I've been lucky enough to visit around half of the countries in Europe at least once prior to my 32nd birthday and I'm sure I could recommend somewhere to suit just about any wishlist.

But there are a few places I'd send anyone in a heartbeat and I know they'd love it. Joining that exclusive list has to now be the state of Salzburg.

Located in the north-west of Austria, nestled up against the continent's most famous mountain range, Salzburg is far more than just the key city many people are familiar with.

The region in which it sits is incredibly diverse and caters to a wide variety of wants and needs from those who visit all year round.

From jaw-dropping snowcapped mountain ranges which make up the Alps to vast sapphire blue lakes down below and the dense emerald green pine forests that fill in the gaps, the 90-minute drive on my first day in the country made me feel like a kid again.

I literally couldn't stop looking out of the window with a genuine expression of amazement on my face, all while sending a sickening number of jealousy-inducing photos back home. Salzburg's scenery is so awesome, I was almost thankful for the 3am wake-up call I'd endured hours earlier. Almost.

Over the subsequent three-and-a-half days, the lovely group of people at SalzburgerLand - the area's tourism board - helped me realize the place they're lucky enough to promote is just as special in every corner.

An immediate trip to Golfclub Gut Altentann - where the Austrian Alpine Open will return to in 2027 - was the first evidence of this. The Nicklaus Signature design is a devilishly tricky layout which will undoubtedly test the DP World Tour's best again next year.

It was far too tough for me, with what felt like more lakes than across the whole of Canada on the property, and my lone birdie was long forgotten about following a complete mauling by the closing Alpine Bear Trap - a three-hole stretch with absolutely nowhere to miss or bail out.

Due to aviation-based delays, we were only able to play the final six holes. Before teeing off, I was disappointed at the fact. Three lost balls later, I sat on the terrace with a plate of local food watching other poor souls taking forlorn peeks into the water and thought maybe six holes was about right.

Still, if you're up for a challenge and want to play a tour-standard course in beautiful surroundings, it's an unforgettable experience on a varied and testing layout.

Mind you, the state of Salzburg isn't exactly short of intriguing golf courses hugged by scenery you'd find on a postcard or computer screensaver.

Our trip included a round each at Golfclub Zell am See-Kaprun-Saalbach, which I now consider to be the most beautiful golf course I've ever played, and Golfclub Hohe Tauern Mittersill - the site of a regretful 81 which should have been much less if not for a final-hole meltdown. But I digress.

Even if you happen to be suffering a particularly tough day on the links, surroundings this extraordinary provide the perfect tonic.

Just breathe in the naturally filtered air, gaze out across the crystal-clear sun-kissed picture in front of you and realize things could be far worse. You could be playing terribly while cold and wet somewhere in the British Isles instead.

The courses I hacked it round on are part of almost 30 brilliant layouts in the region - many of which can be played by utilizing the Golf Alpin card which allows tourists the chance to easily sample up to five full rounds at different golf clubs over a maximum period of two seasons. More information can be found on the Golf Alpin website.

And the Golf Alpin card might be a good idea because not only is the variety of golf courses up and down the valleys superb, but the state of Salzburg has so much more to offer, giving you and your loved ones that chance to return at a later date without feeling rushed.

During the few days I visited, we relaxed on a boat trip around Lake Zell am See, took in a leisurely hike through the Sigmund Thun gorge in Kaprun and experienced an incredible dinner at Schloss Mittersill which overlooks the aforementioned town and valley.

And that's all without mentioning the countless walking routes plus the rich level of wildlife I witnessed during my short stay - from Stone Eagles to imposing red deer stags. It was pretty close to my idea of heaven.

Speaking of the dream scenario, I was also told there's often a brief period in the spring where it's possible to ski down mountains in the morning and then descend for a game of golf later in the day.

If I could ski, I'd certainly be trying my luck at qualifying for the next Ski&Golf World Championships (look it up, it's a real thing!).

As for the area's accommodation, I never tired of the typical Alpine-chalet-style buildings which litter every town. Many are people's houses while a fair few serve as hotels for guests. Each made me wish my house looked even half as beautiful.

We stayed in Hotel Tirolerhof (Zell am See) and Hotel Bräurup (Mittersill) over the duration of our visit, and I'd book back in right away if given the chance.

Both blended comfort and tradition with modern style - and I wouldn't mind betting they're not the only places in Salzburg which tempt you into returning. They're also part of more than 20 Golf Alpin partner hotels which make a golf trip to the area as easy as possible.

If my tale has tempted you into looking at a trip to Austria (and I really hope it has), try and match your expedition with the DP World Tour's Austrian Alpine Open, which is what we did.

It was the perfect end to a magical week and saw us take in the final day of the event at Golfclub Kitzbuhel-Schwarzsee-Reith, where Kota Kaneko clinched his maiden DP World Tour title in front of a great crowd.

I love attending pro golf tournaments anyway, and visiting my first overseas event gave me a fresh appreciation for what a spectacular circuit the DP World Tour is.

It also made me realize how lucky the pros are, having the chance to visit remarkable places like this every week.

Having briefly toured through the picturesque town of Kitzbuhel earlier that day, where many of the Austrian Open contenders were no doubt staying, it confirmed to me this area of the world is somewhere you can't help but recommend. You really have to see it for yourself.

The championship course at this magnificent resort on the Costa del Sol, midway between Malaga and Gibraltar, is a Cabell B Robinson creation. The American's resumé includes European beauties such as La Reserva and several courses in Morocco.

His striking layout at Finca Cortesin, regarded as one of the best golf courses in Spain, opened 20 years ago and was joined by the very high-end Hotel Cortesin, complete with luxury spa, in 2009.

One of Europe's longest layouts, it serves up almost non-stop drama as it wends through a spectacular valley, with water, trees, changes in elevation and over 100 bunkers to keep you on your toes.

There are many visually striking holes, among them the risk-reward short par-4 4th, where water may well discourage all-out attack, and the long downhill par-3 10th with its mesmerising views of the Estepona Mountains.

The 12th is another cracking downhill par 3 of similar length played to the biggest green on the course, which is protected by much sand.

The Volvo World Matchplay tested the world's best here three times before sadly falling off the schedule, with Ross Fisher pipping none other than Anthony Kim in 2009.

Finca Cortesin then went on to host the most recent home Solheim Cup in 2023, where the closely fought contest ended in a tie to keep the trophy in Europe.

Course stats: par 72, 6,946 yards
Green fees: €385-€460 (including buggy and range balls)

(Prices correct at time of publication in May 2026)

Aphrodite Hills

• GF: €140-€240
• Stats: par 70, 6,296 yards
• W: aphroditehills.com

As you will see from the video below, recommending where to play golf is a real interest of mine. And for golf in Cyprus, which is a golfing destination that's building quite a reputation, Aphrodite Hills is the perfect resort at which to base yourself. The course was designed by Cabell Robinson who was responsible for many lovely creations in including both Finca Cortesin and Las Colinas in Spain. It opened in 2002 and lies just a short drive from the international airport at Paphos.

Construction proved a lengthy affair due to the challenging, but ultimately very rewarding, topography over which it is laid out. The holes run along high ground between deep gorges, creating great drama and fabulous views, and the course is as challenging as it is fun. Not for the faint-hearted, there is a thrilling back tee on the 3rd, which calls for a truly heroic drive over the chasm. It is then quite a long drive in the buggy just to get to the fairway.

This same gully is also home to the stunning par-3 7th, which plays over an expanse of no man's land to a green set on top of a cliff face. The wow-factor continues at the 8th where you play over an ancient olive press down to an infinity green with the backdrop of the shimmering Mediterranean.

There is great beauty at this, the best golf course in Cyprus, and with an endless array of sports, accommodation and dining options to suit all members of the group, Aphrodite Hills really does have it all.

Andermatt

• GF: £110-£140
• Stats: Par 72, 6,390 yards
• W: andermatt-golf.ch

Despite its great natural beauty, Switzerland is not yet on the travelling golfer’s radar. Its best-known course is perhaps Crans-Sur-Sierre, host of the Omega European Masters, won last Summer by Thriston Lawrence. But there are many stunning courses, especially for those seeking somewhere new, different, and exceptionally beautiful. Andermatt is a prestigious ski resort set at a little under 5,000 feet above sea level. It is south of Zurich at the end of a scenic road trip via Lake Lucerne, and its exceptional course sits perfectly in the lush, green Ursern Valley in the Alpine foothills.

Opening for play in 2016, golf here is a rollercoaster of fun and adventure. With ecology at its heart, the course meanders through scenic farmland, employs climate-neutral energy, is home to more than 100 bird species who breed around its photogenic ponds and streams, and is even in part tended by goats.

The land rises in the middle of each nine, but the climb is more than offset by the golfing interest that generates and by the panoramic views back over the meadowland below.

While the course is naturally closed over the Winter months, it's a very tempting call for booking some Summer golf. Packages including golf are available with nearby hotels such as the amazing Chedi and the Radisson Blu, making Andermatt a very appealing destination for golf and a great deal more.

In my experience, it’s extremely rare for a two-night trip to feel truly relaxing. Whether it’s an early morning start back in the UK, trouble with transfers or settling in, it can feel like the minute you start to unwind it’s time to check out.

This was most certainly not the case at Terre Blanche, the five-star hotel, golf and spa resort in Tourrettes, 45 minutes west of Nice in the south of France. From the moment we drove through the impressive-looking gates, a feeling of calm descended and remained for the duration of the trip.

The 750-acre property has a stunningly tranquil setting among the hills of Provence. It opened in 2004, after German Dietmar Hopp purchased the woodland estate from Sean Connery and set about transforming it into the luxury resort we see today.

He created 115 lavish suites and villas, each with a very secluded, exclusive feel, and employed Welshman Dave Thomas to design two 18-hole golf courses, which have gone on to acquire a big reputation of their own.

My introduction to Thomas’ work would have to wait until the morning though, as my first port of call was the Michelin-starred Le Faventia, one of four restaurants on site. The tasting menu was billed as seven courses, although that number didn’t seem to do it justice.

Maybe it was down to the accompanying local wine selection, but I’m sure it must have got into double figures by the time we called it a night. Maybe not the ideal preparation for an early morning tee time but quite an experience nonetheless.

Onto the golf then, and I began proceedings on Le Chateau, the longer and apparently more challenging of the two layouts, which ranks among the best golf courses in France. It didn’t wait long to bare its teeth, with the par-5 opener requiring a precise drive to reach the corner of the dogleg and ensure a decent start.

The three-hole stretch around the lake from the 4th was the highlight of the front nine for me, with the split-fairway, par-5 6th, overlooked by the eponymous chateau, a real standout.

The advent of the back nine coincided with the end of my golfing form for the day, but unlike me, the course managed to maintain its quality throughout. It was another par 5, the 11th, which took the plaudits coming home.

The elevated tee lets you survey most of the challenge ahead before you descend and the green reveals itself tucked away on the right. The variety of holes continues until the very end of this testing layout, which was in immaculate condition throughout.

Seconds away, round two...

After a well-earned lunch, I had time for nine holes on the Riou course to see if I could turn around my golfing fortunes. This may be the shorter of the two, but it asks a few more strategic questions than the Chateau.

On the advice of head pro Vincent Jouhaud, I took on the back nine as it is laid out on the resort’s highest ground and offers some cracking views.

To carry on the theme of the day, it was another par 5 that caught my eye here, this time the downhill 18th where water is a threat throughout. I managed to walk off with a par and end on a slight high, before heading to the resplendent spa for a couple of hours, where any nagging doubts about my ability to hit a golf ball were soon forgotten.

The evening’s adventure came courtesy of La Gaudina restaurant, which may not have offered the theatre of the previous night, but still packed a real gastronomic punch.

The final morning allowed just enough time for a visit to the Albatros Golf Performance Centre before heading for home. The words ‘state of the art’ get used quite often to describe golf facilities these days, but I can honestly say I’ve not seen a more impressive set-up on my travels.

The driving range is stunning and the technology on offer will help highlight any flaws which need attention. A huge range of tuition options is available to guests of any age or ability.

Beyond the golf, restaurants and spa, the resort offers a vast outdoor infinity pool, kids’ club and tennis courts. There is also access to hiking and biking routes if you want to explore the nearby hills and villages.

Everything about Terre Blanche says high-end and it’s the perfect set-up for couples or families looking to de-stress. No matter how short your stay, you’ll come away refreshed, even if your golf game can’t quite live up to the very grand surroundings.

Oitavos Dunes

• GF: €169wd, €201we
• Stats: Par 71, 6,526 yards

Portugal is quite rightly a strong magnet for the holiday golfer. While much of the attention is focussed on the Algarve, the area around Lisbon has more than its fair share of golfing delights and sits south of Hidden Portugal, golf away from the crowds, further north beyond Porto.

The capital is a beautiful destination city in its own right and highly recommended, while just a relatively short drive along the coast takes you to the westernmost point in mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca. Situated just below it in the lee of the Sintra Mountains is one of the very finest courses in the country; the challenging, dramatic and very scenic links at Oitavos Dunes.

It was designed by American Arthur Hills just after the millennium, very much with ecology as a primary concern. It subsequently became the first course in Europe to be recognised as an Audubon Gold Signature Sanctuary course. It is remarkably natural and unspoiled, and packed with excellent holes, especially the par 3s.

