In the heart of the western Algarve, Parque da Floresta is one of the most spectacular golf courses in Europe. Designed by Spanish architect Pepe Gancedo, the course is a short distance from golden beaches, quaint fishing villages and the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve – a paradise for bird watchers. This fascinating course offers attractive views of the countryside and is played on uneven terrain through eucalyptus-covered ravines and picturesque watercourses. The final hole is a challenging test, which finishes on an elevated green below the clubhouse. A fantastic, imaginatively designed course.

Founded: 1987
Architect: Pepe Gancedo
Director: Luís Barroso
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: 5,587 m
SSS: n/a
Handicap: Certificate preferred
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Bentgrass

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, restaurant and bar. The golf academy offers private lessons for adults and juniors as well as state-of-the-art video swing analysis. Club hire, buggies and trolleys also available. Visitors can stay at our highly recommended hotels nearby, including the 4-star Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure Resort, the charming Quinta da Encosta Velha or The View Salema Beach – an outstanding cliff-top resort.

Contact details:
Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure Resort
Vale do Poço
8650-060 Budens. Vila do Bispo
Tel: +351 282 690 054
Fax: +351 282 695 157
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
GPS Coordinates: 37 05’ 16.63” N – 8 50’ 32.62” W

Golf Courses: Oceânico Millennium - Oceânico Old Course - Oceânico Pinhal - Vila Sol

Oceânico Laguna

One of the world-famous Vilamoura golf courses, Oceânico Laguna offers an enduring challenge to any player. Set in low-lying coastal terrain, many of its holes convey a links atmosphere. The wide fairways have very few trees and the strong wind can occasionally cause things to go awry. Although the course isn’t particularly long, water hazards, lakes (which attract a variety of aquatic birds) and 79 strategically placed bunkers are incorporated into the fairly flat layout. The memorable 5th hole, par-4 requires pinpoint accuracy to make the shot over the lake.

Founded: 1990
Architect: Joseph Lee
Director: Eduardo Sousa
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6,121 m
SSS: 73
Handicap: Men 28, Ladies 36
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 328
Greens: Bentgrass Penncross
Tees: Bermuda Tifton 328

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, pro shop, restaurant, bar and buggy bar. Club hire, buggies and trolleys available. Visitors looking for luxury accommodation close to the Oceânico Courses can stay at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Oceânico Laguna
Apartado 970
8126-912 Vilamoura
Tel: +351 289 310 180
Fax: +351 282 310 183
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.oceanicogolf.com
GPS Coordinates: 37 06’ 02.00” N – 8 08’ 6.00” W

Oceânico Millennium

Vilamoura has long been acknowledged as one of Europe’s principal golfing resorts. The exciting Oceânico Millennium was redeveloped in 2000 by Hawtree & Sons and extended to a full 18-hole course with a varied design and interesting layout to suit all golfers. Some holes are set in a verdant pine forest with narrow fairways, while others have an open design sculpted by lakes.

Founded: 2000
Architect: Martin Hawtree
Director: Eduardo Sousa
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6,176 m
SSS: n/a
Handicap: Men 28, Ladies 36
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 417
Greens: Bentgrass Penn A4
Tees: Bermuda Tifton 419, Lolium Perenne

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, pro shop, restaurant, bar and buggy bar. Club hire, buggies and trolleys available. Visitors looking for luxury accommodation close to the Oceânico Courses can stay at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Oceânico Millennium
Apartado 970
8126-912 Vilamoura
Tel: +351 289 310 188
Fax: +351 282 310 183
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.oceanicogolf.com
GPS Coordinates: 37 06’ 02.00” N – 8 08’ 6.00” W

Oceânico Old Course

Described as the Grande Dame of the Algarve, the Oceânico Old Course is one of the oldest and most popular golf courses in Portugal. Renovated and modernised in 1996 while staying true to the original design, the verdant fairways are perfectly maintained by a sophisticated new irrigation system and managed sustainably with strict environmental protection practices. A majestic forest of umbrella pines is the trademark of this course – but potentially its greatest challenge. In 2009, the Old Course was ranked in Golf World UK’s Top 100 Golf Courses in continental Europe. An outstanding site for a truly memorable round of golf.

