With the warmer weather tempting golfers to organize more games, there’s no better time to plan an exciting trip to a great golfing destination abroad.
Europe boasts some of the most prestigious and breathtaking golf courses in the world. From the rugged Scottish Highlands to the idyllic countryside of Italy, there’s something to suit every golfer’s ability, budget and personal preference.
Most of the top courses listed below welcome non-members throughout the year, and have fantastic practice facilities, including driving ranges, putting/chipping greens in addition to their first-class academies and pro shops. Here are some of the top golf holidays in Europe, with each country offering unique courses!
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Scotland
Scotland is regarded as the birthplace of golf with championship courses designed by some of the world’s greatest designers and giants of the game.
The country has 587 courses, plus the most clubs per head compared to any country in the world. Scotland is rich in culture, and heritage with golf being one of the many reasons people visit.
From the rolling links along the Firth of Forth to secluded retreats, its golf courses have all been shaped and influenced by its dramatic landscape, lochs and rugged coastal areas.
—> Read More: Top 12 Places To Visit in Scotland
St. Andrews Old Course
St Andrews Old Course is a revered links layout that has hosted numerous Open Championships since the 15th century. A dream destination for golf enthusiasts, St Andrews is rich in golfing history.
With its iconic double greens, devilish pot bunkers, and the infamous Road Hole (17th), it presents a stern test of shotmaking amid the undulating terrain and coastal winds.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Clubhouse, Golf academy, private caddie, Pro Shop
- Green fees: from $95-$230
Muirfield
Muirfield is located on the East Lothian Coast near Edinburgh and is a renowned classic links course by the sea that hosts numerous Open Championships.
Its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and lightning-fast greens demand precision and strategic play from golfers. The treacherous closing stretch, including the formidable Winning Hole (18th), has witnessed many dramatic finishes.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Golf academy, private caddie, Pro Shop.
- Green fees: from $425
Gleneagles
Gleneagles in Perthshire provides parkland-style designs incorporating lush forests and rivers. It is famously on the PGA Centenary Course circuit with an impressive fairway amid parkland and woods.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Pro Shop
- Green fees: from $230
Royal Troon Golf Course
Don’t miss, the Royal Troon Golf Course with its striking seaside setting, this is a revered venue with towering dunes, cavernous bunkers, and gorse-lined fairways that require careful navigation.
The infamous Postage Stamp (8th Hole) is one of the most iconic and challenging par-3s in golf.
- Open all year
- 45 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Pro Shop
- Green Fees: from $325
Turnberry
On the Firth of Clyde, Turnberry is an undulating link consisting of deep bunkers, and frequent coastal winds that create a formidable test especially on the treacherous closing stretch along the rugged cliffs
- Open all year
- 45 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Pro Shop
- Green fees: from $465
Ireland
Ireland is world-renowned for its beautiful, challenging golf courses with a total of six courses on the Emerald Isle voted among the best in the world.
From windswept links to lush parklands, a diverse collection of revered courses are distinctly shaped by the dramatic natural landscape making Ireland a great place to travel to, and an ideal golfing destination.
—> Read More: 11 Places You Can’t Miss When Visiting Ireland
Ballybunion Union Golf Club
Located in Kerry on Ireland’s southwest coast, Ballybunion Golf Club’s Old Course is an exciting links course across coastal dunes with cliffside views (fees: from $235).
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €230
Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch Golf Club in county Clare is an established club with an inviting sandy links course overlooking the sea.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €195
Adare Manor Golf Club
Adare Manor Golf Club in Limerick is an inland and parkland gem. Its course incorporates rivers, trees and takes advantage of their beautiful Irish countryside surroundings.
The amazing golf setting boasts a challenging, yet playable championship 1 course in a fantastic and fairly challenging layout.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €435
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Spain
Thanks to its popularity as a golf haven, southern Spain attracts players keen to play on stunning courses next to beautiful beaches or with striking views over mountains.
Spain is a golfer’s paradise thanks to its year-round sunny weather and variety of terrain, which allows for coastal, parkland, and desert-style courses. Most courses have undulating fairways, strategic bunkers, presenting a stern test for golfers of all abilities.
Golf lovers from across the continent visit Spain to play with some choosing to make the country their permanent or second home with dream properties dotted across the south.
—> Read More: Journey Through the South of Spain: Top Things To Do In Andalusia
La Reserva Golf Club
La Reserva’s course was designed by Cabell Robinson, and offers a scenic golfing experience with its picturesque setting in Cadiz and well-crafted design course. It is a unique championship course with ocean views.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Clubhouse, Pro shop, lessons
- Green Fees: from €195
Valderrama Golf Club
Valderrama is one of the finest courses and was the Robert Trent Jones first course design. This iconic course has hosted numerous prestigious events, such as the Ryder Cup.
With its immaculate conditioning, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens, Valderrama demands precision and course management from even the most skilled golfers.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Clubhouse
- Green fees: from $210 to $425.
Club de Golf Alcanada
This beautiful course has a perfect setting and with diverse and challenging holes. The course was built by Hans Peter Porsche.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green Fees: From €59
Portugal
Golf is undoubtedly one of the top activities in Portugal, and the Algarve is blessed with amazing golf clubs.
It has the highest concentration of premier golf courses, including some ranked among the best in Europe. Most benefit from the area’s natural beauty, and provide golfers with unique and challenging layouts thanks to the country’s lush dunes and pristine stretches of sand.
