Europe's best golf holidays: The top courses close to home
Add to My Stories Sensational scenery, wicked bunkers and thrilling off-course action. Follow our guide to Europe's top golf resorts...Tenerife - Abama Resort
There's more to Tenerife than sunburnt noses and an English fry-up. The west side of the island is a tranquil haven of volcanic cliffs and tropical foliage, making it the ideal place to swing your clubs enveloped by waterfalls, white sand bunkers and spectacular views of the island of La Gomera.
In this beauty you can indulge in the pools and sandy beach of the Abama resort.
Along with a high-class spa and watersports, there's a daily round of treasure hunts, beach parties and movie nights for the under-12s.
The challenge: Thread your ball up the steeply rising par 5 10th hole, which has a series of ball-hungry lakes on the left.
Details: Seven nights' half board cost from 975pp, includingflights and transfers. Golf extra. Travelbeam Luxury Hotels, 0845 845 0145, www.travelbeam.co.uk. 
Spain - La Manga
It's best known as a summer centre for Premier League footballers at the La Manga Club. But with three palm-filled courses snaking through ravines, water hazards and Spanish countryside, golfers are not hard done by.
It is close to 26 miles of beaches on the Costa Calida, and the area is crammed with quaint destinations such as the old spa town of Los Alcazares, plus the grander spectacle of the museums, cathedrals and Moorish fortifications of Cartagena and Murcia.
The challenge: Survive the enormously long fairways and fiendishly placed bunkers of the PGA-standard South Course.
Details: Stay at the Las Lomas Village Apartments from 273pp for four nights including breakfast, a daily round of golf or other selected activities; 00 34 968 1755 77, www.lamangac! lub.com. Monarch flies from London to Alicante return from 62; www.monarch.co.uk.
Sardinia - Is Molas
Savour 27 holes of meandering, parkland golf on the flower-filled hills of Sulcis. Or gorge on fresh seafood and Sardinian bread on a creative cooking course and work it off later doing watersports on the private beach.
Venture farther to the coves, taverns and white sand dunes of Nora and Porto d'Agumu, which complement the Phoenician ruins, spanish watchtowers and a clifftop roman amphitheatre.
The challenge: Avoid the tree in the middle of the 5th fairway, then carry your ball over a concealed stream to reach an elevated green and hole out for a par 4.
Details: Four rounds of golf, from 449pp. BA flies from London to Cagliari from 142 return, 0844 493 0787, www.ba.com. Italy - Riva dei Tessali
Southern Italy's pine forests, olive groves and citrus plantations are home to two distinctly different courses in the heart of Apulia.
The surrounding region is rich with Greco- roman remains, conical Trulli houses and the troglodyte cave dwellings at Matera. The nearby port of Taranto provides a gilt-edged excuse to try the local Primitivo wines.
Failing that, simply cycle to a deserted tree-fringed beach and do as little as possible.
The challenge: Adapt your game to the varied tests offered by the woodland riva dei Tessali and the scottish-style links of Metaponto.
Details: Seven nights' full board with seven rounds of golf on Riva dei Tessali and Metaponto. Airport transfers from 645pp (545 for nongolfers ). Golf Par excellence, 01737 211 818, www.golfpar! excellen ce.com. BA flies from London to Bari from 161.
Cyprus - Aphrodite Hills
Aphrodite, goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the waves here, though the golf course is far from amorous: a series of knee-trembling drives across deep, rocky gorges can easily ruin anyone's scorecard.
But if you're up for passion, the resort's spa, dramatic coastal views and cliff-top trails can't fail to make you feel romanced.
Carefully organised children's activities should keep adults free from interruptions, too.
The challenge: Make it across a 142-yard gorge and reach the green at the par 3 7th hole.
Details: Seven nights' half board, four rounds of golf, and flights, costs from 699pp, with return flight to Paphos. supertravel Golf, 0207 459 2984, www.supertravel.co.uk. Turkey - Cornelia Resort
Citrus - packed valleys, turquoise seas, ancient amphitheatres and age-defying marble columns of Olympos, Perge, Side and Myra makes the Turkish Riviera particularly enticing.
That's before you get down to the nitty-gritty of 27 Nick Faldo-designed holes. There's also a staffed children's area and an impressive spa, offering a range of tantalising therapies.
The challenge: Drive over the trees and onto the green of the short par 47th hole (aptly named 'Faldo's Choice'), which is designed to make you choose between laying up or going for broke.Details: Turkish Golf, 020 7923 3230, www.turkishgolf.com, has seven nights all-inclusive at the 5-starplus diamond Golf resort and spa from 795pp, including three rounds of golf, transfers and return flights.
