Western Algarve Courses
Parque da Floresta
The most westerly of the
Algarve courses, Parque da Floresta has been carved out of the hills, creating
a real roller coaster that takes you across chasms, lakes and creeks. This
tricky course offers real variety, with no two holes remotely alike. Highlights
include the memorable opening hole, a sweeping dogleg par 5, and the par 3
15th, where the tee shot over a tree-filled ravine is a real test of nerve.
One round isn't really enough to fully appreciate the imaginative design and
magnificent views, but we'd advise you to play somewhere else on a windy day.
Buggies recommended.
Designer: Pepe Gancedo
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Penncross bent
Par: 71
Length: 6439 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, 16 February - May, September, October (high season) £39; December, January - 15 February, June - August (low season) £32
Boavista Golf Club Newly built and opened in
2002, Boavista has already established itself as one of the best courses in
the area. The layout is cleverly integrated into the natural terrain as the
rolling fairways weave their way between water hazards and shrewdly placed
bunkers. Boavista's signature hole is the par 3 6th, which requires a 210-yard
shot across a deep ravine onto a three-tiered green. The course has great
views of the Atlantic Ocean and is definitely one for the 'must play' list.
With green fees from as low as £27, it offers outstanding value for money
too.
Designer: Howard Swan
Par: 71
Length: 6670 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - May, September, October (high season) £38; December, January, June - August (low season) £29
Palmares Golf Club The oldest course in
the area, Palmares used to be the only place to play in the far west. With
the recent increase in competition, the owners have invested in new tees and
greens that have significantly improved the course and reaffirmed its status
as a 'must play'. Located in an enviable position with spectacular views of
the Bay of Lagos and the Monchique Mountains, Palmares combines links and
woodland holes to glorious effect. We think the 1st hole is one of the most
impressive in the Algarve.
Designer: Frank Pennink
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Penncross/Penn A4
Par: 71
Length: 6519 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - May, 15 - 30 September & October (high season) £47; December, January, June - 14 September (low season) £31
Alto Golf Club Alto is a typical Henry Cotton
course - testing for low handicappers but at the same time enjoyable for ordinary
club golfers. It's more open and has deeper rough than most courses in the
Algarve. The par 5 16th, appropriately named 'The Giant', is one of the longest
holes in Europe - anyone who makes a birdie here receives a special certificate
and has their name inscribed on the club's roll of honour. Alto isn't one
of our favourites (some new villas are a little close to the fairways for
our liking), but is worth a visit if you fancy something different.
Designer: Henry Cotton/Peter Dobereiner
Fairways: Bermuda and rye grass mix
Greens: Pennlinks
Par: 72
Length: 6698 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - June, September - October (high season) £31; December, January & August (low season) £24
Vale da Pinta Golf Club Renowned course designer
Ronald Fream considers Pinta his finest creation, and it is without doubt
one of the best courses in the region. It takes full advantage of the landscape's
natural valleys and undulations to provide a true test of golf and, with five
different sets of tees, can be enjoyed whatever your ability. The course is
characterised by large greens protected by strategically placed bunkers, as
well as by the ever-present olive trees that decorate the fairways. Ranked
in Golf World's top 100 European courses, Pinta is a 'must play'.
Designer: Ronald Fream
Fairways: Bermuda wintergreen
Greens: Penncross bent
Par: 71
Length: 6411 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, 16 February - April, 16 September - October (high season) £46; December- 15 February, May - 15 September (low season) £31
Quinta do Gramacho Golf Club Formerly a
9-hole course, Gramacho is now a more conventional 18-hole layout. With the
addition of the new 9 holes, designed by ex-Open champion Nick Price, it has
become a serious rival to its championship neighbours. Built on undulating
terrain and with a myriad of tactically positioned bunkers and newly planted
trees, course management and accuracy are vital to success here. In our opinion
though, Gramacho's biggest advantage is its greens, which have been compared
with those at Augusta - need we say more?
Designer: Ronald Fream/Nick Price
Fairways: Bermuda and ray grass mix
Greens: Penncross bent
Par: 72
Length: 6473 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, 16 February - April, 16 September - October (high season) £46; December- 15 February, May - 15 September (low season) £31
Salgados Golf Club
Salgados is situated
very close to the sea and water is a permanent hazard on the course, coming
into play on almost every hole. You need to play straight on this challenging
layout, which has a very American feel. Salgados provides a contrast to any
other course in the area and is fine if you're looking for something different,
but is nonetheless not one of our favourites. If you like Florida golf though,
give it a try.
Designer: Pedro Vasconcelos/Robert Muir-Graves
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 419
Greens: Penncross
Par: 72
Length: 6600 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - May, 16 September - October (high season) £44; December, January, June - 15 September (low season) £32
Morgado Golf Club Opened in early 2004,
this new course is an absolute golfing gem. Situated close to Alvor with breathtaking
views of the Monchique Mountains and the western coastline, Morgado has one
of the most natural golf settings in Portugal. The course plays through rolling
hills and has undulating greens that are well guarded by impressive bunkers.
Another big plus is the absence of holiday villas or apartments, making this
one of the few Algarve courses where you can play in peace and really enjoy
the wonderful scenery. A 'must play' - especially at the special Longshot
green fee of only £39.
Par: 73
Length: 7300 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - May, September - October (high season) £44; December, January, June - August (low season) £31
Penina Championship Course Rated 84th in
Europe by Golf World magazine, Penina is a truly magnificent course, and the
only way to play it is as a Penina hotel guest (or, subject to availability,
as a guest at the Dona Filipa hotel). Not only do guests actually get to play
on this exclusive course, but they also benefit from some fantastic free golf
offers and reduced green fees. The course has had its critics over the years
and has been much changed, but our recent inspection confirmed that it's among
the very best in the Algarve. The challenging layout will test every golfer's
shot-making ability. You'll need long irons and even woods to reach some of
the par 3s, and you'll have to hit great 2nd shots on the 1st, 2nd, 9th and
12th holes. The hotel also has the less demanding academy and resort courses,
both of which have 9 holes and are enjoyable for beginners and experienced
players alike.
Designer: Henry Cotton
Fairways: Creeping bent
Greens: Creeping bent 'cobra'
Par: 73
Length: 7042 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08 (limited availability for non-residents): November, February - May, 16 September - October (high season) £60; December, January, June - 15 September (low season) £46
Penina hotel guests only:
Free golf for Penina hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08:
Free daily golf at Penina 1 - 24 November, 27 January - 2 March, 30 June - 24 August
All other dates: 7 night stays receive 3 free rounds; 5/6 nights receive 1 free round.