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Every amateur golfer is constantly on the lookout for the best, most accessible destinations to take a holiday solely dedicated to playing golf. Portugal has long been on the radar of keen players and there are some pretty compelling reasons as to why that’s true. With a long history associated with the game, as well as a host of world-class courses all over the country, when it comes to golf, Portugal is well above par. The Heritage of the Game While the game has, of course, been around for a lot longer, it wasn’t until the nineteenth-century that interest spread to Portugal. The first club in the country, in Oporto, was founded in 1890 by British immigrants. It was certainly well attended, but the modern day interest didn’t really take hold until the 1920’s – but then there was no stopping it, with clubs established in various parts of the country. Today, as a world-renowned hub for golf, Portugal attracts players from all over the world, as well as hosting numerous high-profile events on the pro-circuit. The Best Places to Play and Stay There are just so many places to choose from if you’re looking to spend most of your time on the golf course, but the following are some of the tried and true recommendations from the experts. Porto, and the North As the place where the game originated in the country, the Porto region still has so much to offer both amateur and professional players. Along with the fantastic courses, you’ll be able to sample fabulous cuisine, gaze out on picturesque views as you swing your clubs, and lap up the amenities of some luxurious resorts to boot. As well as the famous Oporto Club (which is the home of the Skeffington Cup), you can hone your skills at the Vidago Palace course (where you can partake in some thermal wellness treatments as well), Golfe de Amarante and Axis Golfe Ponte de Lima, among a host of others. The Algarve When it comes to Golf, Portugal’s Algarve region is super popular for a reason: it’s brimming with great courses and accommodation, blessed with a fabulous climate and, oh, those views… With more than 200kms of stunning coastline, you can bet your best handicap that there are plenty of five-star resorts that take advantage of it. One of the most famous is the superb Quinta do Lago, which is one of the most luxurious in Europe and is located right on the edge of the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park. The Algarve is a genuine year-round destination, influenced by both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and it’s also extremely easy to reach from the UK, with regular cheap flights in and out of Faro Airport. Lisbon The so-called Silver Coast is an absolute gem of a place to play golf. Portugal never fails to deliver in terms of scenery, but the natural beauty of Lisbon is very special. The game takes prevalence in three main areas: the Tagus Valley, South of Lisbon and Estoril and Sintra. The diverse landscape of this region includes both mountainous and coastal views from its numerous courses, which include: Estoril Oitavos Dunes Quinta da Marinha Santo Estêvão Aroeira Quinta do Peru Along with spending time on your game, this gorgeous region is ideal for getting out into nature or enjoying the rich culture of Lisbon. If you’re obsessed with golf, Portugal is the ultimate place to consider for a dedicated holiday. No matter whether you’re a seasoned semi-pro or an absolute newbie to the game, with its stellar credentials it’s almost guaranteed to improve your handicap! Author Plate Steve Frewin is the Managing Director of A Golfing Experience, a company with more than 29 years experience organising bespoke golf holidays and escapes throughout Europe for individuals, societies and groups. If you're looking for a truly great holiday dedicated to golf, Portugal is one of our top destinations. We also operate in all the other major European golf destinations and, if you'd like to explore options further afield, we can arrange holidays to the world's greatest golf courses in The Caribbean, Mauritius, Bermuda and USA.
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