The course has hosted the Portuguese Open on four occasions and runs through an enjoyably contrasting mixture of mature forest with umbrella pines as well as some gently undulating dunesland that serves up far-reaching views of the ocean and the nearby mountains.

Not so long ago, there was talk of footballing megastar Cristiano Ronaldo looking to buy the club so that he could knock it down as it is right next to one of his homes. Let's hope this doesn't happen as Oitavos Dunes is undoubtedly one of the best courses in Portugal and well worth seeking out if you are over in this lovely part of the world.

When I received the invitation to check out Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca I was intrigued, especially as Mallorca is an area I had heard good things about, but never visited.

For such a small island, there are 24 courses at its disposal, with three of those falling under the Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca umbrella, which also boasts the 9-hole Palma pitch and putt, as well as two stunning hotels - Castillo Hotel Son Vida and Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel.

What's more, its hillside location couldn't be more prime as it's positioned just 15 minutes from the airport, with the bustling capital of Palma sandwiched between the two.

Making the short journey from airport runway to hotel driveway, I was greeted by the visually stunning castle-style hotel of Castillo Hotel Son Vida, which dates back to the 13th century.

Sitting on a cliff-top, it provides a view that would have you wanting to soak up the sunlight with an ice cold beverage in hand.

The sun was beaming and, with the hotel overlooking Palma and its Bay, I was a guest at the beautiful, five-star accommodation that has hosted numerous celebrities, royalty and now a 27-year-old from Oxfordshire.

The Castillo Hotel Son Vida possesses 164 rooms and suites, and I was lucky enough to stay in one of the Deluxe Rooms, which provided incredible views of the Resort's gardens, as well as the Bay of Palma.

Classic and Grand Deluxe Rooms are also available, with all three options beautifully decorated in stylish, warm colorways and themes that immediately make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Castillo Hotel Son Vida is the more 'adult' option of the two hotels; however, if you are wanting a more family-friendly option, or are a golfing group, the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel is just a stone's throw away.

Adjacent to Son Vida Golf Course, this hotel has 93 rooms and, option-wise, these include Superior, Junior and Family accommodation, with all featuring a contemporary, light interior.

Both hotels offer multiple dining options and, in total, there are seven restaurants to choose from that serve-up a range of fresh, delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

The Resort also boasts an array of spa facilities, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and paddle courts and health facilities, including gyms and wellness programs.

Most importantly though, for golfers, there is direct access to the Resort's golf facilities via a complimentary shuttle bus service.

This bright gold bus, which you can't miss, runs regularly between the two hotels and the three golf courses of Son Muntaner, Son Vida and Son Quint, allowing for stress-free travel when your tee time draws near.

In addition to the stunning scenery and the aesthetic of the accommodation, all three golf courses are unique in their own way and, personally, present a non-typical resort-like challenge.

What I mean by this, is that all three courses are challenging in their own way and, unlike some resorts that provide much of the same in terms of layout, Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca has a variety of courses for different skills and ability levels.

To begin with, Son Vida is the oldest course on the island of Mallorca and, as part of its history, has had a certain Seve Ballesteros win around its layout.

The front nine is a tough, but fair, test of golf, as positional play is a crucial part. The challenge is softened, though, by the view from the tee boxes as the Bay of Palma and natural landscape appears before you.

After the tough opening stretch, the back nine, particularly the final third, becomes more scoreable, with plenty of chances available to come in with a strong result.

It's a delightful test and, like the other courses Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca possesses, the clubhouse is a perfect location for chatting to your buddies after your round, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Moving to the Resort's championship course offering, Son Muntaner, which has hosted tournaments on the DP World and Ladies European Tour as recently as 2023.

Equipped with a Toptracer driving range, feature-packed buggies and clubhouse views of the course, it's once again an excellent layout with some superb holes and a different test to that of Son Vida and Son Quint.

For example, water is in the fray on numerous tee shots throughout and, when it comes to the design, it uses the natural landscape brilliantly, with very well-framed, picturesque tee shots one of the main stand-outs.

The final course of the three is Son Quint and, although I was unable to play it on my visit, I have been informed it is the more friendlier of the three in terms of scoring and walkability. Also, back in July 2022, Tiger Woods played the course with his son, Charlie, so if it's good enough for a 15-time Major winner, it's certainly one to try out.

Put simply, you'll be hard pressed to find a better location and offering than Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, which is perfect for both the golf-lover and non-golfer.

Not only is it easily accessible, in a perfect setting and stacked full of restaurant options catering for every pallet, its range of activities on, and close to the Resort, make it a must-visit not just in Mallorca and the Mediterranean, but the whole of Europe.

Until last October I had only once played in the Czech Republic. That was back in 2007, and it hardly stopped raining which meant we barely squelched our way out onto any of the courses near the capital and over to the east. I was therefore excited to be returning to a country now preferring its post-revolution name, Czechia. After flying to Prague, this time I would be heading west in the country’s largest region, Bohemia.

Karlovy Vary

Travelling with four other golf writers - from France, from Sweden and two from the States - our first port of call was Karlovy Vary. This is the oldest club in the country dating back to 1904, and its original course was a 9-holer. In 1933, it relocated to its current, densely-wooded site and a full 18 holes. Now, when I say densely-wooded, I do mean densely-wooded! If you’ve played it, then by comparison I would describe the Duchess’ at Woburn as very forgiving off the tee. Despite that, it’s a classy and interesting course with five par 5s and five short holes.

Here we were joined by Czech professional, Klara Spilkova, winner of the 2022 Women’s Irish Open and a former world Top 100 golfer. Charming, funny and very friendly, she is a perfect ambassador for golf in her country. Witnessing my flailing, faltering attempts to get out of a greenside bunker on the penultimate hole, she kindly gave me a bunker lesson that has really paid dividends… for now, at least. Buoyed by this, I narrowly missed my birdie putt on the uphill par-5 closing hole, and I look back on this as a course that keeps improving all the way.

That night, following an excellent dinner at the nearby award-winning Le Marché, we stayed at the Grand Hotel Pupp. This historic and stately spa hotel dates back to 1701. The English name for Karlovy Vary is Carlsbad, and the town is home to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals with many of its visitors such as Morgan Freeman and Renee Zellweger staying here. Scenes from Casino Royale with Daniel Craig were filmed at the hotel, although bafflingly they didn’t ask me to pose for their star-studded gallery. The following morning, we enjoyed a guided walking tour of the picture postcard town under a bright blue sky, sampling the spa waters and the Carlsbad wafers, a local speciality.

Cihelny

It’s a short drive through the wooded hills to Cihelny Golf and Wellness Resort, but everything seems to change as you leave sophisticated suburbia for this pretty, rural location and its modern hotel and course. Originally known as Astoria, it is the only Gary Player Design creation in the country and opened for play in 2001. There are two quite different loops of nine, with the opening holes on the southern, slightly more undulating side. You need to have your wits about you, especially when crossing the railway line following the tiny, downhill par-3 5th.

There are plenty of doglegs where positioning from the tee is important, as well as a number of ponds, lakes and the snaking River Teplá which is the same river that goes on to bisect Karlovy Vary. I very much enjoyed the local food and the friendly service, while my room was spacious, comfortable and peaceful. Its spa includes Thai massage, a herbal sauna and much more. The nearby village of Loket and its scenic and historic castle are well worth visiting, as is its St Florian restaurant and brewery.

Sokolov

A few miles further west and the landscape changes again. Up on the plains at about 1,500 feet, Sokolov is an old industrial town. Its golf course is a remarkable transformation of an old coal mine 20 years ago by German architect, Christoph Städler. The exposed setting means that wind is more of a feature here, and again there are five par 3s and five par 5s offering variety and the chance of a birdie.

There is plenty of space with far-reaching views of the distant mountains. I particularly enjoyed the elevated par-3 5th and the serpentine par-5 8th which claws its way up to a well-sited green. The back nine is just as strong, especially the short 13th which plays over a pit of doom, and the excellent three-shotter at 15 which keeps veering right for so long that you think you must be heading back towards the tee.

The atmosphere in the clubhouse was lively and friendly, and it was clear that plenty of non-golfing locals like to come along to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Following a very enjoyable lunch, we headed down to the lovely spa town of Mariánské Lázně, also known as Marienbad. Here we stayed at another exquisite, old-school, grand spa hotel, the Nové Lázně. Wellness is a major feature of this region with plenty of international travellers arriving to take the waters and many treatments on offer.

Royal Mariánské Lázně

Having a passing interest in the many regally-endowed clubs dotted around the world, Royal Mariánské Lázně was a name I already knew. If Karlovy Vary is the oldest club in the country, then this is the oldest course, opening in 1905. It has a rich history and has hosted many important events. Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer competed in the Czech Open in 1994, while Rory McIlroy represented GB&I here in the St Andrews Trophy in 2006. And now it was my turn!

The par is 72 with three par 5s and three short holes. Unusually, two of the par 3s are consecutive and they close the front nine. The signature hole might just be the par-5 2nd which is one of two newer holes from 1978 that are sequestered away outside the original boundary of the course. It plays down to an attractive green with a pond to the left from which a stream crosses to enforce an aerial approach.

I also very much enjoyed the par-4 7th with its awkwardly positioned ditch, and throughout the round you feel that you could be playing in Scotland. En route to our final destination, we stopped off at the Pilsner Brewery for a fascinating tour of this huge multinational enterprise while sipping some tasty samples.

Greensgate

Prior to playing our final course, Greensgate, we enjoyed another very good dinner in the clubhouse before an overnight stop in its dormy hotel. Formerly the Pilsen Golf Club but now saddled with one of golf’s less enticing names, my expectations hadn’t been high. Happily, apart from a Hollywood style sign festooning the hillside behind the otherwise excellent par-3 7th, everything exceeded expectations.

Greeted in the morning by a thick mist, our start was delayed and so the first few holes are literally a hazy memory, though I do remember thinking they were probably very good! The mist lifted after an hour or so to reveal an attractive, undulating and pleasingly varied course in fine shape. There are plenty of memorable holes, none more so than the par-3 11th played to an island green out in the lake.

My favourite was the two-shotter 16th that skirts the River Klabava. You drive from way up high while the green is flanked by the river on the left and a steep bank on the right. A real beauty of a hole on a lovely course. And no, I’m not just saying that as I managed a par!

From a personal and quite subjective perspective, I would say that the courses improved every day with the final one being my personal pick of the bunch. Others, I am sure, would feel quite differently.

For more information, please visit the Czech Tourism golf website.

For those keen to visit somewhere new and unexpected, where golf is reasonably priced, varied, of good quality and plentiful, and where there is history, culture and much more besides, Bohemia is an ideal golf and wellness destination.

Spain’s fabulous Costa del Sol, or Sun Coast, stretches for the best part of 100 miles as the black-headed gull flies, all the way from Gibraltar across to Nerja. It is home to many of the best golf courses in Spain. Starting with the contrasting Links and Heathland courses at Alcaidesa in the west, all the way to Baviera Golf in the east, there are something like 70 courses of varying style and magnitude. Such is the wealth and variety on offer, it is sometimes now known as the Costa del Golf. It is home to some of the very best golf courses in the country including Real Valderrama, site of the 1997 Ryder Cup, as well as former hosts of the Spanish Open such as San Roque and Torrequebrada.

Many familiar names have established themselves since the arrival of the Real Club de Golf at Sotogrande which is still going, stronger than ever, after more than 60 years. The region is filled with golf of every conceivable type, suiting all budgets and tastes.

Not far from Valderrama, the Costa’s western end is home to more top-quality golf at La Reserva, an excitingly varied Cabell Robinson creation, and at Finca Cortesin, home of the tied Solheim Cup in 2023. The Puerto Banus region just to the west of Marbella is a particularly strong hotbed of golf with several excellent courses including the 27-hole complex at La Quinta. This was designed by Manuel Pinero and has panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Sierra Blanca mountain range. Sloping fairways and deep bunkers add to the challenge but water also comes regularly into play.

Close by are two of the very finest courses in the district; Real Las Brisas where Nick Faldo won the Spanish Open in 1987 and which was revamped by Kyle Phillips just over a decade ago, and beautiful Aloha with its two very different loops of nine and which this year celebrates its 50th birthday. The Costa del Sol is an ideal holiday destination for golf and a great deal more.

Las Mijas

• Lagos - Par 72, 6,897 yards
• Olivos - Par 70, 6,111 yards
• W: mijasgolf.org

Mijas is one of the biggest golfing names on the Costa del Sol as well as one of its oldest clubs. There are two strong and interesting courses, with the Lakes the longer and more demanding. As you would expect from Robert Trent Jones Senior, water features extensively, as does his bold and distinctive bunkering.

The Olives is shorter with the emphasis on accuracy rather than length. It has five short holes and three par 5s, as well as further expansive bunkering and a large double green shared by the tenth and seventeenth.

Real Sotogrande

• Par 72, 6,404 yards
• W: golfsotogrande.com

Back in the 1960s, Sotogrande became one of the very first well-known holiday destinations for sun-seeking golfers. Also designed by Trent Jones Senior, his first creation in Europe, it has constantly reinvented itself to meet the ever-increasing expectations of its visitors.

