Palheiro Golf

Rua do Balancal nº 29,

Funchal, Madeira 9060-414

  • Office

    +351 291 790 120
  • Fax

    +351 291 792 456
  • Golf pro

    Edgar Rodrigues (Head Professional)
  • Academy

    Palheiro Golf Academy

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.

  • Surroundings:

    Woodland.

  • Designer:

    Cabell B. Robinson

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6085
5448
4452
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
72.2
69.5
69.0

At the same location:

6-hole Academy course.

Location

Latitude:

32.653152

Longitude:

-16.872307

How to get there:

6 km E of Funchal.

Palheiro Golf

4-star: Above average course - well worth a visit.

Est. 1993

Palheiro Golf: set within the magnificent Palheiro Estate and adjacent to the 5-star Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, this 18-hole championship golf course meanders through a pristine environment of maritime pine, botanical woodland and lush, sub-tropical vegetation. At nearly 500 m above sea level, the location is blessed with spectacular views of Madeira’s mountainous skyline, the country's capital city of Funchal, and the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Designed by renowned golf architect Cabell B. Robinson, the picturesque layout reflects Madeira’s hilly terrain, with sharp ridges and deep valleys providing a challenge for high and low handicappers alike. There's not too much room for error, with the contoured and at times not overly wide fairways, reinforced by strategically placed bunkers that guard fast, undulating greens.

Teeing off here is to walk through a verdant and tranquil 200-year-old country estate, with its ever-present abundance of fragrant, exotic flora. With water in play on 11 of the 18 holes, and five par-3s complementing the five par-5s, Palheiro will certainly test your golfing skills ... and at the same time, offer up some truly spectacular views.

Stay&Play at Palheiro Golf: onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.

List of courses: Portugal - Madeira

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 28; women 36.

Green fees

Contact club for green fee details.

Other information

Soft spikes only. Walking permitted. Golf carts available for hire.

Practice facilities

Good

Did you know?

Set under the 18th green at Palheiro Golf, the clubhouse restaurant sits high above the city of Funchal and affords a stunning panorama of the bay, the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. If you're playing the course, ensure you leave plenty of time to enjoy the terrace, some excellent Mediterranean cuisine, and those fabulous vistas.

Published ranking

Portugal's 32nd best course (Golf World, 2022).

Where2Stay

  • Casa Velha do Palheiro5-star

    29 Rua do Balancal, 9060-414 Funchal, Madeira

    +351 291 790 120

    Visit website

    Nestling in rolling hills above Funchal, the Casa Velha do Palheiro is a charming country house hotel that enjoys a privileged location within the Palheiro Estate next to the celebrated Palheiro Gardens, originally created by the 1st Count of Carvalhal. The 37-room boutique property, recognised by Relais & Châteaux, offers guests direct access to the Palheiro Golf Course, with privileged tee offs from near the halfway house, or Tea House, a short stroll from the gate.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Palheiro

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

Find a course

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