Most golfers will agree that the Algarve is a golfer’s paradise. Once again it has been chosen as the venue for the 2013 Portugal Masters. The competition is in ‘full swing’ at the famous Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, with today being the fourth and final day of competition. At the moment, England’s Paul Waring is in the lead after a shaky start on day 1 and Scott Jamieson is in joint second place after shooting an incredible 60 on day 3. Perhaps the best news of all is that the tournament has raised over €8000, with more to come, for ACCA, an Algarve children’s charity.
Everybody knows that the Algarve courses are superb, so naturally thousands of avid players flock here each autumn and winter to make the most of a post-summer break. You’re very unlucky indeed if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Normally we count on glorious sunshine and usually we get it. However, early mornings can be a bit nippy and it’s advisable to wrap up in layers, usually to be peeled off during the course (pun intended) of the morning. I shouldn’t bother with snow boots though!
We don’t get quite so many visitors playing during the summer months, as I imagine that the high temperatures tend to drain our Northern guests. My advice for summer golf is to make sure you have at least one litre of water, two bananas and a Mars bar with you.
Ideally, have someone ready to take you home after the game: you may well be too tired to drive, either from playing in the heat or from a stop-off at the 19th hole where you tried your best to recuperate!
Living in the Algarve is of course Utopia for golfers and there are some fantastic properties bordering the golf courses here. You can buy anything from a 1 bedroom apartment to a 6 bedroom mansion in the eastern, central or western Algarve. With a golf course literally on your doorstep, life couldn’t be more sublime.
View these stunning properties for sale and check out thousands more properties on and around the Algarve’s golf courses.
Beautiful villa located in the Golden Triangle, five minutes from the courses at Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago
Villas & Vacations
I have been lucky enough to have played some of the best courses in the world and unlucky enough to have played some of the worst. When I arrived in the Algarve, I have to admit my expectations for superb golf courses were not very high. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised, and I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed all but one course.
That particular course was designed by Seve Ballesteros who must have been in a very bad mood at the time. I have never seen so much water, apart from oceans, in my life, and I have never lost so many balls in one round before or since. I seem to remember that the only good score after that competition was handed in by a pro.
On saying all of that, numerous fellow golfers love the challenge and play there regularly. I personally think they’re masochists.
All jokes aside, with 39 courses to choose from, stretched across the length and breadth of the Algarve, many golfers aim to play them all. Of course if you are retired, have a few bob in the bank and enough time on your hands, this is the ultimate goal. Personally I’ve only managed to play eight of these wonderful courses so far, but time is on my side.
All golfers know and understand that the game is addictive. You never remember your finest shots: no, not at all. You remember the ones you duffed and count how much better your score would have been without them.
So, you return again and again to aim for the perfect round, each time thinking how much better you could have done. The thing about golf is you don’t compete against anybody - it’s just you and the course and you try to beat the course. Non-golfers don’t understand this train of thought at all and it doesn’t seem to happen in other sports.
There’s no getting away from it, golf is an expensive sport. Quite apart from the clubs, bag and all the paraphernalia that goes with them, there is the special clothing and shoes, and the trolleys, buggies and carts.
There are the membership fees to be paid and, depending on which golf club you belong to, these can be steep to say the least. And without membership, green fees vary from course to course and season to season.
There are several options for residents and part time residents of the Algarve. You can join a club, join an association or join a group of clubs, some of which will offer a 6 month annual fee for those who only live here during the winter months. Some options include a reduced membership and lower green fees. So there are ways to save a bit of money, you just have to find the options that suit you and your pocket.
Now that the summer visitors are tapering off we are beginning to see hundreds of golf bags being lugged through Faro airport by some very excited groups of golfers. Hotels lay on special deals for golfers, many including green fees and transport. There are some really good golfing packages to be found during the winter months so if you want to get away from the cold northern climes for a break, you would be hard pushed to find a better golfing holiday than the Algarve.
