In the mood for golf after the Ryder Cup weekend? With lush greens and warm sunshine, a round or two in sunnier climes is easier than you think, with some of the world’s best golfing destinations within a couple of hours flight from East Midlands Airport (EMA).
With all eyes having been on Rome in the last few days, Italy – more well-known for its fine wines and exquisite cuisine – is also home to some of Europe’s leading golf courses.
Combine this with incredible natural scenery and an array of world-renowned vineyards, it becomes hard to look past it as one of the great all-round golfing destinations. Throughout the year, there is a regular schedule of flights to Bergamo, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Treviso and Verona.
Emerging as one of the best golfing hotspots is Turkey. Belek, a town on the Mediterranean coast, is now home to 16 courses including one designed by six-time major champion Nick Faldo. After a long day on the course, you can wind down on the beach or in one of the many resort hotels in the area. Airlines serving EMA offer flights to Adnan, Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman.
Portugal’s Algarve has long been considered one of the go-to destinations for golf, with immaculate courses spanning the length of this popular Portuguese coast. With daily flights to Faro airport, you could be teeing off from any of the 32 courses in the region within a matter of hours of departing East Midlands Airport. Some of the best courses include Oitavos Dunes, Monte Rei Golf Resort, Troia Golf, San Lorenzo Golf Course, Victoria Golf Course among others.
With the ladies’ team having retained the Solheim Cup recently, completing a brilliant comeback against the USA, Spain’s Costa del Sol, a short hop from Malaga airport, will be firmly in mind when deciding where to play.
Situated just off the coast of Morocco, a golf holiday to the Canary Islands guarantees a sun-soaked experience, all year round. The Islands are blessed with beautiful beaches, blue skies and stunning backdrops whether you are in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, or Fuerteventura.
The Canaries are well-served with flights from EMA as they are sun-sure throughout the autumn and winter as well as being popular destinations for summer holidays.
For a long weekend or short stay, the Balearic Islands are perfect with a flight time of just under two hours. The islands’ courses are known for their rough Mediterranean terrain with undulating fairways and high rocks.
In total, there are 24 golf clubs on the Balearic Islands, 22 of which are on Mallorca. These golf courses are known for their good quality, good service and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. One of the most popular and best-rated is Son Gual – designed by Thomas Himmel and beautifully situated in the heart of Mallorca. If you fancy something a little quieter, Menorca’s Golf Son Parc is open all year around. The 18-hole PAR 71 course was designed by the well-known golf architect Paul Thomas (who has also created many of the prestigious golf courses which host the Ryder Cup such as The Belfry, San Roque and Brabazon). The course is as competitive as it is picturesque, surrounded by pine trees and lakes.
Meanwhile, Ibiza boasts two courses, an 18-hole and nine-hole course. Golf De Ibiza is the only golf course on the island, and can be played both as an 18-hole or nine-hole course. Located in a lush valley near Roca Llisa, it is conveniently located just seven kilometres from Ibiza Town. A driving range and putting green alongside the courses are perfect for warming up before starting your game.
France is often overlooked as a golfing destination but is in fact home to a number of Europe’s premiere golf course. At the forefront of France’s golfing venues is without doubt the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, Le Golf National.
Despite the abundance of courses in the North of France, the spectacular clubs scattered across the rest of the country, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the foothills of the Alps, should be considered too. Destinations flown to in France from EMA vary depending on the time of year but include Bergerac, Carcassonne, Limoges and Marseille.
If you are planning on flying out with your own clubs, the oversized baggage check-in desk is located in East Midland Airport’s main check-in hall. Just make sure you have added the extra baggage with your airline to avoid any issues before you travel!
