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Costa del Sol Playas Sin Límite

In 2025, Spain’s Costa del Sol is rewriting the rulebook on seasonal travel. By officially joining the national “Playas Sin Límite” initiative, the region is signalling its commitment to becoming a year-round destination for leisure, golf, and lifestyle. The campaign, backed by Spanish tourism authorities, promotes coastal regions that offer high-quality experiences every month of the year. For golfers, this means more flexibility, better infrastructure, and a stronger reason than ever to consider the Costa del Sol as a go-to choice for their next Spanish golf break.

The timing couldn’t be better. Already known as the Costa del Golf, the region is home to over 70 golf courses and continues to attract international praise for its quality and consistency. In May 2025, Costa del Sol was named Best European Golf Destination for the second year in a row by IAGTO. The award reflects the area’s ability to deliver premium course conditions, smooth logistics, and a complete visitor experience, something it has now proven twice on the global stage.

The “Playas Sin Límite” project builds on this foundation by rolling out practical improvements. Municipalities are investing in upgraded beach access, improved coastal trails, and new off-season events. These efforts are designed to extend the appeal of the region well beyond the traditional summer window, helping golfers and travellers alike to enjoy the same quality year-round, without the peak season crowds.

Alongside this push for all-season travel, the luxury segment is seeing real momentum. The newly opened Fairmont La Hacienda in San Roque has already made an impression in 2025, combining two championship courses with five-star service, spa facilities, high-end dining, and Mediterranean views. It’s the first Fairmont in Andalusia and a clear sign of the region’s growing appeal to travellers who want more than just a few rounds in the sun.

Meanwhile, long-established venues like La Cala Resort continue to thrive. With three full 18-hole courses, an on-site golf academy, modern spa, and sweeping mountain-and-sea views, it remains one of the most complete resorts for golf holidays in southern Spain. It’s particularly popular among UK groups who want both variety and value wrapped into one scenic location.

Of course, golf is just part of the story. The Costa del Sol offers authentic Andalusian charm beyond the fairways, whitewashed towns like Mijas Pueblo, beachside lunches in Estepona, and cultural highlights in nearby Málaga all round out the experience. The addition of the Playas Sin Límite framework simply means these moments are now more accessible throughout the year.

If you’re planning Golf Holidays in Costa del Sol for 2025 or beyond, the Costa del Sol Playas Sin Límite initiative has raised the bar. With stronger infrastructure, luxury resort openings, and award-winning golf courses, this region continues to set the pace for year-round golf travel in Europe.

Portugal Airport Strikes: Travel Advice for Golfers

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Travel to Portugal this summer remains smooth for most visitors, but weekend airport operations may be a little slower than usual due to planned staff walkouts at some major airports. For golfers heading out with clubs in tow, a few small travel adjustments can help keep everything on course.

groundforce baggage handler on the tarmac delivering luggage

The strikes affect ground-handling services at several major Portuguese airports and are scheduled across four summer weekends: August 8–11, August 15–18, August 22–25, and August 29–September 1. Travellers flying during these dates may experience slightly longer processing times at the airport.

Travel Tips to Keep Things Running Smoothly

Avoid luggage delays and travel lighter by using our golf club hire service.

During this period, renting clubs can be a smart way to skip checked baggage and avoid potential airport delays. Our high-quality sets include top brands such as Ping, Titleist, and TaylorMade, and are delivered directly to your hotel or golf course.
We’re also offering special rates during this period. Availability is limited and subject to demand, so we recommend booking early to secure your preferred setup.

Here are a few more tips to help your journey go smoothly:

  • Take out travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations, and sports equipment.

  • Keep essentials like golf shoes and clothes for your first day in your cabin bag.

  • Allow a comfortable window between your landing time and first tee time.

If your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled, EU Regulation 261/2004 gives you the right to:

  • Meal vouchers and hotel accommodation during long delays

  • Full refunds or rebooking options

  • Financial compensation depending on the flight and length of delay

These rights apply to flights within or departing from the EU, as well as to EU-based carriers arriving from other countries.

Portugal remains one of the most accessible and reliable destinations for golf holidays. With a few small adjustments, your travel experience can stay just as enjoyable, even during periods of disruption. For extra peace of mind, Tee Times is here to help you prepare, travel smart, and get straight to what matters most: time on the course.


Click here if you’d like to read more about the strike details

Barracuda Championship Ricardo Melo Gouveia Flying the Flag for Portugal Golf

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Portugal’s leading golf export, Ricardo Melo Gouveia, wrapped up a challenging two-week swing in the United States with a T57 finish at the Barracuda Championship, a PGA Tour event famed for its high-altitude views and unconventional scoring. Played at the Old Greenwood Course in California’s Sierra Nevada region, the championship marked an opportunity for select DP World Tour players to test their skills against top American talent.

This event was more than just another tournament, it was a proving ground. Featuring a rare modified stableford format, it rewarded bold, attacking play and punished hesitation. For Melo Gouveia, it was a chance to represent Portugal on one of golf’s most competitive stages, strengthening his presence on the PGA radar while showcasing the quiet resilience that has defined his rise in European golf.

A Solid Finish in Challenging Conditions

The Barracuda Championship is no standard stroke play affair. Its scoring system incentivises risk-taking: eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, zero for par, minus one for a bogey, and minus three for a double or worse. Over four rounds, Melo Gouveia accumulated +18 points, finishing in a tie with England’s Callum Shinkwin and American Pierceson Coody.

On the final day, he posted four birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey, typical of the format’s rollercoaster nature. It was a performance that demonstrated both flashes of brilliance and the fine margins that separate contenders from the chasing pack in elite-level golf.

Competing on Two Fronts

This result followed his appearance at the ISCO Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also flew the Portuguese flag high on U.S. soil. Both events were strategically placed during the same fortnight as the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship in Europe, offering a vital alternative platform for DP World Tour players to gain PGA experience and ranking points.

For Melo Gouveia, participation in these events shows not just ambition but consistency. These appearances serve as critical stepping stones toward deeper PGA Tour integration, and a potential full-time transition to the U.S. circuit, a move that would elevate the international profile of Portuguese golf considerably.

Looking Ahead

While the leaderboard may not reflect a headline-making finish, the value of exposure, experience, and adaptability in foreign playing conditions cannot be overstated. Every round played on American soil sharpens Ricardo’s game and raises Portugal’s visibility in the global golf conversation.

As Portugal’s golf scene continues to grow, bolstered by world-class courses and homegrown talent, performances like these help bridge the gap between local passion and international recognition. Whether it’s a marquee tournament or a quiet birdie on the back nine, Ricardo Melo Gouveia remains Portugal’s ambassador to the world of golf.