Portugal - The best golf destination in the world

From humble beginnings 125 years ago, hitting pebbles with wooden shafts along sandy soil courses, to winning the ‘Best Golf Destination’ in both Europe and the world. Discover how golf in Portugal has steadily become a significant part of the country's rich tapestry and an industry world leader…

It’d be extremely difficult to pinpoint the reason for Portugal's success within the golf industry. Portugal's courses are some of the most dynamic and well equipped, attracting the top course architects and famous players from across the world. The country is warm and welcoming because of its long, successful relationship with tourism and has fantastic weather, especially in the Algarve. It is also one of the oldest countries in Europe so it has a rich history and much to discover. 

Impressively, this year, Portugal bagged the two biggest trophies at the 10th edition of the World Golf Awards which were held in Abu Dhabi. The World Golf Awards is part of the prestigious World Travel Awards and helps to identify and praise the top golf destinations and people within the industry. The country triumphed as they won the ‘Best Golf Destination in the World’ and, for the second consecutive year, the ‘Best Golf Destination in Europe’.

This well deserved victory was highlighted by the Turismo de Portugal on its official page - ‘Portugal’s success as a golf destination can be attributed to the provision of an integrated tourist experience, good air and land accessibility, an exceptional welcome, high quality sports and hotel infrastructures that cater to different profiles of golfers (whether professionals or amateurs) and a great quality/price ratio’.

Today, golf enthusiasts have over 90 courses to choose from, which are spread across the seven tourism regions. The most popular areas being the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto and the North regions. However, these well designed and manicured courses are a far cry from its first course created in 1890. Thanks to the efforts of 24 members from the original Oporto Niblicks Golf Club, the first nine hole course in Portugal and the entire Iberian Peninsula was created. Today, Oporto Golf Club remains to be the second oldest club in continental Europe. 

Charles Skeffington, the first president and founder of the Oporto Golf Club, created ‘the Skeffington cup’ which is said to be the most ancient championship in the history of the sport. It was created just one year after the birth of the club in 1891 and is still competed in to this day. Following on from this iconic competition also came the ‘Ellen Kendall Cup’ which is one of the first championships and open tournaments encouraging, welcoming and more importantly, accepting women into the sport. This was created at the Oporto Club in 1940. 

The acceleration in development of railways and then onto airways allowed ordinary people to explore outside of their towns, cities and countries for the first time, and as a consequence golf clubs began to appear all over the countryside, like the one in Porto. From the 1960s, the improvement in foreign, overseas travel saw more people ditching their home turf to discover new places. Countries like Spain, Portugal, France and Italy with its southern european sunshine and stunning coastline became some of the most sought after destinations for the new wave of tourism. Alongside the advancements in public transport, clubs and balls started to become mass produced which made the game more affordable. From here, the game propelled in popularity.

By the nineties, the courses had almost doubled and by the millennium there were 50 courses. In its 90 courses today, the Algarve has the most courses (around 40) and is undeniably, the most popular area for golf enthusiasts. With its 150 kilometres of dramatic coastline and over 300 days of sunshine per year, people come for more than just the game. Besides the fact that the weather is the best the country can offer, visitors can also take in the country’s culture and cuisine and other varied attractions. There are courses to suit all abilities, aspirations and budgets and plenty of welcoming, bustling clubs to be a part of. A significant part of the golf club culture are the exciting and competitive interleague matches which take the game to the next level for residents and visitors.

Boavista Golf Club is one of the clubs to capture the true essence of the Algarve. Inspired by the area's natural landscape, the 18 hole course invites players of all levels to enjoy an interesting and varied game.

Inaugurated in 2002, renowned architect Howard Swan designed the course with the diverse ecosystem in mind. Native trees such as pine, fig, olive and almond decorate the course while the blue, atlantic ocean is visible from almost every hole. The course is split into two distinct sections with rolling fairways which represent the Algarves rugged nature. Boavista’s signature hole, hole 6, is a great example of this as players are required to drive the ball over a sweeping ravine. The course is walkable and offers a number of challenges including blind holes, bunkers and water hazards, making for a stimulating game.

As well as the 71 par championship course, players have the opportunity to perfect their skills in the short game practice area as well as work on their swing in the onsite driving range. And, for after the game, the clubhouse offers the perfect environment to unwind and socialise. 

Innovator Howard Swan is an independent golf course architect who has travelled the world designing courses, teaching and offering his skills in many different areas of the industry. His passion for the sport has led him to create some of the most complex, high-end courses but has also prompted him to work on exciting projects from grass-roots level in Mongolia and India. More recently, alongside his South African partner Kwakye Donkor and the Africa Golf Foundation, he’s been committed to creating Golf Development Centres for education, skills training and enterprise development.

Golf competition and charity fundraising often work harmoniously, and Portugal is no exception. Regularly, competitions are held to raise money for charity and with a good cause being the driving force, these are often the most popular competitions. Boavista Golf Club is extremely community centred and hosts several events throughout the year, often raising substantial funds for local and regional charities. The John Aldridge Classic charity tournament and the biennial Captains’ Charity tournament are just two events which attract golfers from all over to take part. 

Golf is ever evolving, and with this recognition, Portugal will have more drive than ever before. But, a focus on sustainability is essential moving forward. And, it seems plans are already in place to help combat the drought situation in the Algarve and central Portugal. By 2025, over half the courses in the Algarve will be irrigated with treated wastewater. This is just one of the many innovations we hope to see in the next few, compelling years for golf in Portugal.