The course is kept in tip-top condition and benefited from a comprehensive refurbishment a decade ago. Many consider it to be a worthy rival for nearby Real Valderrama, and while not especially intimidating from the tee, its main defence is the elevated and sloping greens which mean that the golfer must plot a route strategically and carefully.

San Roque

• Old - Par 72, 6,590 yards
• New - Par 72, 6,648 yards
• W: sanroquegolfresort.com

This is another of the region’s leading clubs boasting two fine courses. The Old was designed by Dave Thomas and Tony Jacklin, with Seve Ballesteros later adding his flair to the bunkering. It twists and turns through housing and apartments, and a substantial upgrade five years ago has been met with widespread acclaim.

The New, or San Roque II, was designed by Perry Dye, again in collaboration with Seve, just over 20 years ago. This is quite different and has recently been undergoing a significant refurbishment to bring it up to the standards of the Old.

While many of the most famous and best golf courses in Portugal are in the resorts further south, there is a different story to tell relating to heading off piste and centring a tour around Porto. This enchanting and romantic city sprawls along the hillside lining the Douro river as it emerges into the Atlantic. It is the nation’s second-largest city and the ideal start, end or both for a golfing trip to the region. It is packed with remarkable buildings, superb restaurants and enough attractions to warrant a visit in its own right. Just on the southern outskirts of the city is Oporto.

Dating back to 1890, this is the oldest club on the Iberian peninsula. It is a traditional links along flat ground with a clubhouse that oozes history and bygone times. The opening holes are closest to the shore, but the back nine is the stronger of the two, especially the closing four which are more dramatic with water coming into play on them all. Also close to the city centre, Miramar is a fun 9-holer that was founded in 1932.

From the traditional to the new, and around 30 minutes up the coast is the excellent modern links at Estela. Opening in 1989, it hosted the Portuguese Open two years later and is the toughest course in the north of the country, particularly when the wind is up… as it is most days! There are two loops of nine either side of the light and airy clubhouse, with the par-3 4th played from an elevated tee down to a green by the beach, and the super-tough 10th with a long approach up to a very small target. The two snaking par 5s at the 13th and 15th run in opposite directions and are also great fun. Inland there are plenty of lesser-known clubs dotted about, and a real bonus is that compared with green fees in the hotspots, golf in this region represents excellent value for money.

Amarante

• Par 68, 5,501 yards
• W: golfedeamarante.com

Hugging the hills above the picturesque town of Amarante due east of Porto, this hilly but beautifully situated golf course is full of interest and charm. The reward for your leg work is several elevated drives and a host of outrageously good panoramic views. The seemingly low yardage is down to no fewer than seven short holes, and with three par 5s there is plenty to keep everyone interested.

There are several wow-factor holes with the par-3 thirteenth a genuine stunner. Unusually, it’s also well worth stopping for the halfway lunch, a selection of appetising and authentic local dishes.

Axis Golf Ponte de Lima

• Par 71, 6,567 yards
• W: axisgolfe.com

Ponte de Lima is the oldest village in Portugal, an hour or so to the north of Amarante. The course runs over a similar landscape, and the front nine is as hilly as it gets with long walks between some of the holes. The 3rd is a massive 680 yards from the back tee while the par-3 8th is an absolutely cracker which needs no defence other than nature itself.

By contrast, the back nine is less extreme but still very enjoyable, and the on-site hotel provides modern accommodation just a stroll from the clubhouse.

Vidago Palace

• Par 72, 6,456 yards
• W: vidagopalace.com

Up in the mountains, not too far from the Spanish border, the course at Vidago Palace was originally designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross, who was also heavily involved in the evolution of the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, in 1936. The holes closest to the excellent, accompanying hotel run through mature woodland, while others are on more open, elevated land.

An ancient welI is still visible by the 6th green, and various other architectural features including the unusual stone-walled teeing complexes all add to the originality on this thoughtfully-designed and thoroughly enjoyable parkland test. The closing hole is a tough par-3 played back down towards the hotel.

Porto is a couple of hours by car north of several great modern courses such as the exciting West Cliffs, and is more than worthy of a golf trip in its own right.

If everything were easy to accomplish for minimal effort, where would life’s challenges lie? In the case of the stunning Lofoten Links, a dramatic course within the 68th parallel of northern latitude on the spectacular Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, the logistics challenge of simply getting there is richly compensated by the sight that greets your eyes on arrival.

There’s a very real spiritual presence here linking all the elements that help make Lofoten such an amazing place, from the magnificent snow-capped mountains to the majestic local sea eagles who love to perch on the moody rocks behind the signature par-3 2nd hole. The Vikings, too, fully appreciated this stunning setting with several burial grounds respectfully integrated into the layout between the holes.

Both winter and summer bring spectacular light and weather conditions that can change in the blink of an eye. If you see a front coming in and think you’ve got time to reach shelter, think again! I’ve been soaked a number of times at Lofoten having been caught out by sudden changes in the dramatic forces of nature.

The 24-hour daylight in the summer can throw your body clock into another time dimension, but teeing off at midnight is surely a unique thrill that any true golfer will want to tick off the wish list and proudly boast about, while the shorter winter daylight hours present an ideal opportunity to witness the Northern Lights.

The vision of owner, Frode Hov, Lofoten Links has come a long way in 26 years, growing from six to nine holes, then finally 18 in 2015, and more recently expanding the on-site accommodation offering with the addition of cosy, Nordic-style lodges.

The 18-hole layout that celebrates its 10^th birthday in 2025 is a true one-off, playing over lush green slivers that weave through moody rocks and lakes, with the ever-present dual backdrop of strikingly craggy mountains and the Arctic Ocean.

The latest chapter sees The Cabot Collection come on board via a strategic investment. "We are thrilled to join forces with Lofoten Links, a spectacular property that effortlessly aligns with our vision of delivering world-class golf and experiences across the globe’s most remarkable destinations," says Ben Cowan-Dewar, CEO and co-founder of The Cabot Collection.

The alliance comes fairly hot on the heels of other investments that have seen the former Golf Du Médoc Resort in France rechristened Cabot Bordeaux and, of course, Castle Stuart in Scotland now going by the name of Cabot Highlands.

At Europe’s most south-easterly point, Cyprus is a mountainous island packed with history, culture, cuisine, and some surprisingly good golf…

Best Golf Courses In Cyprus

In layman’s terms, Cyprus is an island of two halves with a Greek influence to the south and a Turkish one to the north.

It is by legend the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love.

The southern/Greek two-thirds of the island is under self-rule, and is an excellent destination for European holidaymakers.

It is also home to a large population of ex-pats, and some very engaging golf courses that make up the bulk of the golf in Cyprus.

Aphrodite Hills

Probably the most exciting golf in Cyprus is at the very different Aphrodite Hills.

This was designed by Cabell Robinson getting on for 20 years ago, an architect known for his invention and originality.

It runs over two expansive areas of high ground and cliff-tops right next door to Secret Valley, mentioned further down in the piece.

There are back-to-back stunners at seven and eight, the first a sensational par 3 across a gorge with a heart-stopping access.

The 8th is a dreamy short par 4 to the edge of the cliffs with the balmy backdrop of the azure sea.

Here, there is an ancient olive press in the middle of the fairway.

There are plenty of other very good holes, especially the handful of very attractive par 3s.

With some substantial walks between holes, a buggy is probably a sensible idea, especially when it’s hot.

As evidence of its quality, Aphrodite Hills hosted back-to-back European Tour events in 2020 won by Callum Shinkwin and Robert MacIntyre.

It is also home to the PGA National Cyprus recognition, the only PGA course in Cyprus, and has a superb driving range and ample practice facilities.

The Aphrodite Hills resort is one of the most luxury on the island and, officially known as the Aphrodite Hills Hotel by Atlantica, it makes for a perfect base for golfers and holidaymakers looking to soak up the Cypriot sun.

Eléa

The youngest course on the island is Eléa, a par-71 Nick Faldo desert-style design that opened in 2010.

It features his trademark expansive and very visual bunkering.

Running over an elevated hillside setting with some beautiful vistas out to sea, it is kept in tip-top condition.

On the par-5 2nd, you have to cross a dry stream, and the 17th is a brute of a par 4 with a long approach at an angle over a rocky wasteland.

Playable by all, there are still plenty of challenging holes, with a lake protecting the greens at five and nine.

The classy and spacious clubhouse has views down over the course and is a terrific place to unwind in the restaurant or on the terrace.

The food combines local, Cypriot ingredients but with an international flair.

Secret Valley

A few miles to the east is the well-named Secret Valley, which is next door to Aphrodite Hills.

This is a charming course that runs through a river gorge where the wind blowing in from the sea can play a significant role.

Subject of a significant upgrade over the years, the course makes the very best of what must have been a difficult routing due to the configuration of the land.

The front nine heads down towards the sea with the back nine returning up the valley and usually benefiting from the breeze.

Choose the right tees, and there is every chance of putting together a decent score.

There are two further courses in Southern Cyprus.

One is Minthis Hills, which used to be known as Tsada.

And there is also Vikla, which is further to the east near Larnaca.

With its hot summers with sea breezes and very mild winters, Cyprus has long been a popular target for holidaymakers.

Now, with its small but varied array of golf, its ever-improving accommodation, cuisine and wines, there is something for everyone.

Roderick Easdale heads to the idyllic Costa Navarino to sample the destination’s impressive golf and lifestyle offering

Costa Navarino Golf Resort Review: A Greek Odyssey

In this masked era, you notice those whose smile reaches their eyes, as it does with the staff at Costa Navarino.

The service is also attentive due to the high staff-to-guest ratio.

Costa Navarino was the brainchild of the late Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, who grew up in Messinia and made a fortune in shipping.

It was conceived, in large part, to ensure the people of his home region have employment to allow them to remain in the area, and to preserve the local culture and landscape.

It had been a long-term project for the Captain, as he is universally referred to around those parts.

It took him decades to buy up the parcels of land he needed to weave his tourist-tempting tapestry across his home territory.

This project, which he began and his family has now taken over, is ever expanding: the two golf courses are soon to be joined by two more, with the number of hotels also doubling from the existing two.

These two new hotels are to be built at the Navarino waterfront, adjacent to the Bay course.

Currently, the majority of rounds played by guests are at the Dunes.

This is on the same site as the existing hotels, the Westin and the Romanos.

The Westin is open 11 months of the year (so this is not the place for a Christmas or New Year stay unless you want to take exclusivity to unintended levels) and its sister hotel has a more limited season.

The Bay course is approximately 15 minutes away, but a shuttle service is provided by the hotel.

Related: 8 bucket list golf courses you have to play before you die

A sublime setting

The Bay course, which I had greatly enjoyed on my previous visit, did not disappoint on reacquaintance.

It had changed, however, as the holes have been re-routed to accommodate the new clubhouse.

The opener is now much easier – no longer a doglegged par 4 over water (which has become the 14th), but instead a descending par 4 of no great length with a bewitching bay backdrop.

How far you descend on this hole depends upon where you tee it up.

And you can sometimes literally tee it up here for there is a tee box on the grassed hotel roof.

Most of the holes have a gorgeous backdrop, either floating down seawards or ambling up the hillside. There are few flat holes.

Well, two to be precise, the splendid 2nd and a par 4 late on, which both have the bay all along their right flank.

As one who was taught about the works of Archimedes, I know I state a scientific fact when I say the water level in the bay was minusculely higher shortly after I had sliced my drive on that par 4 than it had been before.

That 2nd is now a cracking par 3 nestled alongside the shoreline, one of several magnificent short holes including two played over dramatic, deep valleys.

The 8th is an odd par 3, which on first sight appears to have taken a wrong turning on its way to a local pitch-and-putt course.

Steeply downhill, it is only 122 yards off the tips and 101 off the yellows.

It is deliberately short – there is plenty of space behind the tees to build a longer hole – and an intriguing bit of design which divides opinion.

I liked Robert Trent Jones II’s courage to be different.

When there are six par 3s and five par 5s, why not ring the changes on the par 3s?

This par-3 hole is also unusual for the number of doglegs on it.

It is the local hangout for a small pack of gentle, lolling, stray dogs, which have been semi-adopted by the club.

I have played here three times and every time they have been on this tee.

Well not quite on it – they have enough golfing etiquette not to lie around nor sleep on the tee itself, merely alongside it, although they obviously consider themselves to have equal rights on the cart path as golfers.

Another subject of debate in the clubhouse, as we sat looking over the 1st fairway down to the bay where a fire helicopter scooped up water to douse a bit of burning hillside, was on the relative merits of the Dunes and Bay layouts.

On my previous visit, which had been for the annual Messinia Pro-Am, consensus of opinion had been that it was a contest of looks versus brains.

The Dunes posed the more technical challenge, but the Bay was prettier.

The low-handicapper in our party disagreed slightly with this, reckoning both tracks would challenge him equally when he was on his A game.

When slightly off it, though, he felt the Bay is more forgiving than the Bernhard Langer-designed Dunes.

For what it’s worth, I played comfortably below my handicap on the Bay; comfortably above it on the Dunes.

But then I am not sure I have an A game.

