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MADEIRA IS GETTING A MAJOR MAKE-OVER

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MADEIRA IS ABOUT TO BECOME A VERY DIFFERENT DESTINATION

There is a moment in every destination’s story when it stops being a well-kept secret and becomes something rather more significant. For Madeira, that moment may be arriving sooner than most people expected.

The Madeira government has confirmed plans to open 36 new holes across the archipelago over the coming years. That is not a minor adjustment to the programme. For an island currently offering three golf venues and 63 holes, it represents a visionary transformation. And at the centre of that transformation is one of the most eagerly anticipated course openings in European golf.

A CLIFFTOP COURSE TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING

Ponta do pargo golf course madeira cgi render faldo design

The site of Sir Nick Faldo’s course at Ponta do Pargo was originally conceived more than fifteen years ago, before construction was halted by the global financial crisis in 2009. The dream did not disappear — it simply waited. Construction restarted, and the par-72 layout is now in its final stages, perched high on the clifftops of Madeira’s westernmost point with sweeping views across the archipelago and out to the Atlantic.

Faldo himself has been characteristically direct about what he found when he returned to the site. He described it as “a golf course designer’s dream” — a site where the natural landscape does much of the work, and where the designer’s role is as much about restraint as invention. Sustainability has been central to the process from the start. The decision to install Madeira’s native Kikuyu grass — which thrives on natural rainfall without irrigation — is expected to dramatically reduce the course’s water consumption throughout the year.

The course covers 120 hectares of natural landscape and will be supported by practice facilities including a driving range, short game area, a nine-hole pitch and putt course, and a clubhouse, restaurant and hotel. The opening is anticipated for 2027.

SANTO DA SERRA GETS EVEN BETTER

The oldest golf club in Madeira, Clube de Golf Santo da Serra already boasts three nine-hole loops — the Machico, the Desertas and the Serras — all designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr, and has hosted the European Tour’s Madeira Islands Open on ten occasions. An additional nine-hole layout will take it to 36 holes. The project will also include the construction of two new lakes for water collection and sustainable water management, with the stored water used to irrigate the course.

Santo da Serra golf course madeira couple fairway

It is worth noting that Santo da Serra does not arrive at this moment of expansion from a position of weakness. The course was recently named Portugal’s Best Golf Course in the Players’ Choice category at the 2025 Golfamore Awards — an honour decided entirely by golfers, based on more than 160,000 reviews logged across a voting pool of over 100,000 players. It also recently completed a €2.5 million investment programme aimed at enhancing the playing experience for both members and visiting golfers. A course that is already the best in the country, now adding nine more holes. Not bad.

PORTO SANTO JOINS THE EXPANSION

The expansion does not stop on the main island. Porto Santo Golfe — set on Madeira’s quieter sister island, famous for its seven-kilometre beach — is also in line for a new nine-hole addition. For golfers who have already played the existing 18-hole course, that is a significant development. Porto Santo has long been the kind of place you visit once, intend to return to, and somehow never quite manage. More golf holes may finally provide the decisive nudge.

THE DESTINATION RIGHT NOW

Madeira island golf destination Portugal

All of this is coming. But the case for a Madeira golf holiday does not require a building site. International rounds played across the islands rose by more than ten per cent in 2025, with Madeira’s four biggest overseas markets — Scandinavia, Germany, the UK and France — all posting growth. The destination earned the World Golf Award for World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination in 2025.

The Madeira Golf Passport remains one of the most popular ways to experience the destination, offering three rounds of golf at either Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf from €290 per person, including complimentary transfers between hotel and course. For the value it represents — on an island with this much drama, this much scenery, and this much to do beyond the fairways — it is one of the better deals in European golf travel.

Tee Times covers Madeira in full, with tee times at Santo da Serra, Palheiro Golf and Porto Santo Golfe. Book now, before the word properly gets out. 

Redefining the Game: Spain’s First Par 6 Opens at La Marquesa Golf

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Golfers in Spain now have a new reason to visit Alicante. La Marquesa Golf, located in the town of Rojales, has made history by unveiling the country’s first par-6 hole—a bold and exciting step that’s already sparking buzz across the golf community.

Stretching an eye-catching 644 meters from the back tees (623 from yellow, 593 from blue, and 505 from red), this unique hole offers something very few golf courses in the world can claim: a par 6 challenge that’s both strategic and accessible. Designed by architect Iñaki de La Cuadra, who has worked alongside renowned designer Peter Harradine, this hole transforms a former par 5 into a longer, more dynamic experience. The layout now includes a slight dog-leg to the left on the final approach, adding a layer of complexity that rewards precision and planning.

La Marquesa Golf: Always innovating

What makes this design truly innovative is the flexibility it gives golfers. Players can choose to tackle the hole as a par 6 or stick to the original layout and play it as a par 5, thanks to new tee platforms that preserve the original distance. In fact, when played as a par 5 from the white tees, it now holds the title of the longest par 5 in Spain, clocking in at 628 meters.

According to José Ángel Quesada, president of La Marquesa Golf, “This par 6 is a big leap forward for innovation and challenge in Spanish golf. We want La Marquesa to be a place where players not only enjoy their game but also find something memorable.”

La Marquesa is also part of the exclusive selection of golf courses offered by Tee Times Golf Holidays in Spain—perfect for those looking to experience top-tier golf in Alicante and its beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re planning a golf getaway or just want to tick a par 6 off your bucket list, Tee Times can help you make it happen for your Spain golf holidays.

This ambitious update is part of a broader vision to turn La Marquesa into a must-visit destination for golfers from around the world. Combined with standout features like its replica of the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, the course now offers a mix of tradition, creativity, and fun.

One thing’s for sure: if you’re looking for a golf experience that’s out of the ordinary, La Marquesa’s par 6 should be on your list.

Penha Longa: Golf, History, and Nature in the Heart of Sintra

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Tucked away in the stunning Sintra Mountains within a protected natural park, Penha Longa Resort is a destination where golf, history, and beauty come together in perfect harmony. Just 30 minutes from Lisbon, this five-star resort blends a 14th-century monastery and chapel with one of the most prestigious golf experiences in Portugal.

Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr., Penha Longa’s 27-hole golf course is ranked among the top 10 in Portugal and the top 30 in Continental Europe. Playing here means more than chasing birdies — it’s about immersing yourself in centuries of heritage and breathtaking scenery.

The Atlantic Championship course, with 18 holes, opened in 1992 and hosted the Portuguese Open just two years later. Each hole is different, featuring dramatic elevation changes, bold greens, and spectacular views over Cascais, Estoril, and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a course that tests your game while rewarding your senses at every step.

Perfectly complementing it is the Mosteiro Course, a gentler 9-hole layout also designed by Trent Jones Jr., opened in 1995. With narrow fairways, quick greens, and panoramic views of the surrounding park, it’s ideal for players seeking a more relaxed round while still enjoying a quality golfing experience.

Penha Longa’s luxurious offer

Beyond the fairways, Penha Longa offers a luxurious and enriching stay for the best Portugal Golf Holidays. The resort features seven restaurants, two of which hold Michelin stars, as well as a variety of nature-inspired activities for families. Whether you’re here for competition, relaxation, or celebration, this is a place that invites you to slow down, connect, and indulge.

At Tee Times Golf Holidays, we proudly include Penha Longa in our premium Portugal collection. It’s more than a resort — it’s a timeless retreat where every swing becomes part of a story rooted in elegance, excellence, and tradition. Book your golf package today and experience one of Portugal’s most iconic venues.