There's a particular kind of golfer who refuses to let winter win. When the British courses go into frost delay, when the fairways are plugged and the greens are covered, they're already looking at flight prices.

If that's you — or if you're thinking about making it you — here are the destinations worth considering.

Portugal: The Algarve

The Algarve is Britain's most popular winter golf destination, and for good reason. Temperatures in November through February sit comfortably between 15°C and 20°C, the courses are world-class, and the flight from most UK airports is under three hours.

Vilamoura is the heartland of Algarve golf — five courses within a few miles of each other, including the legendary Old Course, which has hosted the Portuguese Open multiple times. The fairways are wide, the greens are fast, and the setting — pine forests and red-clay cliffs — is genuinely beautiful.

Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago are the premium options: resort-style complexes with multiple courses, excellent facilities, and a clientele that takes their golf seriously. Expect to pay more, but the quality matches the price.

For something slightly different, Penina in the western Algarve is a classic Henry Cotton design — flatter than the cliff-top courses but beautifully maintained and less crowded in winter.

Spain: Costa del Sol and Beyond

The Costa del Sol has been a winter golf destination for British golfers since the 1970s, and the infrastructure shows it. Marbella and its surroundings have more golf courses per square mile than almost anywhere in Europe.

Valderrama is the jewel — the venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup and consistently ranked among the top courses in continental Europe. It's expensive and requires a handicap certificate, but if you're a serious golfer, it belongs on your list.

La Manga Club in Murcia is a different proposition: a self-contained resort with three courses, excellent accommodation, and a loyal following among British golfers who return year after year. The weather is reliably good from October through March.

Further north, Madrid offers a different kind of winter golf — cooler than the south, but still playable, and with access to some of Spain's finest parkland courses.

Tenerife and the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands sit off the coast of Africa, which means genuinely warm temperatures even in December and January — typically 20–24°C. The golf is good rather than exceptional, but the combination of reliable sunshine, short flights, and reasonable prices makes the Canaries a perennial favourite.

Golf Las Américas and Golf del Sur in the south of Tenerife are the most popular options — well-maintained, scenic, and busy with British golfers throughout the winter months. Gran Canaria and Lanzarote also have decent options if you want to explore.

Dubai and the UAE

For golfers who want to go further, Dubai has invested heavily in golf infrastructure over the past two decades. The courses are immaculate — irrigated, manicured, and maintained to a standard that puts most European courses to shame.

Emirates Golf Club (home of the Dubai Desert Classic) and Jumeirah Golf Estates (host of the DP World Tour Championship) are the flagship venues. Both are genuinely world-class and accessible to visiting golfers with a handicap certificate.

The downsides: it's expensive, the flight is seven hours, and the courses can feel artificial compared to links golf. But if you want guaranteed sunshine, perfect conditions, and a bucket-list golf experience, Dubai delivers.

Morocco: Marrakech

Marrakech has emerged as a serious golf destination over the past decade. The Atlas Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, the courses are well-designed and well-maintained, and the combination of golf, culture, and food makes it a genuinely memorable trip.

Amelkis Golf Club and Royal Golf Marrakech are the most established options. Temperatures in November through February are warm but not hot — ideal for golf. And Marrakech itself is one of the most extraordinary cities in the world.

Staying Closer to Home: Scotland and Ireland in Winter

Not everyone wants to fly. Scotland and Ireland offer a different kind of winter golf — raw, windswept, and utterly authentic.

St Andrews in winter is a different experience from the summer crowds. The Old Course is quieter, the town is atmospheric, and the links golf is as good as it gets anywhere in the world. Cold, yes. Windy, certainly. But there's nothing quite like it.

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way — Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville — is spectacular in any season. The courses are links at their most natural, the welcome is warm, and the craic in the clubhouse afterwards is worth the journey alone.

Planning Your Winter Golf Trip

A few things worth knowing before you book:

Check handicap requirements. Many top courses require a handicap certificate. Make sure yours is up to date before you travel.

Book tee times in advance. Popular winter destinations fill up quickly, especially around Christmas and New Year. Book as early as possible.

Pack your prompt cards. Different courses, different conditions, different challenges. Having your technique cues and rules references on your bag is even more useful when you're playing somewhere unfamiliar. Browse the range →

Travel insurance. Golf-specific travel insurance covers equipment, green fees if you're injured, and cancellation. Worth having.

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Fred & Ginger Golf Prompt Cards travel as well as you do — compact, durable, and useful on any course in the world. Shop the range →