| Palmares:
 
 Playing Palmares is a real treat - enjoying spectacular views over  the bay of Lagos, it combines links-style golf on the first nine holes  with a slightly more hilly second nine. It is one of our personal  favourites and well worth a visit.   www.palmaresgolf.com  Boavista:
 
 Overlooking Lagos and the Atlantic ocean and looking inland to the  monchique hills, Quinta da Boa Boavista adds to the variety of Algarve  courses. Designer Howard Swan successfully integrated his layout into  the existing natural terraine, using features that make it a delight to  the eye. Boavista also has a driving range and teaching academy.   www.boavistagolf.com  Penina:
 
 The Championship course is Sir Henry Cotton’s masterpiece - by which  he wished to be remembered. The Penina as it is known, was originally  laid out on land used for growing rice. Eucalyptus trees are now here  in abundance.   www.lemeridian.com/penina  Alto Golf:
 
 Near Alvor, a picturesque fishing village in the western Algarve,  the course is set in the countryside with views out to the Atlantic  ocean and Portimao. The Sir Henry Cotton design features Europes  longest par 5.  Morgado do Reguengo & Alamos:
 
  Two championship golf courses nestling on the lower slopes of the  Monchique hills. In golf course construction terms the terrain is  unique in the Algarve, reminiscent of rolling parkland and enjoying  wonderful views inland.   www.esgolf.com  Silves:
 
 This is one of the newer courses on the Algarve by the Pestana  Group. Most holes offer a spectacular mountain and valley view,  overlooking palm trees and olive groves. You can even pick a few  oranges and figs on the way to the next tee.  Over all it has a natural beauty and an elegant design.   www.pestanagolf.com  Vale da Pinta:
 
 Set on undulating land, not far from Carveiro, Vale da Pinta (along  with Gramacho) is the work of a master golf course designer Ronald  Fream. He declared the land God given for golf. Vale da Pinta gained  championship status by hosting five successful seniors tour events.   www.pestanagolf.com  Gramacho:
 
 The course is a conversion from Ronald Freams original, unique  double nine layout. Gramacho hosted the ladies open in 2003. As with  its sister course, Vale da Pinta, Gramacho is maintained to a high  standard all year round.   www.pestanagolf.com  Vale de Milho:
 
 When Dave Thomas designed Vale de Milho he set out to provide a golf  facility which did not necessarily require using woods. It has nine  holes and is excellent for beginners and gives experienced golfers a  chance to focus on their short game.   www.valedemilhogolf.com  Salgados:
 
 If you like a challenge then this is it. Much use is made of water  on this course, since it is virtually below sea level. Playing Salgados  has,however, a treat in store: links style golf combined with the  sunshine of the Algarve. The area is next to a bird sanctuary and home  to many species of waterfowl.  Sheraton Pine Cliffs:
 
  Pine cliffs enjoys an exceptional clifftop position. The clubs first  president was racing driver Nigel Mansell. Frequent visitors include  European Tour players using the facilities for winter training. Served  by the five star Sheraton Algarve Hotel, it is understandably popular  throughout the year.   www.sheraton-algarve.com/golf  Balaia:
 
 This is an attractive par 3 course set within the Balaia Golf  Village complex. East of Albufeira and with views out over the ocean,  it is a course that will test every golfer.   www.balaiagolfvillage.com  Pinhal:
 
  This course is distinguished by fairways lined with pine trees so accuracy is key.    The front nine holes meander through an exclusive residential complex, whilst the second nine are on more open undulating land.   www.vilamouragolf.com  The Old Course:
 
 Set in the heart of the Vilamoura resort and just 25 minutes from  Faro airport, this Frank Pennick designed parkland course is famous  worldwide and is one of the oldest in the region. Often described as  the Grande Dame of courses in the region it is a spectacular course and  well worth a visit.   www.vilamouragolf.com  Victoria:
 
 This course is aimed at being one of the best golf complexes in the  whole of Europe. The Victoria Clube de Golfe is the fifth at Vilamoura  and the most exclusive one at the resort and hosts many top  tournaments. Designed by Arnold Palmer it is the jewel in the crown of  the Vilamoura courses.   www.vilamouragolf.com  Millenium:
 
 This conventional layout opened in year 2000. Millenium is  unquestionably one of the most beautiful courses ever built in  Portugal, due to its excellent integration in to its surroundings. Four  of the Milleniums first nine holes are over rolling parkland; whilst  the remainder are set between umbrella pines a key feature of this part  of the Algarve   www.vilamouragolf.com  Laguna:
 
 Laid out over low lying coastal terrain, this course, with its many  water hazards is considerably different from the other ones at the  resorts and many holes have a distinctive links feel to them.  Situated near an environmental nature park this course offers an  interesting challenge to all golfers.   www.vilamouragolf.com  Vila Sol:
 
 The first in Portugal to be designed by English golf architect  Donald Steel this course quickly gained international fame b y twice  hosting the Portuguese Open. At Vila Sol you will find 27 holes  stretching along a wide valley and divided into three loops with  different levels of difficulty. In 2001 it won the prize for best golf  development.   www.vilasol.pt  Vale do Lobo Royal Course:
 
 The Royal Golf Course is set amongst lakes and lush vegetation, then  surprises you with exhilarating sea views. The 7th hole with its  spectacular carry over the cliffs is said to be the most photographed  golf hole in Europe.   www.valedolobo.com  Vale do Lobo Ocean Course:
 
 The Oceans course, renowned for its breathtaking beauty is a golfers  feast. Flanked by pine and eucalyptus tress, the courses fairways run  down to the shores of the Atlantic. This course allows golfers some of  the most incredible views of the ocean in the Algarve and provides an  enjoyable challenge for golfers of all a standards.   www.valedolobo.com  Quinta do Lago North:
 
 Apart from the par 3's nearly every hole has a form of dog leg -  some quite severe, others with just a hint of a curve. What they all  have in common is the need for accuracy on the drive.   www.quintadolagogolf.com  Quinta do Lago South:
 
 The two 18 holes at Quinta do Lago offer different challenges. The  terrain is similar on both courses and is covered with pine trees,  heather, broom and wild flowers. The terrain of this course is gently  undulating with several lakes which form a feature of this course.   www.quintadolagogolf.com  San Lorenzo:
 
 Set in the spectacular Ria Formosa Nature reserve, this course share  the exclusive location enjoyed by Quinta do Lago. The golf course has a  combination of natural beauty, pristine presentation and hole after  hole of challenging golf. While much of the course meanders through  typical pinewoods, it also opens to stunning ocean views and distant  mountain backdrops.   www.lemeridian.com  |