The 5 Best Portugal Golf Courses

There will always be discussion about which of Portugal?s many championship-grade golf courses would make the country?s top 5, but here is a selection of courses that you will be sure to enjoy.

Three of Algarve?s best

Two 18-hole courses make up the ocean-side fairways of Vale do Lobo ? the Royal, where straight hitting is required, and the Ocean, which has been named by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top three courses in Portugal. You will definitely enjoy the dramatic views of the Atlantic on the challenging Par 4?s of the 11th and 14th Ocean holes, and the Par 3 15th is actually set beside a beach.

The Royal is known for its spectacular and challenging 16th, although the final hole, with its narrow fairway and baffling green, makes for a difficult conclusion to your round.

Five links holes of the scenic Palmares course run beside the Meia Praia beach sand dunes, while the other 13 holes sit within rolling hills overlooking the Bay of Lagos. Just 2 km to the east of Lagos, the beautiful course is at its best in spring, when its many acacias, almonds, and other shrubs are in flower.

The open 18-hole, Par 71, features challenging holes on sand dunes, and you can get plenty of practice on the driving range, chipping green, and putting green. While Palmares can be a challenge, it is excellent for golfers of all abilities.

One of the very best Portuguese courses, Quinta da Ria, is located
in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, with views of the sea and the Algarvean mountains, from many aspects. With over 300 olive and carob trees set amongst the 18 holes, there are many tricky doglegs to negotiate and many greens are well guarded by sand hazards and lakes.

There are two driving ranges, one designed for practice with irons, which includes a golf academy devoted to iron shots, and another that allows for some long practice hits with your woods.

An old favourite on the Lisbon Coast

On the Lisbon Coast, the renowned Estoril, one of the oldest and best-known golf courses in Portugal, has often hosted the Portuguese Open. Set in a mature pine and eucalypt forest, the 18-hole, Par 69 course features the internationally renown 16th with its challenging 184-metre fairway.

For less experienced golfers, there is another 9-hole course where they can hone their skills. Afterwards, excellent Portuguese cuisine is available at the clubhouse restaurant, with its spectacular views of the Atlantic.

Portugal?s golfing island of Madeira

Santo da Serra, overlooking the bay of Machico, hosts PGA European events, including the Madeira Island Open. The original course, built in 1937, was redesigned in the 1990s by Trent Jones, into a 27-hole golf course with panoramic views. The 2nd and 4th holes of the Machico section of the course are both memorable and challenging.

There are four optional tees at each hole, so you can experience different levels, from a relaxing to a challenging game. Semi-roughs and roughs are scattered throughout the course, and four beautiful lakes, surrounded by shade trees, provide relief on a hot day.

Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. Teetimesanywhere.com offer discount tee times for all Portugal golf courses and allow you to quickly and easily book your golf in Portugal online.