The Morgado Golf Course was built in 2003 under project of European Golf Design. Home of the Portuguese Open during the recent years, is now probably the longest golf course in Portugal from the back tees.
This course is quite a challenge, as it is conceived as a links design, with flat, but generous fairways, large undulated greens and bunkers of Scottish inspiration, even though it is placed in a parkland environment. The wind can make a big effect on the game, as the layout along the valleys can make a tunnel effect when the wind blows strongly.
Beware of the lines on the greens as they require good control of the put and good reading skills and try to avoid the many bunkers placed on the fairways and protecting the greens and and you can come out with a smile.
Surrounded by traditional species of trees of the region, such as citrus and olive trees, at Morgado the player is immersed in a calm and serene Algarve, meeting the inner soul of this region that has so much to offer.
One of the Algarve’s very first golf courses, “Palmares”, near the popular town of Lagos, has been totally transformed by one of the most prestigious golf courses designer Robert Trent Jones Jr into a stunning 27-hole Golf Course and reopen in 2011. He created a mixture of parkland and links style. It is probably one of the most attractive location of all the golf courses in the Algarve as the views are totally breath-taking.
There are three 9-hole circuits the Alvor Course, the Lagos Course, and the Praia Course. The first nine holes run through woodland to the beach with lovely views of the “ria de Alvor” estuary and the ocean.
The nine of Lagos take the player to the praia Alvor Lagos and spectacular Meia Praia beach and again with stunning views. The Praia course are the links nine holes and they are mainly located on the actual meia praia beach among the sand dunes. The stk 1 is a par 5 of 548 metres parallel to the beach, requiring some good shots to be on the green in regulation.
An old train line running across the beachfront of the golf course adds an unusual charm to this wonderful golf course.
The 18-hole Silves Golf Course is surrounded by typical Algarve fruit orchards and small farms. Opened in 2006 design by Fausto Nascimento. It has 5600 metres and it is a Par 70. Typically, parkland course, it has been designed to test the ability of the players. You can see it while standing on the first tee and look along the two water hazards flanking the fairway. Some palm trees were added to the scenario, creating a relaxing countryside environment. Golfers of every skill level can play here, but the concentration is a factor that must be always in mind, as the multiple factors (bunkers, trees and water hazards) come into the game.
Silves golf course features a mix of longer holes with shorter ones, but the 7th hole, a par five with almost 500 metres is memorable, and the 13th hole, also a Par 5 doglegging a large lake is also memorable.
The Alamos Golf Course was built in 2006 by European Golf Design. The 18-hole course is a par 71 with 5700 metres from the back tees. Its undulated fairways flow along small valleys, bordered with native vegetation, where olives, figs and oaks trees make their presence, and they became in play, on some approaches to greens. The main characteristic factor is its narrow fairways and elevated, smaller and very elaborate, undulating greens, which demand good approach shot and good putting skills. There are not too many bunkers, but the existing ones are deep and impressive. With superb views towards the hills of Serra de Monchique, lakes and farmland, this course is a good example of a harmonious integration of man-made and nature and produces relaxation and peacefulness. Many find this golf course to be a perfect Golf Holiday experience.
Alto Golf Course opened in 1991, designed by Sir Henry Cotton. Even though the course is placed quite near to ocean, only occasionally the player will enjoy a sea view, as it is placed along two valleys. A simple par 3 opens the round but the course is not so simple as will perceived on the first hole. Strategic bunkers, doglegged fairways, elevated greens and well-placed trees will demand accuracy and a correct club choice. The signature hole known as Sir Henry Cotton Challenge is the hole 16, a par 5 with 570 metres – it was in a recent past the longest par 5 in Europe - and demands three well placed shots if you want to be on the green in regulation and dream with a par. Several greens are a must play, as they are double plateaux which demands an accurate line reading in order to score well.
The Penina Championship Golf Course is the oldest course in Algarve and was opened in 1966. Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the area was in the past a rice plantation. About a half million trees and bushes were planted to create a course that is still a challenge for the modern skilled players. Water lines and ponds are strategically placed, creating a very interesting set of challenges for any level of player. The course itself is characterised by an unusual grouping of Par 5s, with four of the five arranged together in pairs in the beginning and end of the back nine - producing a Par 38 as opposed to 36.
As you turn home towards the 18th, the magnificent hotel acts as a backdrop to the green and is framed by an amphitheatre of trees - a superb spectator setting. Drive short of the drainage ditch, position the second shot to avoid the bunkers guarding the putting surface and take into account the pin position on one of the three tiers - and you could well finish with a highly commendable birdie.
Designed by Ronald Fream in 1992, the par 71, 18-hole Vale da Pinta Golf Course received eight years in a row the Qualifying School for European Seniors Tour. Set in a truly Algarve landscape with almond, olive and carob trees, the fairways roll through small valleys and hills. The course is cosy due to its landscape and with four tee boxes on every hole, it can be enjoyed by every skill levels of golfers. Vale da Pinta offers a friendly start till you reach the 4th hole a par 5, measuring 512meters from the back tees, that requires a long strait driver uphill, made all the tougher by a fairway bordered by rough on the right, out of bounds on the left and bunkers on both sides of the fairway. The rest of the hole run off right and stretches away downhill till a superb undulating green, protected by well-placed bunkers.
The 18th is considered the signature hole of the course, a long par 5 with 545 metres along a narrow valley, that requires 3 strait and long shots to get home in regulation. A par here is a great result. You may notice 50mt before the green on the left side an Olive tree which is 1.200 years old.
The Gramacho golf course near Carvoeiro was designed by Ronald Fream and Nike Price and is an interesting 18 holes, par 72 resort golf course, lay out on an undulating terrain with olive, almond and carob trees scattered around as they were planted years before by the local farmers. Even some stone walls remain, as the shaping respected most of the natural layout. Since the very first tee the player must have the right club choice. The course has some tricks, including a few blind shots.
Gramacho golf course have a very interesting finishing holes, 16th stoke 1 is a demanding par 4 with some old stone ruins and a real large green shaped as a horseshoe protected by a big bunker. 17th a short par 4, with a very narrow fairway between a lake and an area with large rocks and shrubs with two greens options, the most exciting on left side with a shot over the lake and the second option is a raised green located in the extension of the fairway, protected by a bunker.
The 18th hole a par 5 uphill to the club house, with a very large green protected by deep bunkers, offering a great view from the cub house balcony with a drink in hand.
The 9 hole Penina Resort Course was built in 1972 as an independent golf course located across the road from the Hotel Penina. It was previously known as the North Course and was also conceived by Sir Henry Cotton. The length of this 9 holes golf course is 2950 meters and they are very challenging, demanding long shots to reach the greens in regulation, mainly at the 5th hole, a Par 5 with 500 metres, or the 9th hole, a Par 4 with 420 metres. A lake and a few water lines can create some difficulties to the more inattentive players. The course has also plenty of bunkers to challenge the average golfer. The greens are not wider, and, like the standard on Penina Championship they are elevated.
Sven
2019-05-06
Nice Short course........Not to Short with 3 paar 4. Read more about Penina Academy (Pitch & Putt)
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