⛳ 10 of the Best Golf Holiday Destinations Worldwide
A morning on the fairway, lunch overlooking the sea and an afternoon spent exploring somewhere new. A golf holiday can offer much more than a good scorecard.
From Atlantic clifftops and traditional Scottish links to tropical islands and Thai coastal resorts, the best golf holiday destinations combine memorable courses with a holiday worth taking.
Some suit a few rounds between beach days. Others deserve a whole itinerary built around the golf. And if your partner or friends do not play, choosing somewhere with plenty beyond the clubhouse can make all the difference.
These ten destinations are our picks for different holiday styles, with course ideas, useful bases and practical advice to help you plan.
🌍 Find Your Kind of Golf Holiday
| Destination | Best for | When to consider going |
|---|---|---|
| Algarve, Portugal | A first golf holiday abroad | Spring or autumn |
| Costa del Sol, Spain | Course variety and lively holiday towns | Spring or autumn |
| St Andrews & Fife, Scotland | Golf history and traditional links | Late spring to early autumn |
| Belek, Türkiye | Resort holidays and all-inclusive options | Spring or autumn |
| Tenerife, Spain | Golf alongside winter sunshine | Autumn to spring |
| Dubai, UAE | Championship golf and city experiences | November to March |
| Mauritius | Golf, beaches and a special couples escape | May to October for cooler conditions |
| Myrtle Beach, USA | Trying several courses in one holiday | Spring or autumn |
| Garden Route, South Africa | Golf and a scenic road trip | October to April |
| Hua Hin, Thailand | Golf, Thai food and seaside downtime | November to February |
These are suggested planning windows. Weather varies, and the most comfortable playing months can also be the busiest golf season.
1. Algarve, Portugal — An Easy Introduction to Golf Holidays Abroad
The Algarve brings together coastal courses, established holiday resorts and evenings that can drift from a marina stroll into a long seafood dinner.
Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are particularly useful starting points. Their concentration of golf facilities and accommodation makes it possible to plan several rounds without changing your holiday base.
Best for: First golf holidays abroad, groups of friends and couples combining golf with the coast.
Courses to consider: Vale do Lobo’s Royal and Ocean courses, plus San Lorenzo in the Quinta do Lago area.
When to go: Consider spring or autumn for comfortable playing temperatures. Summer can be hot, while winter offers golfing opportunities with a greater chance of unsettled weather.
Where to stay: Vilamoura suits marina evenings and restaurants. Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo are worth considering for resort or villa stays.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Faro Airport (FAO). Direct flights from London take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes–3 hours.
On arrival: Allow around 15–25 minutes to Quinta do Lago or 25–35 minutes to Vilamoura by private car. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Car hire is useful for playing several clubs and exploring independently.
Beyond golf: Leave room for beaches, coastal towns and Algarve boat trips and experiences.
✨ Fun Fact: Vale do Lobo’s Royal Course has a remarkable 16th hole: a par three where the shot crosses a gap in the coastal cliffs.
Air-Holiday Insight
Build your itinerary around one golfing area. Staying near Vilamoura for several nearby rounds can be more enjoyable than chasing famous courses scattered across the entire Algarve.
2. Costa del Sol, Spain
The Costa del Sol combines a substantial choice of courses with the pleasures of a Spanish coastal holiday: tapas, beach walks and evenings in lively towns.
Marbella offers restaurants and a busier holiday atmosphere, Estepona brings whitewashed streets and flower-filled corners, while the Mijas area provides another useful golfing base.
Best for: Groups of friends, golfers wanting course variety and holidays with lively evenings.
Courses to consider: La Cala Resort near Mijas and Finca Cortesín near Casares.
When to go: Spring and autumn are useful starting points for avoiding the strongest summer heat. Winter golf is possible, but leave flexibility for unsettled days.
Where to stay: Choose Mijas, Marbella or Estepona according to your courses and evening plans.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP). Direct flights from London take approximately 3 hours. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 45–60 minutes to Marbella or 60–75 minutes to Estepona by private car. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Car hire is particularly useful for visiting several clubs. For a resort-based stay, check whether course transfers are available before arranging your own transport.
Beyond golf: Make time for tapas, beach walks and Costa del Sol sightseeing experiences.
Air-Holiday Insight
Choose your courses first, then group them by location. Booking accommodation between the clubs you will actually play can save repeated journeys and leave more time for relaxed lunches and evenings.
