Planning on getting away this winter for a golf holiday with the girls? Well, searching for a sunny golf break in the winter months has never been easier. Holidaymakers have recognised that many golfers in the UK don’t like playing in the cold and rain and are looking abroad to get their golfing fix.
Whether you are after great golf courses, tasty cocktails, or relaxation by the pool, there are golf resorts that can offer all this and plenty more. This blog will explore some of the best and most welcoming short-haul destinations for winter golf breaks, with courses suitable for any level of golfer.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have been a favourite holiday destination for golfers looking for the winter sun for a long time. They boast a nice warm climate in the winter months and golf courses are all in close proximity to hotels. Away from the golf course, there are loads of lovely beaches if you like to chill and work on your tan. You will also find buzzing nightlife in the Canary Islands, so if you and the girls want to dance the night away then you will find plenty of choice for a nearby happy hour.
In Tenerife, combining a stay at the Hotel Las Madrigueras Golf Resort & Spa with golf at Las Americas is a popular choice. The hotel boasts a spa with a jacuzzi and Turkish bath, ideal for total relaxation after finishing 18 holes of golf in the sun.
Gran Canaria boasts eight different golf courses and you can even purchase a golfing passport to play all of them during your holiday. Well-liked choices here are the Anfi Tauro, Maspalomas and Salobre Golf Resorts. If that sounds like a bit too much golf for one trip, then don’t worry, there are plenty of other ways to spend your time on Gran Canaria as well… You could do some snorkeling, head to the tropical oasis of Palmitos Park or just chill by the swimming pool with a good book.
Morocco
It has taken a while for many tourists to realise how good Morocco is for all-year-round golfing so it’s still a bit of a hidden gem but slowly becoming one of the more popular destinations. Flights are less than four hours and accessible from most UK airports, the climate is ideal and there are several nice golf courses too.
Marrakech is the most common city for tourists. You will find a bustling culture set against the beautiful background of the Atlas Mountains. If your group loves immersing yourselves in the local culture outside the golf course, this is the perfect place for you.
The Fairmont Royal Palm is probably the pick of the golf resorts here, however, stays at Iberostar Club Palmeraie, Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddehbi and Kenzi Rose Garden are all popular hotel choices that have golf courses nearby. All of these hotels also offer the Moroccan Hammam experience – perfect after a round of golf – it will help you unwind, release muscle tension, and has a whole host of other health benefits too.
Prefer just to head straight to the beach after a round of golf? Then staying in Agadir would be a brilliant option. The beaches here also have great waves, so group surfing lessons or jet skiing are popular activities. Here you can combine a stay at either the five-star Atlantic Palace or four-star Riu Tikida Beach Hotel with golf at Golf Club Le Soleil.
Portugal
Portugal has long been a favourite amongst UK golfers and it’s easy to see why. Lots of nice golf courses, white sand beaches, and terrific nightlife. You might not get quite the same temperatures as other places on this list, but it’s still great for winter golf if you get lucky with the weather.
The Algarve is the most common choice and there are over 40 golf courses within an hour’s drive of the Faro Airport. Quinta Do Lago is probably the best known of all the golf resorts and would be an excellent choice for any golf group. There are three excellent golf courses that all offer something for everyone, whether you are a new golfer or consider yourself a bit of a pro. Plus, you can combine your golf with a stay at either The Conrad Hotel, Magnolia Hotel, or a luxurious villa. When you are not playing golf there are all the facilities you would expect – you can unwind by one of the many swimming pools, find relaxation bliss at the spa, stay active on the tennis court or wine and dine yourselves at any number of restaurants and bars.
Outside the Algarve, we recommend heading to the capital – Lisbon, which isn’t an area many think of for a golfing holiday, but there is a growing number of courses nearby. Lisbon is a superb location for a girls trip anyway, so the golf really is just a bonus! You can party on Pink Street, shop vintage or designer, admire the architecture, and eat out at endless incredible restaurants.
Turkey
Looking for guaranteed hot winter golf on a short-haul flight? You would be hard-pressed to find a better destination than Turkey. The region of Belek has become one of the go-to destinations for golfers -located 30km from the nearest airport of Antalya, where you can get flights from most UK airports. Following huge investments in recent years, there are now several luxury resorts with excellent facilities. Many of the resorts offer all-inclusive packages, so, if you want to eat, drink, and golf to your heart’s content then you can also find great value here.
The Sueno Golf Hotel offers five-star luxury and two superb golf courses. Here you will find stunning scenery, your own private beach, and a number of good restaurant and bar options. Alternatively, head to Cornelia Golf Resort – here you will find not just an excellent golf course, but a hotel that even has its own nightclub. You quite literally wouldn’t need to leave the hotel for your entire trip if you didn’t want to!
Wherever you decide to stay in Turkey be sure to check out the spa for a traditional Turkish Bath and Hammam experience – it’s one of the best pampering experiences you will find anywhere!
