SAS popular Golfing Destinations rankings
These are the top-ranking and up-and-coming golfing destinations for SAS passengers.
Top list
1. Malaga, Spain
Few places offer such a high concentration of golf courses as the Costa del Sol coastline of Andalusia, also known as the golf coast, which enjoys a plentiful supply and golf on top courses combined with time on the beach and exclusive nightlife. Just 50 minutes from the airport in Malaga you have the Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and Alferini Golf, two courses nominated as the best in Spain in the 2019 World Golf Awards.
2. Faro, Portugal
It’s not unusual for Portugal’s Algarve coast to be described as the ultimate golfing destination. Professionals and amateurs from all over the world are attracted by the mild climate and high number of sunshine hours, making it possible to play all year round. Apart from world-class golf, stunning sea views and picturesque villages, the region also offers a rich variety of cultural activities and gastronomic delights. Three of the area’s best golf courses are: Monte Rei, The Old Course GC – Dom Pedro and Quinta do Lago.
3. Alicante, Spain
This destination combines golf with the town’s range of entertainment facilities and sunny beaches. Alicante offers excellent golf resorts with well laid out courses for both families and groups of friends. The best resorts include Alenda Golf, Font del Llop Golf Resort and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland
Play on traditional links courses in the home of golf and experience the charm of the historic city of Edinburgh. The game here is not just for glory – the winning player can also get to enjoy a bottle of whisky. Don’t miss out on the chance to play at Carnoustie and Gleneagles or the Old Course – St Andrews golf course, which dates back to the 1500s and is the best golf course in the world according to the 2018 World Golf Awards.
5. Palma, Spain
With 300 days of sunshine a year, Mallorca is a reliable golfing destination. Palma de Mallorca offers pretty mediaeval streets, a buzzing nightlife and bathing in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. Popular golf courses such as Son Quint and Golf Son Vida, the oldest course in Mallorca, are also just a few minutes from the city. Worth a trip: hire a car and visit the north east of the island to play on courses such as Alcanada and Canyamel, with views over the Mediterranean which are hard to beat.
6. Dublin, Ireland
The capital of Ireland has frequently been described as one of the best golfing destinations in the world. It’s the place for championship courses at golf resorts, such as K Club, an extensive cultural scene and good food. On the west coast you will find classic courses such as Bullybanion, Tralee and Waterville. Don’t miss Royal Dublin, one of Ireland’s oldest courses.
Up-and-coming
London, England
England has the most golf courses in Europe and London and its surrounding area contains a big selection of the country’s 1,849 courses. See the capital from the green at exclusive courses such as Walton Heath, The Grove and Wentworth. London is so much more than double decker buses and fish n’ chips – the city is definitely a capital for golf.
Rome, Italy
The season is long, the food is hard to beat, and the tourist attractions jump out from the map. The capital of Italy is a hidden golfing jewel offering world-class courses. Just one hour north of Rome is Golf Nazionale, one of the best courses in the country and a must to play on. The nearest course to the city center is Club Golf Parco de’ Medici, just a 25-minute bus trip from the busy tourist streets.
Source: SAS passengers who checked in their golf bags.