operators recently. I don't know anyone that's travelled there but it's likely better weather and bang for your buck.

slave1

Tenerife will have more predictable weather that time of the year.

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123037030#Comment_123037030

No worries :)

Turkey would be great as they have the option of playing at night on some courses (which is very cool) but just seems too far afield for us to go for 3 days.

My mate isn't the most get-up-and-go fellas so it's down to me to book it all so any advice is good advice, I appreciate it! Will give Killester travel a buzz tomorrow.

Kevinmarkham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123037831#Comment_123037831

March is bang in Algarve's peak season. You should get the best of the weather and the Algarve is famous for its '300 days of sunshine'.

Yes, some of the courses are definitely parched, due to water restrictions, but a lot of work is going into finding alternative irrigation strategies. And some places - Quinta Do Lago and the Vilamoura courses, most notably - don't seem to have that same issue. But you are paying higher green fees for 'Vilamoura'.

Two suggestions for you: Get to Faro and turn right, and head for the Spanish border. Stay at Quinta da Ria, play the two courses there, and also Castro Marim. If budget allows, Monte Rei is the big course.

Or, head west and take on a Pestana package at Gramacho and Val da Pinta. The two courses are side by side. From there you could also play Penina, Alamos, or try Espiche.

Both will require hire cars and the only downside to the eastern option is lack of nightlife/entertainment. The western option puts a couple of nice towns nearby.

Don't forget Clubstohire.com if you want to avoid the hassle of bringing your own clubs.

thewobbler

I’d going to the west algarve i would fully recommend Palmares. It’s a stunning place to play golf and has some fabulous holes.

The Aul Switcharoo

Lisbon too is good. I actually live here since June and work for Clubstohire. A guy came last year from ireland and said he ring the hotel directly and they booked the golf for him too. 3 nights 4star in Cascais( coast town with 4 golf clubs) and 3 rounds of golf for 500€

Courses are decent with 1 very good one. Weather will be 50/50. March can be rainy but warm enough

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123052774#Comment_123052774

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123053259#Comment_123053259

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123052838#Comment_123052838

Thanks all, this is really helpful. Looking like Vilamoura as I'm getting mixed reviews from anywhere else. I like the look of the courses there too. For some reason, I'm a fan of tight, tree-lined courses and Vilamoura has them in spades it seems.

Eaglebridie 32

Our group has been on the Pestana package for the past six years, heading out again in February , 7 nights, 5 golf. Pinta, Silves, Gramacho, transfers to from golf & Airport etc included €785, based in Alvor.

Flights extra

Always found courses in good condition, would definitely recommend

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123058363#Comment_123058363

That was actually one I had my eye on! How are the courses? Some of them look a bit sparse…?

Eaglebridie 32

Courses are generally in good condition, they are typical resort courses, relatively short, usually greens in excellent condition.

Courses won’t “beat you up” ours is a relatively older group/ higher handicap range so suits us fine

soverybored1878

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123058438#Comment_123058438

Yeah we would be looking to stay smack bang in a resort. So we can pretty much just roll out of bed and onto the first tee (for better or worse)

We are looking at Amondeoira. It is 15 minutes outside Albufeira and has two courses, the O'Connor and Faldo designs. Transfers and buggies included.

Have heard mixed reviews on course conditioning as of late though. If anyone has any feedback on those would appreciate it.

thewobbler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123061368#Comment_123061368

It’s probably best to understand that resort courses are in action dawn to dusk, every day of the year. How well they’re presented is dependent on a combination of weather conditions and green fees. No different to home really. Except the entry point green fee is higher.

So You’re overthinking it a little I’d suggest.

If you are for Europe and want/expect everything to be perfect, regardless of time of year, then you going to need to fork out the extra for Monte Rei or Quinta Do Lago. And even then it might rain.

If it’s great courses you’re after, honestly, stay in Ireland. By the time you trade off the cost of flights it won’t cost more.

if you want to be able to walk out of your hotel and onto a tee, then there probably won’t be a town within walking distance. Unless you go to Ireland / UK, where it is quite common.