Related: 15 of the world's most beautiful golf courses

More to come

The Dunes has some fine views from its fairways, but you normally need to look away from the game for these.

On the Bay, they are more integral to the round.

Where the Bay wins hands down over the Dunes is that there is little drama on the Dunes’ one-shotters.

But the Dunes does have some highly enjoyable holes such as the 2nd, a par 4 sliding gently towards the sea, and the 15th, with its clever tight green with a run off to the front and dense shrubbery back and left to gobble a ball.

The green itself is tucked away at the left corner of the fairway.

A hooked approach to the 15th is one of the few obvious ways to lose a ball here.

With its wide fairways, light rough and no water, straightforward opportunities to litter the countryside with Titleists are absent.

Two more courses, designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, are coming at Navarino Hills, with opening planned for spring 2022.

One will cling to the side of the hill overlooking the bay; the other will run through woodland.

We were taken to see a couple of holes on the former which have been recently seeded and they looked spectacular.

Planned at around 7,300 yards, it is hoped this particular layout will host top pro events.

Navarino Dunes boasts numerous restaurants but not a French one, to the incredulity of the French member of our press party.

I’m not sure being taken to the American Diner, with its three bowling alleys, mollified him.

Along with the usual things you’d expect at such a destination – beach, tennis courts, gym, spa et al – are a modern museum explaining the local flora, fauna and sealife as conservation and being green is a large part of Costa Navarino’s DNA, and a go-kart track.

This wasn’t on our itinerary, sadly, as  “journalists get too competitive,” the trip organiser explained.

Every time we returned to Navarino Dunes our temperature was taken, and seeing the eagerness of some of my press colleagues to record the lowest temperature, maybe our organiser had a point.

Related: 20 of the world's most incredible golf courses

Where to play

Navarino Dunes

Stats: par 71, 6,581 yards

Navarino Bay

Stats: par 71, 6,358 yards

Where to stay

The Westin at Navarino Dunes

W: costanavarino.com

Getting there

Kalamata International airport is about three-quarters of an hour from Navarino Dunes and has seasonal direct flights from London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Athens airport is about a three-hour drive away and has direct flights from London, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Flight times from London to Athens are about three and three-quarter hours.

Compared to other European nations, Germany does not get much praise for it's golf, but there are many quality layouts to explore.

The Best Golf Courses In Germany

Given its size, and despite producing some excellent golfing talent, Germany may not quite have the reputation for its golf that other European countries do, but there are still plenty of very good courses here.

Let's take a look.

Hamburger Falkenstein

Recent remodelling by David Krause has changed the course a little form the traditional Colt bunkering, but this remains a very fine course running through undulating woodland on free-draining soil.

Budersand Sylt

Less than ten miles due west off the coast of northern Germany lies the small island of Sylt. A favourite getaway retreat for the German jet set, it’s home to four golf courses, with the superb Budersand, found at the island’s southern tip, the most notable.

Although the course is less than ten years old, it looks and plays like it’s been here for decades, so natural is the routing over the pure linksland. Interestingly, the course was the debut creation of local landscape architect turned course architect, Rolf-Stephan Hansen.

Fohr

Just north of Hamburg and close to the Danish border sits Fohr island which has a brilliant golf course on its land. Frank Pennink put together the original nine holes in the 1970's with Donald Harradine extending it to 18 holes in the 1980's.

Eventually the course was redesigned (and nine more holes were added) which has meant it gone from strength to strength and is now one of the best courses in the country.

Gut Lärchenhof

Germany’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is one which cleverly combines playability with plenty of strategic and visual features. Nicklaus wanted the major tests to come towards the end of each nine, and this he has achieved.

Bad Sarrow (Faldo Berlin and Arnold Palmer)

Featuring bold use of sand including many pot bunkers, the Faldo course reflects just the attention to detail that you would expect from its designer.

According to Sir Nick, "Presented with a windswept, sandy tract of land, my intention was a great a classic links reminiscent of Scotlands Muirfield and Carnoustie.

This is very much a golfer's golf course and there is also an Arnold Palmer designed layout at the club too.

Winston (Links)

A David Krause creation, the Links course at Winston was a mammoth construction, as much as 1.2 million cubic metres of land was moved throughout its build.

The rolling landscape is very unique and has a novelty to it which is hard to find boring.

Seddiner See 

Very much an American style course, there is an abundance of wildlife and in summer the flowers explode with colour.

Bad Griesbach (Brunwies & Beckenbauer)

There are six 18-hole layouts at this huge resort.

The Brunnwies Course was Banger's first creation at Bad Griesbach, and it, arguably, remains his finest. Trvalleing over rolling terrain through the wooded Bavarian landscape, this is a highly attractive layout that blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings.

It's a challenging course with water playing a part on a number of holes and punishing rough playing a part on every hole.

Named after German footballing legend Franz Beckenbauer, the Beckenbaur Course plays across the floor of the Rott Valley, alongside the sparkling River Rott. It's a flat course with water a concern on many holes.

Notable Mentions: Hardenberg, Köln, Hubbelrath, Wendelinus, Jakobsberg, Frankfurter, St Leon-Rot, Berlin Wannsee, Rethmar, Schloss Klingenburg, St Dionys, Schloss Langenstein

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A country that is growing in the world of golf, Belgium has some excellent golf courses to experience.

The Best Golf Courses In Belgium

Belgium is slowing growing in stature as a golfing destination for British tourists and it is easy to see why; there is a selection of great golf courses concentrated around a couple of main hubs.

Here are some of our favourites.

Royal Zoute

This was Colt's first foray overseas, designed whilst he was secretary at Sunningdale. Despite the ravages of war, his hand is still very much in evidence, especially in the bunkering.

The greens are fast and true, and although seemingly generous, the fairways have humps and bumps that can sometimes play mischievous tricks. As at Royal Lytham, this gently undulating links is separated from the sea by houses.

Royal Belgium

This royal, rolling course is on the outskirts of Brussels and runs through magnificent woodland. With the King as the club's president, attention to detail is to the fore.

Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp is the oldest golf club in Belgium and its course dates back to 1913 which was originally designed by Willie Park Junior. Tom Simpson then re-designed it in 1930.

Royal Waterloo

Set in beautiful countryside, Royal Waterloo boasts two testing par-72 courses and a terrific nine-hole layout.

La Marache, has a more testing back nine with a pretty tough finish - the three closing holes are par 5s -but the par 3s are stunning and the par-4 6th and 9th are crackers and there is a great run of holes from the 11th to the 15th.

The course has hosted several international tournaments, including the Belgian Open. With well-bunkered greens Le Lion is similar in length to La Marache at 6,215 yards but with more use of water it is a different challenge.

Royal Fagnes

Situated just outside Spa sits Royal Golf Club de Fagnes which was laid out in the late 1920's by Tom Simpson and Phillip MacKenzie Ross with two nines of differing character.

The front-nine runs through forest, but the back nine is laid across sandy heath and this is where the heather really features.

Golf Chateau de la Tournette

Golf Chateau de la Tournette is situated between Ittre and Nivelles and there are two courses, the 6,024-metre English course, the creation of Peter Alliss and Martin Hawtree in 1997, laid out on a plateau resembles an inland links.

With wide fairways, separated by mounding, and with elevated tees and 100 bunkers and six water features, it's a good test and the big elevated greens have significant slopes.

Notable Mentions: Royal Sart Tilman, Royal Limberg, Golf Du Bercuit, Golf la Bruyere, Golf de L'Empereur, Golf de Rigenee, Golf Club de Louvain-la-Neuve, Golf Club de Pierpont, Golf Club de Sept Fontaines, Royal Ostend, Royal Golf Club du Hainaut.

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With some truly stunning experiences on offer, here are the best golf courses in the region of Scandinavia.

The Best Golf Courses In Scandinavia

Traditionally Scandinavia usually consists of Denmark, Norway and Sweden however the term can also be sometimes used to further group countries like Finland and Iceland together too.

Bearing that in mind, and the quality of golf that is on offer across these countries, we have taken a look at the best courses in Scandinavia.

Bro Hof Slot, Sweden

The beneficiary of an enormous budget, the result is a spectacular tournament-style course. According to its designer, "Everything is bit at Bro Hof. The holes are longer, the greens are bigger, the course has more water and the bunkers are large."

Stretching to an outrageous 8,000 yards from the back, the tees used by mortal golfers offer a fascinating challenge.

Lofoten Links, Norway

The course on the remote Norwegian island of Gimsøya provides one of the world’s most incredible settings for golf.

At a latitude of 68 degrees north, it’s possible to play here 24 hours of the day in mid-summer.

Opened in 2015, it’s a rather tricky place to reach, but once you’re there, the effort is well worth it. Although the stunning surroundings are all-consuming at first, you’ll find the quality of the course lives up to the mesmerising Arctic setting.

Halmstad, Sweden

Situated mid-way between Gothenburg and Malmo, Halmstad is a very pretty coastal town where the first 18-hole layout opened for play in 1938.

Nils Skold added a further loop of nine in 1963 and incorporated the original back nine to make up the North Course which is characterised by its many dog-leg holes, a number of ravines, some streams, trees and various humps and mounds. All this sits on gloriously sandy soil making up an excellent test of golf.

The South course has the original front nine and nine more newer holes.

The Scandinavian, Denmark

One of Scandinavia’s most beautiful clubs can be found 20 miles north-west of Copenhagen; it’s here where two Robert Trent Jones Jr creations have been laid out on a former rifle range.

The Old opened in 2010 and the New a year later, and you’ll want to play both. Negotiating water on the Old is no formality as it comes into play on 12 holes. The New also demands great accuracy, plus a bit more power. Both courses offer a thrilling test with danger never too far away.

Falsterbo, Sweden

On the country’s south-western tip, this remote, natural, unspoilt and little-changed links has a stunning setting, almost completely surrounded by the sea.

Great Northern, Denmark

Great Northern was created by Jack Nicklaus and his design team who, according to their website, took great care in maximising the beautiful existing terrain and features, whilst at the same time taking into account the significant winds that can be a factor in the region.

Indeed there is also plenty of drama on display as shown by the incredible looking 18th hole as shown above.

Barseback, Sweden

There is real variety here thanks to the Masters and Steel courses on site.

Throughout there is a delightfully varied mis of tree-lined holes running through tall pines, open fairway holes and there are some beautiful links holes which overlook the sea and across to Denmark.

Oslo, Norway

Dating back to 1924, Oslo Golf Club is the oldest club in the country as founding members laid out nine holes and then a few years later, 18.

The course has had several renovations projects worked upon it with the most radical transformation coming from American architect Steve Forrest's changes from 2007 to 2009.

Ullna, Sweden

The demanding lakeside course just to the north of Stockholm was originally designed by Sven Tumba, the Swedish sports icon who represented his country at ice hockey, football and golf.

Jack Nicklaus renovated the course in 2013 and whilst he did not touch the routing, he did reshape fairways, and introduce new bunkers and green complexes.

Lubker, Denmark

Still very young, to many this is the best course in the country. There are five long and five short holes as well as a third loop of nine on this sprawling 500-acre site.

PGA of Sweden National

Of the two Kyle Phillips courses to open here - the Links and the Lakes - the first to open was the Links in 2009 and this features large, undulating greens protected by a great many, small, deep bunkers.

It also has a burn which crosses seven of the holes, fine fescue greens, and unlike many treeless links, it does actually have one - literally a single specimen behind the first green.

Combined with the excellent Lakes course too, this is serious golf for those looking for the best.

Kytäjä, Finland

This course offers tremendous variety, huge bunkers, panoramic views and the lake is in play on several of the holes. It is excellent fun.

Keilir, Iceland

Keilir is highly rated where on the front nine, the rough is not grass but lava.

Linna Golf, Finland

We challenge anyone to play this beautiful course, an hour north of Helsinki, and not draw comparisons with the likes of Bearwood Lakes, Woburn and Gleneagles. But how does Linna actually stack up against this wonderful trio?

Play it and you won’t be disappointed. The opening hole sets the scene with stands of pine and birch that form one of the course’s main defences. They can be tamed even if you stray off line as the trees aren’t always dense, but when water comes into play, most significantly on the 9th, 14th and 15th, it’s time to pick your spot and back yourself.

This Tim Lobb design has many standout holes, but one of the best is the par-4 14th that skirts water up to an unusual green with a bowl-shaped central section.

Notable Mentions: Vallda, Vasatorps, Kristiansad, Visby, Brauterholt, Himmerland, Kongsvinger, Reykjavik,

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Blessed with year-round sunshine and very enjoyable and varied courses, Gran Canaria has much to offer the visiting golfer. Rob Smith returns for a detailed look…

Golf in Gran Canaria

I first visited Gran Canaria in 2007 and was delighted to return ten years on to revisit the courses I had played - some of which had then only just opened - and play one or two that I had missed or which have opened since.

Anfi Tauro

Anfi Tauro is the most westerly course on the island and it opened a decade ago. It is probably also the boldest and most dramatic design, with no expense spared in carving through the volcanic rock to create a genuine rollercoaster of a course.

The front nine is on slightly lower ground that is still elevated enough to offer fine views out to sea, and there are several standout holes including the two par 3s. The 3rd is played at an angle across a gully, and the 6th is a stunner which crosses a plateau to a palm-fringed green with the backdrop of a rocky peak and the ocean.

