3 Winter Golf Destinations You Must Experience

AS THE days get shorter, our thoughts may turn to the prospect of heading off for some winter sun. 

And there are some incredible destinations recommended by our friends Golfbreaks that are closer than you might think. Here, we look at what Cyprus, Morocco and the Canary Islands have to offer.

CYPRUS

Cyprus is just a five-hour flight from the UK and has a wonderful climate, with temperatures in the low 20s during the winter. Most people speak English and you will be guaranteed a warm welcome. The food is Mediterrean-style and there are lots of bars and restaurants.

Aphrodite Hills Hotel

The five star Aphrodite Hills Hotel is located in Paphos and features 290 guest rooms and suites, and award-winning amenities - and is the perfect destination for a golf break.

Set on a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean, it has a Spa, restaurants, bars, leisure facilities and world-class golf.

Each of the 290 rooms and suites has walk-in showers, satellite TV, air conditioning and private terraces, and a choice of pool, golf or sea views.

With an excellent assortment of dining options to choose from, visiting guests will not be short of options. The Eleoanas is the main restaurant at Aphrodite Hills, offering a selection of international buffets, live cooking and themed nights. The Jasmine Restaurant offers Asian cuisine with à la carte service, or the informal poolside restaurant caters for all with a fantastic medley of Mediterranean favourites.

The Retreat was once voted the best Spa in Europe. It offers 24 treatment rooms and fully trained therapists to make sure you relax and unwind in the truly beautiful surroundings.

The 18 hole, par 71 cliff top PGA National Cyprus course at Aphrodite Hills Golf Club boasts stunning views over the surrounding Mediterranean. It was designed by Cabell Robinson and offers stunning panoramic views to the crystal clear sea. Measuring 6,928 yards, this championship golf course is lined with Olive and Carob trees but is relatively open.

Olympic Lagoon

One of the most popular beachfront resorts in Paphos, Olympic Lagoon specialises in all-inclusive accommodation with a choice of five bars, five restaurants and five swimming pools.

All rooms have either two twin beds or a double bed and balcony with furniture offering stunning views. All rooms feature air conditioning, flat screen TVs, safe, free Wi-Fi, and exclusive toiletries.

Royal Olympic Restaurant is the main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each evening is a different themed dinner and there is a designated adults only area. Captains Deck is a Greek/Cypriot restaurant serving traditional dishes. Rock n Roll is a 50s themed family restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes. Kiku is an outdoor Japanese restaurant open for dinner (guests can only dine at Captains Deck and Kiku once per stay as part of the all-inclusive deal - after this there will be a charge).

The Serenity Spa and Health Club provides massages, skin treatments, wraps, facials and pedicures. There are five lagoon pools, an indoor pool, waterfalls and whirlpools within the resort. 

Secret Valley Golf Club

Opened in 1996, Paphos Secret Valley course is a par 71 that will test golfers of all standards, with its undulating fairways and unforgiving hazards. Secret Valley is one of the best courses in Cyprus. The 368-yard par-four 11th hole offers stunning views.

Minthis Golf Club

Minthis is a beautiful par 72 course that winds its way past a 12th-century monastery with breathtaking views of the Paphos Troodos Mountains and beyond. Designed by golf architect Donald Steel in 1994, the signature hole is the par-three 15th, which is played to the only island green in Cyprus.

The par-five 10th is played from an elevated tee but will leave you with a blind second shot to a green surrounded by out of bounds.

CANARY ISLANDS

Only four hours flying time from the UK, with no time difference and an average temperature of 21 degrees, the Canary Islands is the ideal winter golf destination. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will leave you spoilt for choice.

Iberostar Bouganville Playa

Situated on the seafront promenade at San Eugenio, the Iberostar Bouganville Playa overlooks the Playa del Bobo beach and the Atlantic Ocean. This recently renovated hotel sits close to the Puerto Colón Marina.

There are a variety of room options to choose room; including double, family and junior suite choices which can include a side or full sea-view. Standard room facilities include free Wi-Fi, a 32” flatscreen TV, private balcony and air conditioning.

There are two excellent buffet options within the hotel. The main buffet restaurant serves breakfast and dinner with local, national and international cuisine as well as show cooking to add a personalised element. The Barbacoa restaurant is open for lunch with its terrace overlooking the ocean.

