In this page we present you some key points for your golfing trip to Portugal either you are a complete beginner and an advanced player. The main headings are the followings:

Why Portugal?

Within Europe, Portugal is certainly one of the most magic golfing destinations. Indeed, Portugal has everything to seduce you:

• The high quality of its 75 golf courses which are designed by prestigious golf architect (Henry Cotton, Robert Trent Jones, Roquy Roquemore, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo, etc) and inserted in unspoiled nature. It is not rare to play a course with permanent view over the Atlantic Ocean!
• A minimum of 300 days of sun shine per year and a mild climate make it ideal for golf all year round. Think about it: while most of other European countries are grey and cold during winter, Portugal remains friendly welcoming.
• Two main golf regions easy to access in few hours flight from most European countries, all year long: Lisbon's golf coast (24 courses) and the Algarve (with 30 courses). You can play a different course every day and still be surprised every time you will come back!
• You will find a huge diversity of difficulties among the Portuguese golf courses, from relaxing 9-holes for beginners to challenging championship courses, host of prestigious international competition such as the Portugal Masters.
• This is a family destination. You can perfectly come to play golf while your relatives will enjoy other sport and leisure activities such as beach and water sports, beautiful Spas, excellent shopping opened including on week-end, very interesting historical spots and world heritage places, etc. And we can not forget what make the pride of Portuguese people: their friendliness, their outstanding wines and their food. See more about Portugal.

Why taking golf lessons during your stay?

You may have different objectives for your holidays.

• If you are a beginner, you may have found the time to finally start this fascinating game and impress your friends when back home.
• You need the green card exam or Platzreife (official handicap license).
• If you travel alone, you probably want to relax and have fun at the same time.
• If you are an advanced golfer, you want to focus fully on some points of your techniques that are not working.
• You need urgently a club fitting with a real expert.
• You are on business trip and you would like to pass some leisure time with your clients or partners.
• You want to meet other people while practising your favourite hobby
• You need a “quick fix” with a highly qualified golf pro.

There are so many reasons to come to Portugal, enjoy this relaxing atmosphere, flavoured by quality of life and fun. You will enjoy every moment of your time. If you want to know more about the head golf professional PGA Daniel Grimm at the Estoril Golf Club, check our programs.

The golf rewards for Portugal

Best Golfing Destination in the World
International Association of Golf Tour Operators
The Algarve 2014
Lisbon Golf Coast 2016

Best Golf Destination in the World
Rheingolf Magazine
The Algarve

Best Golf Destination in the World
Golfers' Today Magazine
Portugal 2006

Best European Golf Destination
International Association of Golf Tour Operators
Lisbon Golf Coast 2016

Best Golf Course in Portugal and Spain
Golf Digest Magazine
San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago

Top 100 Golf Courses in the World
Golf Digest
The Old Course in Vilamoura
San Lorenzo in Quinta do Lago
Oitavos Dunes, in Cascais.

Portugal's golf courses regularly host professional international tournaments including the Portugal Masters, the Portuguese Open, Ladies Open, the Seniors Open and the World Cup.

Rules & Etiquette

The visiting golfers need a handicap certificate to play most of the Portuguese golf courses. The handicap requirements vary but the usual average is -28 for men and -36 for ladies.

The Portuguese Golf Federation adheres to the rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association.

The dress code is very important and we kindly ask the golfers to dress smartly and appropriately (using golf shoes with soft pikes, never wearing jeans, trainers, t-shirts and swimming outfit). Most of the golf courses allow bermudas.

See our Portugal Golf Courses section for further information.

Tips for beginners

For the person wishing to try out the game of golf, or who have already contracted the "Golf Disease", several items are needed, like in any sport, in order to start playing and learning the game even though you do not need to make any big investment at the beginning.

Clothing & dress code

Golf clubs and teaching professionals require and prefer Smart-Casual dress etiquette. Please avoid jeans and armless shirts when coming for your first lesson. It can appear very rigid and confirming, but many golfers feel offended when the dress code is not respected. These rules are maintained as a common desire to uphold the prestige and heritage of the game.

Your first and good investment will be probably the purchase of a comfortable and preferably waterproof pair of golf shoes. Even though in the beginning, the majority of time will be spent on lessons and practicing, comfortable shoes designed for the stresses of the golf swing are needed. Then later on when moving onto the golf courses, with journey from 8 to 10 kilometres, golf shoes will become imperative.

Equipment

Whilst spending a lot of money on golf gear right in the beginning can appear to be a good investment, take note that some Golf Clubs are very expensive and the beginner does not need the most expensive and best clubs to start with. Also, a specific brand of golf club may not be suitable for the individual concerned. Therefore, consultation with a PGA qualified professional is imperative, not just to find the best golf equipment for you, but also to perhaps recommend "Custom Fitting". This is a way in which golf clubs can be "Tailor Made" to suit the golfer, and be aware that playing with the wrong kind of golf club, for example the length of it may be wrong for you, this provides a higher risk for injury later down the line such as back and spinal problems.

Practice

As with everything "Practice makes Perfect!", and more so with the game of Golf. In order to improve, combine regular practice with regular lessons. You will then have the most fulfilment and fun with your game.

MAKE YOUR REQUEST!