Spain has 496 courses and around 299,400 registered golfers, Portugal 88 courses and 18,499 registered players, Italy 232 clubs according to the 2019 federation figure. Different numbers mean different trips: here is how to choose, without cheering for anyone.
Spain, Portugal and Italy are three Mediterranean golf destinations, but of very different proportions, and the comparison is more qualitative than numerical. A few useful numbers do exist, though.
The numbers side by side: three countries of very different sizes
| Spain | Portugal | Italy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courses (federation figure) | 496 (2024) | 88 (2026) | 232 clubs (2019) |
| Registered golfers | 299,400 (2024) | 18,499 (2026) | around 90,000 (2019) |
| Source | Real Federación Española de Golf, via EGA | Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, via EGA | Federazione Italiana Golf, via Statista |
Be careful with direct comparisons: the years differ and the definitions of "course" do not coincide (Spain counts 210 public 18-hole courses, 170 private 18-hole courses, 74 short courses, driving ranges and more; for Italy the figure is a number of clubs). One solid conclusion emerges from these numbers: Spain has an offer on a different scale, with more than twice the courses and more than three times the registered players of the Italian 2019 figures; Portugal is a compact market (the federation's 2023 figure was 102 courses, the 2026 one is 88).
Concentration versus variety
This is where the real difference between the destinations lies.
- Spain and Portugal think in districts. According to the Andalusian tourist board, Andalusia has 117 courses, 70 of them on the Costa del Sol, which presents itself as the highest concentration of courses in continental Europe along 150 kilometres of coast. In Portugal, industry sources count 32-33 courses in the Algarve, a single region on which the tourist offer is concentrated.
- Italy is scattered. Courses are spread region by region, and this is both the limit (you need a car and transfers) and the appeal: the same trip combines a round with an art city, a lake, a winery. A seven-day itinerary through Florence, Venice and Verona, for example, has a course every day and the cities for the rest of the time.
If your ideal trip is six days, six courses, one hotel, concentration favours the Costa del Sol and the Algarve. If it is a round a day and the rest of the day elsewhere, Italy has the right profile.
Italy in practice: tournament courses from the sea to the islands
Four addresses where Italian golf has hosted the major circuits:
- Verdura, in Sicily: 45 holes by Kyle Phillips on 230 hectares by the sea, where the European Tour played the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open (course status as of 3 October 2026: West Shore being converted and Executive closed until spring 2027). Hotel: Verdura Resort, course Verdura Golf Club.
- Argentario, in Tuscany: it hosted the 82nd Italian Open in June 2025 (won by Adrien Saddier) and has been, since 2019, the only Italian course with a PGA National licence, according to the resort. The 2026 green fee ranges from 120 to 170 euros. Hotel: Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort; course: Argentario Golf Club.
- Is Molas, in Sardinia: since 1975 it has hosted four Italian Opens; the weekday green fee ranges from 80 to 135 euros. Course: Is Molas.
- Masseria San Domenico, in Apulia: the seaside course belongs to the same owners and has hosted the Italian PGA Championship and the Challenge Tour Grand Final; in 2026 guests pay 65-105 euros instead of 95-150. Hotel: Masseria San Domenico.
On cost, Italy has a very wide range: from 25 euros for a 9-hole city course to 170 euros at Argentario in high season. In low season you save: at Tanka, in Sardinia, the 2026 price list shows 60 euros in winter against 100 in August.
The season: when Italy makes sense
A golf holiday in Italy makes sense above all on the coastal and island courses, where the club declares year-round opening: at Cervia (Adriatic Golf Club) the club is open all year, with Bermuda fairways and winter overseeding, and the 2026 price list runs from 70 euros in low season to 100-120 in high season. Spain and Portugal present themselves above all as destinations with a long, mild season.
How to choose between Italy, Spain and Portugal in three questions
- How many courses do you want to play, and how much do you want to drive? More courses and fewer transfers: the Costa del Sol or the Algarve. Fewer courses and more variety: Italy.
- What else do you want from the holiday? Art cities, cuisine, a lake or an island, all in the same trip: Italy offers it in every region. A resort built entirely around golf: that is the typical offer of the Spanish and Portuguese districts.
- Do you already have a handicap? In Italy many clubs ask for the certificate (for example Sala Baganza, Salsomaggiore and Lamborghini, with a maximum limit of 54 where stated), others do not say: ask at the club office. For Spain and Portugal it is best to ask the individual course.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the most golf courses, Italy, Spain or Portugal?+
Spain: 496 courses according to the 2024 federation figure. Portugal counts 88 (2026). For Italy the 2019 federation figure gives 232 clubs.
How many registered golfers are there in the three countries?+
Around 299,400 in Spain (2024), 18,499 in Portugal (2026) and around 90,000 in Italy (2019).
Where are the courses concentrated in Spain and Portugal?+
In Andalusia 117 courses, 70 of them on the Costa del Sol; in the Algarve 32-33 courses, according to industry sources.
Can you play in winter in Italy?+
Yes, on the coastal and island courses that declare continuous opening, such as Cervia, or with a winter price list such as Tanka (60 euros in 2026).
Why choose Italy?+
Because in every region the round pairs with a city, a lake or a winery, and the courses differ from one another. There are also clubs with green fees under 50 euros, such as Campagnola Emilia (25 euros for 9 or 18 holes in 2026).
Do you need a handicap certificate to play in Italy?+
Often yes: many clubs ask for it, for example Sala Baganza, Salsomaggiore and Lamborghini, with a maximum limit of 54 where stated. Others do not say, so it is best to ask at the club office.
