For this reason, this list is the culmination of personal experience of several golf holidays in Portugal and a variety of forum surveys. The courses chosen are selected for their location, quality of greens & fairways and the sheer variety of game play they can offer through 18 holes of golf.

One club that is ideal for hot summer days in Portugal is the relatively short but enjoyable Estoril course. This 6000 yard course requires careful course management to navigate the bunkers and unforgiving rough that surround most fairways and greens.

The Penha Longa course is finally playing host to the Portugal Open (in 2010) so has been receiving some recent modifications to tighten up the course design. Amateurs will enjoy the scenery around the course as some holes play through ancient ruins.

The south course in Quinta do Lago is the more mature of the two courses available to play at this resort. Some holes prove challenging due to the stark Atlantic Ocean breeze, while other holes are sheltered by lush vegetation and forestry. Given the courses maturity, the greens play exceptionally true and fast as one would expect.

Many day-trippers from Lisbon gravitate to the challenging Praia Del Rey. This is one of the newer links-style courses that provide a combination of forested fairways with ocean views and some holes with unforgiving bunkers and dunes waiting to punish errant shots.

No trip to the Algarve would be complete without playing the Vale da Pinta. This is an interestingly designed course that is embedded within a natural valley. The fairways undulations make for some odd bounces which some would deem unfair but this does aid golfers playing short off the tee.

Given the range of courses in Portugal, and the proliferation of clubs in the Algarve, a top 5 list of courses will always be quite subjective. Hopefully this list gives you food for thought about your next golf break.

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays In Portugal Guide to learn more.

1. When it comes to packing balls, tees, and your golf clubs along with buying tickets to and from some great courses you will probably want to experience the best there is to offer. A great idea to follow when planning your next golf getaway is to contact a local VIP Company or Service provider who has experience helping golfers arrange a day on the links. VIP companies and services can definitely help you save some money and get the best deals.

2. Speaking of playing professional or world-class golf courses, what is a good deal? Well there are several things to keep in mind really. Checking to see what your options are as far as prices go for air tickets, hotel rates, and golf packages are will be one of the main things to think about. A VIP company that has experience and is good at what they do will easily be able to offer a number of golf packages for any of the local top-rated courses.

3. What about tee times, scheduling, and transportation arrangements? Your complete package should include these listed items plus some extras as well. Be sure that the company you book your VIP tickets with can give you information and details about everything that will be included. A good VIP service may also have some suggestions you could use. From which clubhouses are the best to knowing what golf courses have the best practice facilities these VIP companies can certainly give you inside advice from their own experience.

Get in touch with an experience VIP Company if you are planning your next winter golf trip so you can be sure to get on the nicest courses. Also remember to keep the three tips above in mind when you finally get to speak with a travel assistant from the VIP Company. Another word of advice that may come in useful is that a good golf package will cost somewhere around $400-$5000 depending on how big of a package you want to piece together for your golf trip. Now all you have to do is go out and hit some balls and enjoy the course on your next golf vacation.

If you’d like to reserve your next golf outing to Las Vegas for the best possible price you can visit: Las Vegas VIP Services. If you’re searching online for specific golf vacation packages visit: Golf vacation packages In Las Vegas

Ballyseede Castle Hotel is an authentic 15th century castle set within its own estate. Each of the 12 rooms in the castle has a bespoke design and all afford wonderful views of the castle’s lawns.

The hotel manages to retain an old world charm through its use of ornate plasterwork and large open fireplaces and other period features. The hotel’s small capacity makes this a very personable stay with dinner in the castle dining room being a most memorable experience, with gastronomic treats to match the setting.

Glin Castle is yet another authentic old castle in the region, but on a grander scale with a large variety of guest room styles and sizes. The castle sits within a tree-lined country estate with their own walled garden and beautiful lawns stretching down to the Shannon estuary.

The hotel’s own restaurant can cater for a variety of palates and group sizes and has a large menu to choose from, with traditional Irish dishes featuring prominently.

For anyone seeking a more rural setting for their holiday then the country setting of the Ballygarry Hotel is a joy to behold. The country house is set in a scenic area of countryside just outside Ballybunion. The rooms are all spacious and traditionally furnished as you would expect from a country house.

The hotel restaurant is popular with both tourists and locals alike (which is always a positive sign to see) serving a variety of Irish dishes in their open plan dining room. The addition to the hotel of a spa has seen their popularity increase with those seeking rejuvenating weekend spa breaks. There is a variety of treatments on offer including thermal suites, seaweed soaks and mud-wraps to name just a few.

