VILAMOURA GOLF COURSE GUIDE
For golf holidays in Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago & Vale do Lobo.

The latest addition to the Vilamoura golf resort and probably the toughest challenge of all (from the back Tees anyway).  Victoria differs from the majority of Vilamoura courses in that it is over more open country rather than confined in alleyways of parasol pines.  Indubitably, there are stretches where the trees are very much in play but there are also some open areas into most of which Mr. Palmer chose to slap a small lake! This makes the Victoria course a real examination of your game and explains why it is a regular stop on the European Tour. The Victoria Clubhouse offers golfers the full 'US style' service with running flunkies, range balls, buggies et cetera: it is also the most expensive Green-fee in the Vilamoura stable. There is a big hotel on site too the 'Anantara' should you wish to stay closer to the Bermuda grass of the Tee than the bright lights of the marina.

The first course built at Vilamoura in 1969 and extensively upgraded in 1997. The overwhelming feature of the Old course at Vilamoura is the plentiful parasol pines. These line almost every one of the tight, twisting, testing Fairways and encircle the courses one-and-only water hazard too, so there is no escape! As it's the 'the original' its is always in demand, every golfer who visits Vilamoura should play the Old at least once. However the Greenkeepers do a remarkable job of maintaining the course to a very high standard despite the constant footfall. Pavilion style, timber-framed Clubhouse adds a nice touch of nostalgia to the home holes (and post match analysis).

Very similar in style to the 'Old' but one immediately senses a little more room between the pines on the generally broader, flatter fairways. The course extends over a large area of gently descending terrain between holiday villas that split the course into three sections. Water only comes into play on the two furthest holes. Pinhal is an attractive golf course, where you can relax a little more over your shots free from the fear of impending doom, with a large modern Clubhouse and range. Geographically, it lies behind the town and harbour beside the Hilton Hotel and spa.

Sharing the same Clubhouse with the Laguna course, the Millennium seems to bridge the old and the new in Vilamoura. The opening and closing holes are in the traditional Algarvian mode meandering through towering pines, the middle section on the other hand, is much more open in style with water hazards replacing the wooden ones. A very popular golf course at Vilamoura due to the variety of holes and to the sensible pricepoint of its Green-Fee (one of the best value courses we think).

Inland, just past the old Algarvian town of Loulé, is the newest kid on the Vilamoura golfing-block - Ombria.  A self-contained, hilltop resort with a remarkable, highly entertaining, golf course split over two sides of the valley below: views from the Clubhouse and certain Tees are rather enticing!  The course is a riot of bunkers and water hazards (plus boulders on the front-nine!) that adorn every neatly-trimmed Fairway that has been carved from the local forest.  It's a fun course to play and the series of elevated Tees on the outward nine will linger long in your memory.  N.B. Buggies are compulsory - and rather necessary in places!
Luxury hotel on-site for those who would like more than one go at this modern masterpiece (or ask us about the simple hotels in Loulé if you'd prefer a more local, Portuguese ambience).

Aah, San Lorenzo; for many golfers the reason they return to the Algarve year after year. Without doubt one of the best golf courses in Portugal and one of the most exclusive on the Algarve too, realistically playable only by residents at the Dona Filipa hotel. The course begins in traditional Algarvian style under the spreading parasol pines. These soon give way to the visually stunning central and closing sections that run through the nature reserve of the Ria Formosa bordering the coast.  This also means that there is very little in the way of building around the course once you distance yourself from the Clubhouse with its attendant villas. San Lorenzo is one of those rare golfing combinations: a wonderful piece of land with a wonderfully designed course. The small, rustic Clubhouse has sadly burned down and for the time being temporary facilities are in use.

To our mind, one of the finest courses along the Vilamaoura to Quinta do Lago strip and one of the most visually pleasing too. Everyone talks about the par-three 16^th along the red cliffs of the beach, but the other seventeen holes are just as appealing. A very challenging course that travels around the Vale do Lobo estate betwixt fine houses and the odd hotel. Apart from the one cliff-top hole (which is truly spectacular) the Royal course is characterised more by wide Fairways, beautifully manicured, pine trees, dazzling white sands, gnarled fig trees, a splash of blue here and there and elevation changes that will test your club selection - as will the borrows on the usually rapid Greens. Bring your A-game.

The Ocean course at Vale do Lobo is very much a game of three thirds. Initially the course descends from the Clubhouse through the ubiquitous pines; it then moves over towards the Ocean and more open terrain and a couple of holes right alongside the water offering good views along the coast; finally it turns back uphill to the bright white Clubhouse through groves of ancient gnarled cork-oaks like gargoyles around an old church steeple. The course continually improves as you go and we think the closing holes are amongst the best with approaches into magnificent green placements amidst the tortured trunks.

Classic Algarvian golf as you pick your way through parasol pines, frilly bunkers filled with ice-white sand and past exotic looking villas  The recent total overhaul by Paul McGinley has dramatically changed the course, eliminating many of the dog-legs and blind shots into Greens: it is now a much fairer and more enjoyable course.  The first Tee is a little way from the Clubhouse and there are some walks from Green to Tee so a buggy is well worth considering.

Very similar to the North course in terms of terrain, however the holes are generally a little tighter and more testing as they follow the natural contours of the terrain. A thoroughly enjoyable course that builds steadily to a climax as the holes that will linger longest in the memory are the closing ones where you head down to the lower ground to criss-cross the lakes over some very testing holes, quite a finish we can assure you. One of the longer Vilamoura golf courses, so hope (pray?) that your driver is behaving.

A recent addition to the Quinta do Lago selection of courses and a little way from the North and South Clubhouse.  Laranjal derives its name from the old orange grove that once stood on this land (some of it still does in fact!).  Rolling terrain, just about large enough for 18-holes, has been converted into a very attractive golf course with the removal of selected orange trees and the addition of white sand and blue water. Obstacles are plain to see, so no unpleasant surprises untilperhapsyouarrive at the fast, sloping Greens...

Owend by the Dona Filipa hotel who also own San Lorenzo, Pinheiros Altos is often a little overlooked by golfers dashing to the First Tee at the illustrious San Lorenzo Golf Club. Pinheiros Altos is more than worthy of a game or two as it has two very contrasting nines: the front nine is quite tight and demands a degree of control to safely negotiate the hills and dog-legs; the back nine is flatter and water comes into play – frequently. Beautifully incorporated into the course design, these water hazards are both aestetically pleasing and golfingly frustrating - just how they should be! The last two holes are particularly memorable.

Intertwined with Vilamoura's Millennium course, the Laguna course contrasts markedly with all the other pine-lined courses of the Algarve. There are fewer trees around here, but it's not for the aquaphobic as there is water (very) present on eleven of the holes. Well there is a clue on the course's name! The Laguna course plays out in the broad sunlight, over hummocks and hollows; this is a thought-provoking layout, where placement of the ball off the Tee is a necessity to ensure a successful round. It does pass alongside the main road in places but that's unavoidable in such a busy holiday area.

Ostensibly level terrain with a few elevated Tees and Greens here and there, Vila Sol feels as if the landscape has naturally dictated the course with the architect adding a few finishing touches here and there rather than huge earth moving exercises. Three loops of 9 holes, combined into three 18 holes courses each day, adds to the variety.

Other courses to consider:-

East of Faro there are some very interesting golf developments at Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima.
Heading further West, Penina and the other courses of the western Algarve are easily reachable for a day’s golf.