The ten best golfing vacation destinations in Europe in 2023
Ranking | Golfing Destination | Country | No. of courses ranked by golfers | No. of high rated course ranked (8/10+) | No. of high rated courses + value for money | Average Green Fee for high rated courses (8/10+) | No. Courses Featuring in Top 100 | Annual Sunlight Hours | Annual Precipitation (inches) | Golf Index Score |
1 | Valencia | Spain | 35 | 9 | 5 | €79 | 2 | 2701 | 18.5 | 96 |
2 | Barcelona | Spain | 53 | 22 | 10 | €46 | 1 | 2530 | 24.6 | 91 |
3 | Madrid | Spain | 31 | 11 | 10 | €85 | 3 | 2740 | 17.2 | 90 |
4 | Antalya | Turkey | 11 | 8 | 1 | €121 | 3 | 2870 | 16.9 | 83 |
5 | St Andrews | Scotland | 30 | 19 | 15 | £119 | 1 | 1433 | 28.3 | 86 |
6 | Mallorca | Spain | 22 | 8 | 4 | €103 | 2 | 2785 | 22.5 | 85 |
7 | Marbella | Spain | 33 | 9 | 5 | €130 | 1 | 2910 | 27.2 | 83 |
8 | Guyancourt | France | 33 | 14 | 7 | €67 | 1 | 1735 | 25.2 | 83 |
9 | Sotogrande | Spain | 15 | 6 | 3 | €217 | 2 | 2680 | 27.6 | 77 |
10 | Faro | Portugal | 13 | 7 | 1 | €130 | 5 | 3051 | 21.8 | 70 |
Forbes Advisor, 2023 European Golf Index, please see methodology below for data sources
Valencia, on the east coast of Spain, secured top spot as the best golfing destination in Europe for experience and cost. With an abundance of courses to choose from, Valencia offers a wide range of golfing experiences, with the average green fee at less than 80 euros (79 euros). Five of the high-ranking courses have also been rated as good value for money on Leading Courses, making it a well-worth destination for golfers. Two courses in the region of Valencia also feature in the top 100 courses in Europe, El Saler and Las Colinas.
Barcelona is another great location for a golf vacation, with 53 top-ranked courses within easy reach. These courses are highly regarded and offer stunning views of the local countryside. Many offer excellent value for money, with an average green fee of around 46 euros. One of the standout courses within the Catalonia region is the Real Club de Golf El Prat, which is ranked among the top 100 golf courses in Europe.
Madrid ranked third on the Golf Index 2023, with 11 golf courses rated highly among golfers, and 10 of them highly rated for good value. With an average green fee of 85 euros, Madrid offers high-qualitycourses at a reasonable price. The city also boasts a low annual rainfall of 17.2 inches and year-round sunshine, ensuring ideal weather conditions for golfers.
The historic Scottish town of St Andrews has placed fifth on the list, and ranks as the best place in the UK for a golf staycation. With its picturesque golf courses and a rich history dating back to the 15th century, St Andrews offers a unique and unforgettable golfing experience.
Three additional locations in the UK have placed in the top 20 within the index, with Newcastle ranking 11th, Sandwich ranking 16th, and Ayrshire ranking 19th. These locations offer high-quality golf courses and picturesque scenery, making them ideal destinations for golf enthusiasts.
Kevin Pratt, business expert at Forbes Advisor commented: “Golfing vacations are close to paradise for golf enthusiasts, offering a peaceful environment in which to carry out a treasured pastime with good friends. One vital piece of kit for this type of trip is suitable and robust travel insurance.
“Standard travel insurance usually includes cover for golf equipment, but you’ll need to buy a policy that has high enough policy limits to allow for your own kit. You might also want to check with your insurer whether you can claim for the cost of hiring equipment if yours is lost or stolen.
“An off-the-peg policy should also cover you for the cost of treating any injuries sustained on the course, as well as your personal liabilities to other players.
“You can also buy specialist golf insurance, which has higher financial limits and special features (such as paying for your celebratory round of drinks if you hit a hole in one), to sit alongside your travel insurance. But make sure your golf cover has international protection if you are travelling abroad.
“While travel insurance won’t pay out for cancelled play, say due to adverse weather conditions, it will cover cancellations or delays to your trip due to unforeseen events such as illness or bereavement. That’s why it’s important to make full use of this cover by buying insurance at the point of booking.
“As our Forbes Advisor Golf Index 2023 demonstrates, some golfing destinations offer better value for money than others – but even the top entries are far from cheap. Travel insurance is a must when it comes to minimising the many risks of being left out of pocket.”
Tags: Kevin Pratt, Forbes Advisor