Founded: 1969
Architects: Frank Pennink and Martin Hawtree
Director: Paulo Ferreira
Holes: 18
Par: 73
Length: 6,254 m
SSS: 72
Handicap: Men 28, Ladies 36
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 419, Lolium Perenne
Greens: Bentgrass Providence
Tees: Bermuda Tifton 419, Lolium Perenne

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, restaurant, bar and buggy bar. Club hire, buggies and trolleys available. Visitors looking for luxury accommodation close to the Oceânico Courses can stay at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Oceânico Old Course
Apartado 970
8126-912 Vilamoura
Tel: +351 289 310 341
Fax: +351 282 310 321
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.oceanicogolf.com
GPS Coordinates: 37 06’ 07.72” N – 8 06’ 56.97” W

Oceânico Pinhal

Inaugurated in 1976, the distinguished Oceânico Pinhal course has been refined over the years. Renowned for its immaculate fairways lined with pine trees, the first nine holes meander through an exclusive residential complex while the second nine have been built on rolling parkland terrain offering glimpses of the sea. One of the defining characteristics of this course is the small size of its greens, requiring great precision in terms of approach shots. The signature hole of Pinhal is the 4th hole par 4, a complex shot played over a small lake to an undulating green.

Founded: 1976
Architects: Frank Pennink and Robert Trent Jones Jr
Director: Álvaro Afonso
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 6,353 m
SSS: 71
Handicap: Men 28, Ladies 36
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 419, Lolium Perenne
Greens: Bentgrass Penncross
Tees: Bermuda Tifton 419, Lolium Perenne

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, restaurant, bar and buggy bar. Club rental, buggies and trolleys available. Visitors looking for luxury accommodation close to the Oceânico Courses can stay at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Oceânico Pinhal
Apartado 970
8126-912 Vilamoura
Tel: +351 289 310 390
Fax: +351 282 310 393
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.oceanicogolf.com
GPS Coordinates: 37 05’ 33.32” N – 8 06’ 41.29” W

Vila Sol

Acclaimed for its commitment to conserve the biodiversity of the area, Vila Sol is situated in pristine natural surroundings. Inaugurated in 1991 with a focus on protecting local flora and fauna, the course winds through an immense forest of pine, fig, oak and almond trees. The 27-hole course is divided into three loops with different levels of difficulty: Prime, Challenge and Prestige. Flowering shrubs and Mediterranean plants border the narrow fairways, which demand accurate driving. A unique feature of the Vila Sol course is its intriguing open-air gallery of striking contemporary sculptures.

Founded: 1991
Architect: Donald Steel
Director: Rui Gago
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: Prime/Challenge 6,335 m, Challenge/Prestige 6,233 m, Prestige/Prime 6,322 m
SSS: 72
Handicap: Men 27, Ladies 35 (Certificate required)
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Bentgrass
Tees: Bermuda

Facilities: Driving range, putting greens, practice bunkers, pro shop, restaurant and bar. The golf academy offers private lessons and coaching for beginners and juniors, as well as swing analysis equipment. Club rental, buggies and trolleys also available. Visitors looking for luxury accommodation can stay at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Vila Sol Vilamoura Spa & Golf Resort
Morgadinhos – Alto do Semino
8125-307 Vilamoura
Tel: +351 289 300 505
Fax: +351 289 316 499
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.vilasol.pt/uk/
GPS Coordinates: 37 05’ 24.37” N – 8 05’ 37.03” W

Boasting an enchanting location on the Algarve coast, Onyria Palmares was redesigned in 2011 as a 27 hole course with three distinct 9 hole loops that can be played in any sequence. Featuring dramatic elevation changes and intimate valleys, the course boasts both links and parkland settings and incredible views of the ocean, pine forests and the Monchique mountains.

Founded: 1975
Architects: Frank Pennink and Robert Trent Jones Jr
Director: n/a
Holes: 27
Par: 72
Length: Alvor/Lagos 6,516 m, Lagos/Praia 6,133 m, Praia/Alvor 6,321 m
SSS: 72
Handicap: n/a
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Alpha

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping area, pro shop, restaurant and bar. Club hire, buggies and trolleys available. Enjoy luxury accommodation at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Onyria Palmares Golf Resort
P.O. Box 74
8600-901 Meia Praia
Lagos, Algarve
Tel: +351 282 790 500
Fax: +351 282 790 509
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
GPS Coordinates: 37 07’ 35.71” N – 8 38’ 28.76” W

Penina Golf features three superb courses in a spectacular resort. The first golf course to be built in the Algarve, Penina was masterfully designed by Sir Henry Cotton, who was one of the first to realise the potential of the region – and country – as an outstanding golfing destination. Penina Golf is managed sustainably, meeting high standards for protecting water quality, conserving natural resources and providing wildlife habitats. The course has hosted the Portuguese Open on numerous occasions.

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course
Originally built over paddy fields, the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course was transformed from a wet, treeless site to lush grounds planted with thousands of eucalyptus and palm trees. The beautifully maintained fairways are fairly flat with strategically placed water hazards, deep bunkers, wide greens and a vast tee area. The most memorable hole is the 13th par-3 which requires a long shot over an extensive lake to an elevated green.

