Palheiro Golfe has won the Best Panoramic Golf Club award at the World Golf Awards 2026. It is the third year in a row that the Madeira course has taken the title, after wins in 2024 and 2025.
Clube de Golfe do Santo da Serra, also on the island, picked up its own honor at the same ceremony. Its Par 3 hole was named the best in the world for 2026, also for the third consecutive year.
World Golf Awards Hold 13th Edition in Egypt
The winners were announced on Saturday, 8 November, during the 13th edition of the World Golf Awards. The ceremony took place at the Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt.
It was the first time the international event was held in Africa.
Palheiro Golf Wins Panoramic Prize for Third Year Running
The award recognizes the panoramic qualities of Palheiro Golfe, set in the Quinta do Palheiro estate. The course sits at around 500 meters of altitude, with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Madeira's mountainous landscape.
It is the club's third straight win in the category, following its 2024 and 2025 titles.
Championship Course Rises 500 Meters Above the Atlantic
The championship course has 18 holes and a par of 72, built into pine forest, botanical woodland and subtropical vegetation. Cabell B. Robinson, a golf course architect, designed the layout.
The course uses the property's rugged terrain, with ridges and deep valleys that challenge players of different skill levels. It sits next to the five-star Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, a member of the Relais & Châteaux association, about ten minutes from Funchal.
Santo da Serra's Par 3 Hole Wins World Prize Since 2024
Santo da Serra's Par 3 hole won the "World's Best Par 3 Hole 2026" category. This global prize recognizes a single standout hole on a golf course. The hole has now won the category every year since 2024.
Last year's edition had already brought a record number of distinctions to the region in a single year. Madeira was named Best Emerging Destination, a title it also held in 2019. Santo da Serra also won Best Sustainable Water Catchment Course System in the World.
Portugal Named World's Best Golf Destination in 2026
Beyond Madeira's two wins, Portugal was named Best Golf Destination in the world. It is the main category of the awards. The source reports Portugal has been its biggest winner across all 13 editions held so far.
Portugal also took three other world-level prizes. Costa de Prata won Best Emerging Golf Destination. Terras da Comporta won Best Golf Eco-Facility, and Quinta do Lago was named Best Golf Academy in the world.
Portugal Wins Nine More Awards in Europe and at Home
At the European level, Portugal collected five awards:
Tee Times - Best Golf Tour Operator
PGA Aroeira - Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility
Palmares Ocean Living & Golf - Best Club House
Quinta do Lago - Best Golf Resort
Vilamoura Golf - Best Golf Development
In the national categories, four more prizes went to:
Monte Rei - Best Golf Course in Portugal
Praia D'El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort - Best Golf Hotel
InGolf - Best Inbound Tour Operator
Tee Times - Best Outbound Tour Operator
| Level | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| World | Best Panoramic Golf Club | Palheiro Golfe (Madeira) |
| World | Best Par 3 Hole | Santo da Serra (Madeira) |
| World | Best Golf Destination | Portugal |
| World | Best Emerging Golf Destination | Costa de Prata |
| World | Best Golf Eco-Facility | Terras da Comporta |
| World | Best Golf Academy | Quinta do Lago |
| Europe | Best Golf Tour Operator | Tee Times |
| Europe | Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility | PGA Aroeira |
| Europe | Best Club House | Palmares Ocean Living & Golf |
| Europe | Best Golf Resort | Quinta do Lago |
| Europe | Best Golf Development | Vilamoura Golf |
| National | Best Golf Course in Portugal | Monte Rei |
| National | Best Golf Hotel | Praia D'El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort |
| National | Best Inbound Tour Operator | InGolf |
| National | Best Outbound Tour Operator | Tee Times |
The World Golf Awards were created in 2014. Winners are chosen through a year-long voting process. Golf industry professionals, media outlets and the general public all take part, and the nominee with the most votes wins each category.
Source: dnoticias.pt
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