The Algarve now has more than 30 excellent 18-hole golf courses and four of these – Parque da Floresta, Boavista, Palmares and Penina –are within a 15-minute drive of Reserva da Luz
They offer an interesting variety of challenge for both high and low handicap players.
Parque da Floresta has a particularly challenging layout built on mainly hilly terrain with coastal and inland views. There are a number of interesting and unusual holes including the par 3 15th played over a valley with a small lake. Tremendous improvements have been made to the course over the past years. The wind makes it a stern test.
Boavista is a spectacular new 6,053 metre long course designed by Howard Swan, built on naturally rolling terrain with an abundance of indigenous palms and trees. The views over nearby Lagos and the western coastline are breathtaking. One of the signature holes is the par 3 sixth played over a deep ravine. Very tricky greens!
Palmares is famous for its annual Almond Blossom tournament week held in early February. The breathtaking scenery can be appreciated from most of the course with views of the Alvor river estuary, beaches and the Bay of Lagos. There are five authentic links holes among the dunes close to the ocean. The most demanding hole is the long par 5 fifth running roughly parallel to the shore. The rest extend through hillsides and valleys with pine, almond and fig trees.
Golf in the Algarve started at Penina in 1966 with this masterpiece layout designed by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton. It has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. Fairly flat parkland terrain and several tricky water hazards characterize the layout. The imposing Le Meridien Penina Hotel overlooks the course.
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