WannaHaves: Top 5 destinations this winter

We pick the best places to stay and play in Abu Dhabi, Marbella, Morocco, South Africa and Tenerife for a golfing getaway to the sun.

Abu Dhabi

Temperatures around 25°C from January to April make Abu Dhabi the perfect winter golf getaway. The fantastic golf courses here include The National at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Yas Links Golf Club, which hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the men’s DP World Tour and is ranked by us as the best course in the Middle East, and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club designed by Gary Player.

Five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi are very well suited to both families and groups of friends. The spectacular W Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is perfect for those playing Yas Links, while Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is close to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is another great option next to the course, while for those playing Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect setting.

Tenerife

During winter, while most golfers in Europe are wrapped in waterproofs and jackets, the coolest month here is February with an average daily maximum of 22°C. On the island’s west coast, the Ritz-Carlton Abama offers a five-star experience with a world-class spa, seven pools, tennis courts, Michelin-starred dining, and the Abama Golf Club which is beautifully conditioned with endless sea views and elevated tees.

Another luxurious option is the Hotel Las Madrigueras Golf Resort & Spa, which is for adults only. It has a great location in the popular resort of Playas de Las Americas on the south coast and is set within the Las Americas golf course, one of the island’s most entertaining and popular courses.

The luxurious Bahia Del Duque, which also sits next to the Las Americas course, is another great option with five outdoor pools, eight restaurants, a fitness centre and stylish accommodation with private balconies. The excellent Adeje Golf Course and Siam Water Park are only five minutes away by car.

Morocco

Perfect for golf in the winter or summer, Morocco offers visitors superb luxury resorts complimented by world-class golf courses, wonderful facilities and rich heritage. On the North African Coast, Morocco averages around a pleasant 20°C over the winter period, ideal for golf.

Among the best resorts are Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, a five-star haven just 10 minutes from the famous Medina, home to an 18-hole course designed by Cabell B Robinson, one of his best; and Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay Resort, another five-star option located in Taghazout Bay, just 10 miles north of Agadir, home to a great course designed by Kyle Phillips.

There’s also the Mazagan Golf Course designed by Gary Player at the five-star Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, located just outside the historic town of El Jadida, and a Jack Nicklaus course at the five-star Michlifen Golf & Country Club in the small town of Ifrane between Fez and Meknes.

Marbella, Spain

Marbella enjoys 320 days of sunshine each year. Due to its location, backed by the Sierra Blanca mountains, it’s microclimate provides perfect summers and warmer winters. The average temperatures during winter are 18°C.

One of the best options for golfers is Hotel Don Pepe Gran Melia. It’s five-star luxury on the Costa del Sol, at the foot of the majestic Sierra Blanca and a stone’s throw from Marbella’s famous marina, bars and restaurants. Just a 15 minutes walk from Marbella Old Town, it offers three outdoor pools surrounded by gardens, a spa, and luxurious rooms and suites with views of the sea, hotel gardens, or mountains.

There’s a heated indoor pool and gym, tennis and paddle courts, restaurants, a beach club, and whisky, champagne and piano lounges. The hotel offers visitors ‘RedLevel’ bookings, to take your stay to the next level. Guests can look forward to tailored services including access to VIP areas and priority bookings.

Special rates on several great golf courses within the Marbella area are offered, including Marbella Golf Country Club, Golf Rio Real, Santa Clara Golf Marbella, Aloha Golf Club, and Real Club de Golf Las Brisas.

South Africa

South Africa‘s world-class golf courses combined with its dramatic coastline and incredible wildlife and game reserves make it a fantastic destination for adventurous golfers. Average temperatures from December to March are around 24°C to 30°C.

The perfect trip for golfers is offered at Fancourt Golf Resort. Located in the Garden Route region on South Africa‘s dramatic south coast, Fancourt is surrounded by mountains, forests and the Indian Ocean. There are three fantastic golf courses onsite. The Links is rated by us as the number one course in the whole of Africa. Montagu is rated as the fourth best in South Africa, while Outeniqua is rated the 22nd best. South African legend Gary Player cast his expert eye over all three designs.

The resort has 133 luxury rooms and suites, fantastic family facilities, a luxurious spa, a Kids Club and various restaurants to guarantee your enjoyment. Stay & play packages over a few days will let you play all three golf courses.