Algarve Map area 1
Parque da Floresta
A course built on hillsides and over uneven ground with views over a fishing village. With a number of different obstacles such as bunkers, lakes and rivers, it provides challenges of great diversity. Close to the town of Sagres and Cabo de San Vicente, the most south west of Portugal and mainland Europe. Parque da Floresta is one of Europe's most spectacular golf courses and is the ideal location for golf holidays in the Algarve. With no two holes remotely similar, the variety and appeal of this unique course are endless, and one round will not be sufficient to appreciate its imaginative design. Meandering through the undulating terrain, it offers fantastic views of the surrounding Algarve countryside and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Algarve-golf map Area 2
Palmares
Some say that is the jewel in the crown of the Algarve. Some say the landscape is unique. Some make it a must on their Algarve golf tour. The Frank Pennink designed course enjoys a beautiful location, near to the historic city of Lagos, commanding magnificent views of the bay of Lagos and the distant Monchique hills. During springtime, the fairways and hills are covered with the flowering shrubs, acacia...The Blossom from the Almond trees giving the impression of snow covered trees, lining the vived green fairways beneath a warm springtime sun.
Boavista
Boavista Golf opened on 1st January 2002, the impressive 18 Hole Championship golf course has been designed by Howard Swan MSc, past president of The European Institute of Golf Course Architects. His philosophy - to create a course as if it has always been there - has been sensitively applied at Boavista, preserving, integrating and harmonising with the area's natural terrain. Boavista Golf Club offers superb facilities in a uniquely sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and is already attracting people from all over the world.
Algarve-golf map Area 3
Penina resort and Championship courses
Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort is unique in the Algarve, where guests can step out of the hotel and start to play on its three courses. The 18-hole Championship Golf Course, designed by Sir Henry Cotton, is considered his masterpiece and it is indeed a remarkable achievement. The hotel and golf club are unique when it comes to outstanding views, a calm and tranquil setting, and shows nature at its best. The first golf course to be built In the Algarve, it was the location for five of the Portuguese Open Championships. Set in its own picturesque 360-acre estate, Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort owes its beautiful setting to the forward-thinking architect, who, in 1966, designed the Penina golf course with no less than 360,000 trees, shrubs and hedging plants. Now a luxurious and highly-respected Championship course, it offers 2 more courses of 9 holes - the Resort Course and the Academy Course - ideal for beginners and experts alike.
Morgado do Reguengo
With its dipping valleys, river crossings, flora and fauna, small vineyards and farmland, this is truly a paradise where Mother Nature and Man live side-by-side in harmony. Being one of the longest Golf courses in the region, this 18-hole course has a 5 Par 5 Holes, 9 Par 4's e 4 Par 3's. With an average green size of 800 m2, there are strategically-placed bunkers and lakes, leaving its reputation as a true ``Championship Course``. Also available is an excellent practice area with a driving range, chipping green and putting green.
Algarve-golf map Area 4
Alto Golf
Alto Golf runs through two valleys, and was the last to be designed by Sir Henry Cotton. Its hole number 16, one of the longest in Europe and for that reason named ?The Giant?, is a 604 metres for a Par 5.
Alto Golf is situated near the picturesque village of Alvor. Extraordinary white sandy beaches, clear blue sea and fascinating cliffs are part of its charm. This was the last course designed by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton, the triple winner of the British Open. It embodies his belief that a golf course should test players with mes4 handicaps, but also provide a pleasant game for golfers of only average ability. After his death, the project was continued by Peter Dobereiner, a well known golf journalist. The course, with the beautiful Monchique mountains as its backdrop, runs through two valleys and offers winding fairways and gently undulating greens.
On the first nine holes players have the added pleasure of enjoying an excellent view over Lagos Bay. The last nine holes face inland, running through gentle mountain slopes to include hole number 16, which is said to be the longest hole in Europe: 604 metres for a Par 5. Any player who manages a birdie here will receive a certificate and his or her name will be inscribed on the club's roll of honour. All the other holes on the course are named, but this one has a special title: "The Giant."
