Why Iberia?

World class golf courses that have hosted the Ryder Cup and the Spanish Open? Breathtaking scenery? Unique cultural experiences to look forward to in between working on your swing? Should we go on?

Better yet, just imagine how that first drive of the day will resonate with the stomp of the Flamenco dancer’s heel from the night before in Barcelona, or how the ocean views from the green in Cascais will give an excuse to make every round last a bit longer, even if it means going over par. By seeking golfing opportunities across Spain and Portugal you will not only traverse exceptional fairways but will also explore some of the most vibrant and exquisite destinations across Europe in the most luxurious of ways.

Top Golf Courses Across Iberia

Ready to hit the links? Take a look below to find some of the most prestigious golf courses across Spain and Portugal!

Spain:

• Real Club de Golf El Prat -Barcelona

A regular host of the Spain Open, El Prat is located just a short drive away from Barcelona, ensuring that you play the best rounds of golf without missing out on the vibrant cultural offerings of the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia. Designed by golfing legend Greg Norman, this 45-hole course offers the best of both worlds by blending world-class facilities with a mesmerising, natural Catalonian landscape, creating for a truly harmonious golfing experience.

• Valderrama Golf Club — Andalusia

Prepare to feel like a PGA Pro as you step onto the crown jewel of Spanish golf courses. Home to the 1997 Ryder Cup, 16 VOLVO Masters, and two Amex Championships, the Valderrama Golf Club boasts some of the most pristine fairways in Europe, which are nestled amidst centuries-old cork oak trees. A bucket-list destination for serious players, Valderrama offers golfers a chance to boost their resume while also exploring the lively culture, distinctive identity, and Moorish aesthetic of Andalusia.

• PGA Catalunya Resort — Costa Brava

Enjoy state-of-the-art golfing at what is consistently ranked among the best courses in Spain and Europe. Home to two championship 18-hole courses, PGA Catalunya Resort offer an impressive array of golfing and 5-Star amenities that create for a luxurious and immersive golfing experience. Known for its rolling greens and forested backdrop, the course delivers both challenging and scenic rounds, which are complimented by superb service and lavish post-green offerings.

• Son Gual — Mallorca

Put your skills to the test while enjoying sweeping views of Mallorca as you play your way through this stunning albeit challenging course. Filled with immaculate fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and scenic water features, Son Gual offers the perfect opportunity to take your game to the next level while basking in the island’s Sunkissed beauty. In between incredible rounds of golf, why not also take to exploring Mallorca’s magnificent beaches, where being stuck in the sand is never a bad thing.

Portugal:

• Monte Rei Golf and Country Club — Algarve

Resting between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, this Jack Nicklaus Signature Course doesn’t simply offer a top-of-the-line golfing experience but spoils its patrons with an all-encompassing blend of beauty, serenity, and luxury. An ideal golfing hideaway, even the course’s challenging layout will not be able interfere with the peace of mind provided by the delicate nature and breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Algarve region. Take to the rolling hills of this incredible golf course to refine your senses as well as your game.

• San Lorenzo Golf Club — Algarve

Try your best not to let the magnificence of the Algarve coast distract you from getting that birdie as you find yourself at the San Lorenzo Gold Club, where the thrills of its top-notch course can only be matched by its oceanfront location and the spectacular vistas that it provides. With a layout that features saltwater marshes and freshwater lagoons, getting through this formidable course is a genuine adventure; at the end of which you can get a well-deserved pampering at one of the many surrounding luxury resorts.

• Oitavos Dunes — Cascais

Feel the caress of the ocean breeze as you approach the tee and prepare to drive that ball towards the horizon at one of the best golf locations in the world. Set along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, this exhilarating course is a must for both novices and seasoned pros and is guaranteed to impressed even the most well-travelled players. Additionally, Oitavos Dunes offers an amazing opportunity to discover Cascais (also called the ‘Riviera of Portugal’), an aesthetic gem that’s known for its irresistible blend of coastal charm, history, and natural beauty.

• Penha Longa Resort — Sintra

Embrace the splendor, history, and elegance of Sintra while working on your long game, with a golfing experience that is almost regal in scope. Just 20 minutes outside of Lisbon, Penha Longa’s course rests within the breathtaking Sintra Mountains, taking players on fairytale rounds through a landscape of forests and ancient ruins, and offering unparalleled views of Portugal’s lush countryside. After golf, you may also use the opportunity explore this opulent region, particularly the incomparable ‘Palácio da Pena’, whose vibrant and intriguing architecture perpetually stuns visitors from across the globe.

• Troia Golf — Lisbon Coast

When stepping on the green in Troia Golf, you better bring your ‘A’ game. Endlessly engaging and just as scenically spectacular, this Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed course is renowned for its narrow fairways and tricky sand dunes, giving even the most experienced golfers a run for their money. Be not afraid though, for the magnificent vistas of Lisbon’s Coast and the impeccable nature surrounding the Arrábida Mountain will undoubtedly make every arduous effort worth it.

Got Your Clubs Ready?

A golfing paradise, Iberia awaits to take your love of the game to new levels! When choosing to embark on a golfing adventure to Spain or Portugal (or both!), you will have opportunity to experience the game at its most picturesque and refined, while also savoring dazzling sights and incredible cultural delights. Enjoy stays in world-class resorts, indulge in traditional culinary offerings, sample some of the finest wines in Europe, and soak up the charming aesthetics and rich heritage of Spain and Portugal as you make your way to the 18^th hole and beyond.

The post Perfect Greens and Iberian Dreams: Golfing Excellence in Spain and Portugal appeared first on Blog | Travelive.