Best golf resorts in Europe

Europe is home to some of the most spectacular golf courses, including Championship links, historic 9-hole courses, greens surrounded by stunning natural scenes and family-friendly golf resorts with activities for children. Here is our pick of the best golf resorts in Europe that combine perfectly into a golfing vacation.

UK

Scotland is recognized worldwide as “The Home of Golf” and it boasts some of Europe’s most exclusive golf courses. In fact, the country is home to over 550 golf courses and also plays host to a number of important golf tournaments, such as The Scottish Open, the Scottish Senior Open and the Dunhill Links. Of the great number of wonderful golf courses in this region of the UK, we recommend the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews. For a little extra, you can upgrade to a room with a view of the world-famous Old Course and the West Sands beach for an added piece of luxury. While at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, you can enjoy their Championship heathland golf course, which features in most golf magazines’ top 100 courses in the UK, and there’s also a spa to enjoy.

Another wonderful resort in the UK is Gleneagles Hotel, which was listed by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the World’s Best Hotels in 2014. It has three Championship golf courses, an award-winning spa and a fine dining restaurant. The resort’s PGA Centenary Course has also hosted the Ryder Cup and attracts professional players at all times of the year.

Italy

Italy may not immediately spring to mind when you think of golf resorts in Europe but the Argentario Resort Golf & Spa in southern Tuscany will surely change your mind! It features spectacular coast views and has an 18-hole course designed by professional golfer Baldovino Dassù, which has an impressively challenging layout. The resort also offers golf clinics and lessons and there is a golf-swing simulator to help you improve your game. And when you’re not on the green, the Argentario Resort Golf & Spa features luxury rooms with private terraces and there is also a heated indoor pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath. You could also book in for spa treatments, such as massages, and be sure to sample some of the local wine!

Heading a little further south, to Sicily in fact, you’ll find the Verdura Golf Resort & Spa, which features three Kyle Phillips golf courses, a 60m infinity pool, six clay tennis courts, a world-renowned spa, four restaurants and five bars! It is a great choice if you will be vacationing with non-golfers, while you can enjoy the Championship 18-hole links, a 9-hole course and the double-ended driving range. The resort also offers tuition if you wish to improve your game.

Ireland

The pretty village of Straffan near Dublin is home to K Club, which features world-renowned golf facilities designed by Arnold Palmer. As well as hosting the Ryder Cup and numerous European Opens, The Palmer Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Course are considered two of Europe’s finest Championship courses and were recently voted in the top ten worldwide golf resorts by CNN.

France

If you love playing golf in a tranquil location then you can’t beat the mountainous setting of the Evian Resort in Evian-les-Bains on the French bank of Lake Geneva. The views are stunning no matter what time you play and there is a recently renovated Championship course near the resort with 18 holes.

Another option if you are set on a golf vacation in France is Terre Blanche in Provence. It is a large luxury resort that benefits from the warmth and charm of the south of France and features two golf courses designed by Dave Thomas that blend seamlessly into the surrounding lush landscape.

Portugal

Portugal has several fine golf courses but our favorite is at Vidago Palace, which is set in the spa town of Tràs-os-Montes. It is a 72-par 18-hole golf course that was originally constructed in 1936. Since then, this valley course golf has been redesigned to meet USGA specifications and includes a golf academy, 1 340m driving range, a chipping area and two putting greens.

If you’re thinking about a golf vacation in Europe and would like us to put together a personalized golf package for you, contact a member of our dedicated team on +44 1223 637328 or click here to send an online inquiry. Alternatively, you can click here to see more about our customized golf vacations.