As another year comes around, we take a deep dive into which destinations and resorts should make your shortlist when shortlisting where you should take your golf holiday in 2024. From the emerald landscapes of Ireland to the sun-soaked fairways of Turkey, the options for a golfing getaway are as diverse as the swings on the course!
In this guide, we aim to give you an overview of the best destinations for British golfers seeking the ultimate golf holiday experience. We’ve taken into account many factors including value for money, ease of getting there and how often there are flights available, quality of the region’s golf courses, the type of accommodation options, and of course what you can do for evening entertainment to keep the group happy!
Without further ado, we provide the ultimate guide and a must-read before planning your 2024 golfing adventure!
Golf Holiday Destination Guide 2024
Table of contents
- Best Spain Golf Holidays
- Best Portugal Golf Holidays
- Best Turkey Golf Holidays
- Best Morocco Golf Holidays
- Best Cyprus Golf Holidays
- Best UAE Golf Holidays
- Best France Golf Holidays
Best Spain Golf Holidays 2024
Costa Del Sol
Long been the first destination British golfers escape to each year and continues to be so to this day, and with good reason! With over 300 days of sunshine, as well as over 70 golf courses across the region, the Costa Del Sol already ticks two boxes to make your shortlist.
There are so many different resorts and towns to pick to suit all budgets, whether you want to make your budget work hard and stay somewhere like Fuengirola or you want to splash out for a real bucket list experience and base yourself in Puerto Banus where the resorts are luxurious and the nightlight is lively – we have you covered!
- Ideal For: Groups looking for the perfect mix of quality golf, sunshine, and nightlife
- When To Travel: April, May, October
- Top Deal: Sandos Griego Hotel
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: We recommend travelling in a group to take advantage of the many ‘1 in 8’ green fee offers that the golf courses offer as well as splitting the cost of golf transfers so you can all enjoy a drink in the 19th hole!
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca covers a large stretch of coastline in the southeastern region of Spain – stretching from Denia in the north down to the Costa Calida at its most southerly point, however from a golfing perspective the most popular parts of Costa Blanca are the coastal towns of Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja.
Alicante as a city has lots to see and do with the added benefits of Hotel Alicante Golf and El Plantio Golf Resort surrounding it with golf courses on-site.
If you want to avoid golf transfers and prefer to step onto the golf course as you roll out of the hotel, then La Finca Golf Resort, Hotel Bonalba Alicante, and Denia Marriott La Sella Golf Resort And Spa Hotel are worth considering.
- Ideal For: Groups looking for sun, beers and great golf with a budget
- When To Travel: April, May, October
- Our Top Deal: Melia Villaitana Golf Resort
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: If you are looking for a 5* luxury golf & spa break without the costs that more established regions charge, this region is excellent – we recommend La Finca Golf Resort and Denia La Sella Golf Resort and Spa
Murcia
We wrote a blog about why Murcia should be your next golf holiday destination back in July 2020 and its popularity has only gotten stronger since then. It is accessible by flying into either Alicante Airport or Murcia International Airport, so there are plenty of flights available all year round from various low cost airlines.
Here you will find some popular resorts with golf on-site such as the renowned sporting complex La Manga, DoubleTree by Hilton La Torre Golf & Spa Resort, Roda Golf And Beach Resort, and our personal favourite (as well as most popular) – Mar Menor – which has both a five-star hotel and apartment accommodation on-site so can suit all budgets.
- Ideal For: Groups looking for excellent golf courses with well-priced green fees
- When To Travel: April, May, October
- Our Top Deal: Ona Mar Menor Golf Resort & Spa
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Book apartment accommodation with golf on-site if looking for a budget golf break. This splits the cost between people sharing and reduces the need for golf transfers.
Gran Canaria
This is the perfect destination for a winter golf break – if you are sick of looking at your golf clubs stored away in the garage whilst it is cold and wet outside in the UK, then book yourself a golf holiday to Gran Canaria!
The Maspalomas region to the south of the island is the most popular, and home to Salobre Hotel Resort And Serenity which has two 18-hole golf courses in Salobre Old and Salobre New on-site, as well Melonares Golf Club and Maspalomas Golf Club. There are some fantastic hotels here which offer various board types from bed and breakfast to all-inclusive.
