Algarve’s Great Golf Courses

The country boasts of some of the best golf courses in the world. Among the many provinces of the country, the southernmost province of the Algarve has distinguished itself in the golfing world. With 35 well laid out and highly attractive golf course, the Algarve is the avid golfer’s dream destination.

Spectacular scenery, a fabulous coastline, mild and sunny weather, and some great golfing conditions have made the Algarve a golfer’s delight. The Algarve is also well connected by air with almost all major European capitals and other cities that golfers call home. The Algarve’s tryst with golf started in the mid-sixties when the legendary Sir Henry Cotton designed the first golf course in this province.

In the last forty years, the region has seen amazing growth in terms of the facilities available for golfers and the number of golf courses has gone from just one to 35. The growing golf attraction has also given rise to a number of high quality hotels that provide good accommodation to visiting golfers. Local real estate has also received a shot in the arm due to golf and there are now some really great property deals available in the area for those looking to buy a permanent winter home in the Algarve.

But the main reason for the Algarve’s popularity is of course its golf courses. Some of the great golf courses along the coastline and interiors of the Portuguese province include:

Alamos Golf

The Alamos Golf course is one of the best ones in the Algarve and all of Portugal. Set in virgin rolling countryside, the course has a variety of holes for the avid golfer. Its location is highly scenic and characterized by two big lakes and views of the Monchique Mountains. Its slopes offer some testing plays while its fairways undulate beautifully along the direction of play.

Alto Golf

The last course designed in the Algarve by Sir Henry Cotton, the Alto Golf course undulates slowly along two gently sloping valleys. The course is located five kilometers from the city of Portimao in the heart of the Algarve. It has the beautiful Monchique Mountains in its backdrop. The fairways gently wind away and new vistas open up as the game progresses. The natural setting of the course has given it a garden like feel with mature evergreen trees lining the fairway. The feature of Alto Golf is its remarkable back nine “O Giante” – the Giant hole, which measures at 604 meters. A birdie on this hole is considered to be the sign of a distinctive golfer.

Balaia Golf Village

The highly attractive and perfectly manicured Balaia Golf Village is considered to be the ideal course for short golf shots. Its holes all range in distance from 58 meters to 160 meters and offer golfers crisp and sharp approach shots. The Balaia Golf Course has the ability to test every golfer without any regard to handicap. The course is located closed to the main road between Albufeira and Vilamoura.

Benamor Golf

Another golf course designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the Benamor Golf course is absolutely delightful and offer a par 71 over a distance of 5500 meters to discerning golfers. Located just outside Tavira, Benamor Golf has distinguished itself by winning several awards as the best maintained golf course in Portugal. It has the most amazing sights of the hills to the North and the Atlantic Ocean to the South.

Boavista Golf

The Boavista Golf course is an 18-hole championship course that has been designed to convey that feeling that it has always been there. The course is home to some classic and interesting holes including the ones at no. 1, no. 6, nos. 14, 15 and 17, and the signature no. 7. The sights and scenery at Boavista Golf course compare with the best in the world, as do the golfing conditions.

Castro

The first golf course to be designed in Eastern Algarve, the Castro Golf course is a special one due to its peaceful settings. It is also a highly challenging course with holes that require special club selection and intelligent play to avoid the strategically located water hazards and fairway bunkers.

Faldo Amandoeira Golf

Designed by GB & Ireland Ryder Cup team captain Nick Faldo, the Faldo Amandoeira Golf course is one of the newest in the Algarve. This 18-hole course has been designed according to championship standards and has all the makings of a classic golf course. Spread over rising hills and rolling plans, the Faldo Amandoeira Golf course has some of the most challenging fairways and holes to be found anywhere in Europe.

Salgados

The Salgados is widely considered to be the “picture postcard” golf course of Portugal. It is located in one of the best known regions of the Algarve and has some of the best golfing fairways to be found anywhere. The golf course is well balanced across its 18 holes and makes for some challenging and interesting golfing action.

Vilamoura Victoria

Created out of wetlands, the Vilamoura Victoria Golf course is unique to the Algarve as it has preserved all the natural water bodies spread over the 13 hectare course. The golf course has played host to the World Cup and also the Portugal Masters, making it one of the few courses in the region to have featured in two major international tournaments. Each of the 18 holes has been created with a different shape and design, a feature unique to Vilamoura Victoria.

Quinta do Lago

Quinta do Lago is one of the most exclusive golf courses in all of Europe and is considered to be right at the top in terms of quality. It has played host to some of the biggest names in world golf, and a game at either of the two courses here is considered to be a prestigious event. The golf courses are part of the Natural Park of Ria Formosa.

These are just some of the 35 great golf courses that make the Algarve the golfing destination of the world. But along with the great golf, the Algarve is also a fantastic place to buy property. Not only does it give you easy access to some of the most luxurious golf courses in Europe, but it also gives you a permanent home in one of the most beautiful and naturally gifted regions in the continent.