Golf courses of Portugal Golf on the Portuguese courses

GOLF COURSES OF ALGARVE PORTUGAL
AND HUELVA REGION OF SPAIN

Algarve Golf Courses
A page for the many people who visit the Algarve region of Portugal each year to play golf.

The page is designed with groups of golfers in mind who wish to benefit from the discounts available by booking both the courses and the accommodation on internet.

We have included the golf courses at Huelva, Andalucia in neighbouring Spain to this selection.


For golf trips with accommodation in Northern and Central Portugal please visit the suggested tours page.

Discount golf rates are shown on the individual pages for each golf course and on the link above. They are only available for those making a reservation prior to arrival.

There is a link from these pages to an online booking engine which give quaranteed tee off times.

You can view all the golf courses by visiting our front page or go to the regional links for Northern Portugal, Lisbon and Central Portugal, Algarve, Island of Madeira and the courses in the Island of The Azores.

Below is a sailor's view of the Portuguese Trade Winds (Nortada) which will affect your game of golf, especially on the western coastal links and the western Algarve courses.

Portugal Golf Courses booking engine

 
ALGARVE - WESTERN
TOWN NAME REGION HOLES METERS PAR
Vila do Bispo
Santo Antonio
Western
18
5,172
71
Lagos
Boavista
Western
18
5,751
71
Lagos
Espiche
Western
18
5,862
72
Lagos
Palmares
Western
27
5,885
72
Portimao
Penina
Western
18
9
9
6,439
2,987
1,861
73
35
30
Alvor
Pestana Alto
Western
18
6,125
72
Portimao
Morgado
Western
18
6,399
73
Portimao
Morgado Alamos
Western
18
5,641
71
Silves
Pestana Silves
Western
18
5,615
70
Silves
Oceanico Faldo
Western
18
6,598
72
Silves
Oceanico O'Connor
Western
18
6,708
72

 
ALGARVE - CENTRAL
TOWN NAME REGION HOLES METERS PAR
Carvoeiro
Pestana Pinta
Pestana Gramacho
Central
18
9
6,127
2,980
71
36
Carvoeiro
Vale do Milho
Central
9
 926
27
Albufeira
Salgados
Central
18
6,080
72
Albufeira
Balaia
Central
9
 984
27
Albufeira
Sheraton Pine Cliffs
Central
9
2,227
33
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Old Course
Central
18
6,708
73
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Millenium
Central
18
6,176
72
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Victoria
Central
18
6,609
72
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Pinhal
Central
18
6,353
72
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Laguna
Central
18
6,121
72
Vilamoura
Pestana Vila Sol
Central
3 x 9 (27)
6,242
72
Vale do Lobo
- Ocean Course
- Royal Golf Course
Central
18
18
5,495
6,175
72
72
Vale do Lobo
- Quinta do Lago - South
- Quinta do Lago - North
- Quinta do Lago - Laranjal
Central

18
18
18

6,488
6,205
6,460

72
72
72
Vale do Lobo
Pinheiros Altos
Central
27
6,049
36 (each 9 holes)
Vale do Lobo
Sao Lourenco
(San Lorenzo)
Central
18
6,238
72

 
ALGARVE - EASTERN
TOWN NAME REGION HOLES METERS PAR
Tavira
Benamor
Eastern
18
5,500
71
Tavira
Quinta da Ria
Eastern
18
6,053
72
Tavira
Quinta de Cima
Eastern
18
6,586
72
Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Castro Marim
Eastern
27
5,625
71
Sesmarias
Monte Rei Golf &
Country Club
Eastern
18
6,567
72
Castro Marim
Quinta do Vale
Eastern
18
6,511
72

 
SPAIN - HUELVA
TOWN
NAME
 COUNTRY
HOLES
METERS
PAR
Ayamonte
Esuri East
Spain
18
6,607
72
Ayamonte
Esuri West
Spain
18
6,607
72
Ayamonte
Isla Canela
Spain
18
6,248
72
Isla Cristina
Islantilla
Spain
27
6,142
71
El Rompido
El Rompido
Spain
18
6,148
72
Neuvo Portil
Nuevo Portil
Spain
18
5,841
71
Alijaraque
Bellavista
Spain
18
5,739
70
Alijaraque
La Monacilla
Spain
18
6,886
72
Matalascanas
Dunas de Donana
Spain
18
6,136
72
Tomares
Club Zaudin
Spain
18
6,192
71
Jerez de la Frontera
Montecastillo
Spain
18
6,456
72
Seville
Real Club Sevilla
Spain
18
6,529
72

The Portuguese Trade Winds (The Nortada)

The Portuguese trade winds usually blow in the summer months although you can also expect it at other times of the year after a quiet sunny start to the day.

The wind usually commences about midday and will finish whilst your are enjoying the excellent, cheap Portuguese cuisine for your evening meal. The start is delayed in the south and it blows later.

It is a strong wind, and can reach force 7 on the Beaufort scale (near gale) in the late afternoon.  It always blows from the north.

Itīs effect is mainly felt in coastal areas and, it is strongest when there is a headland with a river valley to the south. It is also felt in the exposed areas in the western Algarve.

For the coastal courses it would seem that if you want to play in calm weather you should go out in the morning.  Those preferring the challenge of strong winds should play after lunch.

The are four causes of this wind :

  • The Azores high pressure area causing good weather over the country with the wind circulating clockwise around these systems giving a northerly wind on the coast.
  • In summer, there is often a low pressure system in Spain around which the wind circulates anti-clockwise causing a northerly wind in Portugal.
  • The hot air over the Sahara is rising and has to be replaced by cool air. The Sahara is to the south of Portugal so the replacement air has to come form the north.
  • As the Iberian Peninsular heats up during the day, the hot air rises here and cool air is sucked in, particularly along the river valleys. This increases the strength of the winds because the flow has to replace this air as well.
This wind has, in a large part, been responsible for the wealth that came to Portugal in the past. It enabled the Portuguese to develop into one of the great seafaring nations of the world. The wind enabled cargo carrying vessels to make predictable passages. (Hence the name "Trade Wind")

The seafaring skills brought about the Discoveries made by the Portuguese which was followed by the rich colonies of South America and the Far East. The goods were shipped to Portugal for distribution throughout Europe. The winds also meant that vessels from Northern Europe, going to the Americas, traded in Portugal because it was on the fastest route under sail.

Unfortunately, the steam ships signalled the end of the importance of this wind. It is enjoyed by us who sail for pleasure and cursed by the unknowing golfer on the coastal links in the afternoon.


PORTUGUESE GOLF MAPS Road map with the golf courses marked
Included is a guide book giving the number and length of the holes, and detailed information for each golf course

Go to maps index


 
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courses
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LINKS TO OTHER PAGES
PORTUGAL - ACCOMMODATION BY TYPE
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PORTUGAL - ACCOMMODATION BY REGION
Algarve Alentejo Lisbon Coast Tagus Valley
Beiras Porto and Douro Alto Minho Azores and Madeira
SPAIN
Paradores of Spain