Algarve courses

[peld]

Reporting back from a great trip (4 nights, 4 rounds). 20 degrees when it was snow back here!!

We played San Lorenzo twice, Pinheros Altos (Corks/Pines) and Laranjal.

As others have said, San Lorenzo was a great layout and has some really nice holes. Just needs a bit of money spent to get it back to the level it should be, such as improving tee boxes , cart paths, and some tweaks to greens (apart from a few they rolled ok, just patchy)
Pinheros Altos is a fairly similar story - again some really nice holes, and a great set up with clubhouse, range etc. Probably in slightly better condition than San Lorenzo too, though probably not as good a layout, but definately better than some of the reviews i read before going.

Laranjal is a significant step above. Place was immaculate and the greens were perfect (no surprise I had my best day putting, and playing). Its quite forgiving so very playable (only really water or OB to lose a ball). Fortunately we played about 12.30 so the worst of the traffic was gone but it was a bit frustrating with the speed of play - odd they allowed several two balls out in the middle of 4s. We played in about 4hr 15. Best course ive played in Portugal so far (also played Aroeria, Praida D'El Rey and Vale do Lobo before this holiday)

Edit - looking at next year, we have a great offer proposed for the 4 Dom Pedro courses (and staying in Vilamoura itself) - any thoughts?

 

[peld]

Monte Rei, more than most courses in the Algarve, really struggled with the drought last year. I can only guess that they still have some legacy issues as a result, because whenever I have played it, and that’s well over a dozen times over many years, it’s been absolutely mint.

That said, it was built with a view to staging a Ryder Cup, with a second course also planned which has never even broken ground. I think they may have planned poorly because there’s no way that place has the infrastructure to stage a major event.

I know a few villa owners who have sold up, one or two back to the club at a significant loss because buyers could not be found, so maybe the problems run deeper.

I think it suffers from being out the way. People going on a golf holiday will tend to stay towards Vilamoura/Albufeira where there is lots of accommodation and nightlife. An hours journey seems a bit excessive when there are already lots of good courses a shuttle bus away. I think you need to really WANT to play it to make an effort.

Also, i understand its pretty tough - in a lot of golf groups they'll be a few hackers, and they might not like the idea of playing a tough course that costs a lot of money

 

[Billysboots]

I think it suffers from being out the way. People going on a golf holiday will tend to stay towards Vilamoura/Albufeira where there is lots of accommodation and nightlife. An hours journey seems a bit excessive when there are already lots of good courses a shuttle bus away. I think you need to really WANT to play it to make an effort.

Also, i understand its pretty tough - in a lot of golf groups they'll be a few hackers, and they might not like the idea of playing a tough course that costs a lot of money

We used to stay in a mate’s villa there, and I agree it is very much out of the way. We’d been to Vilamoura and Tavira several times, and whilst the latter is within striking distance of MR for a night out, it means someone having to drive. After several years of staying in the villa, one or two of our group started to drift away from the tour, as they were missing being able to have a stroll round the town in the evening, and playing elsewhere, and the tour broke up.

As for difficulty, I agree. It’s tough, especially when the wind blows. When it’s in good nick, and it sounds as though that’s no longer the case, if you find yourself on the wrong side of the pins the greens can make you look daft. I remember having a downhill six footer on the 4th green on my first trip, and I ended up 30 yards off the green.

I eventually worked the course out, and found it playable. But it is a difficult track. One of the best rounds I have ever played anywhere was the 31 points I had there when I’d first got down to single figures. Pleased as punch I was. But if you’re a group of mixed abilities with high handicap golfers, it’s probably not the best venue. It can beat you up.