Home

E-mail Us

About Us

Discount
Tee Times

Algarve
Golf Courses

Lisbon Golf
Packages

Algarve Golf
Packages

Vale do Lobo
Packages

Car Hire

Airport
Transfers

About the
Algarve

Terms &
Conditions

Western Algarve

Stretching out along the coast between Albufeira and Sagres are a wide variety of courses in some stunning locations. The courses here tend to be less expensive and less busy than the Central Algarve. But there are some serious, quality courses here, including the world famous Penina. There are many popular small resorts, great beaches, and the mountains of Monchique to visit after golf.

So how do you decide between the Central and Western Algarve? We think that if you want to play the most famous courses and stay in the most manicured resorts, the Central Algarve is unbeatable. After all, Vilamoura was voted the best golf resort in the world in 2000. However, if you want fine courses and want to see a bit more of what real Portugal is all about, then the west is best. The choice is yours. And if you really can't decide, the two areas are close enough to try a bit of both.

Penina

You cannot visit Penina without admiring the vision of Sir Henry Cotton. When the 3-times Open winner came to the Algarve in the 'sixties, the region was an underpopulated agricultural backwater, unknown to most tourists, and devoid of golf. A far cry from today. But on land previously used for rice growing, he started the Algarve's golfing revolution. 360,000 trees and shrubs were planted to create the framwork for the course, and now many years later it has matured into one of Europe's great championship courses. It has hosted the Portuguese Open many times, and as recently as 2000.

Our verdict: Many fine courses have been created in the Algarve since, but Penina is still one of the best. A very attractive course, it is a pleasure just to walk around, and is one of our favorites. But high handicappers will find it tough.

Architect : Sir Henry Cotton

6,343 metres (Resort course 2,987 metres. Academy course 2,035 metres)

Par 73 (Resort : 35, Academy : 30)

Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36

Alto Club

Alto was opened in 1991 by the president of Portugal, and is now fully-matured, with tree-lined fairways and views out to the nearby Atlantic, mountains and the provincial seaside town of Portimão. It is famous for being Sir Henry Cotton's last design, and for the 16th hole, which is possibly the longest par 5 in Europe at 604 metres (about 670 yards) the aptly named "Gigante". The course sweeps between many elevated tees and greens and around many doglegs. It is a layout that will challenge better players, but also has a sprinkling of gentler holes where higher-handicappers can get a few pars on the scorecard. Changes to the course layout being carried out during 2004/5 should also make it more user-friendly to those simply wanting a round of holiday golf.

Our verdict: Perhaps overshadowed by Cotton's famous Penina nearby, it's a decent course with friendly staff, and should be played more. Good value at our discount prices.

Architect : Sir Henry Cotton

6,125 Metres

Par 72

Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36

Boavista

A recent addition to the Algarve, Boavista is a course that gets better and better as you play it. The first few holes are fine. However, these are just to warm you up. The front nine takes you gently uphill, and from the fifth hole onwards the views of the bay of Lagos are wonderful (in Portuguese, Boavista means "beautiful view"). By the sixth hole, a jaw-dropping par 3 with a long carry over a chasm, you will realise that this is no ordinary golf course. On the back nine, as you decend back towards the club house, it gets even better as attractive water hazards start to come into play.

Our verdict: A really enjoyable course with friendly staff, we like it. Good for mid handicappers off the yellow tees, it becomes a tiger off the back tees. Very popular with our clients.

6,053 metres

Par 71

Handicap: Men 27, Women 34

Vale da Pinta

One of Golf World's "Top 100 Courses in Europe", Pinta is a well-presented and intriguing course, set in undulating countryside and dotted with ancient carob trees. Course management and consistent iron play are the keys. In particular, it is the superb par threes and the par fives that will make or break your card. The 4th hole, which Pinta's course notes claim is one of the world's best par fives, and the 18th, the longest hole on the course, are particularly testing - you need to be on top of your game to par these. The course is currently suffering a little from the building of new villa development. If this puts you off, consider playing Gramacho instead, or Alto which is just 15 minutes away.

