Portugal / Amendoeira advice (Faldo / O'Connor)

[virtuocity]

Looking at a holiday to Portugal next year.

Some really nice villas in Salgados. I know reviews of Salgados' course are mixed, but it's really cheap and would do us nicely for a couple of rounds.

However, I realised that Salgados is very close to Amendoeira Golf Resort. Checked out their website and got a bit confused- they state that the Faldo course, O'Connor and Academy courses are on site.

Questions:

1. Anyone played Salgados recently- what was it like? Decent for a holiday hit?
2. Do the Faldo/O'Connor/Academy courses sit on a different site to the Old Course/Victoria etc?
3. Do they normally try to fold two-balls into a four-ball? Any customer service issues?
4. Are the Faldo and O'Connor courses really worth circa £100 a round each?
5. Are there any cheaper deals than booking direct?
6. Any taxi services you'd recommend?
7. Is it best to play as early as possible to avoid the heat / slow rounds?

Many thanks.

 

[MendieGK]

Hi, Faldo & O'Connor are away from Vilamoura which is where Old Course/Victoria are.

I've heard good things about Salgados, apparently it has a ridiculous amount of water.

My experience is that most of the prices are fairly set but that some providers will knock some costs off (i played Golfbreaks against YGT to bring the price down).

Dont ignore Twilight rates, the courses are quieter and the cost can be considerably cheaper.

Love Portugal

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I played Salgados but it was 10+ years ago, thought it was OK but it has water on all bar 1 hole so you do have to plot your way round. I was single and got paired up with others to make a 4ball.

Perfectly OK for holiday golf :thup:

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I stayed at Amendoeira last year.

We played the Old course at Vilamoura on the first day, went straight there from the airport.
Then stayed a couple of nights on site and played the Faldo and O'Connor.

Service was very good from all the Oceanico people (with whom we booked directly), and no issues with bookings etc (which we had this yr when using YGT).

In theory if you stay there you can get unlimited golf on the onsite courses, but in practice you need to ensure you book an early round and hope for a free space in the evening/afternoon.

We went into Guia in the evenings for food at some very well priced restaurants, and drank in the apartments later on (there is an Aldi not too far away with dirt cheap beers).

 

[louise_a]

I won a trip to Amendoeira last year, so cant comment on value for money, the O'Connor and Faldo are completely different, the Faldo is a bit gimmicky, the O'Connor is fairer. The academy course is a par 3 course. Buggies are necessary and I think compulsory so included in the price I believe.
I twice booked rounds there away from the competition I was in and was put with both a 3 ball and a 2 ball, if there are spaces they just add you to a group.
As stated Vilamoura is about 30- 40 minutes away.
The food is a bit limited at the course but its not too far to the coast where there are lots of restaurants.
I have also been to Vilamoura and personally prefer the courses there especially the old course and the Victoria, again I went to play in a comp so cant comment on VFM.

 

[MendieGK]

The old course is fantastic. Would suggest going a new mins further east to the Quintas too

 

[TerryA]

I have played Salgados a number of times, April this year the last time. It is always in good condition, some good holes and very enjoyable. It is part of a group than includes Morgado & Alamos - both worth playing. Also look at the Pestana courses, they haave 6, and are far better value than the Faldo & O'connor.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I have played Salgados a number of times, April this year the last time. It is always in good condition, some good holes and very enjoyable. It is part of a group than includes Morgado & Alamos - both worth playing. Also look at the Pestana courses, they have 6, and are far better value than the Faldo & O'connor.

I played some of the Pestana courses this year. We stayed at the Atlantico apartments near Alvor. Alvor was good for a night out, loads of restaurants and bars.
We played Gramacho, Silves, Pinta and Alto. I enjoyed them all and would rate them in the order written.

The only problem with them is that they are quite a drive from Vilamoura, Albufiera etc, being closer to Portimao in more western Algarve.

 

[virtuocity]

That clears most things up- thanks folks.

Other than- Faldo and O'Connor- worth it for £100 a round?!

 

[Senseicads]

We went through YGT this year to Amendoeira. Had an absolute ball! We had unlimited golf whilst there and had 6 rounds over the 4 days. You only got buggies for the first round you played and had to get a trolley for the second round. This was mostly due to availability we understood. which meant that we could only get two round on the Faldo course which is super hilly and would be impossible/miserable to have a trolley on. The O'Connor was very pleasant to walk around with the trolley.

The Faldo was the harder course but was incredible to play on. Some of the elevation was awesome to look at, and given that it was really hard! The distances from the tees meant you had to hit it 180+ yds plus on some holes. It was sooo much fun! The oconnor was much more of a traditional course with some water on it. The 18th green of the O'Connor is in a little area cut out of the rock and it is overlooked by the bar's balcony. So you have an audience as you rock up! The fairways and greens were in incredible condition when we played. The apartments were really luxurious with a bathroom for every bedroom and each room having it's own balcony. The food was simple(almost pub food from UK) but it was cheap and the beers were more than reasonable. we never paid more than 60 euros for dinner and that was with a couple of drinks between the four of us. We managed to book the first tee time every morning and that was just great getting out before everyone else in the morning!! loved it! we are going back next year, hoping to get another 4 people to come and do a kind of mini ryder cup between us all

Quick tip though, if going for a hire car, avoid GoldCar completely! You will pay slightly more with a reputable company but won't be hit with any hidden charges. when we were there we ended up being fleeced for extra insurance we didn't need, but felt we had to take after the chap in the office marked some damage on the vehicle when we were picking it up and we hadn't even viewed the vehicle at the point! we could see us all getting ripped off! not good!

 

[Deleted member 1147]

That clears most things up- thanks folks.

Other than- Faldo and O'Connor- worth it for £100 a round?!

I'd say not, but you have to have a buggy so that would add say 40 euros to the cost of around.
We paid 265 euros for 3 nights and unlimited golf last year, iirc.

 

[Break90]

IMO Faldo course is very.......unique. Put a clowns head and a few windmills her and there and they would fit right in.

Not my favourite, defo wouldn't pay 100 quid to play it.

Plenty of better courses around the area

 

[Beedee]

I've played Faldo and O'Connor, and would be very happy to play either course again. I slightly preferred the Faldo tho.

Lots of people have mentioned the Old Course. While I like the course of the Old Course a lot I much much preferred the setup and atmosphere of Faldo/O'Connor. At the Old Course I didn't feel welcome. I felt everything was very stuffy and we were treated like cattle to be rushed through as quickly as possible. At Faldo/O'Connor it felt like we were being pampered at a luxury course.

 

[IM01]

Was on the Algarve last week golfing and played Gramacho on the twilight rate 33 euros after 4pm and only took 3.5 hours.

Also played the Old Course which was in fantastic condition