Vilamoura course advice

[Hackers76]

Good morning

Long time reader of the mag but first time hitting the forums and looking for a bit of advice.

I am planning an October trip to Vilamoura for 8 people and looking at which courses to select. The standard package is Millennium, Pinhal and Laguna and we have enquired about upgrading one to the Old Course. The rep is nudging us towards playing Pinhal instead of Laguna however having a quick check on some user reviews Laguna seems the better track than Pinhal. Has anyone that has played these recently got any advice?

While all seasoned players we have handicaps ranging from 11 to 28, we are only looking to play one of Dom Pedro’s two main courses and have selected Old Course over Victoria.

Thanks in advance

 

[shortgame]

Haven't played any of the other ones you mention but the old course is superb IMO

 

[Coffey]

Welcome to the forum, get stuck in.

I played Laguna last year on a trip to the Algarve. It was the first course I ever played abroad. I found it to be great condition wise and the routing was good. As the name suggests there is a lot of water. Some great holes on the course which dogleg round lakes.

That was the only Villamoura course I played but I did really enjoy it.

The remaining courses I played where further west and had quite a different vibe to them. A lot more lads at the Vilamoura course while a lot of couples were out West

 

[Hackers76]

Thanks for the quick responses. Our initial thoughts was to play courses close to the resort as we can have a bit more time to relax but the thought of going a bit further afield on one of the days to find a quieter course certainly appeals. More food for thought

 

[elmoag]

I’m just back and we played pinhal which was good fun. Victoria which is up there with best courses I have played. And the old course which was good but probably not as good as I expected I also like playing villa sol it’s challenging enough.

 

[azazel]

We played pinhal and Laguna about four years ago. I thought Laguna maybe had a slight edge in terms of layout - that might be because our home course is a links and holes with water are a bit of a novelty - but pinhal was definitely in better condition. As a result I enjoyed pinhal more but would play either of them again no problem.

We also travelled on one of the days to play the Faldo course and, while it was definitely good fun, the trip took most of the day whereas staying in Vilamoura would’ve allowed more time for socialising that day...

 

[Tashyboy]

Heyup Hackers me man. I to played Pinhal a couple of years ago. In all honesty I quite enjoyed it. But it's not the best course in and around Vilamoura. Mainly because there are some excellent courses there. I would play it the first day and build up to the best courses last. Pinhal is a good knock and any rusty shots you would sooner play there than say starting at the old course.
Re being located in Vilamoura, you are in golfing heaven. Night time in and around the Marina is fantastic for food and drinks. I have stayed at Vialmoura and Albuferia and much prefered Vailamoura. Played the Faldo course which is a good drive from Vilamoura, let's just say I expected more. I went further afield and played at Palamares and some of the holes and views just blew my mind. It was stunning.
One other thing, I played on the twilight hours and got it a good bit cheaper, think it was about 2pm onwards. But it was getting dark around 6-6.30 pm ish so on a couple of courses it was a rush the last few holes to make sure I played 18. If you want a full 18 don't be going out to late. Later you start, later you finish, later you start supping around the marina.
Enjoy and welcome to the fruitcake shop.

 

[Hobbit]

I have played them. I'd put Pinhal at the lower end of those I'd chose. The Old is a nice layout, and worth playing, but just needed a tidy up.

 

[MendieGK]

Old course is comfortably the best of the collection of those courses. You’re making a good choice playing that over victoria.

Personally I think Pinhal is better than Laguna but there isn’t much between them.

 

[sunshine]

In reverse order...
Milennium has a couple of very attractive holes with umbrella pines and mounding that are used for all the marketing photos. That's as good as it gets - rest of the course is rubbish.
Laguna is very non descript and quite boring.
Pinhal is streets ahead of Laguna and Milenium, plays a lot like the Old. You have to play strategically between the trees, some people find the playing corridors a bit narrow but you always have a shot from under the trees.
Victoria is a great challenge, built to test the pros, quite technical but not really a fun or spectacular course.
Old looks similar to Pinhal, but much better in every way. Mature and classy layout.

As for the town, if you're looking for a full English, pies, pints, lap dancers etc then Vilamoura is the place for you.

 

[Hackers76]

Afternoon all. Looking into flight details with Ryanair (unfortunately). Their fare plus option is two cabin bags and 1 hold bag up to 20kgs. Does anyone know of that one hold bag can be your golf clubs or would you need to book that additionally?

 

[sunshine]

Afternoon all. Looking into flight details with Ryanair (unfortunately). Their fare plus option is two cabin bags and 1 hold bag up to 20kgs. Does anyone know of that one hold bag can be your golf clubs or would you need to book that additionally?

No you always have to pay extra for your clubs. Not like BA where golf clubs can count as your hold baggage.

Would you expect anything else from Ryanair?

 

[MendieGK]

You can get 2 pencil bags in one golf holdall. Just put shoes/balls etc in your luggage and you’ll be under the weight. Saves us some cash every time