First Golf Holiday Abroad - Advice Needed

[GDP]

I'm in the process of looking for a cheap holiday in feb to somewhere like the Algarve. Have been quoted a decent enough deal from golf breaks for £179 which includes B&B for 3 nights and 2 rounds of golf on the Millenium and Laguna course in Vilamoura.

I'm not very fussy when it comes to accomodation etc and don't really mind about the golf course's reputation just as long as they are half decent. Its myself and the girlfriend who are going and she doesn't have a h'cap so that may influence where we can play.

Can anyone with experience of going on golf holidays abroad give me any do's, don'ts etc and does the deal I mentioned sound reasonable?

Also I have seen flights for £50 quid each return from easyjet which I tought seemed quite good but have found that to take the clubs is an extra £30 each:( Would it be cheaper an less hassle to hire clubs when we get there?

[Mike]

Your deal sounds good. Golfbreaks are great in my opinion though anyway. I have in the past known Golfbreaks to negotiate cheaper clubs surcharges (I'll investigate).

As to dos and donts you're with your girlfriend and not 50 hairy middle aged scousers so I can't comment except that my normal advice of not getting drunk any evening whilst wearing a Man Utd top doesn't apply. In addition I won't recommend wearing sunglasses to bed (saves seeing naked middle aged men walking to the bathroom the next morning).

You'll have a great time enjoy :wink:

[St Andrews]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Both courses are enjoyable with Millenium being the better course. The handicap situation might be a problem because we were asked for handicap certificates. It might be a good idea to get a letter from a local pro who can vouch for your ability if you or your girlfriend don't possess handicaps. The marina area at Vilamoura is great for evening dining and the weather is bliss when you think how cold it is back home. Let me know if you want any more info. Enjoy!

[Stu-Pid]

A group of 8 of us have been to Vilamoura for the last 2 years and are heading back again in Feb 07. We book our deal through Longmeregolf.com, so it might be worth giving them a call to see what kind of deal they can get you. They have the advantage of booking the flights and rental car, as well as the option of several hotels and courses to choose from.

A few things to consider before you book:

1. As St Andrews said, most courses are very hot on seeing handicap certificates. However, no one in our group has one, so I mocked some up using MS Word and designed a society logo etc and we've never had any problems.

2. There are some much better courses in the nearby area than the ones that you are playing. I'd personally recommend:

- Quinta de Lago South
- Vale de Lobo Royal (although very pricey)
- Vila Sol
- Pinhal

3. Hotels seem to be very cheap. We stayed in a nice 4* place in the marina and only paid £20 a night each for twin rooms. At that price it's worth staying for a couple of extra days!

4. Don't touch the furry caterpillers! I got one caught in my t-shirt had a nasty rash for 2 weeks... :eekw:

Enjoy!

[tilly]

Its amazing a different persons perspective I must respectfully disagree with much of what Stupid has said . I agree quinta south is a terriffic course but Pinhal and Villa Sol are not in the same class in fact although I spend a lot of time down there I have only played each course once and have no plans to go again. The royal course at val do lobo is overpriced and has one truely great hole but a lot of not so great holes. Imho Pinheiros Altos is a much better course , the old course at Villamoura is simply magnificent and San Lorenzo is also a truely great course although imho overplayed and priced but still in a different league from PInhal and Villa Sol.

I have only ever been asked for a hcap cert at the old course.

I do however agree about the furry critters do not touch them !

Funny old world but I guess it would not do if we were all the same.