Vale do Lobo Golf, Vale do Lobo, Algarve, Portugal

Vale do Lobo Golf Club

Vale do Lobo (Almancil), Algarve, Portugal

Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, Vale do Lobo Golf Club is very scenic with lovely clifftop views of the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches, as well as the Algarve countryside.

Royal Course

The Royal Golf Course has rolling fairways set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes surrounded by wild flowers.Its features include the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover – one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, which has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve. It is here that drives must carry two ravines to reach a green 210 metres away. The fairways are undulating and almost without exception, they are quite narrow, lined with mature umbrella pines. The well-protected greens also pose a challenge to golfers.

Ocean Course

The Ocean Golf Course features undulating fairways which run alongside nature reserve, before leading gently down to the shores of the Atlantic. The front nine holes are located on a slightly hilly land which characterises Vale do Lobo, surrounded by pine trees with sea view from several holes. The back nine, in particular, are characterised by spectacular ocean views, with some holes almost stretching down to the beach. On reaching the brow of the hill on the 11th, players come suddenly upon a sight fit to take the most concentrated golfer’s breath away. The fairway runs directly down towards the beach and, for the next few holes, outstanding views and Atlantic breezes are guaranteed to make a player’s round exhilarating, even if his game is below expectations.