Golf

Enquiries and reservations for many courses can be made via the Resort Reception. Why not consider joining the Golf Federation for approximately 50 Euros and then receive 25-30% off green fees at all courses listed here.

Palmares - This course is laid out on the side of a south-facing hill overlooking the Bay of Lagos. It is questionably the most attractive location of all the golf courses in the Algarve. The views as you play your

Golfe do Morgado - This new championship golf course, the first of a projected two, lies on the lower slops of Monchique. In golf course construction terms the terrain is unique in the Algarve, reminiscent of rolling parkland, with wonderful views inland to the hills.

Carvoeiro - Gramacho Golf Resort - The present course is the result of a conversion from Ronald Fream’s original, unique double-nine layout. The opening holes remain much as they were, but the new holes. Five through thirteen are those, which bring the course to potential championship status. All are on undulating land, with narrow fairways demanding careful play. Pinta, the condition of Gramacho is maintained to a high standard all year round.

Carvoeiro - Vale da Pinta - Set in an area of undulating land not far from the popular seaside village of Carveioro, Pinta and Gramacho is the work of a master course design, Ronald Fream. Indeed, as soon as Fream saw the land, he declared it to be ‘God-given’ for golf. Scattered with almond, carob and olive trees – many centuries old – and with natural rocky outcrops, he envisaged the construction of two courses with the minimum of environmental disruption.

Vale de Milho - When Dave Thomas designed Vale de Milho, he deliberately set out to provide a golf facility, which did not necessarily require using woods. The result is a course, which is excellent for beginners, but also gives more experienced golfers the chance to concentrate on their shot game.

Salgados - The course here is uncharacteristically flat. Not unnaturally, 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 sensation of having been transported to the sunshine of Florida. The area is adjacent to a bird sanctuary and is home to many varieties of waterfowl. Apparently they are not unduly put off by the invasion of their privacy.

Balaia - This attractive par-3 course is one of the Algarve’s golfing gems. Set within Balaia Golf Village complex, east of the bustling holiday resort of Albufeira and looking out over the ocean, it is a course to test every golfer, irrespective of handicap. You can play eighteen holes concentrate on your short game, without the drilling which time on a practice ground sometimes implies. Alternatively, you can just play nine, leaving plenty of time for other activities.

Sheraton Pine Cliffs - Well-known because of its appeal to international golfing celebrities, Pine Cliffs enjoys an exceptional cliff top position. The clubs’ first president was racing driver Nigel Mansell. Frequent visitors include European Tour players who use the facilities for winter training. Located between Vilamoura and Albufeira, the course layout uses it spectacular setting to good advantage. Served by the five-star Sheraton Algarve Hotel, it is understandably popular throughout the year.

Vilamoura - Millennium Golf Course - Vilamoura’s fourth course is an exciting addition to one of Europe’s finest golfing destinations. It demonstrates the technical and aesthetic excellence which the on-going ‘Vilamoura XX1’ improvement and expansion programme seeks to achieve. Martin Hawtree’s completely new front nine holes are a prefect complement to the extensively reshaped original ‘north@ loop of the precious Laguna layout. Four of the Millenniums first nine holes are over rolling parkland; the remainder are set between umbrella pines, such a distinctive feature of this part of the Algarve.

Vilamoura - Laguna Golf Course - In stark contrast to the three sister courses, Laguna is without pines and as its name suggest, incorporates water hazards in its fairly flat layout. It used to have three nine-hole loops. The former East and South loops now form the 18-hole Laguna course. The former North loop was renovated and combined with a new nine to form the Millennium course.

Vilamoura - Pinhal - Again, a course, which is distinguished by its pine tree-lined fairways. The first nine holes meander through an exclusive residential complex. The second nine are built on more open and undulating land with occasional glimpses of the sea beyond. Pinhal has undergone substantial remodelling and the resulting modifications to holed 5, 12 and 15 have greatly enhanced this already popular course.