Algarve-golf map Area 5
Vale da Pinta
Situated near Carvoeiro in an old olive grove, Vale da Pinta is a championship course that is, nonetheless, adaptable to any kind of game. The Pestina Golf Academy nearby offers for both vale da Pinta and Gramacho an excellent opportunity
to improve your game. This championship course has an exceptional layout , designed by Ron Fream of Golfplan USA and opened in 1992. The course has earned an excellent reputation because of its excellent condition and its ability to challenge golfers of all standards. The fairways with Bermuda Grass and the Pen Cross Bent greens are protected by sand bunkers which are in an excellent position, and also two ornamental lakes which are in play on four holes. The course also has an array of Fig, Almond, Carob, and Olive trees some of which are up to 600 years old. The dogleg shape of all the par 4 and 5 holes puts an emphasis on the ability to drive with accuracy. The size of the greens are well matched to the length of the approach shot. This 6,152 metres, par 71 course, will be appreciated by all golfers.
Gramacho
On Gramacho, Ron fream has created a unique concept of 18 greens, 18 tees and 9 fairways.The design skill which has gone into creation of the green positions and the protective bunkering is such, that an 18 hole round gives 18 genuinely different challenges.The positioning of the tee markers helps to increase the variety even more. As with the Pinta Course, the preparation and condition is at tournament standard year round.
The use of existing features of the land, outcrops of rock, dry stone walls, fig, almond, carob and olive trees, have been augmented by well positioned bunkers and lakes. These hazards, combined with the shaping of the fairways and greens, have produced a wonderful array of challenging but fair golf holes. From the first tee shot to then pitch to the final green, the player must not only strike the ball and putt well, but also utilize the best strategy, to produce a good score. Experienced golfers will certainly acknowledge that they played a very fine golf course with a testing par of 72 and more than sufficient length at 5,919 metres.
Vale de Milho
This is a short nine hole course which is visually very attractive, yet surprising because of its challenging nature. Ideal for practicing with short irons. A great way to warm up before playing 18 hole courses. A chance to get used to the quick Algarve greens.
Algarve-golf map Area 6
Álamos
This course is one of the newest course to open in the Algarve. The setting is a large 980 hectare estate through undulating small valleys.
Silves
Silves is one of the older towns in the Algarve. The golf course, outside the town, is set in the midst of orange groves at a most serene spot. One or two tee shots will give you some magnificent views over the country side. But the course is anything but the proverbial walk in the park. With fast undulating greens, some interesting water hazards and strategically placed bunkers it will prove to be test for all golfers.
Oceanico Faldo
A warm welcome awaits. Excellent attention to detail by staff who will look after you from the moment you arrive. Give yourself some extra time to make use of the complimentary driving range and practise areas. Designed by Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind this 6,604 meters par -72 championship course demands careful positioning to score well. (Hcp 24) A tough test of golf awaits. The course is build in a wide open area near Armação de Pêra. With even a little breeze this course will present a serious challenge to all golfers.
Oceanico 0'Conner
Neighbouring the Faldo course and part of the same complex, the course features lush landscapes and orange groves in a low-lying valley where large areas of lakes and watercourses demand accuracy. (Hcp 24) It plays a little easier than the Faldo Golf course.
Algarve-golf map Area 8
Salgados Links
Situated close to the sea, Salgados with its lakes and the open environmental nature has the added asset of the great Algarve climate and plays like a links course. it will pose a challenge to the technical skills of golfers. The short first hole may deceive you in thinking you are in for an easy time. Water hazards left and/ or right on most holes demand an accurate tee shot. When the wind is up it will prove a real challenge.Herdade dos Salgados is a tourism and residential complex of unbeatable quality that offers a broad range of facilities for health, sports, leisure, business and culture. Located near Praia dos Salgados beach, which itself extends over 7 km along the coast, the complex is nestled among the dunes and woods, boasting this golf course and proximity to the Lagoas dos Salgados lagoons, areas that are part of the scenic National Ecological Reserve. Flamingos are just one of the highlights on your way round.
Algarve golf map Area 9
Pine Cliffs
Known for the impeccable condition in which it is kept, Pine Cliffs is a short nine hole course that runs along impressive Falesia cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the 5* Sheraton standards. We would recommend this course to all golfers as a warm up round before taken on the championship courses. You will need your driver on only a few holes. A great way to practise your approach shots. A chance to get used to the speed of the Algarve greens. Spectacular scenery, with the prize its ninth hole over a ravine with beautiful views down on the sandy beach, locally nicknamed the ``Devil's Parlour``. This small and beautiful course is set among the pine trees and presents a pleasant and charming course with challenging perfect greens. Architect Hawtree's main concern to keep the natural surroundings as it was before the course was built. The perfectly-kept course opens with two undemanding holes, but the challenge gets tougher from the third hole - a Par 4 for which the drive must go through a narrow gap between pine trees.
Do not forget your camera. !
