1. Laguna Golf Course
Considerably different to the other golf courses in the area, this course is strongly reminiscent of a typical links course. Although it has little elevation, several lakes around the course along with a high number of bunkers make the game challenging, while the occasional strong winds can present an additional hazard. The clubhouse is shared with neighboring Millenium golf course.
Specification
Built 1990 // Designer Joseph Lee
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €45-85 (twilight-daytime)
2. Laranjal Golf Course
Opened in 2009 this course is the newest in Quinta do Lago and is renowned for spectacular fairways and beautiful greens. With five lakes and a countless number of pine, cork and orange trees this gem of a golf course was voted Best Golf Course at the Portuguese Travel Awards in 2011. It requires concentration and accuracy during play, while service is known to be highly personal and first class.
Specification
Built 2009 // Designer Santana da Silva
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €97-127 (July-October)
Visit Website - Laranjal
Golf Course
3. Millenium Course
Located in the Vilamoura region this golf course reflects the Algarve style, with lot of typical pine trees around the holes. As a resort course, it is relatively open, with only few water hazards and narrow fairways. This makes it the perfect choice for the leisure golfer, although it might hold some interesting variations even for the experienced player.
Specification
Built 2000 // Redesigned Michael Hawtree
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €50-92 (twilight-daytime)
Visit
Website - Millenium Course
4. Ocean Golf Course
As one of the first to open back in 1968, this course certainly helped to put the Algarve on the map of golfing. Its stunning ocean view, especially on the back nine holes, with hole #11 going right down to the ocean, it is a must play course while in the Algarve. The first nine holes are slightly hilly, and throughout the round, due to its sometimes narrow fairways, it demands quite some accuracy, but is a joy to play.
Specification
Built 1968 // Designed Sir Henry Cotton
Type: 18 Holes // Par 73
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €150
Visit Website - Ocean
Golf Course
5. Old Course
The Old Course, while renovated in 1996, was first opened in 1969, and is often referred to as the Grand Dame of Algarve golfing. The long Par-73 course winds gently through pine trees and reminds of an English style course. The advanced player, if choosing the right club and hitting it accurately, has a good chance for a Hole In One at hole #4, a short Par 3, while hole #9 is considered the most demanding of the course.
Specification
Built 1969// Designed Frank Pennink
Type: 18 Holes // Par 73
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €77-140 (twilight-daytime)
6. Pine Cliffs
It may be “just”a 9-hole course but it’s world renowned nonetheless. Pine Cliffs has a spectacular setting on the cliffs of Albufeira and offers attractive ocean views. Easy to play in general, the famous last hole, nicknamed “Devil’s Parlour”, requires a drive over a shallow ravine.
Specification
Built 1991 // Designed Martin Hawtree
Type: 9 Holes // Par 33
Location: Albufeira
Green Fees: €74.82
7. Pinhal Golf Course
Originally designed by Frank Pennink, but remodeled in 1985 by Robert
Trent Jones Jr this popular golf course winds gently through pine trees. The
first holes are framed by holiday villas. It is generally a course easy to play
for the above-average golfer, with only a few ponds & a stream. The back 9
holes also are more forgiving with open fairways.
Specification
Built 1976 // Designed F. Pennink / R. Trent Jones Jr
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €45-90 (twilight-daytime)
Visit Website - Pinhal Golf Course
8. Pinheiros Altos
This was originally an 18-hole course, sewn with Bermuda grass and designed by Ronald Fream; an additional 9 holes were opened in 2007. The course is renowned for its challenging and strategically placed hazards, many of them being water obstacles. The most scenic hole is probably hole #17, leading to a grand finale of the round.
Specification
Built 1992// Designed Ronald Fream
Type: 18 + 9 Holes // Par 72 + 36
Location: Quinta do Lago
Green Fees: €75-120 (low-high season)
Visit Website - Pinheiros Altos
9. Quinta do Lago North
This spectacular golf course is designed to challenge the above average player. Undulating greens, well positioned bunkers and several water hazards gave the course its reputation. Long drives are required throughout the round, especially on the four great long Par 5 holes and even more so when the wind comes into play.
Specification
Built 1974// Designed W. Mitchell / R. Roquemore
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Quinta do Lago / Vilamoura
Green Fees: 97-122 (low-high season)
Visit Website - Quinta do Lago North
10. Quinta do Lago South
Having been many times the venue for the Portugal / Algarve Open, this outstanding golf course is not only popular among Champions. Known to require long drives it is interesting and challenging for all level players. The front 9 holes meander through parkland with a draw coming in handy, while the back 9 wind around a lake and favor a fade from the tee.
