If you can’t face pulling on mittens, a beanie hat, a base layer and a rain suit to play golf, then why not fly away in search of a Winter Sun Golf Holiday.
We’ve selected five of the best Winter Sun golf holiday destinations based on our travels, with short-haul flight options from the UK and mainland Europe and an adventurous long-haul break on the Indian subcontinent for those with a little more time and money to spend.
TENERIFE
This volcanic Spanish isle is one of the Canary Islands and is a popular holiday destination because of its year-round spring-like climate, averaging around 28 degrees with bright blue skies. Just over three hours flight time from the UK and mainland Europe, Tenerife has nine quality golf courses, with the majority situated in the south of the island near the busy tourist resorts of Playa de Los Americas and Los Cristianos.
Tecina Golf, La Gomera – reachable by Fred Olsen Ferry
Abama Golf is the newest course on the island attached to a luxury hotel and Tecina Golf on the picturesque island of La Gomera is well worth the ferry ride from the Los Cristianos port. It is set on clifftops with ocean views and the backdrop of the Mount Teide Volcano.
The heavily salted Canarian potatoes and zingy green tomato salsa are a must.
TUNISIA
This North African nation is popular with French, Italian and German golfers. It has made our winter sun list because of its warm climate, dependably high sunshine quota and variety of golf facilities. Tunisia is home to 10 golf courses, the first of which was developed in the capital Carthage in the 1920’s. European travellers can reach Tunisia easily with flight times of between three and four hours.
The best places to play golf in Tunisia are in the popular resorts of Yasmine Hammamet, Port El Kantaoui and Monastir, which sit on the coastline of the Mediterranean sea.
The Forets Course at Golf Citrus Yasmine Hammamet
Prices are reasonable, the courses are good if not exceptional. It’s best to check on conditioning by reading recent reviews before booking, as course conditions can vary considerably after the long hot summers. On the plus side, at some Tunisian hotels it is possible to experience five-star luxury at three and four star prices.
In Tunisia, you can experience the novelty of playing golf against a backdrop of camels and pink flamingos. Off-course, it’s fun to haggle in the souks and try the Arabic smoking pipes, devilishly strong coffee and aromatic teas.
SPAIN
While it may not be red hot in Spain in winter, temperatures are usually mild and playing in shorts and a polo is still possible even in November or January. The European golf powerhouse has made our list for this reason and because of its wealth of high quality resorts and convenient inbound air routes; from budget airlines to national carriers.
You are spoilt for choice as to where to play on a Winter sun golf holiday in Spain. Andalucia is a good choice for its southerly location, warmer climate, Costa da Luz (coast of light) and the excellent courses at Jerez and Cadiz.
Barcelo Montecastillo Golf & Sports Resort, Jerez
Montecastillo is a first class resort near the former Jerez Formula One circuit and not far away there are some enjoyable coastal courses at Costa Ballena and Novo Sancti Petri.
The Costa del Sol is also a superb option for golf in the Winter Sun, and further North towards the French Pyrenees – we’d recommend a stay at Camiral, the resort formerly known as PGA Golf de Catalunya.
TURKEY
Turkey is now established as a brilliant year-round destination for all-inclusive golf holidays, with luxury hotels and first-class resorts available at exceptional value for money pricing.
Some of golf’s biggest names have built courses on the Belek coast of Antalya Province, known as the “Turkish Riviera.”
Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie have both designed courses in this region. The weather in Turkey during winter can be highly changeable, especially in the north where it rains a lot and in the mountainous west; where it often snows. The best locations for winter sun golf holidays in Turkey are the Mediterranean and Aegean regions to the east where the climate is warm, dry and mild.
Belek has more than 35 four and five star hotels and is our recommendation for a winter sun golf holiday.
SRI LANKA
Last but definitely not least on our list of the best Winter sun golf holidays is Sri Lanka, the former British colony, known for fine tea and its national passion for cricket.
This Indian Ocean isle is a refreshing change if you are prepared to fly 11-hours from the UK and mainland Europe and is more suited to adventurous travellers who want to discover golf in humid jungle valleys and the hills where Ceylon tea is farmed.
It’s best to fly into the capital Colombo and play at the exclusive but affordable Royal Colombo Golf Club.
From there it’s a good long drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city and the impressive Victoria Club at Digana.
Sri Lanka is a refreshingly different golf holiday
Our favourite, purely for its outrageous eccentricity and novelty, is the course at Nuwara Eliya; which was designed in 1889 by a Scottish soldier from the British Army’s Gordon Highlanders.
One big positive is the low cost of food, hotels, green fees and drinks. There is also an intoxicating hustle and bustle to the streets and cities of Sri Lanka, that make the long flight and commutes between the courses worth the effort.