Travel Guide: Short-Haul Suggestions

DONA FILIPA AND SAN LORENZO GOLF RESORT

Situated just 10 minutes from the Don Filipa hotel, the San Lorenzo course (pictured) is a collection of perfectly manicured greens and fairways that border the region’s lagoons.

Originally designed by American course architect Joseph Lee, the 18-hole layout opened in 1988 and has become an Algarve classic.

While much of the course winds through the surrounding pine woods, the short 5th hole treats you to views of the glorious sandy beaches of the south-west coast of Portugal. The hotel boasts 154 rooms and suites and invites guests of all ages to enjoy the magnificent scenery and golf.

www.donafilipahotel.com 

FIELDS FAIRWAY GOLF

Fields Fairway Golf are a knowledgeable holiday firm that specialise in sending UK golfers to the very best resorts in France and Belgium. Their specially selected hotels lie close to several top courses, allowing their customers to visit an array of resorts whilst based in one place.

www.fieldsfairway.co.uk 
GREY OWL GOLF

Grey Owl Golf’s team of experienced travelling golfers specialise in bringing you the best possible golfing holiday. Their extensive knowledge of European resorts ensures that you will enjoy the best in continental golf, and the company will even arrange your tee times, accommodation and travel for you.

www.greyowlgolf.com

GOLF SKI SPAIN

With links to over 100 courses and a range of hotels, Golf Ski Spain specialise in bringing you the best in Spanish golf and, whether you are looking to visit the mainland or one of the islands, they will be able to cater for your requirements. Happy to talk to their customers, the group draw on their extensive knowledge of the country’s courses to offer tailored trips in a variety of locations.

Three nights at the four-star Hotel Atalaya Park in the Costa del Sol can be booked for £175pp, a fee that entitles you to bed and breakfast and two rounds on either of the resort’s 18-hole courses. Seven-night packages at some resorts are available for as little as £230pp.

www.golfskispain.com

WORD OF MOUTH IS THE KEY 

Tourists rely most on their friends’ recommendations when booking a golfing holiday, according to a new survey. The survey, launched at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), showed that word of mouth is the single-most important factor when choosing a destination and also that more than 60 per cent of golfers opt not to book through a tour operator.

“The importance of word-of mouth underlines the importance of customer service as guests become ambassadors for that destination or resort,” said Peter Grimster, IGTM exhibition manager.

Golf magazines proved the third most influential source of information, while specialist tour operators were ranked second, two places ahead of online.