My wife and I are Canadian citizens and looking to buy a holiday home in Portugal that we would use in the spring and fall. We are avid golfers and would like to learn about golf communities where there are expat memberships as we do not speak Portuguese. Our preference if for a members only private golf course but that is not a requirement. It would be nice if there were homes within walking distance of stores, cafes and such. If you know of communities that we should consider, please let me know.

We are also looking for an introduction to an English speaking lawyer in Portugal.

Please respond here (e-mail address removed)

Tom

Almost anywhere along the Algarve will put you close to a golf course with extensive Expat membership. East of Faro they tend to be slightly less expensive . A good example Benamor Golf at Cabanas/Conceicao , about 5 Kms from Tavira. Thriving club with membership . West of Faro around Vale de Lobo also a good selection .

As far as I know all of the golf courses are businesses. I cannot think of any that are owned by the members.

My sister and her husband are very keen golfers and are also looking to buy a property on golf resort. They regularly visit Spain and Portugal and we always visit them during their stay so I think I know what you are looking for. In Portugal they usually stay in the Vilamoura area so that's a good place to start. They bring their own golf clubs and stay in hotel resorts but there are residential resorts dotted around with all services and they are all English speaking which is also helpful to the many people who have English as their second language.

This type of set up is very suitable for people who want a golfing holiday home in a holiday type atmosphere with plenty of English speaking services. They are often within easy reach of local shops and restaurants.

You should have no difficulty in finding something suitable.

Tom
How deep is your pocket? A new private members golf club has just opened up. www.elsclubvilamoura.com The majority of clubs in the Algarve is run by organisations or companies which offer annual membership but not social events. Not sure where in Portugal you want to buy? I personally love Lagos (1hr from Faro) a very lively town of about 33,000 residents 30% are expats. Golf Course Palmares (27 holes), Boa Vista, Espiche and a little bit further out you have Santo Antonio (previously called Parque da Floresta), Penina, Morgados/Alamos. If you decide on the Algarve I suggest you join AFPOP (Association for Foreign Property Owners in Portugal) they run luncheon and social events. If you are keen on competitions why not look at golf for greys (golfforgreys.com).

Mmmmm. Some interesting comments and suggestions. What handicap are you? How much do you plan to spend? I’m a member at Penina and I love the course, which is the oldest in the Algarve. I live in Lagos so it’s a 14 minute drive. I have several member friends who live there also and very much enjoy it. Golf courses in the Algarve are quite different from the courses in Asia where I spent half my life, mainly from a maintenance standpoint. The ongoing brought brings its own challenges. Plan a holiday and play some of the courses along this wonderful stretch of coast and see for yourself. Best not in July and August when it’s quite hot but maybe in the spring when it’s lush and green. Good luck

We are coming for three weeks in late November hopefully to pick a course to join and a home to purchase. It would be great to connect off this forum where we might have a conversation. Is that possible?