Algarve golf holiday tips needed

[IM01]

Was over at the end of May, played Pinhieros Altos, Quinta da Cima, Monte Rei and Quinta do Vale.
All courses were in great condition but it is getting expensive so I can see the appeal of booking a package.
We had a villa bought through a charity golf day and booked golf through linksgolfportugal

 

[The Autumn Wind]

Usually go to Vilamoura once a year.

Heading out in 3 weeks time for this year's trip. Always stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel which is on the beach, a 5 minute walk from the marina, and next to the casino. Great hotel, brilliant location, and has a huge pool.

This year I've booked to play Vilamoura Old Course, San Lorenzo (my fav), QdL North, QdL Laranjal, and Vila Sol.

All top courses, especially San Lorenzo and the QdL pair.

 

[CliveW]

We first started going to the Algarve over 20 years ago but have tried various other destinations over the past few years which laterly included Turkey. This spring we went back to the Algarve because a couple of our group felt a bit uneasy about Turkey. We stayed in the Dona Filipa Hotel and played five rounds at Pineros Altos and San Lorenzo and must say the standard compared with Belek is second class. We are already booking for next year in Turkey at a considerably less cost than Portugal. I would love Portugal to be better, but I'm afraid the standard of service, hotels, restaurants and courses is poor compared to what it used to be.

 

[rudebhoy]

Usually go to Vilamoura once a year.

Heading out in 3 weeks time for this year's trip. Always stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel which is on the beach, a 5 minute walk from the marina, and next to the casino. Great hotel, brilliant location, and has a huge pool.

This year I've booked to play Vilamoura Old Course, San Lorenzo (my fav), QdL North, QdL Laranjal, and Vila Sol.

All top courses, especially San Lorenzo and the QdL pair.

interesting to hear you describe Vila Sol as a top course when someone else said it was poor earlier in the thread. The guy who is organising our trip is leaning heavily towards staying and playing there, so good to hear some positive feedback.

 

[The Autumn Wind]

OK, I'll expand a little re Vila Sol.

I wouldn't put it in the top bracket of Algarve courses which in my opinion belongs to Monte Rei (haven't played MR yet admittedly), San Lorenzo, the 3 Quinta do Lago courses, Vale do Lobo Royal course, Vilamoura Old, or Palmares.

However, those very best courses carry a price premium. I'm usually happy to pay it, because I love those courses so much. I've played them all multiple times except Monte Rei.

You then get a lot of middle and lower tier courses. And I personally rank the Vila Sol course very favourably within that tier. It's fairly inexpensive as a green fee, they throw in a cheap buggy deal too which is usually an extra cost elsewhere, but most importantly I find it a really strong test of golf. It's fairly tightly tree lined, there's some nice water hazards, and the course fully tests your game. I've never seen it in anything other than great condition.

To me, it's head and shoulders the best of the 'cheaper' courses around Vilamoura. Way better than Laguna, Millenium, Pinhal etc which to me felt like crowded, less well conditioned municipal courses in the sun.

We were booked to play the Victoria Course in Vilamoura this year, because a friend loves it and they hold the Portugal Masters there. However, we were told they are doing a lot of maintenance work there in July, so I very happily switched that round to Vila Sol instead. I prefer Vila Sol to Victoria, I prefer Vila Sol to Vale do Lobo Ocean course, I prefer Vila Sol to the Faldo course, all of which are more expensive to play.

i can't comment on the accommodation or stay and play packages though, have never stayed at Vila Sol. We prefer to be close to the marina.

Hope this info helps give some balance for you.

 

[The Autumn Wind]

ps If you can, treat yourself to one round at San Lorenzo. For me, that place is golfing heaven. :thup:

 

[rudebhoy]

OK, I'll expand a little re Vila Sol.

I wouldn't put it in the top bracket of Algarve courses which in my opinion belongs to Monte Rei (haven't played MR yet admittedly), San Lorenzo, the 3 Quinta do Lago courses, Vale do Lobo Royal course, Vilamoura Old, or Palmares.

However, those very best courses carry a price premium. I'm usually happy to pay it, because I love those courses so much. I've played them all multiple times except Monte Rei.

You then get a lot of middle and lower tier courses. And I personally rank the Vila Sol course very favourably within that tier. It's fairly inexpensive as a green fee, they throw in a cheap buggy deal too which is usually an extra cost elsewhere, but most importantly I find it a really strong test of golf. It's fairly tightly tree lined, there's some nice water hazards, and the course fully tests your game. I've never seen it in anything other than great condition.

To me, it's head and shoulders the best of the 'cheaper' courses around Vilamoura. Way better than Laguna, Millenium, Pinhal etc which to me felt like crowded, less well conditioned municipal courses in the sun.

