When to play
Spring and autumn. That's the answer. March to May the courses are green from winter rain, temperatures are in the low 20s, and you get the tee times you want. September to November is similar. Summer works but it's hotter (above 30°C some weeks) and busier. An afternoon round in August is punishing. Winter? Mild enough. Plenty of UK golfers come between November and February specifically because they can play in a polo shirt while it's raining sideways at home.
Quinta do Lago
Three courses. Europe's Best Golf Venue at the World Golf Awards, three years in a row now.
The South Course has hosted eight Portuguese Opens. Pines, lakes, Ria Formosa behind it. The difficulty changes enough across the 18 that higher handicaps don't get destroyed.
The North Course got a complete rebuild in 2014. Beau Welling and Paul McGinley, €9 million. Modern feel, different game to the South. Guests argue about which is better. We stay out of it.
Laranjal used to be an orange grove. Par 72, five lakes, pines, set slightly inland. Quieter feel. Doesn't get the press the South does but has a serious following among regulars. We've had guests play all three and rank Laranjal first.
Paul McGinley Golf Academy on-site. Coaching, TaylorMade Performance Centre. Worth a session if you want to work on something specific.
Vale do Lobo
Two courses inside the resort.
The Royal is the one with the famous hole. 16th, par 3. You're on a clifftop, the Atlantic is below, and you need to clear a ravine. Vale do Lobo calls it one of the most photographed holes in Europe. We've been on that tee. Your hands sweat regardless of handicap. Rest of the course winds through pines and lakes.
The Ocean gets talked about less. Locals rate it though. The fairways head towards the sea and on a clear morning it's hard to concentrate on your swing. Less punishing than the Royal. If you want to enjoy the round rather than stress about your score, play the Ocean.
Vilamoura
Six courses.
The Old Course is from the 1960s. Feels like it too. Trees everywhere, tight fairways, you have to think your way round. Named Portugal's Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards. Character that the modern courses can't copy.
Victoria hosts the Portugal Masters on the DP World Tour. Open, modern, water everywhere. The TV course.
Pinhal threads through pine trees and is the one regulars quietly prefer. Millennium, Laguna and Vila Sol round it out.
Pinheiros Altos
27 holes, three loops of nine. Inside the Quinta do Lago area, near several of our villas. Each nine plays differently. Good option when the main courses are booked up.
What a golf trip looks like from here
Most of our golf guests stay a week. Four or five rounds. A couple of days off for the beach and pool.
Morning round. Back at the villa by 1pm. Pool. Maybe Spike's after a round at Vale do Lobo. Maybe Dano's at The Campus after Quinta do Lago. Evening: walk somewhere for dinner. Restaurant guides for Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura if you need ideas.
Villas work for golf groups. Everyone gets a room. Nobody deals with hotel corridors at 6.30am carrying a bag. Explore all golf villas and apartments today!