3. St Andrews & Fife, Scotland
For golfers drawn to the history and character of the game, St Andrews offers something special.
Traditional links, sea air and a town where golf is part of everyday life make this a rewarding break closer to home. The wider Fife area gives you opportunities to add different courses without turning the holiday into a tour of Scotland.
Best for: Golf enthusiasts, traditional links experiences and memorable UK breaks.
Courses to consider: The Old Course, New Course and Jubilee Course at St Andrews Links.
When to go: Late spring through early autumn gives you longer days for golf and exploring. Pack waterproofs and layers in every season.
Where to stay: Central St Andrews makes town evenings straightforward. Elsewhere in Fife offers alternatives if you are happy to drive.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Direct flights from London take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 35 minutes. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes to St Andrews by private car. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: You may manage without a car when staying centrally and playing nearby courses. Car hire becomes more useful for exploring Fife or playing farther afield.
Beyond golf: Walk beside West Sands, explore St Andrews or spend a day discovering Fife’s coastal villages.
✨ Fun Fact: The Old Course has a reverse layout. Special events allow golfers to play it in the opposite direction, revealing different approaches and hazards on the same famous landscape.
Air-Holiday Insight
If the Old Course is the reason for your trip, investigate access before booking non-refundable travel. A hotel reservation does not secure a round, and the ballot is not a guarantee.
4. Belek, Türkiye
Belek suits travellers who want golf to fit comfortably into a resort holiday.
Its Mediterranean setting combines an established cluster of courses with nearby hotels, pools and beach time. That makes it appealing for couples or groups where some people want several rounds and others prefer slower days.
Best for: Resort stays, all-inclusive options and groups with different holiday interests.
Courses to consider: Carya, Montgomerie Maxx Royal and National Golf Club.
When to go: Consider spring or autumn to avoid the strongest summer heat. Winter golf is possible, with cooler days and rain to factor into your plans.
Where to stay: Choose a resort according to its location, dining arrangements and access to your preferred clubs. Search for accommodation.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Antalya Airport (AYT). Direct flights from London take approximately 4 hours 20 minutes–4 hours 45 minutes. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 35–45 minutes to many Belek resorts, with longer journeys possible for hotels farther along the coast. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Airport transfers and organised course transport are often the simplest combination for a resort holiday. Car hire is more useful if you want several independent sightseeing days.
Beyond golf: Leave time for the beach, spa treatments and Antalya-area sightseeing and excursions.
Air-Holiday Insight
Check what’s included before comparing prices. A more expensive stay could offer better value if it includes green fees and transport to the courses you want to play. Even with an all-inclusive hotel, golf may cost extra, so check whether rounds, transfers, buggy hire and club hire are included.
5. Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife brings Atlantic views and volcanic scenery into a golf holiday, with plenty to enjoy when the clubs are put away.
The south is particularly practical for a winter escape, while courses elsewhere on the island offer a contrasting landscape and atmosphere.
Best for: Winter sunshine, couples and holidays where golf is one part of the trip.
Courses to consider: Golf Costa Adeje, Amarilla Golf and Golf del Sur, plus Buenavista Golf in the northwest.
When to go: Autumn through spring works well for southern Tenerife. Earlier tee times can make summer rounds more comfortable.
Where to stay: Costa Adeje suits a broader resort holiday. Golf del Sur and Amarilla are worth considering when their nearby courses feature heavily in your plans.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Tenerife South Airport (TFS). Direct flights from London take approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 10–15 minutes to Golf del Sur or 20–30 minutes to Costa Adeje by private car. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Transfers and taxis can suit a stay centred on southern courses. Car hire is useful for several clubs and exploring the island independently.
Beyond golf: Leave space for volcanic landscapes, coastal towns and Tenerife excursions.
✨ Fun Fact: Golf Costa Adeje incorporates the site’s old agricultural terraces. Land once used for farming now helps shape the course, connecting the fairways with Tenerife’s past.
Air-Holiday Insight
If Buenavista is a priority, give it a separate, leisurely day or consider staying in the northwest. Combining a cross-island journey with an early tee time can make a sunshine holiday feel unnecessarily rushed.
6. Dubai, UAE
Dubai combines championship courses with a city full of ways to spend your days off.
