10 Destinations for Golf & Winter Sun

Winter golf can often be a struggle in the UK due to the majorly varying conditions such as thick frost, torrential rain and boggy courses. The shorter courses with temporary greens also lead some to believe that winter golf is just completely pointless. For these reasons, many look into travelling abroad to get their fix of real golf in the winter.

Here are ten places to consider if you’re looking for a winter getaway.

The Algarve

The Algarve has been a popular winter getaway for golfing for many years now and it’s no wonder why. Temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees and offers comfortable golfing weather throughout the winter months.

Resorts such as San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago and Penina all sit in the Algarve region but the one resort that really stands out among golfers is Vilamoura. Ever popular with the travelling golfer, Vilamoura offers numerous championship golf courses including the home of the Portugal Masters on the European Tour, the Oceânico Victoria course.

Other courses at Oceânico’s Vilamoura Resort include the Old Course, Pinhal, the Millennium Course and Laguna. All of these courses offer a stern but fair test for all golfers.

Most UK airports serve Faro airport and regular coach transfers stop at major towns and cities. As well as this, there are also several reliable airport and golf transfer companies available. Hiring a car is also simple at Faro Airport and will help you discover all the great courses and spectacular sights the Algarve has to offer.

You can find out more and get some great deals here on the Golfbreaks.com website.

Southern France

The South of France offers a comfortable golfing climate throughout the winter months and with it being just a short flight from the UK, you will find many golfers here throughout the winter. However, golf breaks in the South of France do not come cheap, but you do pay for class, exclusivity and some of the finest golf courses and hotels the country has to offer.

Most golfers fly into Nice and head west towards Cannes where you will find exclusive venues such as Royal Mougins Golf Resort and numerous outstanding courses including Cannes-Mougins. Also in this region is the ever-popular Terre Blanche Golf Resort, which is the epitome of luxury with outstanding golf and spa facilities. Marseille is also popular with golfers, with most enjoying the lovely Dolce Fregate Resort, which sits high in the hills and overlooks the idyllic town.

There are so many more resorts to explore in the South of France and you can discover more here.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a tropical island paradise that can lay claim to being the Caribbean’s golfing powerhouse. The temperature averages a glorious 26 degrees during the month of December, which ideally is great golfing weather. You will certainly have a spectacular experience in the Dominican Republic, with superb golf courses and luxury resorts waiting for you.

The famed Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de Campo sits in the Southeast corner, which is where many of the best resorts the Dominican Republic are situated. On top of the Casa de Campo resort, La Cana and Corales are also popular among the travelling golfer, due to their amazing views and challenging holes.

Most UK airports service the Dominican Republic and to find some great deals click here.

Mauritius

Despite being a 12-hour direct flight from the UK, the quality of the golf and the overall resort is well worth the journey.  The high season in Mauritius falls between November and March thanks to the climate, however this does not mean that you cannot enjoy all five of the tropical island’s golf courses.

One of the popular hotel destinations in Mauritius is the Constance Hotel Belle Mare Plage. The Constance group offer unforgettable luxury golf holidays in the Indian Ocean, with the Belle Mare Plage being one of the most popular. The soft white sand, blue sky and turquoise lagoon will have most definitely have you relaxed when you aren’t battling the Legend course at Belle Mare Plage.

The Legend course was designed by South African Hugh Baiocchi in 1994 and is set within a heavily wooded former hunting reserve, where water hazards feature on many of the holes. A truly unforgettable experience for all standards of golfer. To find out more visit here.

Turkey

Thanks to a combination of championship standard golf courses and luxury 5*-all-inclusive hotels, Turkey is quickly becoming one of the best golfing resorts in Europe. The Belek-Antalya region is perfect for those who are looking to explore their passion for golf in a more exotic location.

The golf courses in this region are among the finest in Turkey, with many of them being world-renowned. The underlying importance of comprehensive customer service is another factor in Turkey’s emerging popularity as a golfing destination. Golf courses in the area have been designed by the likes of David Feherty, Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, with the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course being selected as a European Tour host course.

Flights to Turkey are serviced by most UK airports and are reasonably cheap over the winter months, so why wouldn’t you choose Turkey for a winter golfing getaway? If you want to find some great winter deals check out Golfbreaks.com.