Portugal - Praia del Rey
Get into the swing on 18 holes that flow through fragrant pines and wild sand dunes, offering a true test of both your parkland and links ski! lls. oth er activities range from quad biking to paintball.
If you fancy an more idle ramble, try a local vineyard or farmer's market and dip into the history of the Silver Coast at the Unesco World Heritage town of Obidos.
Lisbon, with its shops, bars and nightlife, is just over an hour to the south.
The challenge: Tame the 623-yard, par 5 17th hole, one of the longest holes in Europe, beside foaming Atlantic seas.
Details: From 195pp for a four-night stay in a two-bedroom, self-catering apartment, including three rounds of golf. Flights from 150pp. Your Golf Travel, 0800 043 6644, www.yourgolftravel.com. Greece - Porto Carrass
Olive-fringed fairways beside the twinkling Aegean and the pine forest of Mount Melitonas are a wonderful setting to test your skills.
Then rest your gaze on an ancient amphitheatre overlooking the crystal-clear Sithonia peninsula. With 26 miles of Blue Flag beach.
The thalassotherapy treatments at one of Greece's largest spas will iron out any aches, and wine tasting at the on-site vineyard and seafood in a cosy, local taverna will do the rest.
The challenge: Keep your ball dry on the Greek version of Augusta's 'Amen Corner' as four holes crisscross a series of lakes between the 11th and 14th.
Details: Amathus, 0844 770 8095, www.amathusholidays.co.uk, has seven nights' half board at the 5-star Hotel sithonia, for 499pp, including return BA flights from Gatwick. Golf is extra.
France - Dolce Fregate
Follow in the footsteps of writers Thomas Mann and Aldous Huxley and soak up the peaceful Cote d'Azur town of Bandol and neighbouring Bendor Island.
Seafood and rose wine will keep you happy and there's the opportunity to thwack a ball around the vineyards, pine trees and rock gardens of P! rovence, not to mention lap up the flawless views of the Bay of La Moutte.
The art galleries and museums of Marseille and Toulon are all within an hour's drive.
The challenge: Avoid the cascade of large ponds, palms and cypresses that line every inch of the menacing par 4 5th hole.
Details: www.golfbreaks.com offers seven nights' B&B and three rounds of golf from 725pp. easyJet flies to Marseille from 50 return, 0905 821 0905; www.easyjet.com.
Tenerife - Abama Resort
There's more to Tenerife than sunburnt noses and an English fry-up. The west side of the island is a tranquil haven of volcanic cliffs and tropical foliage, making it the ideal place to swing your clubs enveloped by waterfalls, white sand bunkers and spectacular views of the island of La Gomera. In this beauty you can indulge in the pools and sandy beach of the Abama resort.
Along with a high-class spa and watersports, there's a daily round of treasure hunts, beach parties and movie nights for the under-12s.
The challenge: Thread your ball up the steeply rising par 5 10th hole, which has a series of ball-hungry lakes on the left.
Details: Seven nights' half board cost from 975pp, includingflights and transfers. Golf extra. Travelbeam Luxury Hotels, 0845 845 0145, www.travelbeam.co.uk.
Teeing off: Europe has a lot to offer when it comes to golf courses
Spain - La Manga
It's best known as a summer centre for Premier League footballers at the La Manga Club. But with three palm-filled courses snaking through ravines, water hazards and Spanish countryside, golfers are not hard done by. It is close to 26 miles of beaches on the Costa Calida, and the area is crammed with quaint destinations such as the old spa town of Los Alcazares, plus the grander spectacle of the museums, cathedrals and Moorish fortifications of Cartagena and Murcia.
The challenge: Survive the enormously long fairways and fiendishly placed bunkers of the PGA-standard South Course.
Details: Stay at the Las Lomas Village Apartments from 273pp for four nights including breakfast, a daily round of golf or other selected activities; 00 34 968 1755 77, www.lamangac! lub.com. Monarch flies from London to Alicante return from 62; www.monarch.co.uk.
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Sardinia - Is Molas
Savour 27 holes of meandering, parkland golf on the flower-filled hills of Sulcis. Or gorge on fresh seafood and Sardinian bread on a creative cooking course and work it off later doing watersports on the private beach. Venture farther to the coves, taverns and white sand dunes of Nora and Porto d'Agumu, which complement the Phoenician ruins, spanish watchtowers and a clifftop roman amphitheatre.
The challenge: Avoid the tree in the middle of the 5th fairway, then carry your ball over a concealed stream to reach an elevated green and hole out for a par 4.
Details: Four rounds of golf, from 449pp. BA flies from London to Cagliari from 142 return, 0844 493 0787, www.ba.com.