It suits travellers who want restaurants, beach time and sightseeing alongside golf, with accommodation ranging from busy city bases to quieter resort settings.
Best for: Championship golf, winter escapes and combining rounds with city experiences.
Courses to consider: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, and the Earth and Fire courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
When to go: November to March is a useful starting point for avoiding intense summer heat.
Where to stay: Choose your base around the balance of golf, sightseeing and beach time you want. Search for accommodation.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Dubai International Airport (DXB). Direct flights from London take approximately 7 hours. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 30–45 minutes to Dubai Marina by private car, with longer journeys during busy periods. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Taxis and pre-booked transfers are practical for a short golf holiday. Car hire is optional; compare your expected journeys with rental, parking and toll costs.
Beyond golf: Explore Dubai sightseeing, cruises and desert experiences.
Air-Holiday Insight
A hotel beside one course can simplify those rounds but add journeys to everything else. For a mixed holiday, staying near the activities you will enjoy together may be the better choice. Check tournament closures and maintenance before fixing your itinerary.
7. Mauritius
Mauritius makes particular sense when the holiday matters just as much as the golf.
Ocean-side courses and tropical scenery bring a different feel to the trip, while beach resorts provide space for swimming, exploring and slower days together.
Best for: Couples, special occasions and golf combined with an Indian Ocean escape.
Courses to consider: Anahita, Mont Choisy Le Golf and Île aux Cerfs Golf Club.
When to go: May to October brings cooler conditions that can suit an active holiday. Coastal breezes are worth considering when choosing your base.
Where to stay: Choose your preferred courses first, then look for accommodation on a convenient coast. Compare Mauritius resorts and check the golfing benefits attached to your particular room rate.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU). Direct flights from London take approximately 12 hours. Compare flights.
On arrival: Allow around 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes to Belle Mare or 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 40 minutes to Grand Baie by private car. Find airport transfers.
Getting around: Resort-arranged course transport can suit a beach-and-golf stay. Car hire gives more freedom for exploring, although cross-island journeys need planning.
Beyond golf: Leave room for beaches, island scenery and Mauritius tours and boat experiences.
✨ Fun Fact: Mont Choisy Le Golf occupies former sugarcane fields. Black volcanic outcrops and mature trees remain part of its setting, giving the course a distinctive connection to the island’s landscape.
Air-Holiday Insight
A resort near your chosen courses can matter more than the most tempting beach photograph. Ask about transfers, included green fees and compulsory extras before comparing the full cost. For Île aux Cerfs, confirm the boat journey as part of your round arrangements.
8. Myrtle Beach, USA
Myrtle Beach and the wider Grand Strand offer a substantial choice of courses alongside beaches, restaurants and entertainment.
This is a destination for golfers who enjoy trying different layouts over several days, with enough beyond golf to make it a broader holiday too.
Best for: Groups of friends, several-round itineraries and longer American golf holidays.
Courses to consider: Barefoot Resort, TPC Myrtle Beach, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and Pine Lakes Country Club.
When to go: Spring and autumn are useful starting points for milder playing weather. Summer is hotter and busier with beach visitors.
Where to stay: Map your courses before choosing between Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and accommodation farther south. Compare hotels and apartments around the part of the coast you intend to use.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Find flights.
From London: Expect a connecting journey, usually through a US hub. Allow roughly 12–16 hours or more including the connection. Compare flights by total journey time as well as price.
On arrival: The airport is around 10 minutes from downtown Myrtle Beach. Allow approximately 30–45 minutes to North Myrtle Beach, depending on your hotel and traffic. Find a airport transfer.
Getting around: Car hire is a practical choice for playing several courses. For a resort stay with organised golf transport, an airport taxi or pre-booked transfer may be enough.
Beyond golf: Spend time at the beach, explore the Boardwalk or leave an evening free for live entertainment.
✨ Fun Fact: Pine Lakes Country Club has an unexpected publishing connection. In 1954, TIME executives gathered there to plan the launch of Sports Illustrated, before its first issue reached newsstands that August.
Air-Holiday Insight
Group northern and southern rounds on separate days. Treating the whole Grand Strand as one compact resort can mean unnecessary driving. Also leave a generous connection when entering the US, especially when travelling with golf bags.
9. Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route is an appealing choice when you want golf to become part of a bigger adventure.