We were booked to play the Victoria Course in Vilamoura this year, because a friend loves it and they hold the Portugal Masters there. However, we were told they are doing a lot of maintenance work there in July, so I very happily switched that round to Vila Sol instead. I prefer Vila Sol to Victoria, I prefer Vila Sol to Vale do Lobo Ocean course, I prefer Vila Sol to the Faldo course, all of which are more expensive to play.

i can't comment on the accommodation or stay and play packages though, have never stayed at Vila Sol. We prefer to be close to the marina.

Hope this info helps give some balance for you.

that's really helpful, thanks for that.

 

[jusme]

I've played Villa sol many times and from my perspective I think its an excellent golf course. Trues test of golf, holes vary and the quality is second to none in season

 

[MendieGK]

that's really helpful, thanks for that.

I would largely agree with all of the points made as well as I was comparing Vila sol to the top courses in the area. I’d probably pick it over both the VdL courses as they were average at best. However it’s not better than Victoria.

Don’t let me try and put you off Vila Sol if cost is an issue. But the other courses around it already described are considerably better

 

[shortgame]

I would largely agree with all of the points made as well as I was comparing Vila sol to the top courses in the area. I’d probably pick it over both the VdL courses as they were average at best. However it’s not better than Victoria.

Don’t let me try and put you off Vila Sol if cost is an issue. But the other courses around it already described are considerably better

+1 re Vila Sol

 

[PCWOX]

Plus you get to take a photo next to the Sir Bobby Robson statue at Vila Sol

 

[CliveW]

If you are intending to play Vilamoura Old Course take a current handicap certificate with you. It is the only course I have ever needed to produce one before being allowed to play.

 

[PCWOX]

When did you play it Clive? I played it last September and they weren't interested in HCP certificates at all. There is a starter on the first tee, but didn't ask for that. What an opening tee shot by the way from that elevated tee

 

[jusme]

If you are intending to play Vilamoura Old Course take a current handicap certificate with you. It is the only course I have ever needed to produce one before being allowed to play.

6/7 years ago I was told the same and they did ask for it! Played it a few times since and they never did again.

 

[Big_G]

We first started going to the Algarve over 20 years ago but have tried various other destinations over the past few years which laterly included Turkey. This spring we went back to the Algarve because a couple of our group felt a bit uneasy about Turkey. We stayed in the Dona Filipa Hotel and played five rounds at Pineros Altos and San Lorenzo and must say the standard compared with Belek is second class. We are already booking for next year in Turkey at a considerably less cost than Portugal. I would love Portugal to be better, but I'm afraid the standard of service, hotels, restaurants and courses is poor compared to what it used to be.

Couldn't agree more with this. I organise our annual tour and we've being going to Portugal for years, decided to try Turkey this year (with much reluctance on my part) Hated to admit it but it won me over. Can get 7 nights in Turkey for the price of our usual 5 in Portugal with the added bonus of Turkey being all inclusive.

To the OP, if it's your 1st time organising I'd go through one of the usual tour companies, a lot less hassle and they can get the better prices. For a first time I'd stay somewhere in Vilamoura which gives you the delights of the marina in the evening. As others have said maybe in future years look to the Western Algarve there are some gems there which most don't venture that far away from Faro. Played Boavista and Espiche last year they were great courses

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Quick question for those that have been to Turkey........I'm going for a week over New Year but it isn't a golf holiday. I might sneak out for a round, anybody know what course conditions are like at that time of year and I assume it is possible to hire clubs?

TIA

 

[Senseicads]

We have been to Amendoeira the past few years and loved it! Courses were epic and the facilities, including the apartments and villas were first class. You get unlimited golf too and we found ourselves going out for 36 holes each day just because we could. Absolutely loved it there and can't wait to go back again! The Faldo course is rock hard and very uphill. You need the buggies! with the O'Connor more traditional. some epic tee shots down hills and up hills though on the Faldo...you've got me feeling all nostalgic for it now.

 

[arnieboy]

+1 for Espiche and Boavista especially on twilight rates!

 

[The Autumn Wind]

Just back from 5 rounds at Vilamoura Old Course, Quinta do Lago North, Quinta do Lago Laranjal, San Lorenzo, and Vila Sol.

Have played them all before, I love them all in different ways.

Very hard to rank them in order, but I'll do my best, if it helps other travellers :

1. San Lorenzo 10/10 golfing heaven.
2. Quinta do Lago North 10/10 Gorgeous course and conditioning
3. Old Course Vilamoura 9.5/10 As above
4. Quinta do Lago Laranjal 9/10 As above, but slightly weak 1st and 18th holes
5. Vila Sol 8/10 but 10/10 for value

 

[PCWOX]

Nice. Heading there in September and playing Old Course, QDL North, Monte Rei, VDL Royal and Laguna (had to have one "budget" course in there), as green fees are not cheap