Ballaia Golf Club
Based on a 9-hole (all par 3) loop, the Balaia Golf Club is an ideal course for beginners or for perfecting distance control. You will not need your driver. A great way to practise your approach shots. A chance to get used to the speed of the Algarve greens.
Algarve golf map Area 10
The Old Course
This is the second oldest golf course in the Algarve. Set in an umbrella pinewood and laid out in an interesting way to take advantage of the natural contours. It is from the English school of Course design. The first Holes are easy and inviting with reachable par-4s. The par-3 on the attractive fourth is a Hole in One potential. Club selection from here will play an important part of your game, and straight shots will be needed. The ninth is an excellent example of this situation. The back nine has three interesting par-5s. The sixteenth providing a 522 metre challenge for good length and straight hitting.
Pinhal
This course is laid through the pine tree forest of the area and is set back from the tourist beach area. The outward nine holes wander through the holiday villas that line the fairways. The well-positioned bunkers make the course very enjoyable to the players, testing their choice of clubs and their accuracy. The Par-4 on the fourth hole is difficult to achieve with water waiting for the erring shot. The Par-3 on the eighth of 149 metres is tricky than it first appears. The back nine-holes have a more open feel but the slightly altered fifteenth will cause a problem to meet the Par-4 it requires.
The course, built in the middle of a pinewood, brings together two very different architectural concepts - British and American.
Laguna
The 18 Holes have been laid out over level ground and provide and with the exception of the eleventh and twelve that take the player around and over a lake, it is open fairways for the player with very few trees to present difficulties. It is a course that can be likened to some degree to the challenges that are provided by a Links course. However, there are many water hazards with strategically placed bunkers in open terrain. These factors combined with the occasional strong wind make for an interesting round.
Millennium
Well-established UK golf architects Hawtree & Sons were contracted in 1999 to plan this modification and design work which has culminated in the creation of the new, exciting 18-hole Millennium Golf Course. Although a few of the holes are along side some property developments. The course is particularly open, although some holes (the 3rd to the 7th) wind between pine trees and are similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Old Course and Pinhal.
In this more wooded area, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy - while the rest of the course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes.
The arrival of the Millennium Course made Vilamoura one of the main - if not the main - European golf destinations.
Refurbishment to existing Laguna commenced in May 1999 and included the complete rebuilding of the tees, greens and bunkers. Changes were made to the layout or structure of the old nine holes, but several new design features were incorporated with a view to simplifying the strategy of the course and in order to make it more golfer-friendly.
This applies especially to holes 8 and 9, the only ones on this loop with water hazards. Also, many of the bunkers have been re-shaped and the smaller greens expanded.
Victoria
A championship course of 18-hole par 72 course, occupying a total area of 90 hectares and with a total distance of 6,560 meters. A major attraction is formed by an exceptional driving range and by an enormous putting green area of around 2,500m2. It opened in 2004. (Hcp 24) Current host of the Portuguese Masters.
Algarve golf map Area 13
Vila Sol
The great variety of trees adds special charm to a course blessed with excellent facilities. In 1992 and 1993 it was selected for the Portuguese Open, so consolidating its international reputation. From the yellow tees most par 4's are not much longer than 400 yards, giving most handicap golfers a chance to play their best golf. The magnificent Vila Sol SPA & Golf Resort, which is located in an estate of some 150 hectares, is characterised by its beautiful natural surroundings with a vast range of fauna, animal and plant life. At Vila Sol Golf you will find a fabulous 27-hole golf course designed by the famous architect Donald Steel, which stretches along a wide valley, naturally sculpted by Mother Nature and divided into three loops with three different levels of difficulty: Prime, Challenge and Prestige.
It was honoured by the Green Globe organisation in 1996 with the Green Flag award, certification of meeting their environmental requirements. In 2001 it won the prize for Best Golf Development, preented by British MP Sir Eric Pickles.
Against this backdrop, full of trees and wildlife, carefully looked after and protected by specialist staff, golfers can discover an environment par excellence which will envelop them throughout the day. From the 1st tee to the Clubhouse, a large team of professionals are at work, and remain at your disposal to make this paradise a unique, unforgettable experience. The Clubhouse, with its central location, is the starting and finishing point for each of the three 9-hole loops: the first heads to the East, the second to the West and the third to the South.