- Ideal For: Couples / small groups looking for winter sun on the fairways
- When To Travel: October to April
- Our Top Deal: Salobre Hotel Resort And Serenity
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Make sure you play Anfi Tauro for the ‘wow’ factor as well as Melonares which is a slightly easier but still visually stunning round of golf
Mallorca
In recent years we have seen Mallorca become more popular with clients, many of whom have tried many places in mainland Spain and Tenerife, but want to experience something new. Historically green fees in Mallorca were often more expensive than other regions but are now becoming more competitive.
As well as the lively towns of Palma Nova and Magaluf, there is the beautiful city of Palma which is a great place to stay for those looking to avoid the holidaymakers looking for nightlife and enjoy a more peaceful break. If you choose not to stay in Palma you can at least enjoy strolling around the old city and historic castle on your day off from golf. Close to all these towns are some great courses to the North West of Palma in Golf Son Vida, Golf Son Quint, and Golf Son Muntaner.
However, if you want to get away from it all and seclude yourself from other tourists altogether and have the added benefit of golf on your doorstep, then Pula Golf Resort in Son Serva is a great choice! This old chateaux dates back to 1851 and is surrounded by olive groves, with pretty views of the bay of Costa de los Pinos and Cala Bona.
- Ideal For: Groups looking for great nightlife and a sunny climate
- When To Travel: April, May, October, November
- Our Top Deal: Melia Palma Marina Hotel
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Worth considering adding an extra night to your trip to give you time to explore Palma’s old town and cathedral
Best Portugal Golf Holidays 2024
Algarve
Hot on the heels of the Costa Del Sol in Spain is the Algarve in Portugal which is another incredibly popular destination for British golfers. With flights to Faro from budget airlines accessible all year round from the vast majority of airports, alongside accommodation options which range from self-catering apartments to five-star luxury resorts, it has something for everything.
There are multiple coastal towns to choose from, including the up-and-coming Tavira in Eastern Algarve which offers a more traditional experience and tranquil evenings in comparison to the golfing mecca of Vilamoura which is famous for its Marina that is surrounded by bars and restaurants, with the Dom Pedro golf courses dotted around the town.
If you are the best man on stag-do or fancy braving the early house of a nightclub, then Albufeira is your answer. We recommend any of the NAU hotels, particularly Salgados Palm Village and Sao Rafael Suites, which are close to Albufeira with access to Salgados, Morgado and Alamos courses via a free golf shuttle bus run by the resort. These hotels offer various room types including suites which are ideal for groups looking to budget.
There are plenty of luxurious resorts with golf on-site too including Quinta Do Lago, Vale Do Lobo, Dona Filipa Hotel and Penina Golf Resort.
- Ideal For: Most golfers to be honest! There is something for everyone in the Algarve
- When To Travel: March, April, September, October
- Our Top Deal: Dom Pedro Marina
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Book early for tee times in Vilamoura, especially if travelling in a group! There are only a handful of courses so prime tee times go incredibly fast
Lisbon
Lisbon is an incredible city break destination for British tourists, with great food (yes, we are also big fans of pastel de natas!), sunny weather, nightlife, plenty of castles and ancient buildings to explore – it seems to have everything you want. And when it comes to golf, it is no different! There are so many fabulous golf courses around the region that you are almost spoilt for choice.
We recommend staying in the beautiful coastal town of Cascais which is about 35 minutes west of the city along the coast, just past Estoril. Here you will be close to some fabulous courses such as Oitavis Dunes, Quinta Da Marinha, Penha Longa, and Estoril Golf Club. With the exception of Estoril Golf Club, each of these courses has excellent accommodation on-site should you wish to have the course on your doorstep!
- Ideal For: Golfers looking to experience bucket list courses in culturally rich surroundings
- When To Travel: April, May, September, October
- Our Top Deal: Quinta Da Marinha Resort
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Not strictly golf related but ensure you leave a day free to visit the beautiful town of Sintra which is a 20-minute drive from Cascais. It is stunning!
Best Turkey Golf Holidays 2024
Belek
Turkey is home to a number of spectacular golf courses however they are virtually all concentrated in and around a small coastal tourist resort called Belek. This is just 30 minutes east of Antalya Airport and is littered with stunning five-star complexes, many of which sit on the beach-front, and have golf courses on their grounds or partner with a golf course that is just a short distance away.
Belek also offers the opportunity to play night golf at either Carya Golf Club or Maxx Royal Golf Course which is a pretty cool experience!
