Learning to play golf at home in the UK can feel like an uphill battle. You are dealing with rough weather, busy courses, protective club cultures and lesson prices that add up fast. A golf break changes everything. You are outside in the sunshine with a PGA professional, working on your swing on the range, the short game area and the putting green before heading out on the course during the quieter parts of the day.
I was lucky enough to complete my PGA training at Vale do Lobo in the Algarve and that grounding helped me earn my LPGA Tour Card and compete against the very best players in the world. Perfect weather and great practice conditions will not prepare you for every challenge back home but they make learning the game far more enjoyable and give you the space to grow in your own time.
If you want a more structured start then a tuition golf holiday is the easiest way to learn with confidence under the guidance of a PGA professional who can shape your game from the very beginning.
With the number of golfers in the United Kingdom more than doubling since 2017, it's clear that golf is a rapidly growing sport. For those looking to combine their love of golf with a relaxing break, golf breaks abroad are an affordable and accessible option.
Contrary to popular belief, golf breaks are not just for experienced players. In fact, there's a growing number of facilities catering to beginners, offering a perfect blend of instruction and practice areas, all within the backdrop of a relaxing getaway.
As a beginner golfer, choosing the right location for your golf break is crucial. Consider where you want to go, as this decision will greatly impact the success of your trip. Being informed about the importance of location will help you plan a memorable and enjoyable golf break.
A beginner potentially isn’t looking to play a championship course. I would personally suggest a resort with the option of a 9-hole course or a 9-hole loop. Depending on your golfing stage, you may be overwhelmed and daunted to face 18 holes on a busy golf course. Nobody wants to be pushed from the group behind when starting out.
Resorts often offer Bars and Restaurants with short walks to the first tee and exceptional practice facilities to help you further your game. They also tend to provide a tuition package during your break. Part of your day will be spent under the watchful eye of the resident Professional, and part of the day will be spent on the golf course. Perfect examples are the Pestana Vila Sol Resort and the Pestana Penina Resort.
Of course, the location of your trip will largely be determined by your budget. However, for a short break within Europe, deals are available for as little as £250 for a three-night break (excluding flights).
The key thing to look out for as a beginner booking your first golf break is to make sure everything is included. This means transfers from the airport to the Hotel return, shuttle services to and from your golf courses, buggies (if required), and pre-booked tee times, along with tuition (if this is applicable).
The next piece of advice is to pick your dates and tee times wisely. The months of March to May and September to November are peak times, especially in Portugal. Expect courses to be busy, with groups on every hole.
Prime Tee times are between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. If you want to find quieter tee times, early or later, it's better to avoid taking that first tee shot in front of a crowd of strangers.
When you look at taking proper golf tuition abroad it becomes a very different experience to anything at home. You are learning in space, in warm weather, with time to breathe and with a PGA professional who is focused on your game rather than trying to squeeze a session between club members on a busy Saturday morning. It is a great way to build confidence early in your golf journey and it gives your game a real lift before you even think about stepping onto an eighteen hole course.
There are two main coaching routes that work well for beginners. The first is travelling abroad with your regular coach from the UK. Many coaches run tuition golf holidays for their groups and they are brilliant for settling you in. You get structured sessions, practice time, and on course support, and you are surrounded by golfers who are at a similar stage. It feels friendly and social and it takes the pressure away because you already know the coach and the group.
The second option is booking lessons with the resident PGA professional at your chosen resort. Most European resorts now offer clear coaching packages that mix range time, short game work and supervised practice on the course. It is worth checking prices in advance because they do vary but the quality of instruction is usually excellent. Resorts want beginners to enjoy their first golf holiday and the coaches are very good at making the whole thing relaxed and welcoming.
Equipment is always a talking point for new players. At this stage you may only want to take half a set and that is completely fine. If you want to avoid travelling with your own clubs you can hire a set at the resort or even collect one at the airport when you arrive. I have done this many times. As a left handed lady golfer I often struggle to find different brands at home, so hiring a set on my last trip was a great way to try something new and I genuinely enjoyed it.
My advice is simple. Call ahead to check club hire availability, brands and prices and make sure you know what is included. Some resorts handle everything on site. Others work with an airport based service which is very easy to use. Once you have this confirmed you can relax and focus on the fun part which is learning the game in the best possible environment.
So, you have read the advice above and fancy booking a golf holiday. Where do you start? If you still feel baffled by it all, please do contact one of our Sales Managers. We are more than happy to guide you and find the right trip for you and your party.
If you want real progress from your first golf break then choosing a resort with clear tuition options makes a huge difference. Coaching sessions with a PGA professional, a relaxed practice environment and simple on course guidance are the things that help new golfers grow quickly. A tuition focused golf holiday gives you all of that in one place which is why so many beginners use these trips as the moment their game starts to come together.
There are numerous options out there for you, but my top 3 for beginner golfers are listed below. Take a look at the options and see if any catch your eye.
Penina is a beautiful resort in the western part of The Algarve in Portugal. This is the perfect resort for beginners with an 18-hole championship course, a 9 hole resort course which lends itself to the beginner golfer and also an Academy course which is great for developing your game and practising. Tuition is available with the resident professional so be sure to pre book lessons before arrival to avoid disappointment.
When you are not on the golf course or practising at the Academy facilities you can relax by the pool or in one of the restaurants that are all within the resort.
This really does cater for all golfers.
With over ten years of experience arranging Portugal golf packages, we've developed relationships that guarantee you priority tee times at the region's top courses.
Hilton Islantlla Beach Golf Resort
The stunning resort in Spain is another great option for the beginner golfer with 27 holes the yellow and green course 10-27 are designated for beginners or higher handicap players.
With a top-class Academy and numerous coaches practise at the resort facilities makes it a pleasure to work on your game.
Again, there is still plenty to do on this resort when you are having some down time including Footgolf and other activities not to mention numerous Bars and restaurants.
Please do pre book any coaching pre arrival to avoid disappointment as the Academy can be busy at peak times in the year.
Balaia Village
If you are just starting out in Golf and the resort courses still look abit daunting this is a great alternative. Stay at one of the beautiful hotels in Vilamoura like the Dom Pedro Vilamoura or The Vila Gale Marina this small 9-hole par 3 golf course is an ideal starting point or a great alternative for Juniors.
The course is a 15-minute drive from the busy vilamoura Marina, with reasonable rates and relaxed atmosphere this is the perfect introduction to golf combined with lovely Hotels that are a short walk to the Marina and the bars and restaurants in the area.
If none of these catch your eye, please do contact us as we are always happy to look at further options to find your perfect trip.
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