Ocean Course (Vale do Lobo)
The Ocean Course, part of the Vale de Lobo tourist resort, is located near the sea, thus creating very pleasant game conditions. It is set in a region that is a genuine paradise. Both the Ocean and Royal courses take players through umbrella pine and fig tree-lined fairways to the Atlantic – the Royal playing dramatically along the cliff´s edge, while the Ocean sweeps daintily down to the beach. This combination of links and parkland golf provides an enjoyable game for golfers of all standards.(Hcp 24)
Royal Course (Vale do Lobo)
This is one of the best known courses in the world, because of its famous Par 3 hole, which requires a shot of more than 200 metres over three spectacular cliffs. You will not forget it! (Hcp 24)The course that has combined existing holes from the original Vale do Lobo course and some special interesting new holes. The layout of the course is skilful with a mixture of challenges slowly building up to a finally on the eighteenth. The famous par-3 "seventh hole" from the old days is now the spectacular sixteenth on this new course. The closing eighteenth is a tricky hole on which to finish, with its narrow fairway and a deceptive green.
These enviable golf facilities, combined with the Algarve's excellent climate, a choice of outstanding property, 2km of sandy beach and a selection of fine restaurants, make Vale do Lobo the perfect destination for a holiday or year round golfing lifestyle.
Quinta do Lago South/ North
The course has two architects: The American William Mitchell designed holes 1 to 5 and 15 to 18 in 1974. These holes (as with the other course) share a unique character. The terrain is typical of the area: sandy and stewn with pine trees, heather, gorse and wild flowers. The fairways and tees are basically "Bermuda" with a cool season mixture of grasses, hybrid, which provides year-round and a top quality swards. The greens are sown with Creeping Bentgrass Penncross, giving a fast, true putting surface, which provide good all-year round putting surfaces. These holes have more cross falls on the fairways than the other layouts and all the Par 4 and 5 holes are doglegs, demanding precise tee shots, to set up straightforward approaches. Like the Quinta do Lago South course, it is an anti-clockwise loop and favours the player with a draw. Holes 6 to 14 were designed by Joseph Lee with the collaboration of Rocky Roquemore, both from the USA, and opened in 1989. The terrain is superb, sandy and littered with umbrella pines. In the spring, the rough is covered with a blanket of wild flowers. The bunkering is incomparable, both on the fairways and surrounding the greens and gives the course an advantage over many of similar quality and design.
All the famous male and female players who have experienced this course, including Ryder Cup and Curtis Cup team members, have been euphoric in their praise for these courses, which will soon take its place among the great European layouts.
Pinheiros Altos
This is a highly original course with 18 holes of completely opposing characteristics. The spacious practice area is well used by a number of professional golfers in the period before the tournament season begins. Tree lined fairways without too much punishing rough make this course very enjoyable to play. Located within the well-known Quinta do Lago estate this course enjoys a solid reputation. Within the golfing world it is known as providing a mental challenge due to well placed hazards. The outward nine-holes are played down rolling fairways lined with pine trees. The back nine-holes bring a lot of interesting water hazards into play. An attractive hole is the seventeenth with its inviting green sitting on an island but surrounded by its water hazard.
San Lorenzo
Rare and many-faceted beauty matched by impeccable upkeep make this course a true "pearl" of Portuguese golf. Its eighteen widely-ranging holes run past pine trees, lakes and beaches beside the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the Quinta do Lago estate enjoys a reputation for the condition of its course and its attractive views around the lake formed by Ria Formosa. It has been ranked in the past as the second best course in Europe. The outward first five holes are through the pine tree forest. Water and good hole layouts provides the hazards that play a big part in players having to select clubs and hit with care. The eighteenth is a tricky par-4 mainly involving a lake that is waiting for the inaccurate shot.
Algarve golf map Area 18
Benamor
This course. designed by Sir Henry Cotton, is the first golf course to open east of the capital of the Algarve, Faro, and lies just outside of Tavira. The course is an undulating one, although not excessively so, offering views over the mountains to one side and the sea to the other. Although the course measures not much more than 5800 yards from the white tees it demands great accuracy. For example the 8th hole is a 210 yards par 3 protected by a huge olive tree on the right and a demanding bunker on the left, leaving you a very narrow tee shot. You will have some blind shots for your approach to several greens. Make sure you are warmed up properly as the first 4 holes are the easiest on the course and you do not want to loose too many shots against your handicap. Benamor offers a pleasant playing experience, to players of all standards.The indigenous olive, cork, carob, fig and almond trees, many of them centuries old, feature aesthetically and in playing terms. Water hazards and sand bunkers are located to test the strategy and striking ability of the player. The Penn A4 greens and tees are simply superb. The fairways of Bermuda Sahara and cool-season grasses, provide good lies for wood and iron shots.