The back nine is more elevated - I would recommend a buggy - and there is a real heart-stopper at thirteen which is played down to a must-hit green.

I also loved the 17th which is a short par 4 played down to a green overlooked by a massive rock. On reflection, I would say this is the toughest course on the island but it is also beautiful and packed with memorable holes.

Salobre

I stayed at Salobre in 2007, very shortly after the Old Course had opened, and it has now been complemented by the quite remarkable and dramatic New. The Old is a more conventional and very pleasing resort course with nothing too demanding to get in the way other than a couple of water hazards and some super-sized cacti.

The New could hardly be more different. It was designed by Ron Kirby and significantly upgraded four years later. The sign by the first tee says it all.

Dramatic is an understatement as the course rises and then plummets over the rocks and through ravines to must-hit greens. Not long, it is eccentric, photogenic and a perfect outing for those seeking something new and different.

Lopesan Meloneras

The course at Meloneras had only been open for a few months when I played it in 2007. It is now mature, lush, and very enjoyable with two distinctly different nines. The opening holes run up and down to the north of the road where the standouts are the par-3 third which is played over a reservoir and the long 8th which works its way up the slope to a well-protected green.

The back nine heads down to the cliff-tops where the stretch from eleven to fifteen are exciting, scenic and great fun. At the lovely par-3 twelfth I was lucky enough to watch a pair of Harris hawks hunting, and there are lovely views back over the town, out to sea, and down to the nearby marina.

Maspalomas

The course at Maspalomas Golf Club was designed over 40 years ago by Philip Mackenzie Ross of Turnberry fame. The par-73 layout runs just inside the massive sand dunes after which the resort is named, and is the easiest-walking course on the island with very little elevation change. This is a course of strength in depth rather than signature holes where the most enjoyable stretches are the opening three holes and the loop from twelve to fifteen.

Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

My final port of call was the oldest club in Spain, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, founded in 1891. It is home to the oldest sporting trophy in Spain, the Palmer Cup, and more recently has been the venue of numerous victories by Rafa Cabrera Bello and his talented siblings, Miguel and Emma. There are some terrific views and the green at the 2nd has a wonderful setting.

This is completely unlike the other courses on the island, and although welcoming of visitors, it really has the feeling of being a members’ club.

As a base for visiting all of these courses, I would recommend the hotel where I was lucky enough to stay - the Palm Beach in Maspalomas. This is just a short drive from the island’s southern golfing heartland and has excellent food, accommodation and service.

Gran Canaria is a striking island, and with its relative proximity to the UK and easy access, it is ideal at any time of the year for either a short break or a full holiday.

There are so many reasons for golf fans to visit Paris next year for the 2018 Ryder Cup. Golf Monthly hopped on the Eurostar to give you a little teaser

5 Reasons To Attend The 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris

The countdown to the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris is on. With Your Golf Travel expected to release some fantastic packages for the biennial contest in the coming weeks, Golf Monthly jumped on the Eurostar to give you a teaser as to what you can expect from a trip to The City of Light.

Aside from the many tourist hotspots, here are our top five reasons to attend the 2018 Ryder Cup...

The host city - Paris!

This will be the first time the Ryder Cup has been held in the host country’s capital – and what a city to visit. Paris needs no introduction. Let’s just say it’s one of the most culturally rich cities in the world.

Paris boasts a large number of world-famous attractions. Amongst the most distinctive and unique include Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. If you’re struggling to cram everything in, one of the best ways to explore the city is with a river cruise at Bateaux Parisiens.

There’s no doubt the French capital will bring its “art de vivre” to the Ryder Cup and you don’t want to miss it.

The venue - Le Golf National

If you’re staying in the capital, and why would you not, then your only concern should be dragging yourself away from the many delights of the city itself to make the short trip out to Le Golf National.

Once there, this stadium golf course is made for the drama that only the Ryder Cup can offer. Risk-reward is constant throughout the stunning Albatros course, home to the Open de France.

Any matches going the distance will be even more absorbing with the final three holes perfectly set up to maximise the drama further still. If you’re lucky enough to be perched near the stunning par-3 16th, you might just have the perfect spot to watch the fireworks unfold.

Golf, golf, golf!

You’re taking your clubs, right? France has over 730 golf courses to date, 22 of which are ranked in the 1,000 best courses in the world. Furthermore, Le Golf National is situated in an area boasting the largest number of golf course in France; 78 in total.

Golf Monthly was fortunate to play the delightful tree-lined l'Exclusiv Golf du Château de Cély situated 45kms south of Paris, close to the beautiful forest of Fontainebleau. This vast 55-hectare estate includes a 14th century chateau and a super clubhouse. Golf here doesn’t get more relaxing.

Then there’s Golf de Fontainebleau, one of the oldest golf courses in France. Located on ancient imperial hunting ground, this traditional club oozes charm. If you can add this to your Ryder Cup itinerary then you should make the effort, you won’t be disappointed.

The stretch connecting Saint Germain-en-Laye to Versailles, a highly sought after area just outside the capital, is home to the country’s golfing haven. It’s safe to say Your Golf Travel will have some enticing packages comprising a number of world-class golf courses that will live long in the memory.

Recommended websites for your trip:

yourgolftravel.com

laroutedesgourmets.fr

golf-national.com

golfdefontainebleau.org

bateauxparisiens.com

The Eurostar

Not to be compared to your commute to work, the two-hour journey from London to Paris is all part of the experience. ‘Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey’. For once, you can do just that – and maybe with a glass of champagne, too.

The food… and drink

Few cities can claim greater stature on the food and drink front.

Golf Monthly did not visit every restaurant in Paris, although we did have a good go.

We recommend a food shopping tour in La Madeleine district. During a two-hour guided walking tour you will discover the history of some famous French brands such as Fauchon, La Maison de la Truffe and Maille. This is the perfect spot to take home a few special gifts.

Golf in Greece may be lacking in quantity, but the two lovely courses at Costa Navarino lead the way in quality...

Costa Navarino Golf Course Reviews

The south-western coastline of mainland Greece is a stunningly beautiful and unspoilt area, blessed with a superb climate and spectacular scenery. It is home to Costa Navarino, an extensive, award-winning destination that has the environment and sustainability at the core of all that it offers including the architecture, the delicious cuisine and two excellent golf courses.

The Dunes

The first course to be completed was the Dunes Course, a collaboration between Bernhard Langer and European Golf Design. With a par of 71, it opened in 2010 and is remarkably mature despite its tender age, offering great variety and a fresh set of challenges at every turn.

Rather than wordy descriptions, I have simply selected three holes from each nine and will let their pictures do the talking.

The back nine is equally strong and the course is probably the tougher of the two at Costa Navarino.

The Bay

The Bay Course opened a little later, and in my view is even more photogenic and enjoyable offering breathtaking views from start to finish. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior, it is on dramatically undulating ground overlooking the Gialova Bay, with two holes running right alongside the beach before the course heads up and down through the hills on a thrilling rollercoaster ride. Once again, pictures speak louder than words.

There is risk and reward every inch of the way and the six-pack of short holes will each live long in the memory. As a combination of golfing test and scenic delight, the Bay Course is hard to beat.

Costa Navarino is about far more than just the golf and there is a story to tell of local and national culture and tradition. This is evident throughout the two superb hotels which border the Mediterranean. The Westin, Costa Navarino has more than 400 rooms and suites, the design of which is inspired by old Messinian mansions. Adjacent is The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort which has 321 airy rooms, suites and villas, and both hotels open out into the Agora, an authentically recreated village centre with a variety of bars, restaurants, entertainment areas and shops.

The pristine coastline is lined with dreamy, sandy beaches and peaceful lagoons, olive groves, waterfalls, and a wealth of flora and fauna. With more golf courses on the way, Costa Navarino is already a massive and very appealing destination that will continue to grow both in terms of what is on offer, and in its worldwide renown.

Having already been twice, I am really looking forward to going back again!

Many discerning, travelling golfers thirst after something new - not just in the golf, but in the culture, scenery and other activities away from the course

Golf in Flanders

For the discerning golfer who travels, of particular interest are the courses in continental Europe that provide easy access. Happily, a new enterprise is offering the perfect solution for golfers from all over Europe as Golf in Flanders reveals the region to be one of the continent’s best, new golfing hotspots.

With Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts set to represent Belgium in the Olympics, the Flemish Golf Federation is proud to be promoting Flanders as a top-class golf destination where its 54 clubs will welcome golfers of all standards to try out its wide and varied array of courses. Many are reminiscent of some of the finest heathland and parkland courses in the UK. Some, such as Royal Zoute which has hosted several European Tour events, are already widely known and highly respected. Others such as Millennium and Koksijde Golf Ter Hille are more recent creations which offer a wonderful contrast meaning that there is something for everyone.

"Flanders has some of the best and most beautiful golf courses at relatively short distances from each other and from the tourist attractions nearby, but it is unknown for many tourists and expats,” says Katrien Pauwels, project manager of Golf in Flanders. “Our golf clubs have all the required facilities: varied and well-kept courses to suit every skill level, good food and great service in the clubhouse as well as lots of heritage to discover.”

Everyone associated with the project is keen to show off the many wonderful and exciting things that golfing tourism in the region has to offer, and to make sure that every visiting golfer has an experience that is positive in every way. Accordingly, the Golf in Flanders team is looking forward to inviting golf writers and journalists as well as golf tour operators to come and sample all that is on offer for themselves.

More information is available at the Golf In Flanders website

The Golfy Network runs the Golfy Card which allows cardholders discounts at golf courses and hotels in five European countries, particularly those in France

Golfy Network is aiming to expand their activities to British travelling golfers.

The Golfy Network runs the Golfy Card which allows cardholders discounts at golf courses and hotels in five European countries, particularly those in France.

France was where the Golfy Network was launched, 26 years ago, by Alan Jeanjean Alain Jeanjean was the founder of the Académie Internationale des Métiers du Golf which had developed a number of golf training centres in France.

The 1980s saw a vast increase in the number of golf courses in France, with more than 450 courses built in just a few years. This was one heck of an expansion when one considers that all but 200 of the existing course in France were built during that frenetic period.

But such a huge and rapid rise in the supply of golf opportunities in France was not matched by a similarly rapid increase in demand for golf.

So Mr Jeanjean brought some golf clubs together to address the situation. This meeting led to the establishment of the Golfy Network in 1990 with 20 golf partners.

It now partners with venues in five European countries - France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Spain - with more than 150 golf clubs and over 130 hotels involved.

Courses in the network include PGA Catalunya and Paris National, home of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Hotels in the network include Hotel du Golf de l’Ailette.

The basic Golfy Card is the Indigo Card which gives 25% discount on green fees and 15% discount on accommodation. The Indigo Card is available for a special price of €45 for UK residents.

The Platinum Card offers 30% discount on green fees and 20% discount on accommodation, as well as many other extra benefits. The Platinum Card costs €179 per year.

A loyalty scheme allows all cardholders to collect Yards through the purchases they make within the Golfy Network. For example, for every €1 spent on green fees they accrue 10 Yards, and for every €1 spent on accommodation they earn 5 Yards.

All purchases within the Golfy Network, including buggy hire, golf lessons, restaurant meals and spa visits, earn loyalty Yards.

Once 4,500 Yards have been collected, they can be exchanged for gifts.

For more details of how the Golfy Network works, click here.

Many will be unfamiliar with the region of Asturias in northern Spain, but it's a delightful province with some of the most scenic golf in Europe

GM Promotion

There’s a common misconception that golf in Spain is solely confined to the south, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Spain is a beautiful and diverse country with a whole host of golfing assets, not least the region of Asturias, which lies in the north of the country.

In terms of natural beauty, Asturias is hard to beat. The region, which lies between Cantabria and Galicia, features sublime coastal views, quaint cities and arresting backdrops, with views of the Picos de Europa mountains present from many of Asturias’ 16 golf courses. It’s a hilly, pastoral part of Spain, with the region’s three main cities – Gijón, Oviedo and Avilés – situated close together.

The former is a coastal locale with much to offer in terms of leisure and gastronomy, while Oviedo is a charming, historic city filled with cobbled streets, impressive architecture, countless nightspots and even a street dedicated to cider – a speciality of the region. Oviedo is the perfect base from which to explore the region’s golf courses, as well as the scenery, culture, history and food that Asturias is famed for.

One of the best courses in Asturias is Los Balagares Golf, which is a stone’s throw from Avilés and roughly 15km from Gijon and Asturias. It’s a tricky yet scenic layout that features sloping greens and a number of elevation changes. It also boasts superb amenities – including a spa and restaurant – and a convivial atmosphere.

There are plenty of municipal courses in Asturias offering tremendous value. One of the most highly-regarded public layouts can be found at Golf Municipal de Llanes. You won’t find better value for money anywhere in Spain, and the setting is spectacular. It’s perched on the top of a mountain with some wonderful views over the coast, the eponymous town and the Picos de Europa on the other side.

It’s also a well-designed course with good greens and a natural routing that offers a challenge to low-handicappers, while not being overly challenging for part-time players. As with all courses in Asturias, the staff are friendly and welcoming. Other municipal layouts worth visiting include Golf Las Caldas, Golf La Llorea and Golf El Tragamón. There are also a couple of pitch and putt courses dotted around – perfect for beginners and family outings.

