The Algarve is a region located in southern Portugal that has been considered on various occasions one of the best golf destinations in the world. With privileged weather, around 300 days of sunshine and a mild climate it is possible to play golf all year round.
With one of the most spectacular shorelines in Europe that stretches across 150 miles, with coves, bays and inlets all with golden sandy beaches washed by the crystal clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no wonder that the Algarve is famously referred to as “Europe’s most famous secret”. This is the setting in which you will find over 40 quality golf courses, many of which are located in superb protected locations and with enough options and variety to suit everyone.
Do the names Henry Cotton, Rocky Roquemore, Arnold Palmer and Ronald Frea ring a bell? These legendary champion players are a few of the architects that designed some of the Algarve’s finest golf courses, which are internationally renowned for the quality of their installations. Many of these golf courses also host international tournaments such as the Algarve World Cup and the Portugal Masters. The Algarve is well connected with Faro International Airport with numerous transfers to take you anywhere in the Algarve and if you factor in the great hotels, resorts, facilities and accessibility, it’s no wonder why it’s considered a golfer’s haven.
The only question is how many rounds of golf can you squeeze into your vacation?
Below our top ten favourite Golf Courses:
Characteristics
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: 24 men; 36 ladies; dress code; soft spikes mandatory; shirts must be worn at all times.
Contacts
Amendoeira Golf Resort
Morgado da Lameira
8365-023 Alcantarilha
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 8’ 49.24” N 8º 21’ 31.24” W
Tel: (+351) 282 320 820
Email: amendoeira@amendoeiraresort.com
Website: https://www.amendoeiraresort.com
Why we love it – For its architecture!
Tel: (+351) 282 320 820
Email: amendoeira@amendoeiraresort.com
Website: https://www.amendoeiraresort.com
Why we love it – For its architecture!
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Pro-Shop; Putting-green; driving range; golf academy.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP Limit 24 men, 36 ladies; dress code; soft spikes mandatory; shirts must be worn at all times.
Contacts
Amendoeira Golf Resort
Morgado da Lameira
8365-023 Alcantarilha
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 8’ 49.25” N 8º 21’ 31.24” W
Characteristics
Visitor Restrictions
HCP Limit 28 men, 36 ladies; dress code; soft spikes mandatory. All players must wear proper clothing and shirts with collar.
Contacts
Apartado 74,
Meia Praia
8601-901 Lagos
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 7’ 35” N 8º 38’ 31.19” W
Tel: (+351) 282 790 500
Email: golf@onyriapalmares.com
Website: https://www.onyriapalmares.com
Why we love it – For its spectacular view of 27 holes overlooking the Ria
Tel: (+351) 282 320 100
Email: victoria@dompedrogolf.com
Website: https://www.dompedrogolf.com/courses/victoria-golf-course/
Why we love it – it hosts Masters Portugal, need we say more?
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Driving Range; putting green; chipping area; practice bunker.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: 24 men, 36 ladies; soft spikes mandatory; dress code; shirts must be worn at all times.
Contacts
Victoria Golf Course
Caminho da Fonte do Ulme
8125-406 Vilamoura
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 06’ 09” N 8º 08’ 36” W
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Practice areas; putting greens; bunker practice area; indoor and outdoor swing studio with swing analysis software.
Visitors Restrictions
HCP limit: 24 men, 32 ladies; general etiquette; soft spikes.
Contacts
Sesmarias
PO Box 118,
8901-907 Vila Nova de Cacela
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 12’ 16.75” N 7º 33’ 4.31” W
Tel: (+351) 282 510 330
Email: golf@monterei.com
Website: https:// https://www.monterei.com
Why we love it – it won best golf resort in 2019 and its architecture is amazing!
Tel: (+351) 282 353 465
Email: golf@vdl.pt
Website: https:// https://www.valedolobo.com
Why we love it – For its amazing beach backdrop!
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Pro-shop; golf academy; putting green.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: men 28, ladies 36; dress code; soft spikes mandatory.
Contacts
Vale do Lobo,
Resort Turístico de Luxo, S.A.
8135-864 Vale do Lobo
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 3’ 17.72” N 8º 3’ 51.07” W
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Not applicable
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: 28 men, 36 Ladies; dress code; soft spikes mandatory.
Contacts
PO Box 146
8501-952 Penina
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 09’ 49.27” N 8º 34’ 49” W
Tel: (+351) 282 420 200
Email: penina-golf@jjwhotels.com
Website: https://www.penina.com/golf/
Why we love it – For its championship course with 36 holes and for its historic value – it was the first golf course built in the Algarve
Tel: (+351) 282 241 540
Email: morgadohotel@nauhotels.com
Website: https:// www.morgadogolfhotel.com
Why we love it – It’s one of the biggest golf courses in the Algarve
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Driving range; putting and chipping green with practice bunkers.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: 28 men, 36 ladies; dress code; soft spikes mandatory.
Contacts
Morgado do Reguengo
8500-000 Portimão
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 11’ 49.21” N 8º 34’ 01.77” W
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Open or covered tees, 8 target greens, Chipping area.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: 27 men, 35 ladies; Dress Code; soft spikes mandatory.
Contacts
Aldeamento Turístico do Gramacho,
Lote 4,
8401- 908 Carvoeiro
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 7’ 56.05” N 8º 25’ 41.11” W
Tel: (+351) 282 340 900
Email: info@pestanagolf.pt
Website: https://www.pestanagolf.pt
Why we love it – For its Championship Senior Tour Card.
Tel: (+351) 289 390 705/6
Email: golf@quintadolago.com
Website: https://www.quintadolago.com
Why we love it – Amazing beach views and hole 16 is over the cliffs which makes it one of the most photographed golf holes in the Algarve!
Characteristics
Practice Areas
Driving range; putting greens.
Visitor Restrictions
HCP limit: men 36, ladies 36; dress code; soft spikes non mandatory.
Contacts
Soc. Do Golf da Quinta do Lago, S.A.,
Quinta do Lago
8135-024 Almancil
Algarve, Portugal
GPS 37º 3’ 25” N 8º 1’ 30” W
Paul Noel McGinley (born 16 December 1966) is an Irish professional golfer who has won four events on the European Tour.
At the 2002 Ryder Cup, he famously holed a ten-foot putt on the 18th hole in his match against Jim Furyk at The Belfry which won the Ryder Cup for Europe.
He was the winning captain of Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup and the first Irishman to captain Europe’s Ryder Cup side. – Read More (wikipedia)