Andy Devaney
If you’re daydreaming about golf holidays this year, chances are Spain or Portugal are at the top of your list. According to a new survey by Glencor Golf Holidays, more than one in three travellers were recommended Spain as their ideal destination, with Portugal coming in as a close runner-up.
Launched in June, the quiz quizzed would-be travellers on everything from culture and flight times to trip length, golf course quality and preferred travel season. The results weren’t exactly shocking—Spain stole the show with 38.3% of respondents being matched to its sun-soaked fairways, while Portugal clocked in at 12.2%. Morocco (10%) and Turkey (8.3%) also showed strong appeal, proving that golfers aren’t afraid to mix up their passports along with their irons.
The Costa del Sol emerged as the single most popular destination, scooping 9.4% of all recommendations. It seems the Spanish south coast is still golf’s version of Disneyland. Corrie Renton, Director of Glencor Golf Holidays, wasn’t surprised: “Our business began by selling golf holidays to Costa del Sol and the Algarve many years ago. These continue to be our top-selling destinations despite the growth of golf tourism in other destinations in wider Spain and Portugal, as well as Turkey and Morocco.
With excellent access from most UK airports from numerous low-cost airlines, fairly short flight times, and most importantly some excellent golf courses, we can only see the Costa del Sol continue to go from strength to strength.”
Portugal, naturally, isn’t far behind. The Algarve remains the country’s flagship offering, as Maria Manuel Delgado e Silva from the Algarve Tourist Board explained: “Golfers choose the Algarve for its perfect blend of sunshine, world-class courses, and stunning coastal scenery. The region offers not only championship fairways designed by renowned architects but also friendly Portuguese people, excellent hospitality, and a rich cultural backdrop.
With its unique combination of year-round mild weather, breathtaking landscapes, and easy access to both luxury and authenticity, the Algarve stands out as an unforgettable destination for golf holidays.”
Lisbon also earned plenty of nods. A spokesperson for Visit Lisboa put it plainly: “The Lisboa region is the perfect golf destination. We are not surprised so many people are being recommended it for their golf holidays. The tranquillity and satisfaction to be found on the greens are matched only by the quality, number and diversity of Lisboa’s golf.”
| Rank | Destination | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 38.3% |
| 2 | Portugal | 12.2% |
| 3 | Morocco | 10% |
| 4 | Turkey | 8.3% |
| 5 | Belgium | 5.6% |
| 6 | Greece | 5.0% |
| 7 | France | 5.0% |
| 8 | South Africa | 3.3% |
| 9 | Canary Islands | 3.3% |
| 10 | Mauritius | 2.8% |
| 11 | UK | 2.8% |
| 12 | Dominican Republic | 1.7% |
| 13 | Cyprus | 1.7% |
Beyond the Fairways
The quiz revealed golfers aren’t all about pars and birdies. Almost half (44%) said they wanted to immerse themselves in local culture, while 33% were more beach-inclined. Only 23% were in it for the nightlife. When it comes to flight times, most golfers preferred to keep things short and sweet, with 53% choosing a 2–4 hour trip. Still, 20% of respondents were game for the long haul, booking eight-hour journeys or more.
Trip length also played its part. The majority (57%) wanted a 3–6 day break—enough time to squeeze in a few rounds and a couple of leisurely dinners. A quarter (25%) leaned toward a week-plus escape, while 11% fancied a lightning-quick one-to-two-day jaunt.
Take the quiz today to find your perfect golf holiday.
Timing Is Everything
| Rank | Month | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept | 24.4% |
| 2 | Oct | 15.6% |
| 3 | May | 13.9% |
| 4 | March | 10.0% |
| 5 | June | 7.8% |
| 6 | February | 6.7% |
| 7 | July | 6.1% |
| 8 | April | 5.6% |
| 9 | August | 4.4% |
| 10 | Jan | 3.9% |
| 11 | Dec | 1.1% |
| 12 | Nov | 0.6% |
September and October were the golden months for travel, with 40% of respondents choosing the shoulder season as their sweet spot. May and March also rated highly, while the deep winter months of November, December and January barely registered. Clearly, most golfers like their holidays sun-kissed but not sweltering.
Quality Over Quantity
Finally, the standard of golf mattered—a lot. More than a third (38%) said high-quality golf courses were a non-negotiable, another 38% were happy with “medium” quality, and just 23% were laid-back enough to let course standards slide.
Whether it’s Costa del Sol’s sun-drenched fairways, the Algarve’s coastal charm, or the under-the-radar promise of Turkey and Morocco, Glencor’s survey confirms what many already suspected: when it comes to golf holidays, Spain and Portugal are still running the show.
