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Golf Vilamoura Algarve - which golf course is your favourite?
With mild Algarve winters and lots of sunshine, golf in Vilamoura is definitely an all-year round activity. If you're only going to play the odd round of golf its best to use a specialist tee-time agency or use your hotel get a discounted green fee. If you intend playing more, then the best deals are found by booking a golf package. Click Golf Packages Vilamoura for more information on golf packages here. Bear in mind, if you want to play golf at any of the Vilamoura golf courses, you’ll require a valid handicap certificate with maximum handicaps for men 24 and ladies 28. On all courses, golf shoes with soft spikes are mandatory. You must also wear tailored shorts or trousers and collared shirts. Each course has its own Club House (although the Millennium and Laguna courses share one), Bar, Restaurant, Pro-Shop, Putting Green, Club Hire, Trolleys and Buggies. Golf Vilamoura Algarve - Millennium Golf CourseThe Millennium course was completed in 1999 with the addition of an extra 9 holes to the 27-hole layout that existed already. This 36 holes now makes up the Millennium and Laguna golf courses. Both these courses share a clubhouse.
The Millennium course is a good 18 hole, par 72, 6,200 metre course, suitable for players of all handicaps, but it is not my favourite Vilamoura golf course. It’s quite a flat course, with a couple of holes with water hazards. The fairways are quite narrow in general, and the well kept greens are firm and fast, meaning that you should bring a good short game with you.
The first few holes are quite open, before the course changes, and the next 5 holes meander through the umbrella pines. This is the best part of the course. After this it starts to opens out again and loses some of its beauty. However, the holes are still well designed, with contoured fairways and well-positioned bunkers for protection.
Millennium Golf Course Green Fees - (2006/7) 18 Holes - € 95.00
Golf Vilamoura Algarve - Laguna Golf CourseOpened in 1990, it is 6,100 metres long and has a par of 72. While quite American in style, there are some holes, which are more links in nature. It is quite different to the other Vilamoura golf courses.
Laguna Golf Course Green Fees - (2006/7) 18 Holes - € 80.00
Golf Vilamoura Algarve - Old CourseThis is the oldest of the Vilamoura courses, and my favourite. It is a 6,250 metre, par 73 parkland course meandering over rolling terrain through umbrella pine trees.
It has a great variety of holes with well bunkered, small, fast greens. The fairways are generously wide, but because they tree-lined, off target drives will cause you problems. The course is hillier than the other Vilamoura golf courses with a number of elevated tees and greens.
There is only 1 water hazard on the course, on the par 3, 4th hole, with an umbrella pine to negotiate as well as the water.
It has been used selected for the Portuguese Open in 1979 and still provides one of Portugal’s finest test of golf, although it is suitable for players of all standards.
Vilamoura Old Course Green Fees - (2006/7) 18 Holes - € 140.00
Golf Vilamoura Algarve - Pinhal Golf Course
This is Vilamoura’s most popular course. It is built through a beautiful pine wood, giving a parkland style course, with many fairways lined with umbrella pines and some lovely panoramic views to the sea.
Opened 1976 and redesigned in 1985, this 6,350 metre par 72 course has rolling terrain and generously wide fairways. However the greens are small and well bunkered, putting a premium on accurate approach shots. It is not overly long but is a good test of golf, although, in my opinion, somewhat easier than the old course.
Pinhal Golf Course Green Fees - (2006/7) 18 Holes - € 90.00
Golf Vilamoura Algarve - Victoria Golf CourseThis is the fifth and latest addition to the Vilamoura golf courses. It was designed by Arnold Palmer as championship course. It is an 18-hole par 72 course and at 6,560 meters is pretty long, but there plenty of tees to choose from making it suitable for players of all standards.
It is a flat course, the only relief coming from its contoured, man-made undulating fairways and fountains in the water hazards. The fairways are quite wide with many rock-lined water hazards throughout the course and American style large bunkers.
Overall it is a great test of golf, but it is also the most expensive of the Vilamoura golf courses.
Victoria Golf Course Green Fees - (2006/7) 18 Holes - € 175.00 Return from Golf Vilamoura Algarve to Golf Holidays in the Algarve
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Overall it is a fairly flat and open course. The contoured fairways are quite wide, and not being too long, the course is suitable for players of all standards. Most of its protection comes from the many water hazards and bunkers, and being quite exposed, the wind can also come into play.