- Ideal For: Groups looking for 5* accommodation with all-inclusive board & happy to stay on-site at the resort after golf
- When To Travel: March, April, October, November
- Our Top Deal: Sueno Deluxe
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: The majority of Belek resorts offer ‘1 in 8’ go free so travel in numbers if you can! However, with just over a dozen courses, book very early to ensure prime tee times.
Best Morocco Golf Holidays 2024
Marrakech
Like Belek, Morocco offers lots of all-inclusive board options with their golf packages, as well as deals for 7 nights. Despite Agadir being a great option, we’ve picked out Marrakech as our recommendation in this guide for a golf holiday. There are some spectacular golf courses like Assoufid as well as some quirky ones like Noria Golf’s square putting greens on three of its holes. There are also great four and five-star hotels to suit all budgets whilst your rest days from golf can be packed with trips to the Medina which is surrounded by old city walls and declared a UNESCO heritage site.
- Ideal For: Groups looking for all-inclusive in a great climate with culturally rich sights and attractions
- When To Travel: March, April, October, November
- Our Top Deal: Be Live Experience Marrakech Palmeraie
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Consider the weather when booking – summer months can be extremely hot, and buggies could be worthwhile irrespective of the time of year
Best Cyprus Golf Holidays 2024
Paphos
The Paphos region of Cyprus is home to a cluster of stunning golf courses, all of which are similar in quality. The most well-known is Aphrodite Hills which is just over 20 minutes east along the coast from the centre of Paphos. This is a resort with a five star hotel and quality apartment accommodations scattered around the 18-hole golf course. This resort is popular with our clients for a stay and-play package – especially groups as apartment accommodation can help to bring the costs down.
There is another great 18-hole course next door which is Secret Valley. Both of them provide fantastic sea views from numerous holes.
The other two courses are Elea and Minthis Hills. Each of these is also 18 holes, the former of which was designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo so you can be assured of its quality!
- Ideal For: Couples or small groups looking to combine a traditional holiday with a golf break
- When To Travel: March, April, May, October, November
- Our Top Deal: Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa – Adults Only
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Looks to travel for at least five nights so you have enough time to play all four courses in the Paphos region
Best UAE Golf Holidays 2024
Dubai
Dubai has really invested in golf in the last fifteen years – they’ve employed the world’s leading course architects to construct some truly immaculate-looking holes in an effort to put it on the map as a genuine destination for a golf holiday.
We have written in detail which are our favourite Dubai golf courses in this blog post. But to briefly summarise, The Emirates Golf Club’s courses, Dubai Creek, Jumeirah Estate and Montgomerie Dubai Golf Club all feature make an appearance!
- Ideal For: Golfers looking for a bucket list experience playing immaculate courses in Winter
- When To Travel: November to March
- Our Top Deal: Wyndham Dubai Marina
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: November to March
Best France Golf Holidays 2024
Le Touquet
Golfers in the south of England have the option of hopping across the Channel into France via the EuroTunnel and playing golf in the Le Touquet region of France.
There are some lovely courses here such as Golf De Belle Dune, Hardelot Golf’s Pins and Dunes courses, as well the La Foret and La Mer courses at the popular Le Touquet Golf Club.
However Le Touquet is not the only region that can be accessed via EuroTunnel – you can follow in the footsteps of your 2018 Ryder Cup heroes and tee off at Le Golf National, just outside of Paris.
Here at Glencor Golf we can arrange not only your accommodation and green fees but also sort your EuroTunnel access too.
- Ideal For: Golfers living in the south of England, with access to EuroTunnel looking for a short summer getaway
- When To Travel: May to September
- Our Top Deal: Le Manoir Hotel Le Touquet
- Glencor Golf Booking Tip: Le Touquet is popular for Parisians to take a short break so ensure you book early to secure your preferred accommodation as it gets busy very quickly
How Glencor Golf Holidays Can Help You
We have experience of sending thousands of happy golfers to each of these destinations over many years! Our clients have experienced such great service for over a decade that we have been awarded a ‘10 Years of Excellence Trusted Service Award 2024’ by Feefo, the independent review company.
So if you want experienced travel experts with a proven track record of organising a memorable trip and have previously played a huge number of fairways across the world to help guide you on your next golfing break, call Glencor Golf Holidays on 01904 406550.