Specification
Built 1974// Designed W. Mitchell / R. Roquemore
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Quinta do Lago / Vilamoura
Quinta do Lago South
Green Fees: €97-122 (low-high season)
Visit Website - Quinta do
Lago South
11. Royal Golf Course
This golf course, designed by Rocky Roquemore on the basis of a Sir Henry Cotton layout, is probably the symbol of golfing on the Algarve coast. The famous hole #16, a cliff-top carry over, might be the most published shot of the country. It is interesting yet demanding to play. Hole #9, almost an island green, offers a good chance to become a member of the clubs Hole in One Hall of Fame, while hole #18 is a challenging finale to a great round.
Specification
Built 1997// Designed H.Cotton / R.Roquemore
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €93-190 (guest card-visitors)
Visit Website - Royal
Golf Course
12. Salgados Golf Course
The Salgados Golf Course is located in a natural wildlife reserve close to Albufeira and strongly resembles a links course, due to it being set on flat land just behind the beach. This also brings nature and its elements into the game, technical skills and accurate shots are required to achieve a decent score.
Specification
Built 1994 // Designed Vasconselos/R. Muir-Graves
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Albufeira
Green Fees: €48-64 (low-high season)
Visit
Website - Salgados Golf Courses
13. San Lorenzo
Settled within the Quinta do Lago area the San Lorenzo golf course is highly recommendable due to its excellent maintenance and conditions. Hole #1 opens requiring a long drive for this Par 5, while hole #18 needs an equally long hit to achieve the perfect finish. In between challenges a 197 yards Par 3. Truly a fine course, it also has magnificent ocean and mountain views.
Specification
Built 1988 // Designed Joseph Lee
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Quinta do Lago / Vilamoura
Green Fees: €180
14. Victoria Golf Course
The most recent Arnold Palmer designed Victoria Golf Course caters with its 5 or even 6 tees to all level players. It is a slightly undulating resort course, and a pleasure to play with waterfalls and lakes around the 90 hectares of ground. Furthermore it already has been venue for top international tournaments like the Portugal Open.
Specification
Built 2004 // Designed Arnold Palmer
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €16.75-38.50 (super twilight-daytime)
Visit
Website - Victoria Golf Course
15. Vila Sol
While designing this course in the Vilamoura region, Arnold Palmer paid particular attention to maintaining the original topographical outline of the land, which in the end led to a very attractive course layout. While the first nine holes are somewhat more demanding, the back nine seem easier to play, although, a tip for hole #14: a tricky green waits at the end of this par 5!
Specification
Built 2004 // Designed Arnold Palmer
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Vilamoura
Green Fees: €90
16. Vale de Pinta
An interesting course laid out in typical Algarve landscape, Vale de Pinta is delightful to play. It rolls through small valleys and over hills, with olive trees all around. Most outstanding: Hole #10, par 3 with a well-protected green, and hole #13, an amazing 541 meter long par 5.
Specification
Built 1992 // Designed Ronald Fream
Type: 18 Holes // Par 71
Location: West of Portimao
Green Fees: €60-92.50 (low-high season)
17. Penina Golf Course
Penina Golf, designed by Sir Henry Cotton and inaugurated in 1966, is among the oldest of the Algarve. Originally fields where rice was cultivated, the area was turned into a flat course with many rather unexpected water hazards and bunkers. It is designed for the more advanced player and in its history has been venue for the Portuguese Open various times.
Specification
Built 1966 // Designed Sir Henry Cotton
Type: 18 Holes // Par 73
Location: Portimao
Green Fees: €80-120 (low-high season)
Visit Website - Penina Golf Course
18. Palmares Golf Course
Located in the Bay of Lagos, Palmares Golf Course offers outstanding ocean views. Partly built on sand dunes, it is a delight to play. Also, unlike most other courses in the area, it is not framed by vacation residences, creating a feeling of openness for the player whilst on the course.
Specification
Built 1975 // Designed Frank Pennink
Type: 18 Holes // Par 71
Location: Portimao
Green Fees: €77.50-105 (low-high season)
19. Gramacho Golf Course
Originally a 9 hole course, Gramacho golf has recently been extended and now is a full par 72 18-hole course. It runs through undulating terrain, with plenty of century old olive, almond and carob trees. To achieve a respectable score, accurate play and the right selection of the club is mandatory.
Specification
Built 1991 // Designed Ronald Fream
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: West of Portimao
Green Fees: €49-79 (low-high season)
20. Alto Golf Course
Alto Golf Course, with occasional sea views to the Portimao area, is considered a test for any level golfer. Elevated greens, dog-legs and strategically placed bunkers demand technical play. Furthermore, hole #15, with 589 meters from the blues, is considered the longest par 5 in Europe and requires quite a drive.
Specification
Built 1991 // Designed Sir Henry Cotton
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: West of Portimao
Green Fees: €60-85 (low-high season)
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