Golf Course Guide
The Best Golf Courses for Group Golf Holidays in Europe and Beyond
Planning a golf society trip, corporate golf retreat or friends' golf break starts with choosing the right course. This guide covers the world's finest golf destinations — from Scotland's legendary links to Portugal's championship parkland and Dubai's desert showpieces — to help your group find the perfect fairways.
Choosing the Right Golf Course for Your Group
The best golf holiday is built around the right course — one that suits your group's ability, pace of play, budget and expectations. A high-handicap group playing a demanding links in poor weather will have a very different experience to a society of low handicappers teeing it up at a sun-drenched resort on the Algarve.
At Golf Holiday Breaks, we specialise in matching groups to golf destinations that deliver on every level. We consider the balance of challenge and playability, the quality of the on-course experience, the surrounding accommodation options and the practicalities of group travel — from tee time availability to transfer logistics.
Europe offers the most accessible and varied selection of championship golf courses for group travel. Portugal, Spain and Turkey lead the way for warm-weather breaks with well-organised resort infrastructure. Scotland and Ireland are essential destinations for golfers who want to experience the game in its birthplace. Further afield, Dubai has become one of the world's premium golf destinations — immaculate courses with five-star hospitality and guaranteed sunshine throughout the winter months.
Whether you are organising a golf society annual tour, a corporate golf incentive trip, a stag golf weekend or a bucket-list golf holiday with friends, choosing the right course — and the right destination — sets the tone for everything. Below, we outline the main types of golf course and the destinations where you will find the very best examples for group travel.
Types of Golf Course
Links, Parkland, Resort and Desert Golf Explained
Each course type offers a distinct playing experience. Understanding the difference helps your group choose the right destination.
Links Courses
The original form of golf, links courses hug coastlines and headlands, exposed to wind and weather. Scotland and Ireland are home to the world's finest links — Carnoustie, Royal County Down and Ballybunion among them. Playing a true links is a rite of passage for any serious golfer.
Parkland Courses
Tree-lined, manicured and typically sheltered, parkland courses dominate the English golf landscape and much of mainland Europe. Portugal's Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura Victoria are world-class examples. Perfect for groups who want reliable conditions and pristine presentation.
Resort Courses
Attached to luxury hotels and multi-course complexes, resort courses offer the complete golf holiday experience. Think tee-to-table dining, on-site accommodation and practice facilities. Spain's Costa del Sol and Turkey's Belek region lead the way for resort golf in Europe.
Desert & Exotic Courses
Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations have built world-class golf on sandy terrain. Immaculate fairways carved from desert, dramatic backdrops and guaranteed sunshine make destinations like Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates genuinely bucket-list experiences.
Top Golf Destinations for Group Travel
These destinations consistently deliver the best combination of course quality, group infrastructure and travel accessibility for UK-based golfers.
Algarve, Portugal
60+ courses
Notable courses: Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura
Costa del Sol, Spain
70+ courses
Notable courses: Valderrama, Real Club de Golf, Aloha
Scotland
550+ courses
Notable courses: St Andrews, Carnoustie, Royal Troon
Ireland
400+ courses
Notable courses: Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Lahinch
Dubai, UAE
10+ courses
Notable courses: Emirates, Jumeirah, Trump International
Belek, Turkey
25+ courses
Notable courses: Antalya, Gloria, Cornelia Diamond