The top three golf destinations in Europe to take…
The Top Three Golf Destinations in Europe to Take the Wife
Golf trips aren’t just for the lads. If you’re over fifty, working hard, and finally starting to prioritise time away, a golfing holiday with your partner can tick every box: great courses, comfortable hotels, stunning surroundings, and plenty to do beyond the fairways. The key is picking destinations that work for both of you—not just places where you disappear onto the course and she’s stuck staring at the hotel wallpaper.
Here are my top three golf destinations in Europe to take the wife. They’re tried, tested, and offer that perfect blend of golf, relaxation, food, and culture.
1. The Algarve, Portugal
If there’s a capital of European golf, it’s the Algarve. This stretch of Portuguese coastline is packed with world-class courses, golden beaches, and resorts that understand couples want comfort, not chaos.
Why it Works for Golfers
- Courses: Vilamoura is the epicentre, with the legendary Victoria, Old Course, and Quinta do Lago just a short drive away. All beautifully maintained, with layouts that test but don’t punish.
- Weather: Reliable sunshine most of the year. You can escape a British winter and play in short sleeves in January.
- Facilities: Resorts are set up for golfers—practice areas, rental clubs, and transfers all sorted.
Why it Works for Wives (and Partners)
- Beaches: Miles of sandy coastline, perfect for long walks, sunbathing, or simply watching the sunset with a glass of vinho verde.
- Spas: Most resorts here have excellent spas—massages, treatments, the lot. Perfect while you’re battling bunkers.
- Food: Fresh seafood, grilled sardines, peri-peri chicken, and superb wine. Dining out is relaxed and affordable.
Off-Course Fun
- Day trips to Faro’s old town, boat rides through the caves of Lagos, or browsing the shops in Albufeira. Plenty to keep both of you entertained.
Verdict: The Algarve is unbeatable for a couple’s golf break. You get variety and sunshine; she gets beaches, spas, and culture. Everyone wins.
2. Costa del Sol, Spain
Known as the “Costa del Golf,” this southern stretch of Spain has been welcoming golfers for decades. It’s lively, glamorous in places, and still one of the easiest golf destinations to reach from the UK.
Why it Works for Golfers
- Courses: Valderrama is the jewel, often ranked Europe’s best, but the likes of La Cala, Santana, and Finca Cortesin are also top class. Variety is huge—you could play a different course every day for weeks.
- Accessibility: Dozens of flights into Malaga, short transfers, and golf packages everywhere.
- Climate: Hot summers, but spring and autumn are perfect.
Why it Works for Wives (and Partners)
- Luxury Resorts: Places like Marbella and Estepona have stunning hotels where relaxation is as much a sport as golf.
- Shopping and Style: Marbella’s old town and Puerto Banús are made for strolling, boutique shopping, and people-watching.
- Food & Tapas Culture: From beach-side chiringuitos to Michelin-starred restaurants, the food scene is incredible.
Off-Course Fun
- Day trips to Malaga for museums and culture, Ronda for dramatic scenery, or even a ferry to Morocco for the adventurous.
Verdict: The Costa del Sol is perfect if you want serious golf combined with a lively atmosphere, great food, and plenty for your partner to explore while you’re out on the fairways.
3. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
You don’t always need sunshine for a romantic golf break. Scotland offers something very different: dramatic landscapes, history, whisky, and some of the most breathtaking golf courses in the world.
Why it Works for Golfers
- Courses: Royal Dornoch is the headline act—often rated one of the best on the planet. Castle Stuart (now Cabot Highlands) near Inverness is another gem, with views that make you stop mid-swing.
- Authenticity: This is golf in its purest form—links layouts, rolling dunes, and history in every bunker.
- Challenge: If you want to test yourself while soaking in scenery, this is the place.
Why it Works for Wives (and Partners)
- Scenery: The Highlands are spectacular. Mountains, lochs, castles—it’s like playing golf inside a postcard.
- Culture: Whisky distilleries, Highland villages, and centuries of history. Even non-golfers fall in love with the area.
- Cosy Stays: Think boutique hotels, country houses, and log fires—not just modern resorts.
Off-Course Fun
- Visit Loch Ness, explore Inverness, or tour whisky distilleries together. Long drives through the Highlands are as memorable as the rounds of golf.
Verdict: The Highlands give you and your partner an experience rather than just a holiday. Golf for you, romance and adventure for both.
Final Thoughts
Taking your wife on a golf holiday doesn’t mean dragging her around while you disappear for six hours a day. The best destinations offer something for both of you: challenging golf, beautiful resorts, food you’ll both rave about, and activities off the course.
- The Algarve offers sun, relaxation, and great value.
- Costa del Sol brings glamour, world-class golf, and a buzzing atmosphere.
- The Scottish Highlands deliver scenery, history, and a unique sense of romance.
Pick wisely, and your golf holiday becomes a shared adventure—time together, time on the course, and memories that last longer than your scorecard.