Our verdict: a much-loved course that draws people back year after year.

Architect : Ronald Fream

6,152 metres

Par 71

Handicap ; Men 27 Women 37

Gramacho

This course had been around for a while as a nine hole course, but has since been upgraded to a full 18 by Rick Elliot and tour-star Nick Price, the latter of which is a member of the Carvoeiro Golf Club that runs Gramacho and Pinta. We think that because of it's 9-hole origins, it's underrated. In fact, it's a good course with some really lovely golf holes and in our opinion is as good as Pinta. The two courses are very similar in feel, perhaps Gramacho is a little more open. If you like one, you'll like the other. You can warm up before your game at the David Leadbetter Academy that serves Pinta and Gramacho.

Our verdict: deserves to be better known, some beautiful golf holes.

Architect : Ronald Fream, Rick Elliot, Nick Price.

5,919 metres

Par 72

Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36

Salgados

Situated between a long stretch of dune-backed beach and a nature reserve, Salgados is in a peaceful setting. It is at sea level and there are numerous salt-water lagoons throughout that give the course its unique character and provide much of its challenge. But the short rough and level fairways on this mainly flat course make this a balanced challenge. There is a great variety of holes. Using sensible course management to keep out of the lagoons, you can have a good score here.

Our verdict: we think both links and parkland golfers will find much to enjoy. Good value, but take a few spare balls if you're inconsistent. Very popular with our clients.

Architects : Pedro de Vasconcellos & Robert Muir-Graves

6,080 metres

Par 72

Handicap ; Men N/A Women N/A

Palmares

This is one of the most scenic courses in the whole of the Algarve, and a fine test of golf also. The first hole, a downhill par 4, faces out into the ocean (see picture above right) and takes you down to play several links holes along the Bay of Lagos. You do not need to be in a bunker to be on the beach here! The back nine is rolling parkland, taking you high above the Atlantic, and sloping through almond groves. Designed by the great british course architect Frank Pennink, who also designed the Old Course at Vilamoura and Aroeira near Lisbon.

Our verdict: if you are planning a golf trip to the western Algarve, Palmares should definately be on your short-list.

Architect ; Frank Pennink

5,961 meters

Par 72

Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36

Morgado NEW

Opened in 2002, Golfe do Morgado is the latest course in the west, and we think it's a star. The location is a very attractive, secluded valley below the Monchique mountains, away from main roads and free of development, just a pure golfing experience. The course is open from the tee, which we think will appeal in particular to the vast number of British golfers who are used to playing open parkland at home. But this doesn't mean it's a push-over. Far from it. Morgado is a serious SSS 73 championship course with numerous deep bunkers throughout, and huge lightning-fast greens that will test the best.

Our verdict: A wonderful location and lay-out, 18 superbly crafted holes and a reasonable green fee. It gets a high recommendation from us.

6,399 metres

Par 73

Recognised handicap certificate required

Parque da Floresta

Just fifteen minutes beyond the historic town of Lagos, this is the most westerly of Algarve courses. The land here is totally different: hilly and with citrus bushes as far as the eye can see. In early spring the area is blanketed with white flowers. The course is crafted through valleys and over hills to the interior to the north. The shimmering Atlantic is to the south. The terrain requires a buggy for most people. Spectacular in places. The deisigner, Pepe Gancedo, is also known for some of the most dramatic courses across the border in Spain.

Our verdict: many people really like it's dramatic features, but it will not be appreciated by golfers who like to play off a flat track.

Architect : Pepe Gancedo

5,670 metres

Par 72

Handicap ; Men 28 Women 36

Vale do Milho

When Ryder cup player Dave Thomas designed Vale de Milho he deliberately set out to provide a golf facility which did not necessarily require using woods. The result is a course which is excellent for beginners, but also gives more experienced golfers the chance to concentrate on their short game. This has nine holes but for those wishing 18 each hole has two sets of tees.

Architect : David Thomas

Par 54

Handicap ; Men N/A Women N/A

CLICK HERE FOR VILLA & GOLF BOOKINGS