Golf Courses of the Central Algarve, Portugal


Laguna, Vilamoura

Laguna is very open with few trees, the challenge coming from well-conceived water and sand traps. It is a very popular course that can be enjoyed by players on all handicap levels, and visitors can achieve good scores. But as Vilamoura's second most difficult course, it should not be treated lightly, especially if it's windy. With some real card-wrecker holes lying in wait, a course-planner is a good buy. Easy walking.

Our verdict: An enjoyable day's golf for all players, good value. Very popular with our clients.

Architect : Joseph Lee
6,133 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36
Challenge rating (out of 10) 8
Course type: lightly undulating, open countryside

Millennium, Vilamoura

A varied course: There is a very attractive and challanging tree-lined section that contains a couple of the best holes in Portugal. But there are also many holes with open fairways that invite you to get the driver out. And there is some water to spice things up. Overall, it's a very enjoyable course that doesn't challenge you to the limit, but is certainly no push-over either, and has lots to keep you interested. Shares the same well-equipped clubhouse as Laguna. Easy walking.

Our verdict: A very well-kept course with something for everyone. It should be on your short-list.

Architect : Hawtree & Sons
6,200 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 24 Women 28
Challenge rating (out of 10) 5
Course Type: lightly undulating, open countryside and parkland

Ocean Course, Vale do Lobo

An inspiring course. The front nine meanders gently inland with views to the distant hills. The back nine is stunning, with greens set against the backdrop of white sand and blue sea, and we think this is among the best nines in Portugal. A challenging course for golfers of all handicaps.

Our verdict: Expensive, but a beautiful, feel-good course, a delight to play

Architect : Sir Henry Cotton and William Roquemore
5,493 metres Par 71
Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36
Challenge rating (out of 10) 7
Course Type: links and undulating seaside parkland, a bit hilly in places

Old Course, Vilamoura

This is the original Vilamoura course and the one everyone wants to play. Why? The answer is that this is a wonderfully understated layout and a pleasure to play from start to finish. It's attractively tree-lined with many clever holes to test your skill and strategy. Our most popular course and tee times can be very hard to get at peak times. Some people book 12 months ahead.

Our verdict: No gimmicks here. Golf as it should be. Play it, but be prepared to book well in advance.

Architect : Frank Pennink
6,254 metres Par 73
Handicap ; Men 24 Women 28
Challenge rating (out of 10) 7
Course Type: undulating parkland


Pinhal, Vilamoura

Pinhal is an attractive course, lined with umbrella pines and villas. It is a very fair course, with the trees being well-spaced and the fairways wide enough for most players. It's main defence are some long par fours, where a bogey is a good score for most players.The club house and practice facilities are very good. A long but comfortable walk.

Our verdict: An excellent course at the price. Very popular with our clients.

Architect : Frank Pennink, Robert Trent Jones.
6,300 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36
Challenge rating (out of 10) 8
Course Type: Lightly undulating parkland

Quinta do Lago South

The Quinta do Lago estate is one of Europe's top golfing venues and an upmarket experience. 8 times host to the Portuguese open, the south course is one of the best known and longest-established courses in the Algarve, and is still one of the best. It's undulating, and is tree-lined but without being particularly tight, as the fairways are reasonably generous and the trees are well spaced. Very fair greens. Water on 3 holes. A high-quality and a totally satisfying golfing experience from start to finish.

Our verdict: Very classy, highly recommended

Architects : William Mitchell, William Roquemore and Joseph Lee
6,488 meters Par 74
Handicap ; Men 27 Women 34
Challenge rating (out of 10) 7
Course Type: undulating parkland


Quinta do Lago North (Formerly Ria Formosa)

The terrain is identical to Quinta do Lago South's. But it offers very different challenges. The course has 4 magnificent par 5 holes. The par 4's are generally dog legs, giving a choice of tactics off the tee according to your ability. The par 3 holes are influenced by the wind requiring very precise shots. Officially on the EGA system, it is rated as slightly harder than the south course. Water on just 2 holes.

Our verdict: like the south course, this is a classy course that we recommend

Architects : William Mitchell, Joseph Lee and Rocky Roquemore
6,486 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36
Challenge rating (out of 10) 8
Course Type: undulating parkland


Royal Course, Vale do Lobo

An immaculate, tree-lined course, with clever bunkering and tricky greens, the Royal plays tight. The sixteenth hole, a par 3 carry over a ravine with the beach below, is possibly the most photographed in Europe, and is on our homepage. A class experience. Buggy compulsory for morning tee times.

Our verdict: Expensive, but you will treasure that photograph of yourself on the tee at the famous 16th.

Architect : Sir Henry Cotton and William Roquemore
6,174 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 27 Women 35
Challenge rating (out of 10) 8
Course Type: undulating seaside parkland, a bit hilly in places


San Lorenzo

This famous course can only be booked if you are a guest at the 5-star Dona Felipa hotel. If you are interested in booking a package based at this hotel, please contact us for a quote.

Architect . Joseph Lee
6,238 metres Par 73
Handicap ; Men 24 Women 28
Challenge rating (out of 10) 6
Course Type: undulating seaside and parkland


Victoria, Vilamoura.

This Arnold Palmer design was opened in September 2004 and has already hosted the Golf World Cup. It's a long course with fast, open fairways that beg you to get the driver out of the bag. There isn't a weak hole on the course. We like the way that for the first six holes you have a chance to settle into your game, then from the 7th it's high drama all the way to the 18th. Not many trees, but lots of sand and water. Lower handicappers will enjoy Victoria very much, but higher handicappers will get round okay if they use their heads, and older players have the option of playing off senior's tees. An easy walk.

Our verdict: Peugeot have named Victoria as one of the two best golf courses in Portugal in their 2006 Golf Guide (the other course was Quinta de Cima in the eastern Algarve) and we think it's great also. But the price tag will put off some golfers.

Architect: Arnold Palmer
6,560 metres Par 72
Challenge rating (out of 10) 8
Course Type: Lightly undulating open countryside


Vila Sol, Vilamoura

Highly rated, Vila Sol was opened in 1991 and has been used twice as the venue of the Portugal Open. There are 3 loops of 9 holes: Prime, Challenge and Prestige. The course is shaped by attractive umbrella pine trees that are the course's main defence, as there is little bunkering. Only 2 of the 27 holes have a fairway bunker, and many greens are undefended. But don't let that fool you, this is thinking-man's golf at it's best. A comfortable walk.

Our verdict: Arguably the best parkland course in Portugal, especially if you prefer to walk rather than buggy. It gets our unreserved recommendation.

Architect :Donald Steel
6,189 metres Par 72
Handicap ; Men 21 Women 35
Challenge rating (out of 10) 9
Course Type: Lightly undulating parkland