The Finest Fairways in the Algarve
Portugal is one of the finest golf destinations in the world. Over 400,000 golfers tee- off from one of its premier courses every year.
Boasting a vast array of picturesque courses skirting the stunning coastline, the Algarve is the country's golfing hotspot.
Offering veterans and pros some genuine challenges, while also providing a stunning backdrop to ensure even total novices have an unforgettable round, the resorts of the Algarve are a golfing destination every player should aim to visit at least once.
With over 35 courses in the area, choosing where to play can be a hard decision. As a result, we're looking at some of the very finest fairways in this beautiful corner of Europe.
Here are five of our favourites...
Vale do Lobo – Royal Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Inaugurated: 1997
Designer: Rocky Roquemore
One of two idyllic courses at the prestigious Vale do Lobo Resort, set right in the centre of the Algarve's coastline, the Royal Course's design was based on drawings by Sir Henry Cotton. You'll see at a glance why it's widely recognised as one of the most prestigious courses in Portugal; the world famous cliff-top carryover at the 16th is one of the most photographed holes in the world, and carries a genuine challenge.
Fig trees and umbrella pines line the fairways of the Royal, which sits adjacent to the deep blues of the Atlantic and plays dramatically along the cliff's edge. Players not only get to experience the beauty of the 16th first hand, but also try their hand at the 9th, which features a near-island green and offers an opportunity to become a member of the resort's 'Hole-in-One Hall of Fame'. The course has become a symbol of golf in the Algarve, and this par 72 is a must- play during any golfing visit.
Quinta do Lago – South Course
Holes: 18
Par:72
Inagurated: 1974
Designer: William Mitchell
Particularly suited to the long hitter, the South Course at Quinta do Lago has been used for the Portuguese Open eight times (including for Colin Montgomerie's 1989 victory), and is a known favourite among tour players from Europe. The South Course, known as the resort's 'crown jewel', offers a wide range of challenges hole to hole, and its 6,500m elevation offers views of the idyllic Ria Formosa National Park.
Despite its pedigree in the touring game, this golf course has plenty to tempt players of a lesser handicap too. A game on the South Course is often one of two halves, with the front nine rewarding draw shots, and the rear favouring a fade. With a great degree of variety - and a consistent requirement for precise tee shots - this is a fantastic course on which to hone your skills. The Quinta do Lago South Course is even replete with awkward doglegs and hazards, ensuring that each game is as exciting and memorable as the last.
Quinta do Lago – North Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Inaugurated: 1974(redesigned in 2014)
Designer: Beau Welling
As the newest addition to Quinto do Lago's five-star offerings, the North Course (completely overhauled in 2014 by renowned architect Beau Welling, in collaboration with Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley) has swiftly become one of the new stars of the Algarve golf scene, and the European game more widely. At just under 6,200m, the North Course is a $9million investment of the highest specifications, and the results are stunning.
With every aspect, from the greens right down to the bunkers, tees and irrigation systems, redefined using the most innovative technology, each hole now offers four sets of tees to accommodate a wide range of handicaps and abilities. Undulating greens, seasonal rough grass and carefully-crafted bunkers and water hazards contribute towards a golf course that's both challenging and aesthetically splendid.
To top it all off, the new designs ensure that the course operates at the highest eco standards, with water recycling, solar energy, and grassy patches encouraging a thriving ecology. This is a shining example of what can be achieved with modern golf architecture, and it's one of the best courses in the Algarve.
San Lorenzo
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Inaugurated: 1988
Designer: Joseph Lee and Rocky Roquemore
As one of the most demanding and remarkable golf courses in the Algarve, San Lorenzo has more than earned its reputation as one of the finest courses in Portugal and its place at 15th on Golf World's 100 best golf resorts in continental Europe. San Lorenzo capitalises on its sweeping topography and leaves a lasting impression on all those who enjoy a round here.
Striking a fine balance between a variety of aesthetic elements, including meandering pine woodlands, breath-taking ocean views and mountain vistas, San Lorenzo is far from an easy course. A handicap of 28 for men and 36 for women applies; so long as you make the grade, the course is endlessly rewarding. Its 18 holes border the Rio Formosa Estuary and saltwater lagoons, and its flawless Bermuda grass fairways provide flawless playing conditions.
Dom Pedro Old Course
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Inaugurated: 1969 (renovated in 1996)
Designer: Frank Penninck
Few who enjoy a round at The Old Course Golf Club could deny its memorability, beauty and uniqueness. Known as the 'Grand Dame' of Algarve courses, the Old Course was one of the first-established layouts in the region, and this Penninck design is highly-regarded throughout the sporting world. Renovated and modernised in 1996, all of the original '69 course's challenge was preserved, but the quality of the course was elevated to even higher, exceptional standards.
This par 73 is long, winding and somewhat reminiscent of an English style course. The opening hole (a short par 4 that features a bottleneck fairway and tempts a long drive) sets the tone for a game that's exhilarating, and rewards well-executed risk. With the right club choice, advanced players can try for a hole-in-one at hole 4 (a short par 3), and the mid-game hole 9 is widely considered the most demanding, with the landing area by the green fraught with hazards.
Along with the new clubhouse, and its charming adjacent putting green, the Old Course provides visitors with access not just to some of the best golf on the Algarve, but one its most respected and impressive resorts. As with all Vilamoura courses, environmental protection is ensured; The Old Course is a fantastic example of just how good golf in the Algarve can be.