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Golf in the wild west at Parque da Floresta Golf CourseParque da Floresta golf course is in the Western Algarve, and is in fact its most westerly course. It forms part of the Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure reort and is located just over 1km west of Budens and 16km west of Lagos. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes drive from Faro airport.
Parque da Floresta Golf course opened in 1987 and became a golf club in 1994 when it was taken over by the Vigia Group. and went under some redevelopment in 1998 to add a golf academy and redesign some of the holes on the back-nine.
To get the best deals on playing here, it’s probably best to book a golf package, which includes accommodation and rounds of golf. There are many companies who can provide this. Click on the link for more information on Parque da Floresta golf packages (or any others in the Algarve).
Parque da Floresta Golf Course ReviewParque da Floresta is an 18-hole par 71 course. It’s not the longest course at just under 5600 metres and is surrounded by clusters of golf village houses and private villas.
Being in the western Algarve, with its more rugged and wild terrain, the course is in keeping with this. It is quite dramatic even though it is a parkland style course and is a pleasant contrast to other courses the Algarve has to offer.
There is a good variation of holes on the course. The fairways are generally quite tight so accurate tee shots are required (Oh dear…) and the course is quite hilly in places. It can be a draining up-and-down walk, particularly during the hot summer months. Luckily the ever constant sea breeze is a help, but you’ll be forgiven for hiring a buggy. If you have the energy, do walk the course, to take in the fantastic views of the surrounding Algarve countryside and the Atlantic Ocean.
Parque da Floresta golf course facilities and informationPractice facilities include a driving range, practice chipping area and putting green. There is also a Golf Academy which employs the latest in video and computer equipment to help you improve your game, although finding out your ‘Tiger Woods’ swing is more like a drunken monkey falling out of a tree can be quite psychologically damaging . Still, their extensive tuition programme will sort that out.
There is a clubhouse, which incorporates the golf reception, a spikebar and restaurant. There are some good views over the course from the clubhouse, as you enjoy your well-deserved after-match drink. While I haven’t eaten here, apparently the restaurant serves good food.
If you fancy a round, then their website indicates that a handicap certificate is ‘preferred’ whatever that means. Additionally, you’ll need soft spikes and the dress code requires tailored shorts and collared shirts only
Parque da Floresta golf course Green fees Return from Parque da Floresta Golf Course to Algarve golf holidays
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Parque da Floresta is situated on the edge of the Costa Vicentina Nature Reserve and because it is so far west, is visited by holiday golfers less than many of the courses in the Central Algarve. This is good or those who venture this far, especially as it gets consistently good reviews from golfers who have played it. While it’s not cheap (and what golf courses in the Algarve are?) it still represents pretty good value for money.