Take advantage of all that is on offer and maybe I’ll see you on the course?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Drive in for the Algarve golf season
by Sun’s Dragon
Most golfers will agree that the Algarve is a golfer’s paradise. Once again it has been chosen as the venue for the 2013 Portugal Masters. The competition is in ‘full swing’ at the famous Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, with today being the fourth and final day of competition. At the moment, England’s Paul Waring is in the lead after a shaky start on day 1 and Scott Jamieson is in joint second place after shooting an incredible 60 on day 3. Perhaps the best news of all is that the tournament has raised over €8000, with more to come, for ACCA, an Algarve children’s charity.
Everybody knows that the Algarve courses are superb, so naturally thousands of avid players flock here each autumn and winter to make the most of a post-summer break. You’re very unlucky indeed if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Normally we count on glorious sunshine and usually we get it. However, early mornings can be a bit nippy and it’s advisable to wrap up in layers, usually to be peeled off during the course (pun intended) of the morning. I shouldn’t bother with snow boots though!
Ideally, have someone ready to take you home after the game: you may well be too tired to drive, either from playing in the heat or from a stop-off at the 19th hole where you tried your best to recuperate!
Living in the Algarve is of course Utopia for golfers and there are some fantastic properties bordering the golf courses here. You can buy anything from a 1 bedroom apartment to a 6 bedroom mansion in the eastern, central or western Algarve. With a golf course literally on your doorstep, life couldn’t be more sublime.
View these stunning properties for sale and check out thousands more properties on and around the Algarve’s golf courses.
Meravista ref 40590 - €1,062,048
State-of-the-art 3 bedroom apartment next to The Royal Golf Course, Vale do Lobo
Algarmed Real Estate
Meravista ref: 25191 - €357,000
Linked villa with fabulous sea views on Vale de Milho Golf Course, Carvoeiro
Top Agent
Meravista ref: 22924 - €175,000
Stunning two-bed apartment within walking distance of three championship golf courses, Vilamoura
Coast & Country Homes
Meravista ref 36397 - €545,000
Beautiful villa located in the Golden Triangle, five minutes from the courses at Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago
Villas & Vacations
I have been lucky enough to have played some of the best courses in the world and unlucky enough to have played some of the worst. When I arrived in the Algarve, I have to admit my expectations for superb golf courses were not very high. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised, and I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed all but one course.
On saying all of that, numerous fellow golfers love the challenge and play there regularly. I personally think they’re masochists.
All jokes aside, with 39 courses to choose from, stretched across the length and breadth of the Algarve, many golfers aim to play them all. Of course if you are retired, have a few bob in the bank and enough time on your hands, this is the ultimate goal. Personally I’ve only managed to play eight of these wonderful courses so far, but time is on my side.
All golfers know and understand that the game is addictive. You never remember your finest shots: no, not at all. You remember the ones you duffed and count how much better your score would have been without them.
So, you return again and again to aim for the perfect round, each time thinking how much better you could have done. The thing about golf is you don’t compete against anybody - it’s just you and the course and you try to beat the course. Non-golfers don’t understand this train of thought at all and it doesn’t seem to happen in other sports.
There’s no getting away from it, golf is an expensive sport. Quite apart from the clubs, bag and all the paraphernalia that goes with them, there is the special clothing and shoes, and the trolleys, buggies and carts.
There are the membership fees to be paid and, depending on which golf club you belong to, these can be steep to say the least. And without membership, green fees vary from course to course and season to season.
There are several options for residents and part time residents of the Algarve. You can join a club, join an association or join a group of clubs, some of which will offer a 6 month annual fee for those who only live here during the winter months. Some options include a reduced membership and lower green fees. So there are ways to save a bit of money, you just have to find the options that suit you and your pocket.
Now that the summer visitors are tapering off we are beginning to see hundreds of golf bags being lugged through Faro airport by some very excited groups of golfers. Hotels lay on special deals for golfers, many including green fees and transport. There are some really good golfing packages to be found during the winter months so if you want to get away from the cold northern climes for a break, you would be hard pushed to find a better golfing holiday than the Algarve.
Take advantage of all that is on offer and maybe I’ll see you on the course?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.