Located in the borough of Siero, about 12km from Oviedo, is Barganiza Royal Golf Club. It’s a layout that features stunning views, ample water and a broad variety of trees, which serve to create a course that’s challenging and stirring in equal measure. Always presented in excellent condition, it features one of the best par 3s in Asturias, the 12th, with a green that’s almost completely surrounded by chestnut trees.

An hour or so to the east of Oviedo is Club de Golf La Rasa de Berbes – a fine course in the most tranquil of locations. Herds of deer are a common site, and you’ll be able to view the fishing town of Ribadesella and the Picos de Europa as you negotiate a layout with some great holes which fits seamlessly into the natural landscape.

The 16 golf courses in Asturias are playing an increasingly significant role in attracting more and more visitors to this part of the country. You won’t find more scenic and aesthetically pleasing layouts anywhere else in Spain, and the quality is improving all the time. Away from the course, you’ll find first-rate hotels, exquisite food and drink, historic landmarks and buildings, nature trails, golden beaches and more. Simply put, it’s wonderfully unspoilt and bucolic part of the world.

How to get there:

Asturias airport is now easier to reach from the UK than ever, with 15 direct connections from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The flight time is just two hours, with return fares from airlines such as Iberia, easyJet and Vueling starting from £52

For more information on golf in Asturias, as well as the region’s other attractions, visit asturiastourism.co.uk

Alcanada Golf Club has a beautiful course in north east Mallorca and is considered by many as the best course on the island

Alcanada Golf Club has a beautiful course in north east Mallorca. It is situated between towering mountains and sea, so offers excellent views in both directions.

The best view is from the raised 13th tee, where you hit down and towards the Bay of Aucanada with the mid-19th century lighthouse standing on the small island of Aucanada in the background.

“You would never tire of this view, would you?” said one of my playing companions.

The first hole at Alcanada Golf Club is a tough one to encounter first up. The hole is essentially in an L shape, which an expanse of barranco forming the inside of the smaller bar of the L. This you have to cross to get to the green, or the last section of fairway, depending on how you approach it.

Two balls lighter, I teed it up on the 2nd.

The 7th hole has a camera behind the tee which will record your drive here. You get a ticket from the pro shop before your round, then within 60 seconds of playing your tee shot on you can scan the bar code into the machine and it will send a copy of the film of your swing to a computer in the clubhouse, where you can study it and have it emailed to you.

Of course, if you shank it horribly, you can just not scan your ticket and your shame can remain a private one shared only with your playing companions.

But if your drive is not the best, just enjoy the view from the tee as the course tumbles down in front of you towards the sea.

The best holes however are among the later ones. The short par-5 13th probably stands out as most people’s favourite at Alcanada Golf Club. A downhill left-arcing 496 yards from the tips it also gives you a chance to have a happy memory of the hole on the scorecard as well.

The long par-3 17th is the best of the short holes on this Robert Trent Jones II-designed layout. It is a simple design, with a quartet of bunkers in line diagonally, with the green tucked away on the left behind them.

You climb to the 19th hole, and its terrace offers yet one final splendid view of a site full of them, across the course towards the lighthouse.

On this terrace was a group of golfers debating whether Alcanada Golf Club or Son Gual is the best golf course on Mallorca, an island not short of good golf courses.

Welcome to one of Spain's best-kept secrets: a superb golfing destination where the fierce summer sun is tempered by mountain mists, and a great round can be rewarded with fabulous cuisine accompanied by first-class wine.

Located in the northwest of the country, the region of Galicia lies at the very end of the legendary ‘Camino de Santiago' route and is gradually becoming something of a pilgrimage for golfers. Come with me as I play three inviting tracks - Mondariz, Ria de Vigo and De Meis - that require stealth and strategy amid spectacular views.

Read more...

Scroll down the list of courses that bear the mark of the late Dave Thomas and you will find Son Parc, Menorca, a little gem on the island's pine-clad north coast. Thomas lent his considerable hand to more obvious destinations in Spain like San Roque and La Manga West, but you suspect he enjoyed his commission here every bit as much.

Sadly, Thomas passed away in Spain in August, the day before I arrived on the island, news of which had yet to migrate from the mainland when I handed the keys of the buggy to my 14-year-old son and set forth among the Pine woods that frame this magnificent coastline. Son Parc is the only course on the island and began life in 1977 as a nine-hole novelty, the maximum allowed by planners in what remains a fiercely protected conservation area.

Its installation was part of the great golf expansion in Spain linked to the development of apartment complexes or urbanisations. Son Parc is in fact a complex of small, white-washed schemes within a lob wedge of the magnificent San Sauro Beach. During my ten days in this verdant outpost I trawled the island charting the better known ‘Bounty' coves on the south coast, but concluded that none surpassed this gorgeous expanse of sand and dunes in the administrative region of Fornells. Memories of that bogey at 18 are easily washed away in the shallow, turquoise bay made for an early evening dip.

Planning laws subsequently allowed for the 18 holes originally sought. Land was at a premium and regulations not generous enough to permit the new lay-out to reach the monster proportions of modern design, but in the view of this golfing foot soldier that is no bad thing. And with a teenage son slowly coming to appreciate the delights of this great game it proved the ideal step up from the par-3 thrash at Milton Keynes.

Thomas chose to shoe-horn the first three holes into a limited parcel but once you climb on to the 4th tee you begin to appreciate why. The hole opens into an avenue of gorgeous, tree-lined treachery, not long but narrow. From there the 5th, accessed across a road, feeds into a northern quadrant of four terrific holes culminating at the 8th, one of six par threes on the course and by far the most dramatic, requiring a tee shot over a lake.

This course is made for beginners and intermediates, or for more experienced golfers simply delighted at the opportunity to swing a club while on holiday. Unlike its much grander neighbour, Majorca, Menorca is not a ‘golfing destination' as we understand the Spanish experience to be, which is part of its charm since it yields an entirely different atmosphere, much less formal. At barely 5,500 yards from the back tees it resembles in length and character the municipal courses of my youth. The difference here is the deluxe elements provided by the Thomas design team.

The course opens up beautifully from the ninth, and we begin to see the skill in Thomas's hand with the dog legs at 9, 10, 13 and 14, short par-4s that ask robust questions. The sequence beginning at 11 is Thomas's approximation to Amen Corner without Augusta's length. The 11th feeds into a landing area behind a landscaped rockery featuring among other flora, tall grasses, resulting in a blind entry to the green.

The par-3 12th clings to a steep wood that runs to the left. The 13th tee is set back high above the 12th green and invites the more courageous to take out the dog leg left. Big hitters getting it wrong will easily run out of landing area bordered by long grass at the top of the elbow. Not even Phil Mickelson with a 6-iron would escape from that.

The round finishes with a flourish at 17 and 18, the penultimate hole being the longest at more than 500 yards, with a blind tee shot to boot, and the last a tricky par-three protected by a huge tree before the green. It measures 147 yards but the presence of the tree and high temperatures tempt you into reaching for a more lofted club. I was a club short with my 8-iron. Jonny crunched a six iron front left. Smug would be right.

For those who have not been, Menorca is a delight barely 40 miles across from the capital Mahon in the east to the lovely old town of Cuitadella in the west. From any point on the island you can strike out for Son Parc, which is within an hour even of the most distant parts. It sits in the dramatic hilly hinterland behind the island's highest peak, Mt Torro, which charms with effortless splendour at 358 metres above sea level.

The course is under new ownership and there are further plans to develop the site with a hotel and swimming pool under consideration. As it is there is a restaurant/bar, practice range and chipping and putting facilities. At its pre-2008 peak Son Parc attracted 25,000 golfing guests a year. Those numbers halved as the post-crash austerity took a chunk out of the European travel market, which is reason enough to take advantage now while tee times are still readily available. In the low season you can enjoy 18 holes for less than £30, with reductions for under 18s and under 15s.

If you have an ambitious nipper who is under 18 and fancies a weekend of sharp tournament competition you might wish to enter them in the Menorca Junior Open, a competition for amateurs at all levels with prizes for handicap golfers as well as the best scratch players, from October 18-20. Regrettably that counts me out. Maybe I can park young Jonny in the tournament and spend the weekend portside 25 minutes away in Mahon. Mine's a double, and I'm not talking bogey.

www.golfsonparcmenorca.com email: info@golfsonparc.com or info@menorcagolf.es

One of Europe's most vibrant new golfing destinations, Lumine Golf Club, has unveiled two exclusive stay and play packages for golfers looking to escape to the Spanish sunshine this autumn.

Running from 15th September to 31st December the packages at the Troon-managed resort, include unlimited golf, accommodation at Hotel Magnolia or Tryp Port in nearby Cambrils, breakfast each morning and evening meals at Lumine's Hoyo 19 Restaurant.

Enjoy one night's accommodation, an evening meal and two days of unlimited golf for just 125 € per person or two nights, two evening meals and three days of unlimited golf for €170 per person.

Golf can be played over either of Lumine's championship courses, led by the Greg Norman designed Lakes Course. The course is a challenging test of golf that unfolds over a network of water hazards which wind around the picturesque Sequia Major wetlands.

The second championship course, the Hills, undulates through pine woodlands and olive groves putting an emphasis on shot making and course management. The layout offers magnificent views over the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding region.

To take advantage of the exclusive stay and play offers and for more information on Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community please visit: www.lumine.com

Austria: 32,375 mainly mountainous squares miles with the Alps and their foothills covering the west and south, and the lowlands occupying the east part of the Danube basin.

A nation sharing a border with eight other countries in the heart of Europe, and renowned for its composers (Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Strauss), snow sports and... golf. Or at least it will be, if the academy-complex we visit is anything to go by. Don't believe us?

Read more...

Lumine, situated in the stunning Costa Dorada region of Spain, has unveiled its first ever stay and play golf deals. 

The resort, managed by Troon Golf, features its own Beach Club, several restaurants, two clubhouses and three golf courses, two of which were designed by Greg Norman.

The exclusive packages are available from March 23, 2012 until the June 15, 2012, in two different options. The first includes one night's accommodation, two days of unlimited golf, plus dining in the clubhouse post-golf and an evening

meal at Lumine's restaurant for just €160 per person.

The

second option includes two nights' accommodation, three days unlimited golf,

plus food and beverages for €170 per person.

Located on 170 acres, its three courses make up 45 holes. The Lakes Course, a links-style championship course designed by Norman, features several water hazards that wind around the Sèquia Major wetlands.

The Hills Course, Lumine's second championship course runs through white pine trees and offers spectacular views of the nearby coastline. Completing the golf offering is the nine-hole Ruins Course, another Norman design, uniquely laid out amongst Roman archaeological remains from the second century BC.

For more information on Lumine Mediterránea Beach & Golf Community, including latest golf packages, visit lumine.com

Where next?

More golf Monthly travel

Lumine Golf Club has begun its ambitious quest to become one of Europe's premier golf and leisure developments in impressive style.

Managed by Troon Golf, the resort played host to the PGAs of Europe Fourball Championship over two-days of fierce competition amongst leading professionals from around Europe.

Just south of Barcelona, in the heart of the Costa Dorada, Lumine offers 45 holes to a world class standard.

Golf legend Greg Norman designed the signature Lakes Course, on which the PGAs of Europe Fourball Championship was played. Plans are now afoot to double the size of field for the event in 2013 by taking advantage of the challenging Hills Course.

The Lakes Course is located between the wetlands of the area and as such is blessed with native flora and fauna. The course offers a serious challenge to golfers with its links-style design with a par of 71. As the name would suggest, there's plenty of water your ball can disappear into and the flatter land, on which the course is set, means the wind poses a serious threat around this layout.

The Hills Course is situated between rolling hills and offers the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean. Near Cape Salou, golfers play through pine forest as well as olive and carob tree plantations.

Completing the 45-hole resort is the 9-hole Ruins Course, which is set spectacularly among local Roman ruins. Also a Greg Norman design, it offers an enjoyable challenge over its par 34 layout.

Away from the golf, the resort has a number of restaurants and bars for much needed refreshment after a hard day on the course. Lumine's Beach Club allows visitors the chance to unwind and relax in its various fresh-water and sea-water swimming pools.

The local area also offers plenty to do, the town of Tarragona has over 2000 years of history with Roman ruins still standing in the town and was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Calle Carlsson, general manager of Lumine Mediterranea Beach & Golf Community, said: "Golf was the first fully functional amenity available here at Lumine and is central to our plans moving forward.

"With a host of other openings and amenities set to be unveiled throughout 2012, we are 100% focussed on becoming one of the most comprehensive and desirable leisure facilities on the continent."

If you're looking to get away for a golfing holiday, you could do worse than book yourself on a flight to Tenerife.

With an average temperature of 23 degrees and some world-class golf courses, it's time that you seriously considered a golfing getaway to Tenerife.

Golf in Tenerife:

Where next?

More golf travel

Thanks to the climate, great courses and luxurious accommodation, Spain has long held a reputation for being one of Europe's golfing 'hot spots'. If you are looking to experience real Spanish culture and cuisine along with a golfing break, there are two contemporary Paradores which could suit your needs: Parador El Saler, situated near Valencia and Parador Malaga Golf on the Costa del Sol.

