Clube de Golf Santo da Serra has strengthened its standing on the international stage after being named Portugal’s best golf course in the Players’ Choice category at the 2025 Golfamore Awards, a title decided entirely by golfers themselves.

Set high in the hills of Madeira with sweeping views across the Atlantic, Santo da Serra claimed the honour following a year of extensive player feedback submitted through Golfamore, Europe’s leading golf benefit card.

More than 160,000 reviews were logged in 2025 by a voting pool of over 100,000 golfers, with courses assessed on everything from layout and conditioning to hospitality and clubhouse experience.

Course Investment Helps Drive International Recognition

The award marks another milestone for the Madeira venue, which recently completed a €2.5m investment programme aimed at enhancing the playing experience for both members and visiting golfers.

It is also the second time in three years that Santo da Serra has received one of the Golfamore Awards’ top national accolades, underlining its consistency at the highest level.

Andre Rodrigues, director of operations at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra, said:

“This award is incredibly meaningful because it comes directly from the golfers who experience Santo da Serra every day. The investment we made was all about elevating the playing experience and showcasing Madeira as a world-class golf destination.

“To have that recognised by such a large international community is a proud moment for our team and motivates us to keep raising the standard for our members and guests.”

Madeira’s Growing Reputation as a Leading Golf Destination

Multiple Island Courses Ranked Among Portugal’s Best

The success of Santo da Serra also feeds into Madeira’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s most appealing new golf destinations.

In the latest rankings from the Top 100 Courses website, both Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf featured inside the national top 30, with Santo da Serra placed 24th and Palheiro’s 18-hole layout close behind. Alongside Porto Santo Golfe, the trio form the backbone of the archipelago’s golf offering.

Industry Leaders Highlight Importance of Player Feedback

Anders Carlén, CEO of Golfamore, said:

“Winning the Golfamore Awards is an acknowledgement for a club that it does a very good job on many levels, from the reception before the round to the last putt is made on the 18th hole.

“Thanks to the feedback that the clubs receive from the golfers, it also means that they can target areas of their business so that they can improve further the following season.”

Year-Round Climate and Experiences Attract Travelling Golfers

Award-Winning Island Offers Ideal Conditions for Golf Holidays

Madeira itself continues to attract global attention beyond the fairways. Located around 1,000km from mainland Europe and just 500km from the African continent, the Atlantic archipelago was named the World’s Leading Island Destination for the 11th consecutive year at the 2025 World Travel Awards.

Its mild year-round climate, with summer temperatures averaging around 25°C and winter lows near 17°C, makes it an increasingly popular choice for golf breaks in every season.

Golf Passport Provides Easy Access to Madeira’s Top Courses

For readers keen to explore the broader appeal of golf and leisure on the island, Golf Today recently highlighted Madeira’s unique blend of scenic courses and rich off-course experiences in its feature Magical Madeira: Golf and Experiences that Exceed Expectations.

Golfers looking to sample the island’s courses can do so through the Madeira Golf Passport, which offers three rounds at either Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf from €290 per person, including complimentary transfers between hotel and course. The package can also be upgraded to include additional rounds and a visit to Porto Santo Golfe.

Related: Madeira confirms major golf expansion with three new course projects

Madeira has announced plans to add 36 new golf holes across three projects, including a Faldo-designed championship course at Ponta do Pargo and new nine-hole developments at Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe, strengthening the island’s long-term appeal as a leading European golf destination.

Key Details on Santo da Serra’s Portugal’s Best Golf Course Honour

• Santo da Serra was named Portugal’s best golf course in the Players’ Choice category at the 2025 Golfamore Awards, based entirely on golfer feedback.
• The Madeira venue recently completed a €2.5m investment programme and has now claimed two major national accolades in three years.
• Madeira continues to grow as a year-round golf destination, with multiple island courses ranked among Portugal’s top 30.