Vale do Lobo,
Almancil, Algarve 8135-864
Office
+351 289 353 465Pro shop
+351 289 353 465Fax
+351 289 353 003Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Steve WatkinsAcademy
Vale do Lobo Golf AcademyThe 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).
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).
37.057041
-8.070031
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): 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.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Maximum handicap: men 28; women 36. Proof of handicap required.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Soft spikes only. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire.
Limited
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.
Portugal: 31st best course in Portugal (Golf World, 2022).
Vale do Lobo, Almancil 8135, Algarve
+351 289 357 200
Visit websiteThe 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.
No
Vale do Lobo (Royal & Ocean courses); Quinta do Lago (North, South & Laranjal courses); Pinheiro Altos; San Lorenzo; Vila Sol.
Vilamoura courses (Oceanico - Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria).
Morgadinhos, 8125-307 Vilamoura, Algarve
+351 289 320 320
Visit websiteWith 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.
Vila Sol
Vale do Lobo (Royal & Ocean courses); Vilamoura courses (Old, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna, Victoria).
Quinta do Lago (North, South & Laranjal courses); San Lorenzo.
Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).
Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24).
To secure the best rates and ensure availability, it's recommended to book your rental car in advance, especially during peak golfing season.
Car Rental in Belgium, Europe & Worldwide – Avis
Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.
Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
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