The village of Ballybunion has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the past decade thanks to the fact that it has held on to its old style charm and not given in to the vagaries of over commercialization. This factor has drawn in many visitors looking for a traditional Irish experience and the hotels in Ballybunion have been playing their part by providing great service and a warm welcome.

If you enjoyed reading this post about hotels in Ballybunion then check out our website for articles about Ballybunion, Ireland and other destinations

1. According to Golf Digest Publications the ArrowCreek Country Club in Reno, NV is one of the top places to play golf in the good old United States of America! Golf Digest voted ArrowCreek as one of the Best Places To Play in one of their publications. This course and clubhouse plays host to weddings, bachelor parties, tournaments, and also offers public golfing to tourists, people on vacation, and locals. If you are a detailed player who loves hitting off of freshly cut fairways and putting on plush greens then you will certainly love ArrowCreek Country Club.

2. Eagle Valley Golf Course near Carson City, NV is very affordable but also has some of the best scenery in the state of Nevada when it comes to good golfing. Golfing in Nevada is a great way to take a trip and get away to a remote location where you can enjoy pleasant days hitting golf balls. Surrounded by plenty of water, mountains, and beautiful terrain you can see why the Eagle Valley golf course in Carson City is one of the best places to play when you are planning a trip to Nevada.

3. One of the most popular and traditional golf courses in the City of Sin is The National Golf Club in Vegas. The Rat Pack including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were regular golfers at this place. Even PGA Hall of Famers like Arnold Palmer have been challenged by this professionally designed golf course and country club. Since 1961 The National has been one of the most famous golf courses played on a regular basis.

To help make your Nevada golf trip the best it can be it is probably a good idea to contact and speak with a reliable VIP Service Company within the city you want to travel to. When you plan on taking your next golf vacation to the lovely state of Nevada you may want to highly consider one, two, or even all three of the golfing locations that we have mentioned above.

If you would like to book your next golfing trip to Las Vegas for the best possible price you should visit: Las Vegas VIP Services. If you’re hunting for specific golf vacation packages visit: Golf vacation packages In Las Vegas

Most of the best courses are in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, but it is worth noting that the Estoril and Oeste coast are fast improving on the quality & quantity of their resorts and courses. This top 5 list attempts to give a mix of courses from each region.

Troia: The adventure at Troia starts even before reaching the course. Golfers need to take a ferry from Setubal to get over to the links course. This adds to the uniqueness of a round here, as does the Atlantic breezes and lightening fast greens.

Oitavos: This well designed course has been the venue on occasion for the Portuguese Open due to its professional design and good variety of holes. Amateurs may find it a little long from the back tees, especially on hot summer days.

Penha Longa: Home to the 2010 Portugal Open, this course has many surprises over its 18 holes. The sight of old ruins marking out of bounds for one. While the tough par-four 16th will be a challenge to even low handicap players to make par.

Quinta do Lago: This estate sports 2 golf course, both of which regularly make the top 25 of courses in Europe. The one to play though is the links-style south course with its Atlantic views (and consequently, breezes) and well aged greens and fairways.

Parque Da Floresta: This is partly notable as being the most westerly course in Portugal. But once played, it will be the memory of how the courses 18 holes run along a steep hillside with magnificent views that will remain with you.

As with any good golf holidays Portugal has plenty of courses which will stick in the memory as highlights of a trip. Just make sure to pack sun-block in summer and practice low ball-height shots prior to playing the links courses.

Discover golf holidays in Portugal. For the perfect golfing holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all.

1. When we mention ArrowCreek Country Club in Reno, NV keep in mind that Golf Digest Magazine named it one of the best places to play golf in the United States! Yep, that’s right, Golf Digest voted that ArrowCreek is one of the “Best Places To Play” in one of their popular subscriptions. Playing host to several types of events such as bachelor parties, weddings and tournaments, you can bet that ArrowCreek’s clubhouse and country club is a first-class location. You can’t get much more pleasant and plush than the greens and fairways at ArrowCreek.

2. Eagle Valley Golf Course near Carson City, NV is very affordable but also has some of the best scenery in the state of Nevada when it comes to good golfing. Hitting the links at this spectacular Nevada golf course is one of the best ways to enjoy a calming and relaxing day of golf no matter who you are with. Surrounded by plenty of water, mountains, and beautiful terrain you can see why the Eagle Valley golf course in Carson City is one of the best places to play when you are planning a trip to Nevada.

