General Information about Golfing in Portugal, Spain and Morocco
Handicaps: Most golf courses reserve the right to ask players for handicap certificates. In most cases, the handicap limits are 28 for men and 36 for ladies. Bring your handicap certificate. You may be asked to show it, and some golf courses may refuse to let you play without it and may not refund your green fee voucher.
Vouchers: Ensure that you take your golf voucher to the golf club as evidence that you have pre-booked and pre-paid for your tee time. Be at the course on time, at least one-half hour before your tee time. If you miss your tee time, the golf course may consider your voucher invalid, though most will try to get you another tee time, if available.
Rain: Even though you are in an area famous for sun, it sometimes rains. Pack rain gear in your golf bag. Hopefully, you will not have to use it, but if you do, you’ll be thankful it’s there. If you leave the course because of rain, in most cases, you will forfeit your green fee, unless the course has been closed due to dangerous weather conditions. If you want to rearrange your golf due to rain or other bad weather conditions, some golf courses may be willing to accommodate you, subject to available tee times.
Spikes: The majority of golf courses have indicated they will be insisting on soft spikes this year. Most of those insisting on soft spikes will change metal spikes to soft spikes for a small charge, but you will save time if you come prepared.
Buggies: Because of the hot temperatures (especially in summer months) and the fact that many of the golf courses are quite hilly, buggies are common on the golf courses, and Monte Mayor, for instance, insists that all golfers use a buggy. (The cost of one at that course is included in the green fee.) However, some golf clubs do not allow buggies on the fairways, and this means that some golfers spend as much time walking with a buggy as without one. It is recommended that you find out if golf buggies are allowed on the fairways before deciding on using one.
Spanish Golf Federation Fee: A Spanish Golf Federation fee of 250 ptas is payable at the time of playing at Spanish golf courses, although some courses include this in the green fee. Current Spanish Golf Federation members do not have to pay this fee.
Dress code: Most golf courses insist on sports shirts with collars for men and women, tailored shorts or trousers, socks and golf shoes. T-shirts, football or running shorts, and denim jeans are not accepted.
Remember the rules of etiquette, and here are a few reminders:
- Allow the players immediately behind to play through, if you are holding them up.
- Repair your pitch mark and one other.
- Replace divots and rake or smooth bunkers
- Do not leave your trolley, clubs or buggy in front of the green while you are putting.
- A round of 18 holes should not last more than four and a half hours.
Green Fees: Green fees have been going up steadily over the past several years. Many of the newer courses have invested heavily in improvements to the golf course and its amenities, and have increased green fees accordingly. By booking your golf through Course Master Golf Holidays, you not only get pre-booked tee times, but we also get you the best possible price for golf. We think that all the courses mentioned in our brochure give very good value.