Western Algarve Courses
2007/2008 Green Fees. Please call 0800 915 1804 for details.
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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/12/07 - 15/02/08, 01/06/08 - 31/08/08 £20: 01/11/07-30/11/07, 16/02/08 - 31/05/08, 01/09/08 - 31/10/08 £39
Boavista Golf Club 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 £29, it offers outstanding value for money too.
Designer: Howard Swan
Par: 71
Length: 6670 yards
Green fees 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 01/02/08 - 31/05/08, 01/09/08 - 31/10/08 £38; 01/12/07 - 31/01/08, 01/06/08 - 31/08/08 £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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 01/02/08 - 31/05/08, 15/09/08 - 31/10/08 £47; 01/12/07 - 31/01/08, 01/06/08 - 14/09/08 £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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 01/02/08 - 30/06/08, 01/09/08 - 31/10/08 £31; 01/12/07 - 31/01/08, 01/07/08 - 31/08/08£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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 16/02/08 - 31/05/08, 16/09/08 - 31/10/08 £46; 01/12/07 - 15/02/08, 01/06/08 - 15/09/08 £31
Pestana hotel guests only
Free upgrades to daily golf available for Pestana hotel guests
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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 16/02/08 - 31/05/08, 16/09/08 - 31/10/08 £46; 01/12/07 - 15/02/08, 01/06/08 - 15/09/08 £31
Pestana hotel guests only
Free upgrades to daily golf available for Pestana hotel guests
Silves Silves is a serene spot, but the course is anything but the proverbial walk in the park.
The Course has a fine collection of par 3s, and the four par 5s are extraordinary. As for two-shot holes, there is great variety, ranging from the short and arrow-straight, but formidable opening hole to the long and spectacularly curving 13th, blending harmoniously into its immediate surroundings.
Target golf reigns supreme. A drive at the opening hole has to flirt with a huge bunker bordering the right side of the fairway. A heroic shot carrying this bunker will reward the player by taking the green side bunker out of play for the approach shot.
Designer: José Matias & Peter Booth
Fairways: Lolium Perenne
Greens: Penn A4
Par: 70
Length: 6177 yards
Green fees 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 16/02/08 - 31/05/08, 16/09/08 - 31/10/08 £42; 01/12/07 - 15/02/08, 01/06/08 - 15/09/08 £39
Pestana hotel guests only
Free upgrades to daily golf available for Pestana hotel guests
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 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 01/02/08 - 31/05/08, 16/09/08 - 31/10/08 £44; 01/12/07 - 31/01/08, 01/06/08 - 15/09/08 £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 Bill Goff green fee from
only £39.
Par: 73
Length: 7300 yards
Green fees 01/11/07 - 31/10/08: 01/11/07 - 30/11/07, 01/02/08 - 31/05/08, 01/09/08 - 31/10/08 £44; 01/12/07 - 31/01/08, 01/06/08 - 31/08/08 £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
Penina hotel guests only 01/11/07 - 31/10/08
01/11/07 - 23/11/07 & 26/01/08 - 29/02/08; Free daily golf on any of the Penina Courses (rounds on the Championship course limited), 7 nights - 4 round, 5/6 nights - 3 round, 3/4 nights - 2 rounds, 2 nights - 1 round
24/11/07 - 25/01/08 & 28/06/08 - 22/08/0; Free daily golf on any of the Penina Courses with 1 round per day on the Championship Cours, 01/03/08 - 27/06/08, 23/08/08 - 31/10/0, Stay 7 nights and receive 3 free rounds on any of the Penina Courses. Stay 3 nights and receive one round on any of the Penina courses.
Residents additional rounds on Penina Championship Course:24/11/07 - 25/01/08 & 28/06/08 - 22/08/08 £28, 01/03/08 - 11/04/08 & 23/08/08 - 31/10/08 £34, 26/01/08 - 29/02/08 & 12/04/08 - 27/06/08 £30