Algarve tips?

Hello, I am off on a family holiday to the algarve at the end of next month and obviously want to get 2 or 3 rounds in while I'm there. Looking on the web it seems quite expensive so I am wondering if anybody who has been there has any tips for keeping the price down and best value for money courses to play. Is it better to book before I go and if so what are the best sites to use? Also is it better to rent clubs as it will be about £50 to take my own. Thank you in advance. Simon

Hi Simon A number of us on here have been going out for a week to the Western Algarve each February for the last few years and make use of the Pestana Hotel chain's courses, for the most part (Pinta, Gramacho, Silves, Alto & Vila Sol). Although they're most affordably bought as a combined hotel & golf package (through any of the usual UK golf holdiay suppliers), you can book cheaper twilight rounds locally on a on off basis - usually after 2 or 2.30pm - if you need greater flexibility. A number of the newer courses (e.g. Morgado, Alamos. Salgados) have buggy and green fee deals, depending on the time of year you're going out there. Try this website for these deals:

http://www.algarvegolf.net/index2.htm

Sometimes golf shops over there will have their own deals with local courses. (e. In Alvor, the golf shop there offers early-bird rounds at Penina Championship resort for around 35 - 40 Euros pp.)

Finally, you can pick up a set of decent hire clubs for about the same money as the cost of taking your own on the plane - so it's up to you to decide what is most convenient for you, really. There are hire shops coveniently situated in Faro airport and in also in various resorts. You can also hire a pull trolley locally over there for around 10-12 Euros a week and an electric one for around 50 - 70 euros through local golf shops. (More expensive at the golf courses, of course.) Cheers, Peter W

Thank you for that Peter. There are definitely a few good tips that I will check out.