The Golf Weekender

You’ve made it. The drive was a slog, but the moment you hit the Southport coast, the car feels lighter. Your first round is a gentle opener at Formby Hall, enough to iron out the week’s kinks.

Saturday is the main event: a classic links. You’ll wrestle with the dunes at Southport & Ainsdale, a proper challenge where the wind decides your score. Dave is stuck in a railway sleeper bunker for a good five minutes, and you won’t let him forget it.

The evening is spent in the warming, dark-wood pubs of Birkdale Village, where the fire is roaring and the local ale is bitter and cold.

Sunday is a final 18 before the drive home, fuelled by proper coffee and the sheer smugness of having played a weekend of links.

The beauty of this trip is the blend. You’re staying close to the sand, but the golf is deep in the pine and heather.

You start inland, tackling the magnificent heathland of Broadstone. The views are distracting, but the heather is a thief, robbing balls from bad drives.

The next day, you head to the coast and the clifftop drama of Parkstone. The sea is visible on almost every hole, and the light is sensational. Post-round, you head to a local restaurant for fresh Dorset seafood - a genuine upgrade from the usual clubhouse fare.

The final round is a relaxed 18 at a local hidden gem of Queen’s Park, after you’d been told Seve played there, before the inevitable traffic back north.

There is nowhere on earth quite like Killarney to remind you why you started playing this game. You arrive with the backdrop of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks jagged against the sky, and suddenly, the stress of the working week feels a world away.

Your trip kicks off at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, specifically on the Killeen course. It’s a championship test, but the setting—nestled right on the edge of Lough Leane—is so breathtaking you’ll forgive yourself for taking an extra second to admire the view from the tee box. It’s championship golf with a postcard finish.

Saturday is the main event: a journey into the heart of the Kingdom at Dooks Golf Links. This is old-school, raw Irish golf. You’ll be navigating dunes that feel like they’ve been there since the dawn of time. The wind here doesn't just blow; it negotiates. When the group inevitably loses a ball in the gorse, the consolation is the sweeping vista of Dingle Bay. You’ll end the night in a Killarney pub, nursing a pint of stout that tastes suspiciously better than anything you’ve had back home, while rehashing the heroic (and disastrous) shots of the day.

Sunday is a final, epic round at Tralee Golf Club. This is Arnold Palmer’s masterpiece, where the back nine—perched precariously on the cliff edge—will demand every bit of nerve you have left. It is the ultimate crescendo to the weekend before you head back, already planning how you’re going to convince the rest of the group that this needs to become an annual tradition.

For golfers who live to play, friends who live for the challenge, couples who love the course, The Golf Weekender is designed for you. We know what makes a great golf trip because we're golfers too.

Our team has visited every venue to ensure a seamless experience from the moment you book to the moment you sink that final putt. It's more than a holiday; it's a perfect golf getaway.

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The beauty of Le Touquet is how quickly you swap the motorway for the pine trees. You cross the Channel, and within an hour, the air smells of salt water, woodsmoke, and good food.

You kick off with a relaxed opener at Le Manoir, a charming, shorter track tucked away in the forest, just enough to get the travel out of your legs.

Saturday is the main event: Le Touquet (La Mer). It’s a towering, rugged links course carved right out of the dunes, where the wind coming off the English Channel will test every club in your bag. If you can survive the back nine without losing a sleeve of balls, you’ve earned your stripes. The evening is spent in the lively bars of Rue Saint-Jean, where cold beers, moules-frites, and the low hum of post-round debates carry you late into the night.

Sunday is a final 18 at Hardelot (Les Pins) just up the coast. It’s a majestic woodland layout that feels like a private estate, before you make the easy sprint back to the Eurotunnel, pleasantly exhausted.

This trip is all about the contrast between championship golf and Mediterranean energy. You land, pick up the clubs, and within 30 minutes you’re standing on the tee.

Your weekend starts at Club de Golf Lavaneras. Perched right above the sea, the views of the Mediterranean are spectacular, but the tight fairways mean you can't afford to get too distracted.

Saturday takes you north of the City to Camiral (formerly PGA Catalunya) to take on the Stadium Course. It’s a beast—pristine, heavily bunkered, and lined with towering trees that demand total precision. After a grueling but brilliant round, you head into Barcelona’s El Born district. The evening is a blur of cold Estrella, plates of patatas bravas, and the buzz of the city’s backstreets.

Sunday morning brings a final 18 at Real Club de Golf El Prat. Designed by Greg Norman, it’s a brilliant, rolling layout that gives you one last taste of Spanish sunshine before the flight home.

You know the routine here: shorts on, sunglasses out, and a short transfer from Faro airport straight to the first tee. This is the capital of effortless golf trips.

You start the weekend at The Old Course. It’s the grand old dame of the Algarve, winding its way through umbrella pines that frame every shot beautifully. It’s a masterclass in course management rather than brute strength.

Saturday is the big test at Els Club Vilamoura, the famous former home of the Portugal Masters. It’s wide open but heavily guarded by water—expect someone in your group to find a watery grave on the 17th. Once the bets are settled, the night belongs to the Vilamoura Marina. You’ll sit outside under the palms, eating fresh tiger prawns and drinking crisp Vinho Verde, watching the yachts glide in.

Sunday is a final, scenic loop at Pinhal, a forgiving but fun layout that lets you swing freely before packing the travel bag for the evening flight.

Experience the best of Europe and beyond with our expert-led overseas breaks. From sun-soaked resorts to legendary courses your next golf adventure is just a click away.

Ready for an adventure? Our Golf Weekender overseas trips are designed for those who want more. More sun more golf more memories, you can book with total confidence knowing that our team of avid golfers has you covered. Let us do the work while you play the course of your dreams.

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Packing for a golf holiday can feel overwhelming but for a Golf Weekender it's all about keeping things simple and streamlined. Forget the massive suitcase and the check-in queue. With The Golf Weekender a single carry-on bag is all you need so you can grab your clubs and go without the fuss of a full suitcase.

This isn't about travelling light; it’s about travelling smart. Your golf bag is your secret weapon offering more space than you might think. By cleverly packing your essentials directly into your golf bag you can save yourself time and money. It’s a trick of the trade that our golf travel experts have been using for years and now we're passing it on to you.

The key to this strategy is versatility. Choose golf clothing that doubles as evening or casual wear. Think smart plain polos that look as good on the course as they do in the clubhouse and tailored shorts that work for both a round and a walk around town.

Fill the empty spaces in your golf bag's pockets with essentials like spare socks underwear and a few lightweight tops. This minimalist packing approach works whether you're taking a quick domestic trip or a three-night European escape. It eliminates the stress of lost luggage and keeps everything you need within easy reach.