Andy Devaney
When it comes to stunning golf getaways, your mind might wander to windswept links in Scotland or sun-drenched fairways in Arizona—but let me steer your buggy down a more unexpected path.
From the rustic greens of Portugal’s Algarve to the jungle-lined tees of Puerto Rico and the reggae-laced rhythms of Jamaica’s finest course, here’s where the savvy golfer with a passport and a bit of panache should be packing their clubs.
Portugal: The Algarve’s Hidden Back Nine
The Algarve isn’t just for sunburnt Brits and sea bass. No, sir—it’s one of Europe’s most underrated spots for stunning golf getaways, especially if you’re teeing off from the serene surrounds of Octant Praia Verde.
Located on the quieter eastern edge of the Algarve, this retreat is within a pitching wedge of some spectacular courses.
Take Quinta da Ria, for instance—an 18-hole gem stitched into the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, where birdies of both the feathered and golfing variety are plentiful. Then there’s Quinta de Cima, a championship-level challenge designed by Rocky Roquemore, who apparently thought natural streams and ancient trees made good hazards. Quinta do Vale, a Seve Ballesteros signature course, spans 75 hectares and tests every club in your bag.
Back at Octant, the Family Golf Experience offers more laughs than a missed three-footer at your local club. And come early 2026, the resort itself is unveiling a serious facelift—new lobby, spa, restaurants, heated plunge pool suites, and a beachside restaurant that might just outshine your short game. “Laid-back luxury” is the house motto, but don’t let the tranquillity fool you—it’s a proper setup for a week of fairway therapy.
Barbados: The Sweet Spot of the South Coast
Barbados might be better known for rum punches than putters, but the O2 Beach Club & Spa on the south coast is quietly redefining what a Caribbean golf holiday looks like.
Book four nights and you’ll get a complimentary round at Barbados Golf Club, where the trade winds blow just enough to mess with your iron play and your ego.
This Christ Church course isn’t just a pretty face either—it’s been graced by the PGA European Seniors Tour and the Barbados Open. Post-round, the O2 resort becomes your own oasis: rooftop pools, a panoramic spa with the island’s only Hammam, and 4 restaurants (6 dining experiences) to undo all that cardio with style.
And if you’re up for it, local “how-to” classes let you dive into island culture without ever leaving the comfort of your sandals.
Jamaica: Swinging in Style at The Tryall Club
Now, if you’ve ever fancied threading a golf ball between the ruins of a sugar plantation aqueduct before watching it sail toward the Caribbean Sea, then The Tryall Club in Montego Bay is your kind of place. This isn’t your average island golf jaunt—it’s 2,200 acres of heritage, high drama, and hand-rolled hospitality.
The 18-hole course by Ralph Plummer is a beast, clocking in at 6,836 yards of strategic brilliance. Elevation changes, stone ruins, and gusting trade winds make every round a tale worth telling.
And once you’ve survived the back nine, your villa—with personal chef and butler, naturally—awaits with cold drinks and warm comforts. This, my friends, is how Jamaica does golf.
Puerto Rico: The Rainforest Rumble at Wyndham Rio Mar
You like your golf with a side of jungle? Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach & Golf Resort sits snugly between two miles of golden beach and the lush expanse of El Yunque National Rainforest.
Here you’ll find not one, but two championship 18-hole courses designed by the Fazio brothers and Greg Norman himself.
Expect sweeping ocean views, rainforest backdrops, and enough challenging holes to make even scratch players sweat.
The Golf Package sweetens the deal with breakfast, a $300 play credit, and a mercifully late 2 PM check-out. Oh, and did I mention the four beachfront pools and guided rainforest tours? Because, of course.
Puerto Rico’s Palmas del Mar: Golf with a Culinary Twist
Over on the southeast coast, Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort is nestled inside the exclusive Palmas del Mar enclave—a quiet, coconut-laced paradise for those in search of boutique golf.
The Flamboyán Course, crafted by Rees Jones, steals the show with a par-3 twelfth hole that could double as a postcard.
The second course, designed by Gary Player, rounds out an exceptional offering, whether you’re breaking 80 or just breaking in your new shoes.
Off the fairways, Trova Coastal Kitchen—helmed by Chef Daniel Lugo—delivers dishes as refined as your swing, pairing Puerto Rican flair with global technique.
Whether it’s the windswept fairways of Valderrama or a barefoot chip shot under the Caribbean sun, these destinations deliver some of the world’s most stunning golf getaways with a side of soul.
Just remember: the view might be free, but the lost balls won’t be.