Golf Las Americas

Golf Las Americas is a 10-minute drive from the Iberostar Bouganville Playa featuring many water hazards. Golf Del Sur features three loops of nine holes designed by Pepe Gancedo. This stunning course is known for its black volcanic sand bunkers and fabulous views. Alternatively, Amarilla Golf and Country Club is placed adjacent and hosts 18-holes designed by Donald Steel. Both courses are situated 20-minutes from the hotel.

The round begins with a long par five featuring plenty of bunkers. It sets the tone for the rest of the round, which includes negotiating ravines, valleys, tricky doglegs and water. 

Hotel Las Madrigueras

A beautiful five-star luxury hotel in Tenerife with 44 superior rooms and 13 suites, set in beautiful & quiet surroundings. Guests here can enjoy views over Golf Las Americas and the Island of Gomera in the comfort of their stunning bedrooms. 

There are 56 guest rooms comprising of Superior Double Rooms, Duplex Suites, a “Hole in One” Suite, Royal Suites, and Junior Suites. The Superior Double Rooms are spacious, light and airy, elegantly furnished with wooden floors, air-conditioned, and have satellite TV, a free safe and a balcony or terrace overlooking the golf course.

For those looking for a bit more space, there are the Royal Suites, “Eagle” and “Albatross”. These rooms have two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a beautiful lounge area overlooking the pool area and 4th hole of the golf course. Whichever type of room you choose, you can be assured that you will have comfortable surroundings and all the necessities you should require.

The restaurants at Las Madrigueras offer a range of different meals. The Belle Vue Terrace Restaurant is a wonderful place to enjoy a light lunch, The “Bogey” Restaurant is open for a plentiful buffet breakfast in the morning or a delicious “a la carte” dinner in the evening. The Piano Bar and Pool room provide cocktails and a perfect atmosphere in which to unwind. There is also a 24-hour room service option.

There are spa facilities which include a Turkish bath, sauna and shower temple and there is also a small gym. Guests to this hotel are also encouraged to use the hairdressing salon and internet room.

MOROCCO

Morocco boasts an average winter temperature of 21°C and only six days of rain per month. It may not be an obvious choice for a winter golf break but rest assured, Morocco boasts some world-class courses.

Iberostar Palmeraie Marrakesh

The 4-star Iberostar Palmeraie Marrakech has 318 rooms with options to include either garden, pool, or mountain views. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, a 40-inch HD TV, air-conditioning and minibar.

There are two restaurants within the hotel. The light and open Oasis restaurant serves buffet style international and traditional cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From fish tagine to grilled lamb, there’s plenty on display to suit all tastes. Don’t miss out on themed dinner nights and show cooking sessions for a real treat.

For a true taste of luxury, visit the Jawhara Moroccan Restaurant for an a la carte dining experience. Indulge in the cosy, romantic setting and fine Moroccan gastronomy. If you want a quick fix, the food truck located on the terrace serves snack food throughout the day.

Before or after a round, unwind in the relaxing atmosphere of the lobby Bar with a hot coffee or long drink. To top it off, the hotel’s own nightclub, La Gazelle, is open from 10pm - 1am daily.

Iberostar Palmeraie

The Iberostar Palmeraie is located just 15-minutes from the hotel. The 18-hole parkland course provides a magical experience with its array of eucalyptus, olive and cypress trees. Be sure to visit the restaurant after your round to enjoy the excellent dining options.

Alternatively, the Robert Trent Jones Snr course at Palmgolf Marrakech is also ideally located just a 20-minute transfer away, featuring lush landscapes and palm trees.

Noria Golf Course

Noria Golf Course was designed by renowned architect Steve Forrest and is set to become one of Marrakech’s most widely acclaimed golf courses. The most unique hole on this course has to be the par-three 8th, with a reflecting pool and a Biarritz green, featuring a deep gully bisecting its middle and overlooked by a Moroccan bell tower. The visual display presented by the 9th and 18th holes, and the course as a whole is breathtaking and is a 'must-play' on a Moroccan golf holiday!

For more information on winter golf travel, please visit Golfbreaks!