Firstly, El Saler Golf Course built within the El Saler Nature Reserve has previously been voted the second best golf course in Europe, and holds a reputation for having one of the best layouts in the world. Designed by Spanish architect Javier Arana, the 18-hole golf course is laid out within pine groves and sand dunes, highlighting the picturesque surroundings of the course. In addition, the resort includes a golf school, driving range, pro shop and restaurant in order to suit all your needs.

Alternatively, Parador Malaga Golf situated on the Costa del Sol is ideally located five minutes from Malaga Airport, and ten minutes from the nearest town. Designed by British architect Tom Simpson of Turnbull and Muirfield, the course which re-opened in 2007 after a refurbishment, is spread over two links areas and suits all golfing abilities. Parador Malaga Golf also includes a golf school and driving range, along with a luxury Spa that attracts golfers and non-golfers alike.

Price per night with breakfast starts from £118 for golfers, and £74 for non-golfers at Parador El Saler, and prices for golfers begin at £80 at Parador Malaga Golf.

For more information and advice, visit Parador.

Troon Golf has announced the opening of a new championship golf course at Costa Navarino in Greece.

The Bay Course has been designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr and will open to the public next month.

Already established as one of the world's most exciting new golf destinations it follows on from the success of the Bernhard Langer designed Dunes Course.

Trent Jones Jr's design and the neighbouring Dunes Course will combine to create one of world golf's most sought after experiences.

Overlooking the historic bay of Navarino and the town of Pylos, The Bay Course has been laid out to make the most of the spectacular panoramic sea and mountain views.

It's proximity to the sea means several holes run close to the bay but as it moves inland it interchanges between canyons and olive groves.

Course management and accuracy are a must and the course offers a significant challenge to all levels of golfing ability.

There are also extensive practice facilities capable of hosting large groups as well as tournament golf.

Robert Trent Jones Jr said: "The Bay Course is sculpted out of the earth and rock of Greek soil, much like the marble statues of the ancients.

"Those deities were noble and graceful, and the golf course now reflects the same sense of beauty. This golf experience will lat the test of time, to beloved and enjoyed through all the sense by those who come to play the golf course."

Research carried out by American Express® Platinum Charge Card* reveals that relaxation tops the list of the one thing travellers look for when booking a trip abroad, and what better way to relax than taking to the stunning golf course of Valderrama in southern Spain. Situated on a private estate along the coast from Marbella, this iconic course was designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Senior in 1974. The club was bought ten years later by Bolivian billionaire, Jaime Ortiz-Patino, who invited Trent Jones back with the brief to transform the course into Continental Europe's finest, both for the professional and the more modest golfer.

Its fame has spread across the world, initially as the home of the Volvo Masters, the one-time season-ending climax to the European Tour. Greater fame was to arrive when the club hosted the most dramatic of Ryder Cups in 1997, with Europe beating the USA by the narrowest possible margin. The home team was captained by the late, great, Severiano Ballesteros, who said of Valderrama: "I found everything perfect. It's impossible to imagine a golf course in better condition." Two years later, the club hosted the inaugural WGC - American Express Championship, won by Tiger Woods.

Consistently presented in the most immaculate condition, Valderrama's generous fairways and small greens are as good as you will find anywhere. Its bunkers are deep and uniformly filled, and virtually every hole is bordered by beautiful cork and pine trees. By limiting the number of visitors, the course is seldom busy and as a result is never overplayed. The layout is a delight, and while everyone will have a favourite hole, the one that tends to live longest in the memory is the iconic 17th - famous for its green that is protected by water to the front. Back in the spacious and superbly appointed clubhouse, you have the chance to relax and possibly rub shoulders with film stars, sporting heroes and even royalty. On offer are mouth-watering local specialities, fine wines and perhaps a slice of magnificent homemade cake. And don't forget to browse the splendid pro shop with its tempting array of golf wear and memorabilia.

Valderrama is also surrounded by other top-drawer clubs such as Sotogrande Old, San Roque and La Reserva Club de Golf, and as you would expect, the nearby hotels, restaurants and other attractions will suit the most discerning traveller. So for the golfer heading into Europe in search of the one place to play, a visit to Valderrama is a must.

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Travel essentials

Getting There

Various airlines, including British Airways (ba.com) operate to both Malaga and Gibraltar.

Where to Stay

Almenara Hotel, Sotogrande W: hotelalmenara.com

Club Maritimo de Sotogrande W: clubmaritimodesotogrande.com

Where to play

Valderrama Club de Golf W: valderrama.com

The one thing for the travelling golfer

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*American Express Platinum Charge Card research conducted week commencing 1st August 2011. **Based on airline transfer redemption with British Airways Executive Club as of 1 June 2011. Excludes taxes, fees, charges and surcharges. Terms and Conditions apply.

Membership Rewards Points can also be used to pay for tickets and packages, including taxes and surcharges and on any airline that is offered through American Express Travel. Certain airlines are not available through American Express Travel. They can also be used in part payment for a ticket.If you'd prefer a Card without any rewards, other features or a Card membership fee, an alternative option is available - the Basic Card. Terms and conditions apply.

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The Mallorca Marriott Son Antem has recently invested €1.7 million in a refurbishment of its hotel public areas and guest rooms.

The Mallorca Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa has completed the renovation of the fine dining restaurant El Olivar, the hotel bar and the lobby furniture.

Its refurbishment of the prestigious Mallorca Hotel presents a fresh new look to hotel guests. Jörg Meile, General Manager of the resort, is excited about the changes and said: "We selected warm, inviting colours and contemporary stylish furnishings for the re-design, reflecting a traditional Mediterranean Finca Style."

One of the highlights of the refurbishment in the lobby area is the new centralised Lobby Bar. Providing more seating and a whole new inviting look, the Lobby bar is sure to be the focal point of all guest attention.

For those wishing to relax in the Hotel Patio, a complete upgrade of the furniture allows guests to sit back and watch the day go by in the properties new open-air chill out lounges.

In the public exterior space, pool lounges were replaced in the hotel outdoor pool as well as the Spa pool.

The Guest Room upgrades are scheduled to begin towards the end of 2011 and are expected to be completed by early 2012. The revitalised rooms will include new carpets, curtains, lighting and flat screen televisions. In addition, all hallways will experience a make over with new carpeting.

In prime Algarve golfing territory, Monte da Quinta resort offers golfing packages with discounts at three Quinta do Lago courses - North, South and Laranjal. The food and service at the resort are superb, and the evening meal on the first night was one of the best I have ever tasted.

However you do not need to eat ‘out', as all the accommodation comes with its own kitchen. My kitchen - only ever used by me for the boiling of water - had a microwave, fridge, oven and hobs. The suite also included a dvd player, and the televisions received a wide range of channels including BBC 1 and 2, Channel 4 and Sky Sports. Thus after my day golfing I was able to sit with a pot of tea watching the test cricket. The Englishman abroad.

Golf holiday insurance: Get golf insurance

We stayed in the Monte da Quinta Suites, but there are also two and three- bedroom townhouses, and three- to five-bedroom villas. All villas and townhouses have their own swimming pool, however all guests have access to the pool at the clubhouse where there is also a gym and restaurant.

All those staying in the resort can use the facilities at Monte Da Quinta Suites. These include a health club with sauna, massage rooms, gym, indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, beauty saloon, games room, outdoor swimming pool and children's play area which has a one-to-one babysitting service.

The Monte da Quinta Suites are the latest accommodation to be built at the four-star resort less than half an hour from Faro International Airport. These consist of 80 one-bedroom suites, 48 two-bedroom ones, and four three-bedroom ones.

Amongst the generous array of toiletries and accoutrements in the bathroom was sun cream. An obvious inclusion, but one I cannot remember off-hand finding in any other hotel.

Alongside the soap dispenser in the locker rooms at Laranjal Golf Club, was one of suncream. Again so sensible, but again the first time I can remember encountering it. One hopes that this, along with the friendly and attentive service, translates across to the new clubhouse - the current one is only temporary.

Laranjal is the newest of Quinta do Lago's courses. Much use is made of decorative bunkering - even the driving range has ornamental bunkers. I would have preferred the natural beauty of the undulating landscape of this former orange grove to breathe more naturally, but mine was a minority opinion in our party. However this is a fine course.

I preferred Quinta do Lago's South course which uses the dramatic terrain to good effect, particularly on the early holes of the back nine. The particular strength of the layout of its younger sister, the North, lies in its par 5s cut through natural pine forest.

As well as these three courses, there a five others close by where the resort can arrange tee times on, making Monte da Quinta an ideal base for golfers. Especially those who also like their cricket.

Monte da Quinta, Quinta do Lago, Almancil, Algarve. W: mqclub.com T: + 351 289 008 300

Golf holiday insurance: Get golf insurance

So, what about the golf courses? There is plenty of choice starting with the 6,215-metre, par-72 Golf de Hulencourt, built on a historic 17th Century estate.

The Le Vallon course is an original design by the French architect J M Rossi and while it is obviously an inland course, it does have the feel of links with punishing rough, tough bunkers - there are 82 of them - and plenty of water.

Just about every hole is a dogleg and pick of the holes would be the par-4 12th which has a stone bridge not unlike the Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews, but the 7th and 13th are memorable. There is also a nine-hole short course and the clubhouse has a British style atmosphere, but with a gastronomic menu in the finest French and Belgium tradition.

To the south near a small town called Wavre, there's the Chateau de la Bawette with an international standard course on a 250-acre estate with a castle.

Le Parch is an 18-hole par-72 course of 6,076 metres through trees, lakes and streams with quite a few challenging par 4s, especially the 9th and 15th. There's also a good finish with the long par-3 17th and the 18th is testing par 4.

There's also Le Champs, a nine-hole par 33 flat course and the imposing modern clubhouse has splendid views of the course.

Golf Chateau de la Tournette is situated between Ittre and Nivelles and there are two courses, the 6,024-metre English course, the creation of Peter Alliss and Martin Hawtree in 1997, laid out on a plateau resembles an inland links.

With wide fairways, separated by mounding, and with elevated tees and 100 bunkers and six water features, it's a good test and the big elevated greens have significant slopes. The 5th and 9th will catch the eye and 16, 17 and 18 provide a good finish while the long, undulating 6,028-metre American course begins in a wooded area and includes a tricky passage between the 4th and 5th holes, linked by a water hazard.

The home nine is undulating terrain and has another good finish with water hazards and the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, before the climb back up to the 18th.

The clubhouse is located in an old castle farm, but is much more than a farmhouse, trust me! Set in beautiful countryside, Royal Waterloo boasts two testing par-72 courses and a terrific nine-hole layout.

La Marache, has a more testing back nine with a pretty tough finish - the three closing holes are par 5s -but the par 3s are stunning and the par-4 6th and 9th are crackers and there is a great run of holes from the 11th to the 15th.

The course has hosted several international tournaments, including the Belgian Open. With well-bunkered greens Le Lion is similar in length to La Marache at 6,215 yards but with more use of water it is a different challenge.

Other courses in the Martin's Golf Pass stable include Golf Du Bercuit, Golf la Bruyere, Golf de L'Empereur, Golf de Rigenee, Golf Club de Louvain-la-Neuve, Golf Club de Pierpont and Golf Club de Sept Fontaines

Brabant Wallon is also known for its gastronomy, its local products, the youngest university town in Europe, a Cistercian abbey, a cathedral, castles, gardens, an amusement park, museums and much more.

Belgium may not spring to mind as an immediate choice for a golfing holiday, but it should because it has everything going for it. With great golf courses at good prices, great food and drink and easy to get to from the UK and Europe with good transport links and no real language barrier, it's not surprising more and more golfers flock there.

As you'd expect Brussels and especially the Brabant Wallon area is a base for many golfers as there are many fine courses which are accessible and that's due in no small measure to the very effective and efficient Martin's Golf Pass. Because of the location of its hotels in Brabant Wallon, Martin's Hotels created its Golf Pass in 1998 and up to now 35,000 golfers have used it.

So what is the Martin's Golf Pass? It's a partnership between the four Martin's hotels and 11 of the region's golf clubs comprising 14 courses - all within a 15 kilometre radius - and the pass takes care of the green fees and accommodation which is just what most golfers want.

The Martin's Golf Pass offers two green fees and two nights in a double room with breakfast, leaving the golfer free of any organisational concerns because Martin's look after the green fees, confirms the start time and creates a personalised voucher. This is presented to the golfer on arrival with confirmation of the club's location, tee-off times and route map.

The pass offers special rates plus extras such as traditional 19th hole drink at the bar of your Martin's Hotel before dinner and free access to the gyms and spas of your Martin's hotel. Extra days/rounds can be added to the pass at competitive rates.

We were fortunate enough to stay at the five-star Chateau du Lac with its gourmet restaurant and spa and fitness centre located on the banks of a pleasant lake. It's an exceptionally beautiful area with plenty of nearby bars and restaurants and only 20 minutes from Brussels and its airport Zaventem, while Charleroi is also within reasonable reach.

The five-star Chateau du Lac

We also visited Martin's four-star Grand Hotel in Waterloo, which has a superb converted restaurant which is a former sugar refinery dating from 1836 and the quality of the meal most certainly matched the surroundings and on the same site there is 29-bedroom Martin's Lodge which is ideal for golfing groups.