3. One of the most popular and traditional golf courses in the City of Sin is The National Golf Club in Vegas. The Rat Pack including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were regular golfers at this place. Players like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have both been challenged by this professionally designed desert golf course. Since it was built back in 1961, The National has been one of the closest courses by the Vegas Strip and it has been a regular golfing retreat of many visitors.

After reading a little about the courses in Nevada you may want to highly consider contacting a reputable VIP business in the state of Nevada so that they can help you plan your golfing trip. The next time you plan on playing golf in the deserts of Nevada you may want to consider one, two, or all three of the golf courses mentioned above.

For great deals and discounts when booking your golf vacation and other trips go to: Las Vegas VIP Services. If you want to put together an exclusive golf outing or golf package visit here: Golf Packages In Las Vegas

Skiers and snowboarders enjoy the slopes at the Sunday River Ski Resort because of the wide array of options available. There are over 131 different trails that meander through eight interconnected mountain peaks.

Located just 9 miles from Great Brook Preserve you’ll find a golfers dream. The Sunday River Golf Club was created by Robert Trent Jones Jr and has won numerous awards including the number one course in Maine by Golfweek Magazine and one of the top 10 best new golf courses in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Great Brook Preserve has a deep rooted compassion for the preservation of its environment. Wooded natural landscapes dominate the community. With hundreds of acres of land in the community donated to the Conservation Land Trust and undeveloped for the enjoyment of the homeowners and vacationers, Great Brook Preserve has much to offer for those seeking a quiet getaway from the pressures of everyday life.

Sites vary from 3 to 566 acres of preserved mountain land with touring trees, steams and brooks, waterfalls, and panoramic mountains views. Homeowners can hike over 180 mile hut and trail system located adjacent to the community located next to the community or the Grafton Loop Trail which has 40 miles of hiking other natural features in Grafton Notch. Not into hiking? Why not they the cross country skiing or snowmobile down the many trails and paths in the Mahoosuc Mountains.

The historic town of Bethel, commonly referred to as “The greatest ski town in the universe” by SKI Magazine offers residents access to many shopping and dining options. Bethel also provides many of outdoor adventures that are seasonally based and available all year long.

Closing Comments

So if you are looking to purchase a seasonal or secondary home in a mountain community in Maine, why not give Great Brook Preserve a try? You’ll likely find exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Communities in Maine.

Beach homes overlook the beaches, waters and salt marshes that make up Bald Head Island. Homeowners and guests of the island travel by electric golf carts and bicycles by paved and unpaved paths. Guests can rent carts by the day while on their trip.

Bald Head Island has fourteen miles of undeveloped beaches, an 18-hole championship golf course, two clubhouses, hi-tech exercise facilities, tennis courts, swimming pools, a full-service marina, walking and bicycling trails weaving through the island, gift shops and dining establishments.

Created by designer George Cobb, the championship 18 hole golf course at Bald Head Island is integrated into the islands marshlands, sand dunes, and marine woodlands. During the courses construction much of the preserved landscapes were left untouched.

Tennis players will love the four soft-surface tennis courts at Bald Head Island. The club house also has exercise rooms, mens and womens locker rooms, and a resort style swimming pool. There is also a second swimming facility at the Shoals Club that has a lap pool and kiddie pool.

The ten acre Bald Head Island harbor and marina has boat slips from 30 to 100 feet in length. From the marina residents have access to the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean.

If food is your passion, there are options for either casual and fine dining, or shop at the fully stocked grocery store to prepare a quiet meal at home.

Bald Head Island is an incorporated municipality with its own fire department and community police department. All island firefighters are paramedic-level certified, and a basic medical treatment room is available at the main fire station. In emergency situations, transportation is available to Dosher Memorial Hospital located a few minutes from the mainland ferry terminal, and to nearby Brunswick Hospital or the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Custom residential homes, villas, and townhouses, and ready to build lots are available for sale through the private real estate agency located on the island. For those looking to build their dream home, a featured builder program offers portfolio homes and custom designs to choose from. Fractional ownership is also available through the a selection of two-story cottages and an affordable co-ownership program, with prices ranging from about $150,000 and up.

Hubert Miles is the founder of Gated Communities USA which features the best Gated Communities in the USA and Internationally. Find information on Communities in North Carolina.

Anyone who can afford a membership card can play this sport in any one the many golf courses found all across the region of Ireland. The government of Ireland is making sure that the rules and the allotment of funds are carefully followed and proper enforcing bodies have been appointed for taking care of this. Funds for renovating old courses, building new ones, buying golf carts for transport and so on have been allotted by them in the most liberal manner as they have realized that Golf is one of the most important revenue systems of the world.

