Algarve Golf Courses:
Just 15 Minutes beyond the historic town of Lagos, this is the most westerly Algarve course. The course is crafted through valleys and over inland hills to the north. The shimmering Atlantic is to the south. As well as golf theres archery,bowls, horse riding, mountain biking, tennis and Spa Floresta – a fabulous health & beauty spa.
Playing Palmares is a real treat – enjoying spectacular views over the bay of Lagos, it combines links-style golf on the first nine holes with a slightly more hilly second nine. It is one of our personal favourites and well worth a visit.
Overlooking Lagos and the Atlantic ocean and looking inland to the monchique hills, Quinta da Boa Boavista adds to the variety of Algarve courses. Designer Howard Swan successfully integrated his layout into the existing natural terraine, using features that make it a delight to the eye. Boavista also has a driving range and teaching academy.
The Championship course is Sir Henry Cotton’s masterpiece – by which he wished to be remembered. The Penina as it is known, was originally laid out on land used for growing rice. Eucalyptus trees are now here in abundance.
Alto Golf:
Near Alvor, a picturesque fishing village in the western Algarve, the course is set in the countryside with views out to the Atlantic ocean and Portimao. The Sir Henry Cotton design features Europes longest par 5.
Two championship golf courses nestling on the lower slopes of the Monchique hills. In golf course construction terms the terrain is unique in the Algarve, reminiscent of rolling parkland and enjoying wonderful views inland.
This is one of the newer courses on the Algarve by the Pestana Group. Most holes offer a spectacular mountain and valley view, overlooking palm trees and olive groves. You can even pick a few oranges and figs on the way to the next tee.
Over all it has a natural beauty and an elegant design.
Set on undulating land, not far from Carveiro, Vale da Pinta (along with Gramacho) is the work of a master golf course designer Ronald Fream. He declared the land God given for golf. Vale da Pinta gained championship status by hosting five successful seniors tour events.
The course is a conversion from Ronald Freams original, unique double nine layout. Gramacho hosted the ladies open in 2003. As with its sister course, Vale da Pinta, Gramacho is maintained to a high standard all year round.
When Dave Thomas designed Vale de Milho he set out to provide a golf facility which did not necessarily require using woods. It has nine holes and is excellent for beginners and gives experienced golfers a chance to focus on their short game.
Salgados:
If you like a challenge then this is it. Much use is made of water on this course, since it is virtually below sea level. Playing Salgados has,however, a treat in store: links style golf combined with the sunshine of the Algarve. The area is next to a bird sanctuary and home to many species of waterfowl.
Pine cliffs enjoys an exceptional clifftop position. The clubs first president was racing driver Nigel Mansell. Frequent visitors include European Tour players using the facilities for winter training. Served by the five star Sheraton Algarve Hotel, it is understandably popular throughout the year.
This is an attractive par 3 course set within the Balaia Golf Village complex. East of Albufeira and with views out over the ocean, it is a course that will test every golfer.
This course is distinguished by fairways lined with pine trees so accuracy is key.
The front nine holes meander through an exclusive residential complex, whilst the second nine are on more open undulating land.
Set in the heart of the Vilamoura resort and just 25 minutes from Faro airport, this Frank Pennick designed parkland course is famous worldwide and is one of the oldest in the region. Often described as the Grande Dame of courses in the region it is a spectacular course and well worth a visit.
This course is aimed at being one of the best golf complexes in the whole of Europe. The Victoria Clube de Golfe is the fifth at Vilamoura and the most exclusive one at the resort and hosts many top tournaments. Designed by Arnold Palmer it is the jewel in the crown of the Vilamoura courses.
This conventional layout opened in year 2000. Millenium is unquestionably one of the most beautiful courses ever built in Portugal, due to its excellent integration in to its surroundings. Four of the Milleniums first nine holes are over rolling parkland; whilst the remainder are set between umbrella pines a key feature of this part of the Algarve
Laid out over low lying coastal terrain, this course, with its many water hazards is considerably different from the other ones at the resorts and many holes have a distinctive links feel to them.
Situated near an environmental nature park this course offers an interesting challenge to all golfers.
The first in Portugal to be designed by English golf architect Donald Steel this course quickly gained international fame b y twice hosting the Portuguese Open. At Vila Sol you will find 27 holes stretching along a wide valley and divided into three loops with different levels of difficulty. In 2001 it won the prize for best golf development.
The Royal Golf Course is set amongst lakes and lush vegetation, then surprises you with exhilarating sea views. The 7th hole with its spectacular carry over the cliffs is said to be the most photographed golf hole in Europe.
The Oceans course, renowned for its breathtaking beauty is a golfers feast. Flanked by pine and eucalyptus tress, the courses fairways run down to the shores of the Atlantic. This course allows golfers some of the most incredible views of the ocean in the Algarve and provides an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all a standards.
Apart from the par 3’s nearly every hole has a form of dog leg – some quite severe, others with just a hint of a curve. What they all have in common is the need for accuracy on the drive.
The two 18 holes at Quinta do Lago offer different challenges. The terrain is similar on both courses and is covered with pine trees, heather, broom and wild flowers. The terrain of this course is gently undulating with several lakes which form a feature of this course.
Set in the spectacular Ria Formosa Nature reserve, this course share the exclusive location enjoyed by Quinta do Lago. The golf course has a combination of natural beauty, pristine presentation and hole after hole of challenging golf. While much of the course meanders through typical pinewoods, it also opens to stunning ocean views and distant mountain backdrops.