Founded: 1966
Architect: Sir Henry Cotton
Director: Leonel Rio
Holes: 18
Par: 73
Length: 6,273 m
SSS: 72
Handicap: Men 28, Ladies 36
Fairways: Lolium Perenne, Poa Pratensis, Creeping Bent
Greens: Creeping Bent Cobra

Academy Course
The pleasant 9-hole Academy Course winds its way through the fairways of the Championship Course. This relatively short course was designed for beginners and casual golfers, but is also perfect for experienced players looking to improve their short game.

Founded: 1977
Architect: Sir Henry Cotton
Director: Leonel Rio
Holes: 9
Par: 30
Length: 1,851 m
SSS: n/a
Handicap: Certificate not required
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Creeping Bent

Resort Course
The Resort Course is composed of nine strategically demanding holes on the north side of the resort. Featuring a number of water hazards, the course is considered a challenge for experienced players but is also ideal for beginners.

Founded: 1972
Architect: Sir Henry Cotton
Director: Leonel Rio
Holes: 9
Par: 35
Length: 2,987 m
SSS: n/a
Handicap: Certificate not required
Fairways: Bermuda 419
Greens: Creeping Bent

Facilities: Driving range, putting greens, chipping greens, practice bunker, pro shop, restaurant and bar. The golf academy offers private lessons and golf clinics, swing analysis technology, club hire, buggies and trolleys. Enjoy luxury accommodation at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Le Méredien Penina Golf & Resort
P.O. Box 146, Penina
8501-952 Portimão
Tel: +351 282 420 200
Fax: +351 282 420 300
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
GPS Coordinates: 37 09’ 39.49” N – 8 34’ 51.89” W

Golf Courses: Vale da Pinta Golf Course - Vale de Milho Golf Course

Gramacho Golf Course

The attractive undulating terrain, shimmering lakes and sloping fairways of Gramacho Golf offer golfers a wonderful journey through the Algarve countryside. Featuring a number of ancient olive, almond and carob trees, the grounds are maintained at tournament standards throughout the year and each round is a genuine challenge.

Founded: 1991
Architects: Ronald Fream and Nick Price
Director: José Carlos Matias
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Length: 5,532 m
SSS: 71
Handicap: Men 27, Ladies 35
Fairways: Ryegrass, Bermuda
Greens: Bent grass

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping area, bunker practice, video room, pro shop, restaurant and bar. Club rental, buggies, trolleys and caddies available. The golf academy offers private lessons, group clinics and an excellent beginners school.

Contact details:
Gramacho
P.O. Box 1011
8401-908 Carvoeiro
Lagoa, Algarve
Tel: +351 282 340 900
Fax: +351 282 340 901
GPS Coordinates: 37 07’ 30.07” N – 8 29’ 14.44” W

Vale da Pinta Golf Course

One of the best designed courses in Europe, Vale da Pinta is situated a short drive east of Portimão in the sunny Algarve. Both novice and experienced golfers will enjoy a memorable game on this challenging championship course, featuring strategically placed sand bunkers, wide greens and ornamental lakes are surrounded by olive, carob and fig trees.

Founded: 1992
Architect: Ronald Fream
Director: José Carlos Matias
Holes: 18
Par: 71
Length: 5,679 m
SSS: 72
Handicap: Men 27, Ladies 35
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Bentgrass

Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping area, bunker practice, video room, pro shop, restaurant and bar. Private lessons, beginner’s classes, club hire, buggies and trolleys available. Enjoy luxury accommodation at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Vale da Pinta
P.O. Box 1011
8401-908 Carvoeiro
Lagoa, Algarve
Tel: +351 282 340 900
Fax: +351 282 340 901
GPS Coordinates: 37 07’ 56.05” N – 8 25’ 41.44” W

Vale de Milho Golf Course

Situated between Portimão and Albufeira, this 9-hole course is surprisingly challenging and a real test for champions. Offering wonderful views of the Atlantic, the game is played through a scenic landscape of large, contoured greens, tall trees and lakes. Vale de Milho was designed by Dave Thomas, whose most famous project was the prestigious Brabazon course at The Belfry, UK. Maintained to high standards throughout the year, Vale de Milho is ideal for beginners and families, and also offers an opportunity for golfers to improve their short game.

Founded: 1990
Architect: Dave Thomas
Director: Mark Stilwell
Holes: 9
Par: 27
Length: 926 m
SSS: 54
Handicap: Certificate not required
Fairways: Paspalum
Greens: Penneagle

Facilities: Putting green, chipping area, bunker practice, restaurant and bar. Season tickets, family discounts, club hire and trolleys available. Enjoy luxury accommodation at one of our recommended hotels in the Algarve.

Contact details:
Vale de Milho Golf Course
P.O. Box 1273
8401-911 Carvoeiro
Lagoa, Algarve
Tel: +351 282 358 502
Fax: +351 282 358 497
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.valedemilhogolf.com
GPS Coordinates: 37 05’ 50.29” N – 08 26’ 54.73” W