When I think about Portugal, golf isn’t something that comes to mind. I think this sentiment holds true for most of us who live in the U.S.

Actually, when I think of Portugal, images of nautical equipment and world exploration come to the forefront, as well as a Portuguese guy I knew back from my USMC days who took a trip to Italy with us and was able, to a certain degree, to translate for us. I say to a certain degree, because, on one particular day, we lost our shirts to a taxi driver, he charged us well over what a taxi should cost and none of us were the wiser until the next cab we took…

As chance would have it, we found the original taxi driver again and when asked why he over charged us so much.. he shrugged and replied “I don’t drive a taxi, I drive a limousine..” 🙂

But, to our golfing European neighbors, Golf in Portugal has been at the forefront of travel holidays.  If you take some time to consider the destination, it’s not hard to understand why. Most important, at least, in my mind, year round fair golf weather. Couple that with, great hotels and resorts, beautiful shorelines, romance and adventure, you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable trip.

Golf  in Algarve

Algarve features a remarkable collection of first class championship courses and amazing resorts strung along the sun-kissed coastline.

With its brilliant, sunny climate and dramatic courses throughout the region, it’s not difficult to see why the Algarve is one of the most popular golfing destination in Europe.

Whether you’re a beginner taking a break from the daily grind, a skilled-amateur looking to test your game or a professional in between tournaments, the golf courses of the Algarve can give you what you seek

There are many golf courses in the Algarve, ranging from nine-hole courses stretched over Algarve grassland, to breathtaking coastal 18-hole courses set amongst the beautiful picturesque cliffs. This makes golf here enjoyable for everyone, regardless of ability, and guarantees that you will find the perfect course for you.

Lisbon Golf Coast

Until recently, the Lisbon coast, in golfing terms, has long been in the shadow of the Algarve, whose portfolio of outstanding courses and resorts has rightly placed it at the sharp end of European golfing destinations. In 2006, the Lisbon coast was rated “Bsst European Golf Destination” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.

Lisbon is one of the most historical cities in all of Europe and within 30 miles of the city, most major events in Portugal happen. The attraction of the Lisbon coast is that you can play terrific courses like Oitavos, Quinta da Marinha and Praia D’El Rey, but you can also get a genuine taste of the Portuguese culture; along the shoreline are dotted sublime fishing villages and towns like Cascais and Estoril, while the capital city of Lisbon is a thriving hub of cultural activity where you will experience the vibrant combination produced when the traditional Portuguese charm meets the vitality of a young, up-and-coming urban environment.

It’s one of the few destinations where you can mix history, culture and golf. Not to mention, it’s a surfing hot spot. 99.8% of visitors surveyed not only said they intended to return, but that they would strongly recommend the region to a friend.

Madeira Island Golf

The natural hues of green and blue make Madeira the ideal setting for a round of golf. Madeira has the best that life has to offer. The temperature is mild and stable all year round. Its unspoilt natural environment offers fresh air, unforgettable walks and breathtaking scenery. Considered a real golf paradise, Madeira is fast becoming the definitive choice for both amateur and professional golfers alike.

Host of the annual PGA European Tour event the  Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal, which this year is taking place at the Porto Santo Golf Course. This course was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and it stretches all the way across the island from dune-rolling beach to dramatic basalt cliffs. It offers that ideal combination – natural beauty and a challenging game. He took a minimalist approach, keeping as much of the environment intact as possible.

Given its location off the North-Western coast of Africa, Madeira benefits from a lovely year-round climate, and thanks to this has long been established as a beautiful holiday destination. The capital city of Funchal is a charming blend of the quintessential Madeiran culture and the new vibrancy of increased tourism, while around the island are natural landscapes of outstanding natural beauty.

Spectacular mountain views are characteristic of the island, but Madeira is also blessed with some terrific hotels and golf courses.

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