Quinta da Ria
This spectacular and very popular 18 hole golf course is in the Ria Formosa Natural Park and spreads along an almost flat surface of 660.000 m2 down to the Ria Formosa itself . Several holes offer a stunning view of the sea. With wide fairways and with little rough to worry about it promises to be a most enjoyable round of golf. Start planning how to play the 10th hole! A good variation of easier holes and more difficult holes and you will score better second time around.
The first of the two Par 72 golf courses extends itself in a spectacular location on the coast of the eastern Algarve, locally known as "Sotavento".Quinta da Ria Golf situated in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve has already been described by experienced golfers as the most beautiful course in the region. In fact, perched above the Ria Formosa estuary, the views down to the sand below, the tidal waters and the ever flowing currents are quite breathtaking. The concentration will drop, the mind will wander ... Keeping your score at the forefront of the throught-process may not be so easy ...
and, in fact, you may not want to!
Quinta da Cima
Positioned next to Quinta da Ria it is easy to think that both courses are similar in design. This would be a mistake as this is a Championship style course of great character. Running through the stunning layout is a series of lakes connected by a stream, which the architect has skillfully incorporated as an added challenge. Many par 4's require a longer approach shot even when playing from the yellow tees. This magnificent 18 hole golf course is a formidable test of golf off any of the tees and a truly exceptional challenge. The whole area is blessed with a profound peacefulness. From Quinta de Cima Golf the views are slightly different, but no less spectacular, no less inspiring: from any part of the course, both the sea and the Algarvean mountains are a delight to anyone's eyes. Old centenary olive and carob trees, together with the surrounding orange trees and vineyards, maintain the typicism of the region landscape. It looks as if the course has been there since centuries ago. This is a protected area and long may it remain so, hopefully for ever!
Colina Verde
The Colina Verde is a small inland 9-hole course situated in Maragota, between the coast and the Algarvian mountain range. The Maragota tourism complex is located in a rural area and is especially for those seeking peace and privacy.
The nearest town is Tavira. With a beautiful positioned swimming pool, tennis courts, a fully equipped gym and excellent accommodation you might want to consider staying here. For those that do you might be interested to know you can make free use of the short golf course. An excellent opportunity to practice your approach shots and short game.
Algarve golf map Area 19
Castro Marim
The recently built course is part of a truly exceptional tourist development, designed to provide unforgettable moments of leisure. It has a very special setting in the peaceful atmosphere of the eastern Algarve. Just this year it opened a third loop of 9 holes. The narrow fairways on most holes mean you have to hit straight as there is little to none first or second cut rough. We would recommend a buggy due to the distance between greens and tees and it's hilly terrain.The Atlantic Course is the first of two 18-hole golf courses inaugurated at Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club. On the first 18 holes you will have a breathtaking mountain, river and sea views. These views are part of the spectacular scenery to be enjoyed by those wishing to take walks merely throughout the surrounding countryside.
The challenging aspects of the course, whilst providing interest to the expert, are also a test to the ability of the average handicap golfer and yet remain pleasurable to both.
A driving range, chipping and putting green have also been built so as to provide ever important practice facilities.
Another interesting feature of this course at Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club is the irrigation system. The entire course is irrigated by means of an underground so called "leaky pipe" system. This enables golfers to play at times when courses with conventional aerial sprinklers would normally be unavailable. Imagine being on the course on a balmy August evening at 9 p.m., in time to witness an Algarvian sunset before heading off for dinner at the unique golf club overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Monte Rei
The new magnificent course of Monte Rei by Jack Nicklaus offers everything a player would expect from this international golfer and designer. The Monte Rei Golf Club is set in the picturesque foothills of the eastern Algarve, with sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeirão mountains to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Every hole is a different test and will ask the best of all your golfing skills. Even the yellow tees make this course a tough test of golf. If your tee shots are under 240-260 yards consider playing from different tees giving you a better chance to enjoy the course to its full potential.
Although the green fee is the most expensive of all the courses in the Algarve it is in our opinion also the best!
Quinta do Vale
On the border with Spain lies this signature course of Seve Ballesteros. An excellent challenge for beginners and a unique opportunity for the more experienced to put their techniques and skill to the test.
The Algarve
Golf Courses
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On this page you will find a brief description of each golf course in the Algarve. We welcome your opinions and observations.
We very much like to establish a horses for courses type of review page. If you can let us know your view on which course is best suited to what handicap we can build up a useful source of information for golfers not familiar with the Algarve's golf courses. We would also like you to comment if a course in your opinion is value for money.
