Golf society trip to Portugal: the complete budget planner for 12 players

This article is for golf society organisers who need real numbers before they can present anything to their members. Here are the real numbers for a group of 12, in the Algarve, at three different budget levels.

Budget A: £1,800 per person (4 nights, 3 rounds). Flights from a London airport: approximately £220pp return (April, September, or October on easyJet or Ryanair to Faro). 4 nights at a 4-star resort in Vilamoura (Tivoli, Dom Pedro Golf, or similar): £115–130pp per night sharing, B&B. Three rounds at solid mid-tier courses (Vilamoura Old, Laguna, Millennium): approximately £65–80 per round. Private coach transfer from Faro and back: approximately £20pp each way. Total estimated: £1,650–£1,850pp. This is achievable, enjoyable, and represents good value.

Budget B: £2,400 per person (6 nights, 4 rounds). Flights: as above. 6 nights at a 4–5 star resort with pool (Conrad Algarve, Penina Hotel, or DoubleTree Lagoa): £155–195pp per night. Four rounds including one premium course (San Lorenzo or Quinta do Lago South at €160–180 per round, three mid-tier at €75): approximately £440pp in green fees. Transfers: as above. Total: £2,200–£2,600pp. This is the sweet spot for most UK golf societies — premium enough to feel special, affordable enough that the majority of members will commit.

Budget C: £3,200 per person (7 nights, 5 premium rounds). 7 nights at Quinta do Lago Hotel or Bela Vista Hotel (£220–270pp per night). Five premium rounds: Quinta do Lago South, San Lorenzo, Monte Rei, Vale do Lobo Royal, and Quinta do Lago North (average €175 per round). Flights: possibly business class at £550–800pp. Total: £2,900–£3,500pp. This is the premium society trip — the one where you charge slightly more and deliver something genuinely memorable.

The things that will push you over budget: late booking. Green fees and hotel rates in the Algarve during peak months (June and July) are 25–35% higher than in April, September, and October. Book October. Book in the first week of January for that October. The slots go.

The things that most organiser budgets don't account for: the drinks kitty at the hotel bar (add £200pp minimum), the welcome dinner on night one (£40pp), and the competition prizes if you're running a formal event (£20–30pp). These are not optional. They are what make it a proper society trip.

What we do for you: when you give us your preferred dates, group size, and budget, we send back three confirmed options within 48 hours. Each option has confirmed tee times, confirmed hotel, and a full cost breakdown. You present it to your members with confidence rather than with 'I think it might be around this'.