King of Golf Holidays - The Algarve or Costa Del Sol?

While there's no argument that Spain and Portugal are two of Europe's top golf holiday destinations, there's plenty of passionate discussion about whether it's best to head for the Costa del Sol or the Algarve. When it comes to climate, you can take your pick between the Spanish destination's average of 300 days a year of sunshine, or the cooler, Atlantic-influenced weather of the Algarve, with a similar amount of sunny days.

As far as accessibility goes, both Costa del Sol and the Algarve have transportation infrastructure geared to tourists, and a range of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife that ensures that your time off the greens will be well catered for. But when it comes to choosing a golfing holiday, you'll want to compare the golf course options to help you decide which destination suits you best.

Both regions are home to a variety of courses offering exceptional and challenging golfing, combined with stunning scenery. Costa del Sol has over 50 courses and there are choices in both style and price range. If you are looking for a top-end golf resort, for instance, Marbella's famed Valle del Golf has fine courses stretching from Marbella and Puerto Banus, to the Sierra Real and Sierra Blanca mountain ranges. With more than 100 km of coastline, you'll find greens that include beachside holes, such as the 4th at the par-71 Alcaidesa, set at the west of Costa del Sol.

Here, accuracy is paramount, and you'll need all your skills on a windy day. Likewise at Alhaurin, located in the Mijas Mountains, which has a series of tricky water hazards and bunkers thrown into the equation. As you steer your buggy around these courses, distractions include sweeping mountain and sea views, as well as inviting clubhouses for relaxing in afterwards. For a budget option, consider the new course at 72-par Atalaya, between Marbella and Estepona, where many of the holes are gently sloped, and its four putting greens and driving range allow plenty of practice opportunities.

With 150 km of white-sand beaches, and spectacular scenery, the Algarve coast in southern Portugal is considered one of the world's great golfing destinations. Top courses here include the picturesque, par 71 Benamor, which has a challenging par-4 first hole, a tough final par-5, and holes in between that are less demanding. Bunkers are everywhere, but it's the many mature trees that are the real obstacles.

With its Atlantic Ocean backdrop, the 7th at Boavista is an exciting and scenic hole, and five other holes feature water obstacles that are cleverly fitted into natural surroundings. Arguably Algarve's finest course, Vale do Lobo has two 18-hole courses near the sea - The Royal and The Ocean, set among pines, olives, oranges, and eucalypts. The famous 17th hole of the Ocean course was named in Golf Digest as one of Portugal's top 3.

So, the choice for a top golfing holiday is not just between the locales of Costa del Sol and Algarve - you also need to consider which courses offered by each of these excellent golfing destinations suit your budget and playing style, and then make your decision.