Vila Sol - This was the first course in Portugal to be designed by the English golf architect Donald Steel. Opened in 1991, it quickly gained international fame by hosting the Portuguese Open of the next two years. Steel has always has a policy which seeks to protect nature. His initial good works have been carefully continued by the owners of the course. Indeed, in 1996 the European Golf Association’s Ecology Unit awarded a Green Flag to Vila Sol for its high standard of environmental management. Steel has now designed a further nine holes within the complex, which compliment the existing course already.

Vale do Lobo - Ocean Course - As its name implies, the Ocean Course provided attractive links-style holes adjacent to the Atlantic. There are parkland holes, too, meandering through Vale do Lobo estate. The combination provides a challenging course for golfers of all handicaps.

Vale do Lobo - Royal Course - Originally designed by Sir Henry Cotton and containing the famous seventh hole, ‘Rocky’ Roquemore subsequently elaborated the original plans and laid out a wonderful test of golf.

Pinheiros Altos - With two distinctly different nines, Pinheiros Altos, provides a real golfing challenge. The first nine wends it way over and through pine-clad rolling countryside. The second nine drops own to a valley bottom, which intrusive lakes provide a test of accuracy. Pinheiros Altos always offers a warm welcome whether it be staff, course condition or the very popular bar and restaurant.

Quinta do Lago - North - Apart from par 3’s, nearly every hole has some form of dog-leg, some quite severe, others just hinting at a curve. What they have in common is that they demand accuracy from the drives to achieve the best results from the second shots.

Quinta do Lago - South - The original layout was 27 holes, but the subsequent addition of a further nine holes meant that two completely distinct courses came into existence. Originally known as ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ it was ‘B’ AND ‘C’ which comprised of the old ‘Championship’ course. It is now known as ‘Quinta do Lago’ and has played host to seven Portuguese Opens. ‘A’ and the newcomer ‘D’ make up the Ria Formosa course. It has enormously enhanced the golf on offer at this prestigious location only 20 minutes from Faro Airport. It is a truly international setting, synonymous with luxury and exclusivity. Both the courses enjoy spectacular views.

San Lorenzo - Set in the spectacular Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, this course shares the same exclusive and charismatic location enjoyed by Quinta do Lago and Pinheiros Altos. Although the sheer magnificence of the setting can cause some confusion, the course is ‘user friendly’ and it is consistently maintained to an excellent standard. Golf world currently rank it number 8 in the continental Europe.

Benamor - The first course to open to the east of the capital of Algarve, Faro, lies between the Tavira coast and the uplands of the Serra do Caldeirao. The course offers views both southward out to the Atlantic Ocean and northward towards the hinterland with its striking hills and fertile valleys.

Colina Verde - ‘Maragota Golf’ an exclusive private condominium forming part of Golf Colina Verde, has been open since April 2003. This attractive 9-hole executive course forms an integral part of the condominium, offering accommodation in a 4-star luxury Apart hotel comprising some 31 spacious apartments. ‘Maragota Golf’ course is set out on undulating land in front of the hotel, and has magnificent views both inland and out to sea. The 9 holes incorporate 8 par 3’s and 1 par 4 (the second). A putting green and chipping practice area complete the very attractive picture. This course adds another quality golf facility to this beautiful area of Portugal’s eastern Algarve.

Quinta da Ria - There are two 18-hole courses on the Quinta da Ria estate located near the coast between Tavira and Monte Gordo. The first to open was named after the estate Quinta da Ria.

Quinta de Cima - Quinta de Cima is a championship-style course of great character. Running thematically through the stunning layout is a series of lakes connected by a stream, which architect William ‘Rocky’ Roquemore has skilfully incorporated as an added challenge to players. Both have expansive views along the coast and inland to the hills of the Serra do Caldeirao.

Castro Marim - As ell as commanding views of the ocean the most easterly course in the Algarve overlooks the broad estuary of the Guadiana River, which forms the border between Portugal and Spain. The course is within the Castro Marim Golf and Country Club, which takes its name from the nearby village famous for its medieval castle. There is a backdrop of rounded hills, rolling northwards towards the Portuguese province of Alentejo.

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