Golf Abroad

[hellbunker]

hi folks,
first time poster here...anybody got any experience of golfing in spain or Portugal? where would you go and who did you book with...recommendations please...
Cheers
Hellbunker

 

[medwayjon]

Atalaya park in Estepona (costa del sol) is excellent and has 2 golf courses.

I love Puerto Banus and can't wait to slide on down there in June, got a suite booked at the andalucia plaza!!!

Anywhere on the costa del sol is grand as there are so many courses.

Majorca has many courses and is a lot cheaper than Estepona or Puerto Banus.

Northern spain, for example santander, near the home of seve, the great one, is not to be overlooked. An abundance of good courses, cheaper than the costas and the climate is slightly cooler.

 

[toonarmy]

Played Salgados in the Algarve last Easter - so good, in the words of Victor Kiam, it made me join a golf club on return to England.

No booking, just rocked up to the course in our shagwagon and played.

Golfbreaks.com seem to be on the money and well priced too, but as yet no experience of using them personally.

 

[robin]

On the costa del sol playing has become expensive however I think La Cala is a great complex if challenging. You need a buggy and lots of balls but the holes/views etc well worth it - try golfbreaks.com for some excellent deals.

 

[Dave3498]

My favourite in Spain is Santa Maria, which is just between Fuengirola and Marbella. My least favourite in the area is Monte Major. You would have to pay me to play there again. Mijas courses Los Olivos and Los largos are good forgiving holiday courses where you are likely to finish with the same ball you teed on the first, provided you miss the lakes. La Quinta is good, so is Torrequebrada.

In Portugal Algarve, my favourite is Quinta do Lago, either North or South. Penina is excellent when it's dry, but watch your ball carefully or you'll lose it in one of the many hidden water hazards. Vilamoura Old, and Villa Sol are also a pleasure to play, and I've had some good scores on Boavista so that obviously is now popular with me.

I always book my overseas golf With Bill Goff Golf Tours. You'll find their advert in GM. I've been going with them at least once a year for the last 22 years, and I've always been very satisfied with the organisation. Their many Tournament Weeks are particularly good in Spain, Portugal and Corfu. Usually they have a field of about 40 mixed golfers from UK with prizes and receptions etc.

Wherever you go, I hope the weather is good and you enjoy it.

 

[Dave3498]

I forgot to mention that I have booked a golf holiday with Bill Goff for 2 weeks in Gran Canaria, staying at the H10 Meloneras Palace in February. If anyone has any useful info on the hotel or local golf courses, it will be most welcome.

 

[medwayjon]

Dave, I have stayed in many H10 hotels (hence plaza in june) and always find them to be of a very high standard. The staff are generally very good and the meals are excellent.

I think that compared to other chains such as Sol & Iberostar they are the best by far.

You will have a great time i'm sure.

 

[Teetotal]

Personally I think Portugal is far better on price and quality of courses. They tend to be less crowded too and in better condition. For sunshine try the Algarve, for culture Lisbon is unbeatable and a great city. I stayed at the Farol Design Hotel (www.farol.com.pt) which was fantastic. I had an amazing room overlooking the cliffs and sea and it was 5 min walk from all the bars and restaurants of Cascais. Played Penha Longa and Estoril - both two of best courses I've ever seen.
PGA Catalunya in the Barcelona/Girona region is supposed to be excellent, and not all that expensive.

 

[Dave3498]

Thanks for your comment Medwayjon. It's always nice to have some first hand recommendations.

 

[rgs]

Have played in both Spain and Portugal-Played Rio Real, Sotogrande and Valderamma in Spain three great courses.

In Portugal played the Old Couse, Quinta De Ria, Laguna and Millenium. All great courses.

Look up Oceanio who own all the Vilamoura courses and they have some great 5 night 4 rounds of golf with transfers to and from the courses.

 

[djcevo]

The company I work for normally take us away to Portugal most years for a 4 day jolly and have subsequently played pinhal, vila sol & Millenium course quite a few times and I must say they are great courses!! As some of you may know I have a Penthouse on a Jack Nicklaus course (La Torre) in Murcia, Spain which is a nice course but the Algarve is hard to beat for Europe!!

 

[toonarmy]

The company I work for normally take us away to Portugal most years for a 4 day jolly and have subsequently played pinhal, vila sol & Millenium course quite a few times and I must say they are great courses!! As some of you may know I have a Penthouse on a Jack Nicklaus course (La Torre) in Murcia, Spain which is a nice course but the Algarve is hard to beat for Europe!!

Anyone else having difficulty in not hating this guy after this?

 

[djcevo]

The company I work for normally take us away to Portugal most years for a 4 day jolly and have subsequently played pinhal, vila sol & Millenium course quite a few times and I must say they are great courses!! As some of you may know I have a Penthouse on a Jack Nicklaus course (La Torre) in Murcia, Spain which is a nice course but the Algarve is hard to beat for Europe!!

Anyone else having difficulty in not hating this guy after this?

Oh cheers toonarmy!! The trip is results dependant, hence all us Sales guys working our socks off in March every year!! lol

 

[toonarmy]

Never mind the trips, which I could just about stomach, but the Penthouse on the Nicklaus course! Come on!

Nah, good luck to you mate. Envy is a terrible thing!

Incidentally, is it souls that you sell?

 

[djcevo]

No, women - I'm a PIMP!!! LOL Not quite, commercial photocopiers/printers, boring as hell but pays the bills. I do rent the Penthouse out if you fancy it, good deals for fellow members.

 

[pcowgill]

Yes. Visit my website and contact us. We'll be happy to help