Designed by Sir Henry Cotton and Peter Dobereiner, this course which opened in 1991 is an undulating course, boasting one of the longest par fives in Europe. Location: At Alvor, near Portimao.
Opened in 2001, this small attractive 9-hole course provides the opportunity to improve your short game and iron shots. Location: Balaia Golf Village, near Albufeira
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton this is a new well maintained undulating course with good greens and a suitable length for players of all standards to enjoy. Location: Near Tavira.
Designed by Howard Swan, this more recent course with spectacular sea views offers a variety of holes, rolling fairways, water hazards and strategically placed bunkers. Location: Near Lagos.
Designed by Ronald Fream, and Nick Price, former world no. 1 player, this course, dating from 1991 has an interesting layout consisting of an 18 hole course with 27 varied greens, enabling the course to be played several times using different greens to provide different challenges. Location: Pestana Golf Resort, Carvoeiro/Lagoa.
Also designed by Ronald Fream, this course dates from 1992 and is one of the hillier courses, with buggies recommended. Location: Pestana Golf Resort, Carvoeiro/Lagoa.
Designed by Russell Talley, this relatively new course, opened in a beautiful natural landscape in early 2004, and already a great favourite, is long with undulating terrain, deep bunkers and large greens requiring good putting skills.Location: North of Portimao, near Monchique.
One of the newest courses to open in the Algarve (2006) and a neighbour to Morgado (see above), this course is also challenging with its undulating landscape, deep bunkers, and large greens. Location: Near Monchique.
Designed by Frank Pennink, and dating from 1975, this course enjoys a spectacular setting with views of the coast and Atlantic, and has 5 ‘links’ holes on the first nine. Location: Odiaxere near Lagos
Designed by Pepe Gancedo, and dating from 1987, this is a varied hilly course with great countryside views on the edge of the Costa da Vicentina Nature Reserve in the Western Algarve. Buggies are recommended.Location: Budens, beyond Lagos.
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1966, although much renovated in 1994/5, though maintaining the original features, this is one of Portugal’s most prestigious courses, which hosted the Portuguese Open in 1998 and 1999. With Cotton’s insight, it inspired many other courses to be constructed in the region. Location: Penina near Portimao.
Designed by Martin Hawtree in 1990, this compact 9 hole course, built in a Pine Wood on the edge of the cliffs, is always well maintained and although not long, has some memorable tees, including the 9th over a ravine, locally known as ‘Devils Parlour’; all in all one of the best 9 holes in Europe. Location: Sheraton Algarve, Albufeira
Designed by Ronald Fream, and dating from 1992, this course has 2 quite different loops, the first nine have undulating fairways and are tree-lined, whilst the second nine are flatter but water comes into play. Location: Quinta do Lago, near Almancil
Designed by William Mitchell and Joseph Lee, this undulating course dating from 1984, enjoys a lovely setting within the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort. Location: Quinta do Lago, near Almancil
Designed by William Mitchell and Joseph Lee, this older course dating from 1974 has hosted the Portugal Open on numerous occasions. It is a well maintained championship course with undulating fairways through pine trees, enjoying a lovely setting within the exclusive Quinta do Lago resort. Location: Quinta do Lago, near Almancil
Designed by Rocky Roquemore, and set in a spectacular location in the Ria Formosa Nature Park, this smoothly undulating course with its mountainous backdrop, sea views, lakes, and surrounded with orange trees and vineyards, has to be one of the most picturesque Algarve courses. Location: Near Tavira.
Designed by Rocky Roquemore, this new championship course located near the Quinta da Ria course, is again laid out in a lovely natural setting with dog-legs to the right and left, sand hazards and lakes - all in all a competitive course. Location: Near Tavira.
Designed in 1994 by Pedro Vasconcelos, this links course has many water hazards and gets quite windy. Location: Albufeira
Designed by Joseph Lee in 1988, this course has been voted 2nd best golf course in continental Europe by Golf World Magazine. This course has some spectacular holes running along the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.Location: Quinta do Lago, near Almancil
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1968, this course is one of the longest established in the Algarve. As the name suggests, this course has fairways sweeping down to the sea at the renowned resort of Vale do Lobo.Location: Vale do Lobo, near Almancil
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton and Rocky Roquemore, this more recent course at Vale do Lobo (incorporating the best of the old vale do lobo course) enjoys beautiful coastal scenery, with the 16th along the cliff-tops, being Europe’s most photographed golf hole. Location: Vale do Lobo, near Almancil
Designed by Frank Pennink in 1969 with renovation in 1996 by Martin Hawtree, this so-called ‘Grande Dame’ of Algarve courses with its tree-lined fairways is a challenge to all players. Location: Vilamoura
Designed in 1976 by Frank Pennink with later additions by Robert Trent Jones, this course with its abundance of umbrella pines, is a combination of styles. Location: Vilamoura
Designed in 1990 by Joseph Lee, this course brings water into play, although there are few trees. Its coastal location means a breeze is lightly, but the course, much improved in recent years, is not so challenging as some. Location: Vilamoura
This newer course at Vilamoura (using some of the former Vilmaoura Laguna holes) has a combination of holes cutting through pine forest and some more open ones. Location: Vilamoura.
Arnold Palmer’s most recent project in Portugal stands to become one of the best and most sophisticated golf courses in Europe. In an effort to preserve the existing wetlands in this area, the course has many water obstacles as well as undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers. Of particular note are the 18 greens, each of which is a different size and shape. Location: Vilamoura.
Designed in 1991 by Donald Steel, this course hosted the Portuguese Open in 1992 and 1994, and has a challenging first 4 holes, and strategic water hazards throughout. There are 3 loops of 9, the Prime, Challenge and Prestige loops, 3241, 3094, and 3079 m in length, respectively. Location: Quarteira near Vilamoura
Praia D’El Rey Golf Course - 18 holes, par 72, 6467 m - ‘…destined to become a household name throughout the golfing world…everything about Praia d’el Rey is spectacular..’ TODAY’S GOLFER
Designed by Cabell B. Robinson in 1997, this championship links golf course running alongside the Atlantic Ocean, is full of superb holes, with spectacular views. This top course has been voted no. 2 in Portugal, and according to Golf World Magazine, 13th in Continental Europe. (Discounts and packages available on request). See more details on Praia d’el Rey in the accommodation section.
Please note all details and specifications indicated above, were correct at time of going to press, and are based on information that has been provided by the courses. We cannot be held responsible for any changes to the courses that may be made at any time. This information serves as a guide only.
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