Stunning Sardinia: You don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy the Is Molas course
Italy - Riva dei Tessali
Southern Italy's pine forests, olive groves and citrus plantations are home to two distinctly different courses in the heart of Apulia. The surrounding region is rich with Greco- roman remains, conical Trulli houses and the troglodyte cave dwellings at Matera. The nearby port of Taranto provides a gilt-edged excuse to try the local Primitivo wines.
Failing that, simply cycle to a deserted tree-fringed beach and do as little as possible.
The challenge: Adapt your game to the varied tests offered by the woodland riva dei Tessali and the scottish-style links of Metaponto.
Details: Seven nights' full board with seven rounds of golf on Riva dei Tessali and Metaponto. Airport transfers from 645pp (545 for nongolfers ). Golf Par excellence, 01737 211 818, www.golfpar! excellen ce.com. BA flies from London to Bari from 161.
Cyprus - Aphrodite Hills
Aphrodite, goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the waves here, though the golf course is far from amorous: a series of knee-trembling drives across deep, rocky gorges can easily ruin anyone's scorecard. But if you're up for passion, the resort's spa, dramatic coastal views and cliff-top trails can't fail to make you feel romanced.
Carefully organised children's activities should keep adults free from interruptions, too.
The challenge: Make it across a 142-yard gorge and reach the green at the par 3 7th hole.
Details: Seven nights' half board, four rounds of golf, and flights, costs from 699pp, with return flight to Paphos. supertravel Golf, 0207 459 2984, www.supertravel.co.uk.
Room with a view: The accommodation is just as good as the gold at Aphrodite Hills
Turkey - Cornelia Resort
Citrus - packed valleys, turquoise seas, ancient amphitheatres and age-defying marble columns of Olympos, Perge, Side and Myra makes the Turkish Riviera particularly enticing. That's before you get down to the nitty-gritty of 27 Nick Faldo-designed holes. There's also a staffed children's area and an impressive spa, offering a range of tantalising therapies.
The challenge: Drive over the trees and onto the green of the short par 47th hole (aptly named 'Faldo's Choice'), which is designed to make you choose between laying up or going for broke.Details: Turkish Golf, 020 7923 3230, www.turkishgolf.com, has seven nights all-inclusive at the 5-starplus diamond Golf resort and spa from 795pp, including three rounds of golf, transfers and return flights.
Portugal - Praia del Rey
Get into the swing on 18 holes that flow through fragrant pines and wild sand dunes, offering a true test of both your parkland and links ski! lls. oth er activities range from quad biking to paintball. If you fancy an more idle ramble, try a local vineyard or farmer's market and dip into the history of the Silver Coast at the Unesco World Heritage town of Obidos.
Lisbon, with its shops, bars and nightlife, is just over an hour to the south.
The challenge: Tame the 623-yard, par 5 17th hole, one of the longest holes in Europe, beside foaming Atlantic seas.
Details: From 195pp for a four-night stay in a two-bedroom, self-catering apartment, including three rounds of golf. Flights from 150pp. Your Golf Travel, 0800 043 6644, www.yourgolftravel.com.
Cote d'Azur: Enjoy your golf with a side serving of style at Dolce Fregate
Greece - Porto Carrass
Olive-fringed fairways beside the twinkling Aegean and the pine forest of Mount Melitonas are a wonderful setting to test your skills. Then rest your gaze on an ancient amphitheatre overlooking the crystal-clear Sithonia peninsula. With 26 miles of Blue Flag beach.
The thalassotherapy treatments at one of Greece's largest spas will iron out any aches, and wine tasting at the on-site vineyard and seafood in a cosy, local taverna will do the rest.
The challenge: Keep your ball dry on the Greek version of Augusta's 'Amen Corner' as four holes crisscross a series of lakes between the 11th and 14th.
Details: Amathus, 0844 770 8095, www.amathusholidays.co.uk, has seven nights' half board at the 5-star Hotel sithonia, for 499pp, including return BA flights from Gatwick. Golf is extra.
France - Dolce Fregate
Follow in the footsteps of writers Thomas Mann and Aldous Huxley and soak up the peaceful Cote d'Azur town of Bandol and neighbouring Bendor Island. Seafood and rose wine will keep you happy and there's the opportunity to thwack a ball around the vineyards, pine trees and rock gardens of P! rovence, not to mention lap up the flawless views of the Bay of La Moutte.
The art galleries and museums of Marseille and Toulon are all within an hour's drive.
The challenge: Avoid the cascade of large ponds, palms and cypresses that line every inch of the menacing par 4 5th hole.
Details: www.golfbreaks.com offers seven nights' B&B and three rounds of golf from 725pp. easyJet flies to Marseille from 50 return, 0905 821 0905; www.easyjet.com.
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