Best Nick Faldo golf courses

One of England’s favourite golfing sons, Sir Nick Faldo, is quite simply a legend. With six Major Championships under his belt, the man from Welwyn Garden City has become increasingly known for his work in designing golf courses over recent years, including many that we offer here at Golfbreaks!

The trademark of Faldo designs are the great man’s deep understanding of the game, as well as a keen eye for strategic challenges, and an overall respect for the natural beauty of the landscapes. Thinking about following in Sir Nick’s footsteps on your next break? Why not check out some of Sir Nick Faldo’s best golf courses!

Built: 2008 | Par: 72 | Course Type: Championship

Located in the picturesque Algarve region of southern Portugal, the Amendoeira Faldo Course is a testament to Nick Faldo’s design philosophy of creating a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. Set within a natural valley the course offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and coast.

This par-72 layout stretches over 7,300 yards and is characterised by its desert-style bunkering and fairways lined with olive trees. There’s also plenty of water to keep you on your toes throughout the routing. One of our most customers’ most popular choices, the Amendoeira Resort is the ideal base for your next golf holiday!

Key Features:

• Strategic bunkering and water hazards enhancing shot-making
• Immaculate, tournament-level greens
• Named 'Portugal's Best Golf Course' in 2016 by the World Golf Awards

Built: 1973 (Redesigned: 2004)| Par: 71 | Course Type: Links

Whilst golf has been played at Ballyliffin since the mid-twentieth century, Sir Nick and his team are owed much credit for the most recent renovation of the course in 2004. The main changes included the addition of some ‘Faldo Tees’, ensuring the course was future-proofed for the ever-lengthening game, as well as the expansion of several greens.

Faldo Designs also created some stunning rivetted bunkers throughout the course too, that truly give it an authentic links feel. Like all true links layouts, the course plays entirely differently dependent on the direction (and strength!) of the wind. However, even on the calmest day, golfers of all abilities will still find challenge in this world-class course.

Key features:

• Renowned for its natural terrain, providing an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels.
• Features memorable holes like the par-3 5th, 'The Tank', with its unique sand dune protection.
• Hosted the 2008 Irish Seniors Open, showcasing its prominence in the golfing world.

Built: 2006 | Par: 72 | Course Type: Championship

In the golf-rich region of Belek, Nick Faldo’s Cornelia Golf Club is still able to stand out amongst the competition. Opened in 2006, this championship course has quickly become a favourite, boasting 27-holes that wind their way wonderfully through tall trees and lush green surroundings.

The course can be stretched to more than 7,000 yards, ensuring a true test for every type of golfer. However, a variety of tee boxes makes this the ideal course for a golf break, suitable for all groups. The wider resort and hotel make this a superb selection for a base in Belek, with everything you need for a great trip right there on-site.

Key Features:

• The course features three distinct 9-hole combinations: King, Queen, and Prince Courses.
• Beautifully set within a Mediterranean pine forest, offering a serene and scenic environment.
• The signature 7th hole, 'Faldo’s Choice,' is a standout with its unique design.

Built: 2010| Par: 71| Course Type: Parkland

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean, Elea Golf Club is a modern and elegant course that showcases Nick Faldo’s commitment to creating a fair but challenging golfing experience. Situated in Paphos, Cyprus, Elea offers panoramic views of the sea, as well as dramatic elevations and undulating fairways.

The par-71 course measures 6,900 yards from the back tees and is designed with a variety of shot-making opportunities. Faldo’s design incorporates wide fairways that reward strategic positioning, and the natural contours of the land are used to create both challenges and visual appeal. It’s an excellent example of Faldo’s ability to combine technical precision with visual harmony, making it one of the top destinations in Cyprus for golf lovers.

Key Features:

• Natural features like ancient trees and limestone formations provide a Mediterranean atmosphere.
• State-of-the-art golf academy with PGA professionals and comprehensive practice facilities.
• Traditional Cypriot-inspired clubhouse with dining, a library, and panoramic terraces.

Built: 1996 (Redesigned: 2005) | Par: 72| Course Type: Championship

The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai is home to two championship courses, and whilst the Majlis layout is perhaps the better known, we think ‘The Wadi by Faldo’ still stands out as one of the premier golfing experiences in Dubai.

The layout was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones II and was redesigned by Faldo in 2006 to meet the demands of modern players and to reflect his philosophy of a more strategic design. Typical of many of Sir Nick’s creations, the course brings hazards into play throughout, with the bunkering at his Emirates Course particularly lauded.

Key Features:

• Notable for the natural 'wadi' (valley) that runs throughout the course, adding both beauty and challenge.
• Equipped with ultra-powered LED lighting, enabling golfers to play well into the evening.
• Named 'Dubai's Best Golf Course' at the World Golf Awards in 2017.

Built: 2013 | Par: 71 | Course Type: Championship

Set in the heart of Vietnam, Laguna Lang Co is a spectacular golf course that sits amidst one of Southeast Asia’s most scenic coastal areas. Whilst Faldo’s signature design touches are clear throughout the course, it’s the breathtaking nature of the surroundings here that really steal the show, with panoramic views of both the ocean and the Annamite Mountains.

The course layout takes full advantage of the natural terrain with a sustainable ethos built into the creation of the club. As such, all the landscaped parts of the grounds were planted only with native species, with the types of grass used on the course specifically chosen to require the least amount of watering and artificial fertilisation. This all combines to make a facility that feels truly at one with its surroundings.

Key Features:

• Situated between the ancient city of Hue and Danang, the course offers panoramic views of the East Sea and surrounding mountains.
• The design incorporates natural elements such as trees, streams, rice paddies, and rock formations, providing a diverse and memorable golfing experience.
• The layout features a traditional out-and-back routing, enhancing strategic play and shot variety.

Built: 2009 | Par: 72 | Course Type: Championship

Nestled in the rolling hills of County Fermanagh, Lough Erne Resort is home to two stunning courses, but The Championship Course, designed by Nick Faldo is an absolute gem. Hugging the banks of Lough Erne, the layout has hosted a myriad of professional and elite amateur events, with superb conditioning throughout.

Lough Erne is particularly notable for its stunning par-3 holes, as well as its closing stretch, which offers some of the most dramatic views in all of Northern Ireland. Despite the island of Ireland’s quality of links layouts, this parkland routing is a firm fixture in the Top 5 rankings in Northern Ireland (behind just Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Portstewart), and the highest placed inland course. The course itself is a true must-play for those in the region, with us often recommending that any of our customers heading to Northern Ireland base themselves at the resort.

Key Features:

• Features 11 water hazards and nearly 50 bunkers, requiring strategic play.
• The 16th hole provides panoramic views with water lining the entire fairway.
• The resort includes a state-of-the-art Golf Academy for skill development.