Around George, Mossel Bay and Knysna, courses share the landscape with mountains, forests and coastal scenery. Stay at one base or build rounds into a journey with several overnight stops.
Best for: Scenic road trips, longer holidays and golfers travelling with someone who enjoys exploring.
Courses to consider: Fancourt’s Montagu and Outeniqua courses near George, Pinnacle Point near Mossel Bay and Simola near Knysna.
When to go: October to April is a useful planning window for warmer weather.
Where to stay: Compare resorts with guest houses and independent hotels, checking course access before booking. Find Garden Route accommodation around the towns on your itinerary.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: George Airport (GRJ) suits a golf-focused Garden Route stay. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) works well for a longer holiday combining the city with a road trip.
From London: Direct flights to Cape Town take approximately 11 hours 30 minutes–12 hours. For George, connect through Cape Town or Johannesburg; allow roughly 15–18 hours or more including the stopover, depending on your itinerary.
On arrival: George Airport is approximately an hour’s drive from central Knysna. Your transfer will depend on whether you stay around George, Mossel Bay or Knysna. Find a transfer.
Getting around: Car hire is the most flexible choice for several towns and courses. For a single-resort stay, ask about airport transfers and transport to additional clubs.
Beyond golf: Add coastal viewpoints, forest walks and Garden Route experiences.
✨ Fun Fact: Pinnacle Point’s coastline holds a story far older than golf. Its archaeological sites contain evidence of people gathering shellfish, making tools and using ochre pigments more than 160,000 years ago.
Air-Holiday Insight
Give longer drives their own travel days. Stop for viewpoints and lunch, settle into your next base, then play the following morning. If arriving in Cape Town, enjoy a city stay before starting the road trip rather than attempting a long drive after an overnight flight.
10. Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin balances established golf courses with a seaside holiday where food can become part of the evening’s exploring.
A round in the hills can be followed by pool time, seafood and a wander through the night market. It also combines well with a Bangkok stay at either end of the trip.
Best for: Longer golf holidays, food-loving travellers and combining a beach stay with Bangkok.
Courses to consider: Black Mountain and Pineapple Valley Golf Club.
When to go: November to February is a useful starting point for the cooler season, although daytime conditions will still feel warm compared with the UK.
Where to stay: A central or beachfront hotel makes restaurants and evening exploring easier. Compare Hua Hin accommodation, checking transport to your chosen courses.
✈️ Getting there & getting around
Airport: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the practical gateway for a London departure.
From London: Direct flights take approximately 11 hours 30 minutes–12 hours 40 minutes, depending on the service. Compare flights to Bangkok.
On arrival: Allow approximately 3–4 hours by private car to Hua Hin, with additional time possible during busy periods. Find private transfers.
Getting around: Hotel-arranged course transfers can remove the need for a hire car during a golf-focused stay.
Beyond golf: Make time for seafood, night markets and Hua Hin-area experiences.
✨ Fun Fact: Pineapple Valley’s name reflects the land’s former use: the course was established on a pineapple plantation. Its signature 15th hole also offers views towards Singtoh Island in the Gulf of Thailand.
Air-Holiday Insight
Consider a Bangkok stop before continuing to Hua Hin. It breaks up the long journey and gives you time to recover before your first round. For the return flight, allow generous road-transfer time or spend your final night in Bangkok.
🧳 Planning Your Golf Holiday
Secure the rounds that matter most
If your trip depends on playing a particular course, establish access and availability before committing to non-refundable travel.
Check visitor arrangements, handicap requirements, maintenance dates and cancellation terms. For resort courses, confirm whether you need to stay at a particular property.
Compare the complete cost
Include flights, accommodation, green fees, golf-bag charges, equipment hire, buggies, caddies and transport.
Use our flight search, accommodation options and holiday packages to compare different ways of arranging the trip.
Golf is included only when your booking specifically says so. An all-inclusive hotel rate does not automatically include rounds.
Make room for your golf bags
Tell your transfer provider how many passengers, suitcases and golf bags you are bringing. A car advertised for four passengers may not accommodate four people and four sets of clubs.
When comparing hire cars, check luggage capacity carefully rather than assuming an SUV will have enough space.
Leave time for the holiday
Daily rounds may sound appealing at home, but early starts, travel and warm weather can make the schedule tiring.
Leave space for exploring, relaxing and shared experiences with anyone who does not play.
Visit our Things to do Pages for some amazing ideas.