ALBUFERIA golf courses

curly from cork

Would like advice on courses to play in Albuferia. Have played Vilamoura for the last few years so looking for a change. So far have only booked The Faldo course. Going in Oct.
Thanks

darraghjm

the o'connor course is good as well, its in the same complex as the faldo.
have a look at http://www.pestanagolf.com/en/home i've played gramacho, vale da pinta and silves and all are good courses, some nice holes on all of them.

Myksyk

Went in February. Played Silves, Vale da Pinta, Alamos and Morgado.... Silves was a decent starter, some great elevated tees. I liked it although some of the guys were lukewarm about it. I liked Alamos the best, lovely course. Pinta was very nice but I didn't enjoy it because I played absolutely shocking golf (much tighter course, very tree-lined, not to be played hungover!!). Played Morgado on the last day. Another good course though tough in the wind we had.
Feedback from the guys last year was that the Faldo course was almost un-enjoyably tough hence it wasn't included again this year, but I suppose that's a personal thing. Obviously nice course nonetheless.

curly from cork

thanks for the tips. it appears that none of the courses/ hotels offer transfers to either courses or airport. i have been quoted with car hire though. just wondering did you drive and how did you manage finding the courses etc ?

Myksyk

We were a group of eight. Most of the other guys travel there every year and have a deal with a guy called Paul from sunshine golf who picked us up at the airport and dropped us at the hotel and then brought us to and from every course. Very nice guy, real character and sorts everything out at the clubs. I know they drove themselves other years but this was my first so not sure how that went. Most of the courses we went were about 30-45 mins outside Albufeira.

karlyk1

Close to Villamoura is Quinta do Lago, which have two courses - North course and South Course. Absolutely beautiful courses (the South course held the Portuguese Open for years) with some of the most memorable holes you will ever play. San Lorenzo is close to them too (and it is one of the best courses in Europe - routinely appears in the Top 10 courses) but it is a bit pricey.... about 100 euro a round. Spectacular though, like playing in paradise.
Monte Rei is new and a bit further away and is a stunning STUNNING course, but very very pricey. You'll have the course to yourselves though!
Wasn't a fan of Christy O'Connor course (sacrilege, I know), it just felt very tight with hidden drains running everywhere. Dunno, maybe it was the hangover, but I wouldn't be a fan.
Check out algarvegolf.net for details on prices etc, or one of the many other booking websites on google. Some very good deals if you stumble across them.
We usually go there once or twice a year (I'm going again in April... Yay!) and have played most of them. After getting drenched all year round in Ireland, it's a pleasure to play with the sun on your back!:D

curly from cork

usually we stay in vilamoura and have played
o connor
old vale de lobo
quinta de lago
lagos
millenium
old

we thought this year we d try new courses and a new location. vilamoura is small and we ve been there 4 times now. however convenience may win out, as the pick up from the airport and course transfers sounds way more appealing than me driving ! i like the look of some of the courses mentioned above but as i say if there are no transfers ..

karlyk1

Wouldn't be bothered going back to Vale do Lobo again. Some fantastic holes, obviously - especially the ones on the cliffs over the beach – but a lot of other holes are like playing in (rich) people's back gardens. Plus, they have a terrible uppity snobby attitude. Up their own a*se basically.
Wasn't mad on the Old Course in Villamoura, although I know I'm in a minority of one there. For such a 'classic', it just seems so many holes are identical... trees, trees, trees. It's been years since I've played it, and I'm a bit better as a golfer now, :rolleyes: so think I'll try it again this year.
Forgot to mention Pinheiros Altos as well , also in the Quinta do Lago area. Divides people, you either love it or hate it, but there is no doubt there is some majestic holes on it. They often do good deals, basically including the buggy for free. Check it out.

DeclanBrady

Well!
A group of us are going to Praia da Roche next week and
playing
O Connor
Faldo
Penina
Victoria
Old Course
I've played Victoria a good few times and it is amazing, you will
want to play it every year, i get a horn just thinking about it!
QDL South and North are always good to play
San Lorenzo is a nice track but, too expensive
Vale do lobo has some really good holes but teeing off
in back gardens is a joke
Has anyone played Penina? Whats it like
Hire a car over there its easy to get around and most phones have gps