Vale do Lobo Golf Club

Vale do Lobo,

Almancil, Algarve 8135-864

  • Office

    +351 289 353 465
  • Pro shop

    +351 289 353 465
  • Fax

    +351 289 353 003
  • Golf pro

    Steve Watkins
  • Academy

    Vale do Lobo Golf Academy

About the course

  • The Course:

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

  • Surroundings:

    Seaside, residential and rural countryside.

  • Designer:

    Original design by Sir Henry Cotton, with later changes by Rocky Roquemore (2003).

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6137
5458
4833
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
72.3
70.6
73.1

At the same location:

Above distances are for the Ocean course. Also at Vale do Lobo is the 18-hole Royal Course (par-72; 6059 metres from back tees).

Location

Latitude:

37.057041

Longitude:

-8.070031

How to get there:

19 km W of Faro

From the A22 (Faro-Portimao motorway) take exit 12 (Loule/Quarteira) and follow the N396 direction Quarteira. After o.6 km turn left at T-junction, still on the N396 direction Quarteira. After 2.3 km at traffic lights turn left onto the N125 direction Almancil. After 1.3 km turn right direction Almancil. After o.2 km turn right direction Vale do Lobo. After 1.2 km turn left and immediately right at staggered junction, direction Vale do Lobo. After approx 2 km turn right at T-junction. After o.8 km turn left into Vale do Lobo (and past the gatehouse). After o.8 km golf entrance is on your right (just before shopping centre).

Vale do Lobo Golf Club (Ocean course)

3-PLUS: Good course - several memorable features; worthy of 3½ stars.

Est. 1969

Vale do Lobo Golf Club (Ocean course): Laid out on the west side of the modern clubhouse (which doubles as a chic shopping area), Vale do Lobo's Ocean Course offers something of an eclectic mix of golf holes. The most stunning part of the layout comes on the back-nine, where the 11th, 14th and most especially the par-3 15th, get you right down to the sea's edge and the chance to closely inspect the resort's beach life.

The front-nine at this busy member's club feels relatively open, with a good sized lake coming dangerously into play at the tough par-5 6th. By contrast, the holes on the inward-nine are more undulating, giving rise to a few blind tee shots. On this fairly compact layout, pine trees define the fairways and create your biggest hazard.

At the 8th and 18th holes, both short par-5s, you will need plenty of stamina (or a buggy) to make the stiff uphill climbs. The short par-4 9th also contains an uphill climb, together with a rather splendid tumbling waterfall feature that dominates the hole's leftside.

Although not one of the Algarve's top-rated layouts, the course will certainly give your game a thorough workout. The undulating terrain provides an assortment of views, some spectacular, onto sea and land. This at least makes the rather high green-fee a tad easier to swallow.

List of courses: Algarve, Portugal

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

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

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes: €190 (all days).

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].

Other information

Soft spikes only. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire.

Practice facilities

Limited

Did you know?

Vale do Lobo was among the first tourist destinations built in Portugal, following the building of Faro Airport in the early 1960s. Hotel and property chain Trust House Forte quickly stepped-in and acquired the land, which was transformed into the Vale do Lobo luxury resort. Townhouses and villas were built, along with the Dona Filipa hotel and two 18-hole Henry Cotton-designed golf courses. Vale do Lobo quickly became a popular destination with British holidaymakers.

Published ranking

Portugal's 31st best course (Golf World, 2022).

Where2Stay

  • Dona Filipa Hotel5-star

    Vale do Lobo, Almancil 8135, Algarve

    +351 289 357 200

    Visit website

    The Dona Filipa Hotel in Vale do Lobo is one of the Algarve's most famous luxury hotels, which welcomes guests with a touch of glamour and the essence of true quality. The hotel offers stunning views, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Vale do Lobo (Royal & Ocean courses); Quinta do Lago (North, South & Laranjal courses); Pinheiro Altos; San Lorenzo; Vila Sol.

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Vilamoura courses (Oceanico - Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria).

  • Vila Sol Hotel & Golf Resort5-star

    Morgadinhos, 8125-307 Vilamoura, Algarve

    +351 289 320 320

    Visit website

    With a great climate, a wellness SPA and one of Portugal's top golf courses, the Vila Sol Hotel & Golf Resort offers a 5-star resort experience. You can choose hotel rooms or self-catering apartments, and enjoy great amenities, including four restaurants, tennis courts, Kids' Club and Golf Academy. During the summer, board the shuttle to the beautiful Algarvian beaches nearby.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Vila Sol

    • Golf within 10 km:

      Vale do Lobo (Royal & Ocean courses); Vilamoura courses (Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria).

    • Golf within 30 km:

      Quinta do Lago (North, South & Laranjal courses); San Lorenzo.

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