Top 5 short golf breaks

Weekends are precious, so we thought that we would give you a heads up on some locations that are within reach of the UK and tick the boxes for that perfect short getaway. All within a few hours of most UK airports, you can leave on a Friday night and be back at work Monday.

Machrihanish Dunes - Scotland

Machrihanish Dunes is on the Kintyre peninsula, one of Scotland’s most secluded outposts and one of its best-kept secrets. Located on the west coast of Scotland, Kintyre contains a unique variety of unspoiled terrains and wildlife.

Play - In Scotland, true links golf courses are not created, they are born of the land. More than 130 years ago, Old Tom Morris recognized the potential for great golf here in this rugged, romantic corner of Scotland.

 Over a hundred years later a further Machrihanish Dunes course was added and is the only course ever created on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Because of the fragility of this pristine coastal environment and in order to preserve for all time the unmatched natural beauty of the site, the course was built and will be maintained with the lightest touch possible.

Get there - Flybe offers special “Day Away” golf packages that include golf at Machrihanish Dunes and roundtrip airfare starting at £119. Click here for more information or to book an “Day Away” golf package.

Stay - Luxurious stone cottages, two lovingly restored historic hotels, the world’s most natural golf course, five restaurants and pubs, and a rejuvenating full-service spa—together they make up Scotland’s most heralded luxury resort.

To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com

Bovey Castle - England

Deep in the hills of Dartmoor National Park lies Bovey Castle, a remarkable hotel where you are treated like royalty yet in a most welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. No stuffiness here, so just put your feet up and let the kids run wild. And then there is golf - of course. 

Play - The golf course at Bovey Castle which opened in 1930, is a challenging and beautiful 18-hole championship course, designed in 1926 by J F Abercromby, one of the finest British course designers of the 20th century.

Get there - The hotel is easy to locate, just 45 minutes’ drive from Exeter International Airport and 40 minutes from Exeter St David's Station. Arrive in style and arrange for one of the hotel cars to collect you.

Stay - To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com

Doonbeg - Ireland

Doonbeg is derived from Dun Beag, meaning "the small fort." The namesake village, luxury hotel and course are located on a sheltered corner of Ireland's south west coast, in scenic County Clare. The village developed around Doonbeg Castle in the 16th century. Today the remaining walls of the castle anchor the village on the south east as the Doonbeg River slips quietly by.

Play - The Doonbeg, Ireland golf course opened on July 9, 2002, when Greg Norman defeated Irish Ryder Cup star Padraig Harrington by 2 to 1 in an exhibition match, but much interest and activity predated the event.

In February 2014, Doonbeg Golf Club was purchased by Donald Trump. The luxury golf resort has since been renamed, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland.

Since then Trump Doonbeg has had been transformed by Dr. Hawtree to one of the 'must play' golf courses on the international circuit. He has allowed the character and soul of the land flourish while enhancing the playability tenfold. Every hole has its own identity which will both reward and challenge each golfer.

Get there – Regular flights to Shannon and Cork with Air Lingus, Flybe, Ryanair and several others.

 Stay - To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com

Kenzi Menara Palace – Marrakech

The Kenzi Menara Palace Hotel is located just a few minutes’ drive from the old quarter of the city. This is a great location to base yourself for trips to the multitude of golf courses as well as anything else that you may want to do. 

Play- With many courses to play, Marrakech is a golfer’s dream. We recommend Assoufid, Samanah, La Palmeraie and Domaine de Noria to give you a varied selection although there are many more.

Get there – With flight with EasyJet taking just over 3 hours, it is possible to spend a fun weekend in the sun and be back to work Monday.

 Stay - To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com

Emilia Romagna - Italy

Straddling the ancient Via Aemilia Roman road that is now the A1 and A414 highways, linking the coastal resort of Rimini with the north-western town of Piacenza, Emilia Romagna is a region of gastronomy, fast cars, medieval towns and cities, wine, beaches…and excellent golf.

Play -  Nearly 20 courses offer the chance to play on a variety of layouts when not enjoying the region’s other pleasures. There are three courses by the Adriatic, among them the American-style Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, the front nine holes of which are links-style, and Rimini Golf Club, overlooking the principality of San Marino.

Get there – There are flight to Emilia Romagna with many carriers including Ryanair, Air Italia, KLM and British Airways.

 Stay - To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com

Park Hyatt - Mallorca

 The newly opened Park Hyatt Mallorca has been created in the form a traditional Mallorca hilltop village, with hotel rooms and apartments combined into the structure.   There are four attached restaurants, all of them good. The traditional Balearic eatery is rooted in the strong culinary values of the region, while the Tapas Bar offers an inclusive social space, with an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy freshly prepared tapas, classic and original cocktails plus an extensive selection of wines.  The Asia has a wide range of authentically prepared pan-Asian dishes by specialist chefs, and then there is the Café Sa Plaça, offering all-day dining.

Play - With Canyamel Golf Course next door and another four within fifteen minutes’ drive, this is a great place to stay. The prestigious Alcanada golf course is also not far away.

Get there – There are regular flights with EasyJet, British Airways and Monarch Airlines.

Stay - To book go to www.greatgolfholiday.com