Staff WriterGolf holidays are booming, and it turns out most travellers have their sights firmly set on golf holidays in Spain and Portugal. That’s the headline from Glencor Golf Holidays’ latest quiz, which asked thousands of golfers where they’d rather tee it up abroad.
Launched in June, the quiz put five questions to would-be travellers covering culture, flight times, holiday length, courses, and time of year. The result? Spain came out swinging as the clear winner, with 38.3% of golfers getting it as their top recommendation. Portugal, never far from the action, secured 12.2%.
“The Costa del Sol continues to be our top-selling destination,” said Corrie Renton, Director of Glencor Golf Holidays. “Our business began by selling golf holidays to Costa del Sol and the Algarve many years ago.
These continue to be our top-selling destinations despite the growth of golf tourism in other destinations in wider Spain and Portugal, as well as Turkey and Morocco.
With excellent access from most UK airports from numerous low-cost airlines, fairly short flight times, and most importantly some excellent golf courses, we can only see the Costa del Sol continue to go from strength to strength.”
Spain and Portugal Still Top of the Leaderboard
| Rank | Destination | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 38.3% |
| 2 | Portugal | 12.2% |
| 3 | Morocco | 10% |
| 4 | Turkey | 8.3% |
| 5 | Belgium | 5.6% |
| 6 | Greece | 5.0% |
| 7 | France | 5.0% |
| 8 | South Africa | 3.3% |
| 9 | Canary Islands | 3.3% |
| 10 | Mauritius | 2.8% |
| 11 | UK | 2.8% |
| 12 | Dominican Republic | 1.7% |
| 13 | Cyprus | 1.7% |
The Costa del Sol alone accounted for nearly 10% of all results, proving that golfers still can’t resist its sun-soaked fairways and tapas-fuelled evenings. Meanwhile, across the border, the Algarve continues to be Portugal’s crown jewel.
“Golfers choose the Algarve for its perfect blend of sunshine, world-class courses, and stunning coastal scenery,” said Maria Manuel Delgado e Silva from the Algarve Tourist Board.
“The region offers not only championship fairways designed by renowned architects but also friendly Portuguese people, excellent hospitality, and a rich cultural backdrop.
With its unique combination of year-round mild weather, breathtaking landscapes, and easy access to both luxury and authenticity, the Algarve stands out as an unforgettable destination for golf holidays.”
Lisbon is also climbing the ranks. A spokesperson for Visit Lisboa added: “The Lisboa region is the perfect golf destination. We are not surprised so many people are being recommended it for their golf holidays.
The tranquillity and satisfaction to be found on the greens are matched only by the quality, number and diversity of Lisboa’s golf.”
Rising Stars: Morocco and Turkey
Golfers aren’t only flocking to Iberia. Morocco (10%) and Turkey (8.3%) both scored strongly in the results, proof that golfers are more adventurous than they’re often given credit for.
Both destinations combine high-end hotels with championship courses, offering variety beyond the traditional hotspots.
More Than Just Golf
One surprise from the quiz? Nearly half (44%) of respondents said soaking up local culture was their top off-course priority. A third (33%) opted for the beach, while just 23% were there for nightlife.
Travel times mattered too: while 20% of golfers were willing to endure long-haul flights of over eight hours, most (53%) preferred a quick 2-4 hour hop abroad. Short breaks dominated the plans, with 57% choosing 3-6 days for their golf holidays. A committed 25% opted for a full week or longer.
When to Go
| Rank | Month | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept | 24.4% |
| 2 | Oct | 15.6% |
| 3 | May | 13.9% |
| 4 | March | 10.0% |
| 5 | June | 7.8% |
| 6 | February | 6.7% |
| 7 | July | 6.1% |
| 8 | April | 5.6% |
| 9 | August | 4.4% |
| 10 | Jan | 3.9% |
| 11 | Dec | 1.1% |
| 12 | Nov | 0.6% |
Timing, of course, is everything. September (24.4%) and October (15.6%) emerged as the most popular months, with golfers preferring the shoulder season when courses are in prime condition and crowds thin out. Just 5.6% wanted to swap mince pies for mid-winter golf in December or January.
Take the quiz today to find your perfect golf holiday.
Quality Above All
At the heart of it, the golf itself still matters most. More than a third (38%) demanded high-quality courses, while another 38% were content with a mid-range experience. Only 23% said the standard of golf wasn’t a deal-breaker.
If the numbers prove anything, it’s that golfers know exactly what they want from their trips: sun, good courses, easy flights, and just enough culture (or cocktails) to keep everyone happy. Spain and Portugal may still rule the roost, but Morocco, Turkey, and even long-haul options are teeing up nicely for the future of golf holidays.
