Golf holiday ideas in the Algarve

Whether trying golf for the first time or looking for a new challenge, this spring offers the best time to visit the Algarve - the region of Portugal packed with golf holiday ideas.

With 32 Championship standard golf courses that bask in the year round sunshine, lush fairways with fast, rolling greens courses in the region are likely to prove a hard but enjoyable challenge for all golfers.

All this, plus some amazing money saving deals, why not escape the UK gloom and jet off to practice your swing in the sun?

Golf holidays in the Algarve

The Algarve is only approximately two hours away by air and it is served by 22 UK regional airports, making it one of the most accessible golf destinations for Britons looking to play overseas.

With the Algarve offering the best, newest and biggest choice of golf courses, golfers are spoilt for choice, making it no surprise that the region hosted over a million rounds of golf in 2008.

Quinta do Vale Golf Course

Designed by Severiano Ballesteros, one of the newest courses in the Algarve is the Quinta do Vale Golf Course (inaugurated last October). This 18-hole championship quality golf course is located in the eastern Algarve and is situated near the historical town of Castro Marim astride the Guardiana River.

The course strives to accommodate all handicap levels, and is enhanced by numerous dogleg holes, wide fairways and obstacles all set in breath-taking surroundings.

PGA European Tour

A large number of golfing events are held in the Algarve every year.

One of the highest profile annual events is the Portugal Masters, part of the PGA European tour held at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course from October 15th-18th. Many top stars play this prestigious event every year, including top European stars such as Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson and Retief Goosen.

It is a great time to book your golfing trip and see some world class golf close up.

With all the regions of the Algarve offering excellent golf at very reasonable prices, golfers from the UK have been choosing the Algarve as their golfing destination of choice for a while now and will continue doing so for years to come.

Below are some of the best deals that can be found from around the Algarve.

Spring Golf Savers

The Alamos Golf Club is offering a fantastic 20 per cent saving on all electronic trolleys and buggies during the February - May high season. When playing a round at the Alamos Golf Club, golfers can now ride around in a buggy from only £32 per round or use one of its electronic trolleys from as little as £13 per round.

The Boavista Golf Resort is offering a great sunshine special during the golfing high season in February - May, September and October 2009.

For just £75 per person, golfers can enjoy guaranteed start times, a round of golf on the championship course with buggy, basket of range balls, free coffee and bacon roll on arrival, a soup & sandwich on completion of your round.

This offer is valid during the high season however the same offer is available during the low season for only £60 per person. For more information or to book, please visit Boavista Golf.

Stay for seven nights at the Pestana Levante Beach & Golf and receive six rounds of golf from only £440 per person. This fantastic offer includes accommodation in a twin sea view room and six round of golf at the Pestana Gramacho, Pinta, Silves or Alto golf courses, with additional rounds costing only £40 per person.

This offer is valid for stays anytime within the February 16th-28th 2009. For more information or to book, please visit Pestana.

Be one of the first to stay at the brand new five-star Tivoli Victoria Hotel, opening on the March 2nd and located in stunning Vilamoura from only £54 per person per night. This amazing offer includes accommodation in a single standard room, one round of golf at the Laguna Golf Course and one daily drink.

This great offer is valid from the March 2nd-31st 2009. For more information or to book, please contact Tivoli Victoria.

Enjoy a group golf holiday to the Algarve and stay for seven nights at the beautiful Dona Filipa & San Lorenzo Golf Resort, situated in Vale de Lobo from only £198 per person, based on two people sharing. This great offer includes seven nights accommodation in a classic twin room, four free rounds of golf per person at the San Lorenzo Golf Course, daily buffet breakfast and free use of the tennis courts.

This offer is valid for stays within February 28th - 22nd May 2009 and is for group bookings only. When making a reservation, you must quote 'Golf Included' to benefit from this offer.

For more information or to book, please visit the website website.

Finally, play as much golf as desired at the nine-hole Vale de Milho Golf Course, located only a short drive from Lagoa from only £22 per person. This offer is available for all bookings made during the twilight season, after 13:00 throughout February and March 2009.

For more information or to book your place, pleased contact Vale de Milho Golf.

More Information

For more information about the Algarve take a look at Visit Algarve.

To download the latest golf brochure please visit Algarve Promotion.

Chris O'Toole