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Western
Algarve Golf Courses
Price Guide: € = very good value, €€ = mid range, €€€ = expensive
Alamos
(€) Set in attractive countryside with some great views, it
is refreshingly free from development. Highly strategic course
with a wide variety of holes that will challenge your tactics
off the tee. An excellent course to get away from it all and
enjoy some really relaxing golf. Undulating countryside, on
the same estate as Morgado.
Alto (€) A well-established and challenging parkland
course, with views across the port of Portmao and out to sea.
Famous for having the longest par 5 in the Algarve. Designed
by the great Sir Henry Cotton.
Boavista (€) FABULOUS
VIEWS AWARD Very enjoyable course for all levels
of golfer, with various tee positions to suit all handicap
levels. Fantastic sea views. The upper part of the course
has a very linksy, heathland feel. The lower part of the course
is beautifully landscaped.
Faldo (€€€) A serious and spectacular challenge.
The length of the course will be quite manageable off the
yellow tees for most players. But heavily- defended, sloping
greens mean that your approach play and putting needs to be
spot-on to make a score. Off the back tees, it is a real challenge
for low handicappers. Clearly, this course will be hosting
tour events in the future, and is a contender for our top
course award.
O'Connor
(€€€) In sharp contrast to it's neighbour the Faldo
Course, the O'Connor is a course where the club player can try
to beat his handicap. It's a long course, but the fairways are
wide. A really enjoyable course, especially for big-hitters.
Gramacho (€€) A highly-manicured course with hardly any
rough, set among an attractive villa development. It is the
sister course of Vale da Pinta. If you like one, you'll like
the other. Used for some European Tour Events. Please note that
some out-of-date course guides say that this is a 9-hole course,
which it was when it first opened, but it has been a full 18
holes for several years.
Morgado (€) The location is a very attractive, secluded
valley below the mountains, away from main roads and free of
development, just a pure golfing experience. The course is open
countryside, characterised by fast-running fairways and linksy-looking
bunkers. It's mostly easy walking, apart from the start of the
back nine, which is a little hilly. Used on the Europro Tour.
Palmares
(€€) FABULOUS
VIEWS AWARD A much-loved course with stunning sea
views. The first few holes are links, running by Lagos beach,
before turning inland where the holes are undulating parkland.
An Algarve classic
Parque da Floresta (€) The Algarve's most westerly
course, with some great sea views. It has a great mixture
of easier and challenging holes that favours a thoughtful
approach. Excellent maintenance. Part of a prestigious development.
Undulating.
Penina (€€+) TOP
COURSE AWARD Famous for being the first golf course
in the Algarve, and still one of the better courses, many
times host to the Portuguese Open. A lightly undulating course
that is easy to walk. You will need a handicap certificate
to play the championship course, but there are also 9-hole
courses for beginners the less experienced.
Pinta
(€€) A course with an established international reputation,
Pinta is a pretty and well-presented course that is full of
interest. Off the yellow tees, it gives a relaxed but memorable
day of golf for average handicappers. But there are white
and also black (championship) tees for those who demand more
of a challenge. A David Leabetter academy is just across the
road from the first tee for your warm-up. Used for European
Tour events.
Salgados (€) A unique seaside layout set among saltwater
lagoons. A peaceful setting by sand dunes and a nature reserve,
but the golf is exciting. Lateral water can mean lost balls
for high handicappers, but better players usually score well
on this linksy course. Flat, so an easy walk.
Silves
(€) A course carefully laid-out to fit in with the existing Algarve countryside,
and a complete contrast to the resort courses. A varied design with lots of interest,
including some great elevated tee shots. A very enjoyable courses that has someting
for all handicap levels. Undulating countryside.
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Alamos
Palmares
Morgado
Alto
Salgados
Parque da Floresta |
