Golf holiday advice

[steveh]

I'll start with an apology as I'm sure this has been done before but a quick search hasn't really helped.

I'm looking at booking a golf holiday later this year for me and my dad but never played abroad before. I've had a look on your golf travel but it's complicated by the fact that we potentially have a couple of non golfers coming who'll probably hire bikes and go cycling.

We're looking for decent value (nothing fancy) and courses that will be ok for a couple of high handicappers, probably Spain or Portugal. Also near a town or resort would be good for bars and restaurants in the evenings.

So can anyone recommend either a location that meets those requirements or the best way to book - any recommended companies etc.

Cheers!

 

[clubchamp98]

I'll start with an apology as I'm sure this has been done before but a quick search hasn't really helped.

I'm looking at booking a golf holiday later this year for me and my dad but never played abroad before. I've had a look on your golf travel but it's complicated by the fact that we potentially have a couple of non golfers coming who'll probably hire bikes and go cycling.

We're looking for decent value (nothing fancy) and courses that will be ok for a couple of high handicappers, probably Spain or Portugal. Also near a town or resort would be good for bars and restaurants in the evenings.

So can anyone recommend either a location that meets those requirements or the best way to book - any recommended companies etc.

Cheers!

Villamora in Portugal is really nice plenty to do for non golfers.
Or La Manga in Spain.
easy jet and book direct with clubs for your golf and hotel.

 

[Dan2501]

Marbella. Loads going on, hundreds of courses, can't beat it. We use golfinspain when booking our golf too, definitely recommend them, they're great. We're going in April and playing La Quinta, Cabopino, Alhaurin, El Chaparral, Calanova, Santa Clara and Marbella Golf and Country club. All top courses that aren't too expensive and welcome higher handicappers!

 

[Hobbit]

La Manga doesn't have enough for non-golfers, if they're not into Spa days or the pool/gym. Vilamoura would be fine, or as Dan says go to Marbella... And there's more than just EasyJet to those resorts, Jet2, Monarch...

 

[steveh]

Thanks for all the advice, Marbella and Vilamoura sound ideal. Flights and accommodation not too expensive and golfinspain looks good for booking the golf. Just wondering if anyone knows of a similar site for Portugal? Ive found a couple but all the courses in Vilamoura seem to be charging c. €100 per round. Is that just the going rate or is there anywhere you could recommend?

 

[Dan2501]

When are you going? We looked at Vilamoura for April and loads of the courses were already booked up and the prices are ridiculous. Can get courses that are as good in Spain for a lot cheaper. If you're going out of season then look at La Cala, they do a weekly pass which is unbeatable for value when you consider the quality of the 3 courses. 260 euros in September for a weeks unlimited golf on 3 courses is fantastic. We've done it the last few years in September and played 10-11 rounds over 7 days, so good.

 

[Senseicads]

We are going Amendoeira again this year. Unlimited golf was in the package on their two courses and facilities were amazing. We did have to get a taxi into town though, but between four of us it wasn't bad and we made it all back in the casino!

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

We have a tennis trip to Marbella every October, there are always lots of golfers in the hotel and I can vouch that there is plenty of nightlife, restaurants etc, the non golfers are well catered for too. We usually stay at the Amare Marbella, its pretty central, has a secure car park and does a great buffet breakfast + our organiser always seems to get a good deal on the rooms.

I havn't played golf there but as others have said there are plenty of good courses within a 20-30 minute drive.

 

[Tashyboy]

Stayed at Vilamoura and Albuferia last two years. Vilamoura was excellent. I would not look at the prices for the clubs online. You will deffo get them cheaper over there.
Questions to ask.
Are you driving over there.
Are you taking you clubs.
Check out Peter and Claire Lester, based in Vilamoura. They book golf courses and are the cheapest there is. Give them a ring they are excellent.

 

[steveh]

Thanks for all the great advice so far, I've booked flights and accommodation for Marbella at the end of September.

I'm looking at courses now and considering two out of Los Naranjas, Cabopino and Los Arqueros. Has anyone played these courses and would you recommend? Or where else should I be considering bearing in mind I don't want to spend an arm and a leg?

I'm also planning to hire clubs out there rather than take my own. I've come across this place http://www.golfclubhirespain.com. Has anyone used this place and if so would you recommend? Or is there somewhere else I should be looking?

Thanks again!

 

[TomTom]

Thanks for all the great advice so far, I've booked flights and accommodation for Marbella at the end of September.

I'm looking at courses now and considering two out of Los Naranjas, Cabopino and Los Arqueros. Has anyone played these courses and would you recommend? Or where else should I be considering bearing in mind I don't want to spend an arm and a leg?

I'm also planning to hire clubs out there rather than take my own. I've come across this place http://www.golfclubhirespain.com. Has anyone used this place and if so would you recommend? Or is there somewhere else I should be looking?

Thanks again!

Took a while to get there!

 

[Marshy77]

Going to Marbella next month playing La Quinta and Atalaya. Never played abroad before and taking our clubs with us so can't help with club hire but will report back on the courses.

 

[Wedgey]

I wouldn't recommend El Chapparral, played there last year and the condition of the course was atrocious. They also warned against thieves on the course!

we played the three courses at la Cala, good resort but very hilly courses!

marbella golf and country club was the best of all we played.