Golf in Vilamoura

bluebottle102

Hey guys I'm wondering about the different golf courses around Vilamoura. I'm heading for the first week in March!! I would be interested in playing Royal Victoria and maybe one or two others. All replies would be well appreciates.
Oh and would I be better renting clubs out there or bringing my own clubs??

tang1

Played Laguna, Millenium and Pinhal back in '06. From what i can remember, Laguna and Millenium were fairly open with wide fairways. Both were on the cheaper end of the scale when it comes to the price of a round of golf in Villamoura. Pinhal was a beautiful tree lined course where straight hitting is a must if you want any hope of reaching greens with your second shots. Didn't play Victoria so cant help there.

thewobbler

Last year I played

1. the Old. A nice course but overrated in my book. Would be lucky to make the top 50 parklands in Ireland, but as it's the old master of Portugal, it's often called a must-play. I'd call it worth playing.

2. Millennium. Just a bog standard resort course with little in the way of memorability. I wouldn't mind if it had have been priced accordingly, but with buggies it ended up €80 a head. Not worth it.

3. O'Connor. Big, open and quite entertaining, let down a little by some madly quirky holes, but on the whole quite enjoyable. Completely deserted.

Reading the above reviews you'd probably think I didnt enjoy myself. You'd be wrong. Golf in the sun is one of the greatest pleasures in this world. The complimentary taxis from hotel to course and back were brilliant. The atmosphere in the resort itself was immense. Only 20 mins from the airport too. And everything so reasonable in price compared to home.

But in my experience the courses just aren't that good. I do though hope to go back soon for more!

kingshankly

was there a few weeks ago first thing is golf is expensive over there.
played millennium about €80 front 9 were very good back nine not so
played pinhal terrible course in terrible condition and about €70
Victoria beautiful course but €130.
buggies are €40 , the set up is excellent with free shuttles and the resort itself has numerous golf named pubs all showing live golf.
really enjoyed it will be an annual event from now on

Corkblowin

Went to Villamoura every year for 8 years - the place has a great atmosphere and the courses are so convenient - the shuttle service run through the hotels is excellent.

If I was planning the 3 courses I would want to play are the old course, Quinta da lago south course & villa sol. Laguna & millennium are fine as fillers - Victoria is probably the best condition course but is pricey - & I'd avoid pinhal - the front 9 is nuts & it's never really been in as good condition as the others.

Once you're playing golf in the sun - its all good!!!

billy_beckham

kingshankly wrote: »

was there a few weeks ago first thing is golf is expensive over there.
played millennium about €80 front 9 were very good back nine not so
played pinhal terrible course in terrible condition and about €70
Victoria beautiful course but €130.
buggies are €40 , the set up is excellent with free shuttles and the resort itself has numerous golf named pubs all showing live golf.
really enjoyed it will be an annual event from now on

It's mad that they haven't dropped their prices alright, a friend of mine was over in Spain in October and he got similar level courses for approx half the price Free transfers from the hotels is good, though I suppose that standard everywhere. A gang of us (6) hope to go next April, anyone recommend better value courses within say 45mins of Vilamoura area??

RGS

go further west. decent courses Morgado and Alamos and cheaper than courses in vilamoura.

DiegoWorst

I played Laguna, Millenium, The Old Course and Victoria, nearly three years ago.
I loved The Old Course it is one of my favourites. The back 9 of Victoria is really good, but I think the first nine is a little disappointing. The other two courses were only so-so.

Those courses mentioned are very close together, which is great. I'm told there are some great courses within a 30 or 40 minute drive that are much better value.

I planned on going again last year, hoping to play The Old Course and Victoria plus one or two of the courses located slightly farther from the Oceanico centre, but went to the Costa del Sol instead.

darraghjm

if your going to Vilamoura, you should check out Vila Sol, it a great course, I've been over there 3times this year and have played it everytime. it's run by www.pestanagolf.com, who also run vale di pinta, gramacho and Silves which i have played and our all good courses, them 3 are based down in lagoa and is around 45minutes drive down from vilamoura, most of it is on the motor way.
From Febuary to March & september to November is quiet exspensive to play anywhere in the algarve and most places would be quiet busy.
as for renting the clubs i did it once before with www.clubstohire.com , the clubs were in great nick and I had no problem picking them up or dropping them off, they have a kisok in Faro airport just outside the arrivals hall. it cost me 55euro for taylormade clubs like my own which was a saving of 5euro as aerlingus charge 60euro to bring your clubs over and back, i think ryanair charge 80 to bring your clubs over and back. I usually bring my own so that i can throw clothes and my golf shoes and balls and tees into my golf bag and then only bring carry on luggage onto the plane, but if your checking in a suitcase you could probably just put them items in there instead.

SEORG

Was there in May. We played Old Course twice, Victoria twice, Faldo & O'Connor.

Loved the Old Course, parkland style and most holes are tree-lined.
Victoria is definitely more of a challenge, severe rough but fantastic.
Faldo is mental but spectacular. The back nine goes into the mountains.Fantastic scenery but you have to use a buggy to go around.
O'Connor is next to Faldo, not nearly as hilly but still a good challenge.

We booked through Oceanico before we went, probably could have done it cheaper but was a great week away. Buggys were included for Victoria, Faldo & O'Connor. You wouldn't be able to play Faldo without one.

All the courses were in great condition. Practice facilities are free on all except the Old Course.

When we go back we will give the Faldo & O'Connor a miss but Victoria & Old course are definites

uberwolf

played laranjal the year I was there. It had only just opened so was in super nick, no idea how it's held up. We enjoyed it.
Also played the old course and victoria.

http://www.quintadolagogolf.com/en/club-news/laranjal-challenge/