Proper rules and standards have been formulated and followed here to attract international support for the game and surprisingly, Ireland has become one of the most preferred spot for a game of golf to ease the stress of life. Renovated buildings, newly improved versions of golf courses and innovative facilities here have made several countries to look upon Ireland with awe and envy. It is said that the Irish government earns three times more each time they spend a part of their funds for golf courses.

The western and the north western regions of Ireland comprising of places like Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, have been made into linked golf courses which are found to start from Galway and goes right up till Ballyliffen. There are about eighty courses in Antrim, Armagh, Londonderry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone in the northern parts of Ireland. The south western parts like Limerick, Kerry and Clare have good coastline facilities from Galway to Waterville. The southern parts offer limited number of courses but the ones available are quite perfect for health regeneration.

Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal have been the most sought regions in the western and north western Ireland for golf courses. They have linked golf courses found to extend from Galway till Ballyliffen. About eighty courses in Armagh, Londonderry, Antrim, Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh have good support from the people and these are in the northern parts of the land. South western regions like Kerry, Clare, and Limerick have good facilities with coastline from Galway to Waterville. The southern parts have limited but well equipped courses. South eastern parts of the Irish lands have good health facilities and the important places in the region are Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wesford and Wicklow. Tournaments and events have found the best suitable place in the north eastern parts of Ireland of which the important ones are at Port Marnock. This place conducts almost all of the events in golf ranging from the fifteen Irish Opens, the Canada Cup and the Irish Walker Cup Tournament. Druid is the venue for the Murphy Irish Open golf event which is one of the best in Ireland.

If you wan to find out more about Irish news – please have a look at New events in Ireland video site and recent Irish cultural events and news in our blog posts. www.newinireland.com

In the past thirty years the Portuguese golfing industry has really taken off and is finally maturing with a number of regions containing excellent golf resorts and a high caliber of courses to play.

To get your bearings, Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe sitting alongside Spain. The principal golfing regions are the Algarve (in the south), Lisbon and the Estoril Coast (in the south-west), the Oeste Region (west coast) and the island of Madeira.

Lisbon and the Estoril coast region offers the fullest range of accommodation price-wise, combined with the wonderful backdrop of the Sintra mountain range. Combine this with an array of dining options that you’d expect from a modern European capital.

For some, the Algarve region is the real home of Portuguese golf given its warm climate (making it an ideal year-round location) and the standard of resorts, villas, restaurants and golf clubs. Western Algarve has the added challenge of Atlantic breezes to contend with so clubs like the scenic Boavista, the Penina Championship Course and the two Oceanico courses (designed by Nick Faldo & Christy O’Connor) provide real golfing challenges.

Vilamoura, in the central Algarve, hosts an abundance of golf resorts and world class courses including the Quinta do Lago Laranjal and several clubs in the Oceanico resort. The eastern Algarve climate is a little cooler and green fees become a little pricier the more east you travel. Highlights of the area are the Seve Balasteros designed Quinta do Vale golf course and the Jack Nicklaus designed Monte Rei.

The island of Madeira is something different in terms of golf holidays Portugal has on offer. Its location, 500 kilometers west of the Portuguese coast in the Atlantic Ocean, is something that could put some golfers off.

The islands 3 clubs are all located in stunning hillside locations with steep cliffs marking out-of-bounds on a number of holes and it is this rugged scenery that shapes the architectural design of each course. If you want to play a broad range of golf then Madeira may not be the place for you. However, if you only intend playing a little golf in unique surroundings then this island could suit you.

Finally, the Oeste region marks a more recent golfing area which doesn’t yet boast the range of golf seen elsewhere, but what it lacks in championship clubs it makes up for in tranquil scenic countryside and charming villages. Of all the regions it is also the one place where a number of new courses are springing up with future developments expected in Sizandro Village, Vimeiro, Paimogo, Falsia del Rey and the Rainha Golf and Spa.

On the subject of green fees, the cost can vary widely across the country. Expect to pay a minimum of 50 Euro for a regular quality course in low season and around 80 to 90 Euro during the high season (July & August).

Generally, a round of golf can be booked online with many courses and there are now various service providers online offering this tee times booking service, sometimes at a discount to the ‘turn-up’ fee (cost if you just walked in for a round).

Looking for European golfing breaks? For the perfect golf holiday Algarve, Estoril and the other Portuguese regions have it all. Visit the Golf Holidays In Portugal Guide to learn more.