—> Read More: 14 Best Places to Visit in Portugal
Quinta Do Lago
Perhaps the most well-known Golf Club and Resort is the Quinta do Lago. This club is a golfer’s favorite thanks to its coastal links-style course and close proximity to the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Perfect for walking, this popular destination is close to the beautiful beaches of Garrão and Manta Rota.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €190
Monte Rei Golf Club
For a taste of golfing royalty and undulating dunes, Portugal’s Monte Rei Golf Club in Tavira is a hidden gem. This incredible seaside links course is famous for being the first signature course by Jack Nicklaus.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from $135
Oitavos Dunes Golf Club
Oitavos Dunes Golf Club is set within the stunning Sintra-Cascais National Park in Cascais. Making it into the top 100 golf clubs in Portugal, this course provides a wonderful test with tricky holes that invites players to follow in the footsteps of golfing legends.
Its diverse holes and putting greens are down to the winning duo of links and parkland features.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf school, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €95
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France
A great country to explore if you enjoy being outside and active at any time of the year, France has some world-class resort courses and historic championship layouts.
In addition to being rich in history and having some of the finest food in the world, France offers a diverse golfing experience.
—> Read More: 15 Incredible Places to Visit in France
Le Golf National
In Paris, the City of Love, this world-renowned course hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup. Set in the beautiful Île-de-France region, Le Golf National features a stunning backdrop of forests and lakes.
The challenging Albatros is known for its narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, driving range, private caddie
- Green fees: from €120
Evian Resort Golf Club
The stunning Evian Resort Golf Club is situated in Évian-les-Bains: Nestled in the French Alps, this picturesque course offers breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains.
The 18-hole championship course has a unique layout, with many elevation changes and water hazards. Open April to October, with green fees from €120 to €200.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green Fees: from €120 to €200
Italy
Italy’s mild climate and varied landscape makes it a golfer’s gift if you want to combine a holiday here with a great game.
From the Italian Riviera to Tuscany’s vineyards, Italy invites golfers to play on fairways that make the most out of a duo of breathtaking scenery and championship holes.
—> Read More: Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities In Italy
Argentario Golf Club
Built by Jaguar Land Rover, Argentario is the only PGA licensed golf facility in Italy, Argentario Golf Club is laid out amid the stunning Tuscan landscape.
This scenic course offers panoramic views of the rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval villages. The layout is challenging with numerous elevation changes and strategically placed bunkers. Awarded the “Agri Cert” certification for its eco-compatibility.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €60
Gardagolf Country Club
Located around Lake Garda, this scenic country club boasts a golf course that is set against the backdrop of the stunning Lake Garda and the Dolomites.
The course features narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, and well-guarded greens.
- Open March to November
- 18 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €90
Switzerland
Golfing in Switzerland is a scenic delight, thanks to its magical mountain backdrops, fresh air and some immaculate courses winding through its famous Swiss Alps.
—> Read More: Best Places To Visit In Switzerland: Beyond Zurich & Geneva
Andermatt
Nestled in the Alps, Andermatt offers an unforgettable golfing experience with stunning views and fresh mountain air.
- Open all year
- 18 holes | Par 72
- Facilities: Clubhouse
- Green Fees: from CHF95
Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club
Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, Valais: This iconic course, nestled in the Swiss Alps, offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and other towering peaks.
The 18-hole championship course is known for its narrow fairways, undulating greens, and frequent elevation changes. Open May to October, with green fees from CHF 180 to CHF 280.
- Open May to October
- 27 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €70 to €150
Golf Park Zürichese
Golfpark Zürichsee can be found in the beautiful city of Zürich. Set along the shores of Lake Zürich, this course offers unbeatable views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
The 18-hole layout features a mix of challenging and forgiving holes, with water hazards and well-bunkered greens. Open March to November, with green fees from CHF 130 to CHF 190.
- Open March to November
- 27 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €70 to €150
Austria
Despite its shorter golfing season, Austria’s stunning mountain scenery provides a breathtaking backdrop for an incredible few rounds of golf on your visit here.
—> Read More: Best Places to Visit in Austria
Kitzbühel Golf Club
Situated in the heart of the Austrian Alps, this course lies in Tyrol and offers breathtaking views of the Kitzbühel Horn and the Wilder Kaiser mountain range.
The 18-hole championship course features narrow fairways, numerous water hazards, and elevated greens. Open April to October, with green fees from €80 to €160.
- Open April to October
- 27 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green fees: from €70 to €150
Adamstal Golf Club
This beautiful course located just outside Vienna is surrounded by forests and rolling hills.
The 18-hole layout features a mix of challenging and forgiving holes, with water hazards and well-bunkered greens. Open March to November, with green fees from €55 to €120.
- Open March to November
- 27 holes | Par 71
- Facilities: Golf academy, pro Shop
- Green Fees: from €70 to €150
Europe’s range of first-class golf clubs provide unforgettable experiences for beginners, amateur and professional players. Whether you’re traveling with friends from your local club or working your swing, there are some great countries to combine golf and sightseeing.
These acclaimed courses are in beautiful settings and have been expertly designed by legends of the game. Whatever level you’re at, you can plan a memorable golfing trip that is as unforgettable for the places you visit as much as your winning shots.
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