Salgados Golf Club Introduces Europe's First On-Course Drone Delivery Service
We've seen plenty of innovations in golf over the years, but having your lunch delivered by a drone while you're halfway through a round is certainly a new one.
Salgados Golf Club in Portugal's Algarve is introducing what it describes as Europe's first operational on-course drone delivery service, allowing golfers to order food and drinks directly to their location on the course.
For us at Hashtag Golf Travel, it's a clever addition to a golf course we already enjoy recommending. And let's face it, having refreshments delivered without needing to head back to the clubhouse sounds pretty appealing.
How Does the Drone Delivery Service Work?
The new service combines drone technology with an AI-powered concierge, making ordering surprisingly straightforward.
Golfers simply send a WhatsApp message to the club with their food or drink order.
An AI concierge processes the request and sends it directly to the clubhouse's point-of-sale system, where staff prepare and package everything ready for delivery.
A drone then collects the order and flies it out to the golfers, with payment handled through the same system.
The service operates alongside Salgados' existing buggy bar, giving players another option for refreshments during their round.
It's a simple idea, but one that could make a real difference to the overall golf experience.
After all, nobody wants to interrupt a good round just because they've run out of water or fancy something to eat.
Another Reason to Play Salgados Golf Club
Located near Albufeira, Salgados Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course situated beside Salgados Beach and the Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve.
It's quite different from many of the Algarve's other courses.
The relatively flat layout makes walking enjoyable, but don't mistake that for an easy round.
Water comes into play throughout much of the course, while the coastal breeze can make club selection particularly interesting.
We like Salgados because it offers a different style of golf from the more traditional inland resort layouts.
The combination of lagoons, coastal scenery and wildlife gives the course plenty of character, and it's an enjoyable addition to a multi-course Portugal golf holiday.
Although, with so much water around, we'd recommend bringing a few spare golf balls.
Could Drone Deliveries Become More Common in Golf?
We think there's definitely potential.
Golf clubs have spent years looking for ways to improve the experience for visiting golfers, whether through GPS-equipped buggies, digital scoring or more efficient on-course services.
Drone deliveries are another interesting development.
If the system works efficiently, it could help golfers stay refreshed without lengthy interruptions or unnecessary trips back to the clubhouse.
Of course, there will be practical considerations around weather, delivery locations and how the drones operate without disturbing golfers.
But the idea itself is certainly interesting.
And we'd be lying if we said we weren't curious to see a drone turn up with refreshments halfway through a round.
Our Verdict
Salgados has always been a worthwhile addition to an Algarve golf itinerary, particularly for golfers staying around Albufeira.
Its coastal setting, water hazards and enjoyable layout already give it plenty of appeal.
The introduction of on-course drone deliveries adds something completely different.
It might not lower your handicap or help you avoid the water hazards, but it could make your round that little bit more enjoyable.
For us, it's a fun example of how golf resorts are finding new ways to improve the experience for visiting golfers.
And if your next round at Salgados involves a drone arriving with refreshments, we'd say that's a pretty memorable addition to a golf holiday.
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