Golfing in Bulgaria need not be limited to Sofia. To the east of the country, the main city on the coast is Varna and nearby you'll find three stunning courses.

HOW TO GET THERE Bulgaria is just over three hours away by air. British Airways and Bulgaria Air serve Varna International Airport, 20 miles from the golf resorts.

WHAT'S THERE Two links resorts sit side by side on the coast - Lighthouse Golf Resort and BlackSeaRama, with a spectacular third on the way.

Lighthouse Golf Resort opened in 2004 and is the work of Ian Woosnam and European Golf Design. The finishing three holes are a great challenge; the 16th is a true par 5 with water in play before a sloping green, the 17th a shortish par 3 back over the lake, and the 18th a memorable par 4 with water down the right. Next door is the Gary Player-designed BlackSeaRama, which opened in 2008. The panoramic views of Varna Bay are particularly special, as is the signature 18th. Hit it right off the elevated tee and your ball will topple down the cliff.

BlackSeaRama's stunning 18th

OFF COURSE The Spas come with all the trimmings, and the close proximity of the Black Sea makes it a perfect place to relax on the beach or enjoy a vast array of water sports. BlackSeaRama boasts expansive practice facilities including the academy - which features the very latest video swing analysis - and a superb clubhouse overlooking the coast. Hotels are in the stages of being built, but the villas are already proving popular.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Golden Sands is a perfect place for recreation and entertainment. Varna itself is the biggest city on the Bulgarian coast and attracts those in search of a livelier evening. Kaliakra Cape stretches over a mile out to sea and is popular with walkers wishing to escape and take in the views.

COST Lighthouse Golf Resort's prices for summer 2010 start at £285 per person, which includes flights and transfers, three nights accommodation and two rounds of golf. Prices at BlackSeaRama start at £429 per person. Four, five and seven-night durations are available at both resorts with the option to buy additional rounds at the alternative course to where you're staying. Offers for the Spring are due to be announced. For more details visit balkanholidays.co.uk

THRACIAN CLIFFS When the Gary Player-designed Thracian Cliffs opens in 2010, the Black Sea Coast will feature three excellent links courses complete with all the facilities a golfing holiday needs. Be wise which tees you play off here, as there is little room for error. Island greens and island tees are the order of the day, so accuracy is paramount.

Where next?

Golf travel: Golfing in Murcia Rest of the world: Golf in Mauritius  

Some big names have been queuing up to add their signature to Murcia's growing reputation as the new Spanish destination for golfers.

Dave Thomas was one of the first to recognise the region's potential, the renowned architect and former Ryder Cup player designing and building Hacienda del Alamo, Altorreal and Roda, now the winter headquarters of the PGAs of Europe.

Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Manuel Pinero and Cabell B Robinson have all joined Thomas in exploiting the Murcia explosion and designing new layouts at Polaris World, Pareleja, Corvera, La Serena and Las Colinas.

Las Colinas is due to open to the public soon but is already eminently playable. Designed by Robinson and managed by Troon Golf, it's a most interesting layout with wide fairways and undulating greens and numerous tees on each hole.

The par 71-course has a full range of amenities - clubhouse with restaurant, pro shop and golf academy, practice area, putting green and driving range. "Without a doubt, Las Colinas is an exceptional project," said Robinson.

"The holes run across the valley and a unique aspect is that the valley and consequently, the course, runs between hills which are high enough to give it privacy and isolate it from its surroundings, which is not possible at other courses in the area.

"The development as a whole is really self-contained, visually independent from what is going on outside. This was what most impressed me about Las Colinas - and still does."

Corvera, a sister course to Roda, is set to be a real gem, Olazabal creating an excellent layout albeit flanked by an extensive residential complex. The centrepiece is a huge lake and some of the holes at the far end of the course are exceptional. Again, it can be walked relatively easily but a buggy may be needed if you play off the back tees (6,652 metres), but there are six tees on each hole and it can be played as short as 4,452 metres.

Close to the town of Los Alcazares and with an excellent hotel attached, La Serena is flat and easily walked but has water on 16 of the 18 holes and at 6,168 metres, Manuel Pinero's layout is no pushover.

It's a popular course with an excellent clubhouse and driving range with 14 bays, eight of them covered, along with a good pro shop, restaurant and changing rooms. The 8th and the 12th are the pick of the holes while 17 and 18 provide a good finish.

Hacienda del Alamo, another Thomas masterpiece, is situated near the village of Fuente Alamo, close to the site of the planned international airport of Corvera and 30 minutes from San Javier airport and is also within a 20-minute drive of the Mar Menor to the east and the Mediterranean and the coastal resort of Mazarron to the south.

The first of three courses has been open for a while and a superb clubhouse is also up and running and the golf is the focal point of a Spanish pueblo which houses the majority of the resort's shops, bars and restaurants, plus a five star Melia hotel is planned.

There's a wide choice of villas and apartments for sale and to rent but the jewel of the 550 hectare estate is the golf course which stretches to 7,300 yards, a real challenge for most golfers, but it can be played considerable shorter off the yellow, blue and red tees.

With an average 300 days of sun a year and a temperature of 21ºC, golf can be played all year round in Murcia and it's hardly surprising the PGAs of Europe have opted to base their winter headquarters at Roda and recently held their annual international teams championship there along with their congress.

Roda boasts the first PGA Academy in continental Europe with the latest cutting-edge technology plus, a magnificent clubhouse but it is the par-72, 6,755 yard course which is the centrepiece of the a spectacular development of villas, terraced houses and apartments.

It's also possible to rent the properties, which will interest golfing groups and facilities include swimming pools, restaurants, sports facilities and also a private beach club. The golf operation is managed by De Vere Hotels and Resorts who will also be involved with a new hotel on site.

A massive plus is that Roda is five minutes from San Javier airport and is located alongside the fantastic Mar Menor and also within easy reach of Murcia, Cartagena, Caravaca de la Cruz and Lorca so there is no shortage of things do other than golf.

The spectacular 190-yard par-3 7th is the hole that best defines the course with the green is on a peninsula and reminiscent of Sawgrass. The 9th, surrounded by slopes, bunkers and a lake on the left-hand side is another distinctive hole as is the 16th with its narrow fairway requiring an accurate tee shot.

The great attraction of Murcia's courses is that the green fees are considerably less than you will find in Marbella and the Algarve and the region is now linked to several UK regional airports with regular flights to Alicante and San Javier plus a new airport is planned at Corvera.

FACTFILE     RODA GOLF AND BEACH RESORT: rodagolfcourse.com HACIENDA DEL ALAMO: clubdegolfhda.com LAS COLINAS: aworldapart.es LA SERENA: laserenagolfresort.es CORVERA: corveragolf.com  

What a great way to get away from the almost blizzard-like conditions of the UK in February, 2009. The credit crunch is bearing its teeth and hard earned disposable income is at a premium.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Costa Del Sol at this time and the weather was an incredibly satisfying for our four-day stay. Our objective; to play four rounds of golf keeping the overall spend under €250 each. It's a difficult feat when trying to achieve a balance between quality and value, or at least that is the initial thought before you discover the wealth of golfing opportunity that awaits you within this Spanish region.

Monte Mayor (played twice) Par - 72   Length - 5345m (Yellows) Cost - €57, including buggy

Memorable Hole - Par-3 3rd. Miss the green and you are in no man's land. At 165m there are no bunkers and no fringe, just jungle, rocks and red stakes in abundance. A par score here is very welcome indeed.

Not a punishing, long course and rightly so as accuracy is the order of the day. An iron for accuracy from many of the tees will not leave you with an unreasonably long approach shot. A stunningly authentic piece of golf design that oozes the charm you would associate with the more traditional Spanish courses.

Monte Mayor does not experience high levels of golfing traffic and is a delight to play. Patience and a healthy supply of golf balls is must. At the price you will not be disappointed. And, it is less than half the price of its neighbour Marbella G&CC (€130).

Food - 7.5 (out of 10) Welcome - 8 Value for money - 8

La Cala - Campo Europa Par - 71 Length - 6014m (Whites) Cost - €50, including breakfast and buggy.

Memorable Hole - Par4 4th. With the river Ojen running straight through the fairway and on the left from the teeing ground you are invited to be conservative. Two accurate long irons will find the putting surface provided the greenside bunkers are safely negotiated.

The newest of the La Cala courses offers the less experienced golfer wider fairways and larger greens than the America or Asia courses. I found the course in very dry and hard condition although I would put that down to age of the course more than anything else.

Campo Europa is an eclectic selection of 18 holes that offers everyone a challenge. To master it you would definitely need to come back again, because you will make mistakes. On the plus side I wouldn't find coming back a problem at all. La Cala is a fantastic place to go and play golf and is the first on the list when I am playing golf in the Costa Del Sol as I known exactly what to expect. Value, service, and good golf are guaranteed.

Food - 7 Welcome - 9 Value for money - 8

Los Arqueros Par - 71 Length - 5306m (yellows) Cost - €58, including buggy

Memorable Hole - Par-5 8th. The fairway undulates relentlessly from tee to green creating the need for a sensible three shot approach. Once at the putting surface you will find a slope running from back to front. To be blunt, any length of downhill putt that misses the hole will leave you slightly embarrassed and the likely benefactor of what at first seemed an unlikely three putt!

Los Arqueros may not be as well known as the aforementioned courses. However, designed by Seve Ballesteros this course offers a great deal to the visiting golfer. The course is not long by anyone's standards but it is protected by subtle elevations and discreet bunkering around the greens and on the fairways. I would have to say that Los Arqueros was my favourite course of the week. I found it effortlessly charming in its presentation, playability and infrastructure. There will be no hesitation on my part to return to, or recommend, this little known but wonderful place to play golf.

Food - 7.5 Welcome - 9 Value for money - 8.5

With our currency begging for mercy against its foreign counterparts you will be forgiven for steering clear of the European Union but there is great value to be found. In this southern Spanish region there is a wealth of golf to explore. There is also a vast array of fine restaurants to be found in the back streets of Fuengerola and Puerto Banus. Sadly, however, some things never change. Such as the authenticity of those sunglasses or the reliability of the watches available on the seafront!

Where next?

Golf in the Czech Republic Golf at Pelican Hills

Once upon a time when I was remarkably young and Hans Christian Andersen stories were read to me before bedtime, I understood that Denmark was a land full of kings, queens, princes, princesses and a mixed bunch of poor people. Then, when I grew weary of fairytales and graduated to building blocks, I believed that everything in Denmark was made of Lego. Studying geography at A-level and still very impressionable, I learnt that Denmark was in reality a huge farm where half the population churned out butter, while the other half produced bacon. Now, having attended the opening of the Lubker Golf Resort, bacon and butter have been replaced by bogeys and bunkers. Not birdies, because there are fewer to be found at this spectacular development than there are endangered amphibians and rare orchids.

Situated close to the east coast on the bit that juts out into the sea about halfway up the country and very near to Denmark’s second city, Aarhus (pronounce Orr-hoose), this wonderful resort sits comfortably on gently undulating, wooded terrain. The brainchild of the eponymous Mr Lubker, it is no more than ten minutes along the road from Aarhus airport, which is itself just a short hop from Stansted – well within range for those living in eastern England.

Everyone calls the boss Poul Anker, not because he wrote the lyrics to My Way, but because that is his name. Although it sounds oxymoronic, Danes go in for two first names and Poul Anker Lubker and Hans Christian Anderson are fine examples. These two also share a vivid imagination. Perhaps the difference is that Poul Anker was able to convert his fairytale into reality and create a world-class facility where previously there was nothing but woods and fields.

A development such as Lubker, with various high-end properties scattered around a stunning golf course, is unlike anything Denmark has seen before. Financed by a flotation on the Danish stock market and with the majority of the properties sold before a sod was turned, the dream has steadily taken shape over the past few years as various top-of-the-range facilities have been completed.

Two years ago, I was privileged to witness the start of this golfing explosion in the Belek region by visiting the Sultan, Pasha, Cornelia and Gloria courses as well as the well-established National. This time, there were visits to the new Montgomerie course, which has been added to the Papillon portfolio, Carya, Sueno and the stunning Lykia links, and a return to the National, whose claim to be the first “and still the best” is under serious threat from the new kids on the block.

Most of the new courses have chosen to go down the hotel and golf course on site route with all-inclusive and it’s proving hugely popular and works well with the UK and German market especially.

We stayed at the Cornelia Diamond, a hugely impressive modern five-star hotel, the Papillon Ayscha, another five-star, which prides itself on its friendliness and entertainment - and they are not wrong – before moving on to stay at the Lykia Links Resort, which is on route to becoming something very special.

With a climate similar to that of southern Spain, the area of Belek, just a few miles from Antalya on the Mediterranean borders the sea with the Toros mountain range forming a bold backdrop and the flat coastal plain is ideal for golf courses. t’s also worth visiting Antalya, especially the Old Quarter with its picturesque harbour, while the small villages of Kadriye and Belek which are worth visiting for their shops, cafes and restaurants. The Toros Mountains and the National Park as well the ancient ruins at Aspendos and Perge are also a must.