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The Algarve - original golfing holidays destination

The Algarve first began to establish itself as a major destination on the world golfing scene in 1966, when English golf course designer Sir Henry Cotton designed the legendary Penina course. With tourists from Britain and the rest of Europe, golf has expanded rapidly. The year-round temperate climate, beautiful views and terrain that ranges from flat to hilly, the landscape of the Algarve lends itself perfectly to golf, and there are now over 30 world-renowned courses in the region. In fact, over half of all the golf courses in Portugal are located along this scenic stretch of coastline. In 2007 the Algarve was named the best place in the world to play golf by the golf tourism industry, and continues to attract new fans each year. The Portuguese Golf Open is held in the Algarve every other year, with thousands of golf enthusiasts flocking here from across Europe to take in the action.
Many golf courses, such as Penina, are set within the grounds of exclusive hotels, but most are open to the public - green fees can vary dramatically, it is worth making advance enquiries before booking hotel accomodation close to your golf course of choice.

When it comes to training golfers, the Algarve is right up there with the best of the world`s best golfing regions. The Clube de Golfe de Vilamoura, for example, has trained many of the country`s best young players - of the 150 competitors in the year 2000 Drive event, over 100 were from the Club. The world`s first association of golf players was initiated in the Algarve, which is still home to the Portuguese Golfing Association. The influx of `golf tourists` has only served to strengthen the sport in the Algarve, with some competitive deals on accomodation, green fees and equipment hire packages, an abundance of well-maintained new courses, and hundreds of golfing schools offering lessons suitable for golfers at all levels. The courses and hotels tend to be at their busiest during the peak summer months of July and August, but the Algarve`s year-round mild climate means that golfers can head here even during the winter, when many courses in the rest of Europe are closed. Most golfers arriving in the Algarve will fly in to Faro airport. Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and an interesting historical destination in its own right. Many UK airports offer regular direct flights to Faro. For good deals on Algarve golf breaks, visit Golf Holidays in the Algarve.