Golf in Europe
Hello and welcome to Golf in Europe! We would also like to say Willkommen, Grüezi, Bienvenue, Bienvenido, Benvenuto, Bem-vindos, Welkom, Zapraszamy, Vítej, Καλώς όρισες, Fáilte a chur roimh, Hoş geldiniz, Velkommen, and Välkommen to Golf in Europe!
We are just beginning our golf travels across Europe—and we couldn’t be more excited!
Golfing through Europe has been a dream of ours for years, and we’re finally making it a reality. After years of slow traveling the world with just our backpacks and golf clubs, we decided it was time for something new. So, we bought a campervan. We named her Alba, and she’s going to be our cozy home on wheels as we chase fairways, greens, and unforgettable views across the continent.
We’re passionate about classic golf courses, and we’ve always had a deep love for true links-style layouts. But that’s not all—we’re also on a mission to uncover hidden gems and Europe’s greatest 9-hole courses. And cheekily, we’re including the UK in our European golf journey, despite Brexit. (Sorry, UK!)
Our Golf in Europe Journey
If you’ve read Quick Pars, you already know that we have a bucket list of almost 450 golf courses scattered across 43 countries and 6 continents. And Europe? Europe has the most countries, and arguably, the most legendary courses on our list.
Playing them all might take us years. Scratch that—it might be a full-time job! But we’re not in a rush. We travel slowly, soaking up every swing, every view, and every cup of coffee after the round. Our European golf adventure is only just beginning, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
We kicked things off in style by attending The Ryder Cup in Paris, a dream that took almost a year of planning. And from there, we made our way to Turkey, where Menekse has family roots. It was the perfect start.
🇹🇷 Golf in Turkey
Our European golf journey began in Turkey, a country that holds a special place in our hearts thanks to Menekse’s family roots. We teed off in the vibrant city of Istanbul, playing the historic Istanbul Golf Club, one of continental Europe’s oldest, and the fun, urban Ataşehir Golf Club, a unique 6-hole course. Down on the Aegean coast near Kuşadası, we enjoyed a round at Kuşadası International Golf Club—a relaxing round between family visits and sea views.
Read more about our experience here: Golf in Turkey
🇩🇪 Golf in Germany
Germany completely surprised us as a golf destination. Expecting beautiful parkland courses, we instead discovered authentic links golf along the windswept North Sea coast, complete with ferry rides, island fairways, and endless dunes that reminded us of Scotland.
Our journey also took us south to Bavaria, where championship golf, thermal spas, and luxury wellness resorts revealed a completely different side of golfing in Germany.
Germany is quickly becoming one of our favorite and most unexpected golf adventures in Europe.
Read more about our experience here: Golf in Germany
🇪🇺 Slow Travel & Sightseeing in Europe
We’re just getting started in Europe, but we’re in love. From sipping espresso in Rome, eating tapas in Madrid, walking across Charles Bridge in Prague, shopping vintage in London, to watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle in Paris, Europe is packed with magical moments.
We’re dreaming of driving Italy’s coastline, exploring Croatia’s untouched islands, island hopping in Greece, and hunting for the perfect croissant (or five) in Paris. Whether it’s eating currywurst in Berlin, road-tripping through Norway, visiting castles in Scotland, or getting lost in the streets of Istanbul, we’re all in. And don’t even get us started on a road trip in Iceland!
Europe is our home. And we’re ready to explore every corner, with Alba as our trusty sidekick.
For more travel stories, check out our Slow Travel Europe page.
Golf in Europe: Everything You Need to Know
Where is Europe?
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It includes over 40 countries, from the wind-swept shores of Ireland to the Mediterranean coastlines of Italy and Greece.
How Do You Get to Europe?
- If you’re already in Europe, travel between countries is incredibly easy thanks to low-cost airlines, a superb train network, and open border agreements across the Schengen Zone.
- From North America, direct flights to major hubs like London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt are available daily.
- From Australia, Europe is typically reached with one stopover, often in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Play Golf in Europe?
The best seasons for golfing in Europe are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), when the weather is mild and courses are less crowded. Summer can be fantastic too, especially in northern countries like Scotland, Norway, or the Netherlands.
In southern Europe (think Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece), you can play nearly year-round!
What Are the Best Golf Courses in Europe?
Here are some of Europe’s absolute must-play golf courses:
🇬🇧 The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland – The home of golf and a true bucket list experience
🇮🇪 Royal County Down, Northern Ireland – Spectacular links with jaw-dropping scenery
🇳🇴 Lofoten Links, Norway – Arctic Circle golf with midnight sun in summer
🇫🇷 Golf de Morfontaine, France – Exclusive and elegant
🇳🇱 Utrecht de Pan, Netherlands – One of continental Europe’s best heathland layouts
🇪🇸 Valderrama Golf Club, Spain – The crown jewel of Spanish golf
🇹🇷 Lykia Links Antalya, Turkey – A stunning links experience along the Mediterranean
🇬🇧 Royal St George’s, England – An Open Championship classic
🇮🇪 Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland – Historic and breathtaking (and our favorite!)
🇵🇹 West Cliffs Golf Links, Portugal – Clifftop beauty with a modern links vibe
How Much Does Golf Cost in Europe?
Prices vary by country and course, but here’s a rough idea:
Expect to pay anywhere from €30–€80 for a quality public course.
Prestigious clubs and championship venues can range from €100–€300+ per round.
Weekday rates are usually cheaper.
Many courses include extras like range balls or even a drink in the price.
How Easy Is It to Play Golf in Europe?
In general, golf in Europe is quite accessible. Many clubs welcome visitors, and online booking makes it easy to reserve tee times. Courses in golf-dense countries like Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain often have dedicated tourism services and packages for traveling golfers.
That said, some private clubs (like Morfontaine) may be invitation-only or require advanced arrangements.
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