Golf Courses on the Algarve
You will be spoilt for choice with the many top quality golf courses there are within close proximity to your golf property.
Here we give you just a taste of the hours of enjoyment you would experience at some of the best golf courses in Europe.
The Ocean Golf Course
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
18 |
| Founded |
1968 |
| Architect |
Sir Henry Cotton |
| Length Yellow/Orange |
5.909m |
| Length Orange/Green |
5.448m |
| Length Green/Yellow |
5.649m |
| Par |
72 |
As the name suggests, the Ocean Golf Course hugs the edge of the blue Atlantic sea and meanders through pine trees and along spectacular cliff edges. The fairways have a tendency to be narrow and accuracy is imperative when playing. As one of the older golf courses, originally founded in 1968 by Sir Henry Cotton who is credited with bringing golf to the Algarve, it was extended in 1996 by Robert Trent Jones from 9 to 18 holes. Sea breezes on some of the holes demand your optimum concentration and the two par 5 holes in the final three ensure a great finish to this excellent course.
Click on the images below of the Ocean Golf Course to see an enlargement.
The Royal Golf Course
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
18 |
| Founded |
1997 |
| Architect |
Sir Henry Cotton/Rocky Roquemore |
| Length Yellow/Orange |
5.909m |
| Length Orange/Green |
5.448m |
| Length Green/Yellow |
5.649m |
| Par |
73 |
The course combines the former Yellow 9 hole course designed by Sir Henry Cotton, and 9 new holes adapted by Rocky Roquemore from Cotton's original plan. Set amongst rolling pine covered terrain, the layout of the course is skilful with a mixture of challenges slowly building up to a a tricky hole on which to finish, with its narrow fairway and a deceptive green. One of Roquemore's contributions is the par 3 9th over a lake to a stunning semi-island green.
Click on the images below of the Royal Golf Course to see an enlargement.
The Quinta do Lago North Golf Course (Ria Formosa)
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
18 |
| Founded |
1974 |
| Architect |
William Mitchell/Rocky Roquemore |
| Length White |
6.205m |
| Length Yellow |
5.804m |
| Length Red |
5.031m |
| Par |
72 |
The terrain and views on this golf course are superb and typical of the Algarve area. In the spring, the rough is covered with a blanket of wild flowers, heather and gorse. The greens are sown with Creeping Bentgrass Penncross, providing good all-year round putting surfaces. The course has four great par-5 Holes requiring power and accuracy to play them well. The par-3 Holes are influenced by the wind and require some concentration. Hole 14 is outstanding. The par-4s are all doglegs except for for Holes 10 and 13. Precision driving is vital to set up the chance of a low score and the lakes on Holes 13 and 18 claim many victims.
Click on the images below of the Quinta do Lago North
(Ria Formosa) Golf Course to see an enlargement.
The Quinta do Lago South Golf Course
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
18 |
| Founded |
1974 |
| Architect |
William Mitchell/Rocky Roquemore |
| Length White |
6.488m |
| Length Yellow |
5.870m |
| Length Red |
5.192m |
| Par |
72 |
Probably the most well known of the golf courses in the area as it has been used seven times for the Portuguese Open Golf Championship. This golf course favours the long hitter, but requires the player to pick a particular route to score well. Although both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. Holes 3, 15 and 17, feature lakes that must be negotiated. Holes 8, 10,15 and 18, are the most testing for the scratch player while Holes 2, 3, 5, 12, 13 and 17, offer the best possibilities of birdies. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards.
Click on the images below of the Quinta do Lago South
Golf Course to see an enlargement.
The Pinheiros Altos Golf Course
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
27 |
| Founded |
1991 |
| Architect |
Ronald Fream/Jorge Santana |
| Olives + Pines, 18 holes |
| Length White |
6.028m |
| Length Yellow |
5.643m |
| Length Red |
4.797m |
| Par |
72 |
| Corks + Olives, 18 holes |
| Length White |
6.137m |
| Length Yellow |
5.747m |
| Length Red |
5.032m |
| Par |
72 |
| Pines + Corks, 18 holes |
| Length White |
6.199m |
| Length Yellow |
5.810m |
| Length Red |
4.901m |
| Par |
72 |
Located within the well-known Quinta do Lago estate this course enjoys a solid reputation. Within the golfing world it is known as providing a mental challenge due to well placed hazards. There are now 27 holes made up of three groups of nine holes named Oliveiras (Olives), Pinheiros (Pines) and Sobreiros (Corks), respectively. The Pines, as its name suggests, meanders through typical Algarvian pine woods whereas many water hazards must be negotiated coming home. The rest is much flatter but the holes work their way through a series of lakes requiring accurate driving and precise iron play. The greens have a reputation for being the most difficult to read and to hit because they are small and undulating and usually in very good condition. The course embraces part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, making this another course of beauty and challenge for players of all standards.
Click on the images below of the Pinheiros Altos
Golf Course to see an enlargement.
The San Lorenzo Golf Course
| Course Details |
| Nº of holes |
18 |
| Founded |
1988 |
| Architect |
Joseph Lee |
| Length White |
6.238m |
| Length Yellow |
5.837m |
| Length Red |
5.171m |
| Par |
72 |
Although open since 1988 only, San Lorenzo has built up an enviable reputation as a course you must play if you are in the Algarve. It has been ranked in the past as the second best course in Europe. The outward first five holes are through the pine tree forest. Water and good hole layouts provides the hazards that play a big part in players having to select clubs and hit with care. The eighteenth is a tricky par-4 mainly involving a lake that is waiting for the inaccurate shot. For several years, the British Daily Telegraph Junior Golf Championship finals were held on the San Lorenzo course.
Click on the images below of the San Lorenzo
Golf Course to see an enlargement.
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