16 Apr 2020
Posted by George Blackwell 
We may be well on the way into summer and we’re pleased that many travel destinations will be opening back up to tourists soon, with a handful of ‘air bridges’ looking to be put in place, allowing Brits to travel and enjoy a holiday in certain destinations without having to quarantine.
One thing is for sure, Autumn and winter golf breaks abroad are looking like a great option.
As golfers, during the winter months, we have three options:
- Brave the winter conditions and keep playing
- Wait for warmer temperatures
- Head overseas for some winter sun
So, rather than telling you to whack out your thermal leggings or hide your clubs in the garage, I’m going to run you through Your Golf Travel’s Top winter sun golf destinations for 2020.
Best Winter Sun Holidays 2020
When considering a winter sun golf holiday, you’ll have some key features which are essential to your booking process; playing golf in the cold isn’t fun for anyone, so higher temperatures, beaming sunshine and bright, flourishing fairways will appeal to the masses.
Beyond that, you’ll be looking at price and availability; below are five venues which make it all worth it, offering you the perfect escape from the UK’s weather and the chance to experience some much needed winter sun.
Anfi Tauro, Gran Canaria, Spain
This course is rated among the top 20 courses in Spain and one should hope so seeing as the design team Von Hagge, Smelek & Baril moved over three million cubic metres of earth (from the volcanic mountains) to create it. Based in Gran Canaria, Anfi Tauro is perfect for year-round sunshine, which is exactly what we in need of during the winter months in the UK.
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 degrees | 4 hours 30 minutes | £809 |
Club De Golf Santa Ponsa, Majorca, Spain
You might think we’re banging on about year-round sunshine, but we cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to play golf in shorts, with the sun beating down on you, when you should be curled up with a hot-chocolate after putting your golf shoes and waterproofs on the radiator to dry out. And Majorca ticks this box. And the high quality golf at Club De Golf Santa Ponsa will make you wonder why you’ve not done a winter sun trip to the island until now.
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 degrees | 2 hours 30 minutes | £249 |
Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus
Filled with beautiful beaches, historic charm, glorious sunshine and now epic golf, Cyprus is known as a hot, up and coming golf destination. Aphrodite Hills provides championship golf blended with 5 star luxury. The sea surrounding the resort keeps the humidity at bay and provides ambient winter temperatures perfect for golf.
Some would consider July and August here too hot to enjoy a round or two, which makes those winter months all the more desirable. For a real holiday feel with world-class golf, Cyprus could be your next holiday destination.
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 degrees | 2 hours 30 minutes | £565 |
Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course, Dubai
There is a perception that Dubai is a playground for the rich but that is not the case and tourism is constantly on the rise. Away from the huge skyscrapers and manmade private islands, they boast a range of spectacular golf courses where the game’s leading names have been commissioned to create 18 terrific holes.
Although the heat between May and September is stifling, average temperatures in winter are around 25°C with around four days of rainfall. With the Dubai Desert Classic held just down the road at The Emirates Golf Club, January is a fantastic time to visit Jumeirah Golf Estates, if not just Dubai in general.
The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates hosts the annual DP World Tour Championship and despite leaving the spotlight to its UAE counterpart for the European Tour’s desert swing, it’s always ready to welcome discerning golfers.
Slick fairways, razor sharp greens, a variety of tee boxes and a championship feel from start to finish almost guarantee this will be the best course you play this winter.
Also if you’re doubting if a golf holiday to Dubai is plausible at this time year, with limited time, you needn’t worry. The multitude of flight options, both in terms of carriers and times, make it very easy to do a long weekend.
Jumeirah Golf Estates Winter Sun Statistics
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 degrees | 8 hours | £915 |
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi
If you don’t recognise the name of this course, you’ll certainly recognise the Falcon shaped clubhouse! One of the most popular courses in UAE, Abu Dhabi Golf Club hosts the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on the European Tour each year, a tournament that our friend and Ambassador Lee Westwood won in January!
Not only can you expect immaculate conditions, the sun will provide the perfect temperature to escape the winter blues. And one of our favourite things about this course? If you simply can’t get enough golf during the day, you can play night golf too! Floodlit holes pave the way for even more fun with your friends, Abu Dhabi is a perfect destination for a winter golf break.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club Winter Sun Statistics
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 degrees | 7 hours | £879 |
Royal Westmoreland, Barbados
Think Barbados, think warm temperatures, exotic landscapes and golden beaches, all of which evoke those summer vibes.
Royal Westmoreland captures the true essence of Barbados, even between November and February, with temperatures as high as 28 degrees.
While the climate is seriously enticing to all who wore gloves and a big coat to work this morning, the venue itself is a true gem. Unlike anything you’re likely to have played in Europe, the selection of par 3s – some playing alongside the idyllic Caribbean ocean – make the long trip worthwhile.
As winter sun holiday destinations go, Royal Westmoreland is right up there with the best, and if you book with us, you’ll benefit from free club carriage with our preferred partner, British Airways.
Royal Westmoreland Winter Sun Statistics
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 degrees | 8 hours 30 minutes | £1819 |
Melia Hacienda del Conde, Tenerife
The Canary Islands are brilliant for any golfer seeking some winter sun; quick flight times, impressive weather and bundles of choice all make it desirable.
Tenerife is the best known out of the seven island for its golf and Melia Hacienda del Conde leads the way, with help from the spectacular Buenavista Golf.
In Northern Tenerife, stay in luxury at Melia Hacienda del Conde, enjoying the delicious cuisines, unrivalled facilities and of course on-site golf. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, Buenavista Golf is Tenerife’s most picturesque course, and in true Seve style, promotes risk reward golf at every turn.
Melia Hacienda del Conde Winter Sun Statistics
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 degrees | 4 hours 15 minutes | £335 |
Assoufid Golf Club, Morocco
Assoufid Golf Club is Morocco’s leading destination and during the winter months, benefits from the influx of golfers heading to Marrakech for some winter sun.
Just a short drive from the local airport, you can be from your front door to the first tee in under six hours, just make sure you pack some shorts. The course is surrounded by desert and despite being relatively new to the golfing scene in Morocco, has all the classic characteristics of a top class golf course, offering challenges in abundance.
Assoufid Golf Club Winter Sun Statistics
| Average Winter Temperature | Flight Time | Featured Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 degrees | 3 hours 40 minutes | £249 |
Find out more winter sun holidays
Read out 2021 holiday bucketlist blog
