Algarve Golf Guide: Tips for Your Trip
The Algarve has 38 golf courses along a coastline you can drive end to end in about two hours, and golf is played here all year. That choice is the appeal, and also what makes a first trip hard to plan.
These guides answer the questions golfers ask before they book: when to go, whether you need a handicap, which course to pick when two share a resort, where to stay, and what it costs to fly with your clubs. Every price and rule comes from the courses, hotels and airlines themselves.
Start here
Which course should you play?
Head-to-head comparisons of courses that share a resort or a town, so you can pick the one that suits your game.
The best Algarve courses for…
Shortlists for a particular kind of round: beginners, seniors, par-3 golf and ocean views.
Where to stay
Hotels close to each course, chosen on guest ratings and distance, plus the hotels built on a golf estate.
Flying with golf clubs
What each airline charges to carry a golf bag to Faro, and where to hire clubs if you would rather travel light.
Planning, lessons and handicaps
The practical side of a golf trip: when to go, handicap rules, lessons and first-time golf holidays.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to play golf in the Algarve?
Golf is played all year. Late April to May and late September to October bring the best conditions but also the highest green fees. June to August and December to January are the cheapest months for golf, with heat in summer and shorter, wetter days in winter.
Do I need a handicap to play golf in the Algarve?
On most 18-hole courses, yes: the usual limit is 28 for men and 36 for ladies, and you may be asked for a certificate. Several 9-hole and par-3 courses ask for no handicap at all, which makes them the place to start if you have never had one.
How many golf courses are there in the Algarve?
We list 38 active courses, spread along a coastline you can drive end to end in about two hours, from Lagos in the west to Castro Marim on the Spanish border.
Should I bring my own golf clubs or hire them?
Most airlines flying to Faro charge a separate sports-equipment fee for a golf bag, roughly £30–£40 each way. For a short trip many golfers hire clubs instead, from companies that hand them over at Faro Airport or deliver to your hotel or course.
How much do golf lessons cost in the Algarve?
At the academies we checked, a 30-minute lesson with a PGA professional costs around €30–€55 and an hour around €60–€80, with cheaper rates for shared lessons.
Ready to choose? Compare every course on the Algarve golf map, see golf resorts side by side or find golf club rental in the Algarve.