Majorca

Just off the east coast of Spain lies Majorca, which is beginning to grow a reputation of its own in the golfing world. Tourists and golfers alike flock to the island every year and this is mainly down to its seemingly endless all year round sunshine. With an average temperature of 15 degrees in the winter, Majorca is the perfect place to enjoy a winter getaway.

Most of the course on the island are situated near the capital, Palma, yet are far enough away to offer a sense of tranquility that you don’t get with city life. The Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa is regarded as the premier golfing destination in Majorca thanks to its two championship courses and luxurious hotel, and all just a 10-minute drive from Palma Airport. Son Gaul has also become one of the leading courses on the island and if you get the chance to play it, you should savor the final hole. It is amazing.

If a winter golfing getaway in Majorca sounds like your sort of thing, take a look at some of the great deals Golfbreaks.com have here.

USA – Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is known as the seaside capital of the world, boasting over 60 miles of golf course packed golden coastline. There is so much more to enjoy than the stunning beaches and the incredible golf courses, as there are many excellent seafood restaurants, outlet-style shopping centres and plenty more attractions.

One of the most famous courses in the area is TPC Myrtle Beach, designed by Tom Fazio and the Norman Course at Barefoot Golf Resort, which was designed by Greg Norman himself. Myrtle Beach also possesses a number of America’s top 100 public golf courses to offer something for everyone. If you like playing courses filled with history then you must try Pine Lakes or ‘The Grandaddy’ as it is known by the locals, as it is one of the oldest courses in the area.

To find out more about Myrtle Beach and what it has to offer, click here. One thing is for sure; there really is something for everyone.

Spain

Every year, thousands of people choose Spain as a golfing destination, whether it be in the scorching summer, or the mild winter temperatures. In fact, Spain is Europe’s top golf tourism destination, so you know you will not be disappointed if you travel here for your winter golfing getaway.

Spain can offer courses to suit all tastes, with courses in major cities to courses in mountain areas and right along the coast. In fact, one of these coasts is home to the Costa del Sol, or as known by keen golfers, the ‘Costa del Golf’. This is due to its high concentration of golf courses, in fact, the Costa del Sol has the highest concentration of golf courses in the whole of Andalucia. In the province of Malaga alone there are 63 golf courses, with over 20 of these falling in the Marbella region. Notable courses include the Marbella Golf & Country Club, La Quinta and Antalya Golf & Country Club.

Whether you want a holiday where you can enjoy the bustling nightlife, or just a quiet week away, you will certainly find it in Spain. Take a look at some of the great deals here.

Cyprus

Now hosting some of the best courses Europe has to offer, Cyprus is quickly becoming one of the go to places of the Mediterranean for avid golfers. It is widely regarded that the Nick Faldo designed Elea Golf Club is the ‘jewel in the crown” of Cypriot golf and is a must visit, especially during the winter as it is climate is perfect for golf, at a comfortable 18 degrees throughout January and February.

Other resorts in this Mediterranean getaway include Aphrodite Hills and Minthis Hills and thanks to their top quality courses and service, you can’t go wrong organising a golfing holiday in this part of the world. One hotel at the top of your list should be the Alexander the Great Beach Hotel as it boats the perfect location in Pathos and overlooks a ‘Blue Flag’ sandy beach.

To find out more about a winter getaway in Cyprus visit here.

Dubai

For some, it may come as a surprise that Dubai offers some of the best championship golf courses in the world. When you aren’t surrounded by the mile-high buildings, luxurious shops and expensive restaurants, you can enjoy an incredible golfing holiday.

The Emirates Golf Club is a must visit as it hosts the Omega Desert Classic on its Majilis Course, on the European Tour. The greats such as Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros have all graced the fairways of this outstanding 7,301-yard golf course. On top of this you also have the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the Faldo Course, Al Badia Golf Club and the Jumeirah Golf Estates, which host two course in the Fire and Earth courses.

Best of all, the average temperature here throughout the winter months is 25 degrees, meaning you can enjoy a round of golf in your shorts. To find some great winter getaway deals in Dubai visit Golfbreaks.com.

For more golf travel guides and golf inspiration check out the Golfshake #GolfInspired section.