| The Algarve runs over nearly 200 kilometres of | | | | was designed to test. Even the best find themselves |
| Southern Portugal, from the Spanish border to the | | | | sometimes faltering on the par 3s, so tee off well |
| western Costa Vecentina. It's more than 70 percent | | | | and don't let your game slip. Towards the end the |
| nature reserve around here, and you can easily see | | | | course relents slightly, and an experienced golfer can |
| why, with its sheltered marshes, beautiful beaches all | | | | breeze through the 10th and 11th, and this is a |
| viewable from noble mountain land. You could hardly | | | | welcome break, unless you have been playing the |
| ask for a better setting for golf, interacting with | | | | game of your lif and wish to continue doing so. Here |
| these pastoral greens, in glorious technicolour under | | | | you will find the provided service a delight, as you |
| the strong sun light, the water features shimmering | | | | are quickly greeted by a buggy and your clubs ready |
| and sparkling, waiting to swallow your golf ball. For a | | | | to be tended to. It also has a glorious clubhouse, |
| day's round of golf, to any committed golfer, these | | | | which is almost essential to a course like this, you will |
| Algarve courses are waiting to be explored. | | | | need to reward yourself after playing. |
| Of its most esteemed courses is the world | | | | Third on the list is the world class acclaimed Golf |
| renowned Monte Rei Golf & Country club. Partly | | | | Course of San Lorenzo, which running between the |
| designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the finest players | | | | Atlantic and umbrella pines of the marshland bird |
| the game has known, this course only adds to his | | | | sanctuary of Ria Formosa. This again is a testing |
| achievements, garnering a reputation as one of the | | | | course with its famous par 4 sixth hole with its 90 |
| finest in the world. It's a varied set up, unique and | | | | degree dogleg. The course builds to a stunning climax, |
| often unexpected, full of nice little surprises that | | | | with the 17th and 18th offering as tricky a challenge |
| delight and confound. Famed for its high price Monte | | | | as any in Vilamoura. Don't expect the best service |
| Rei reflects every cent shed in its service from the | | | | here, it is almost universally grumpy, but all the |
| very outset, impressing from the very outset, from | | | | facilities are lovely and great for basking in. |
| its wonderful practice bunkers and ranges, with | | | | After such a tough day on the greens, your vacation |
| pyramids of balls patiently waiting your arrival. Then | | | | rental will be a welcome haven, a tough days |
| from the first tee it begins to stagger, starting with | | | | recreation followed by the splendour of a Portugal |
| this downhill flowing dogleg, each golfer knows that | | | | villa. Lounging by the swimming pool under the |
| this is going to be a good round of golf. The course | | | | Orange evening's sun as it blends in to a red sunset. |
| leads on to a myriad of treacherous water hazards | | | | Throughout the Algarve there is much to explore and |
| and dastardly bunkers, designed as such that this | | | | you may which to travail these terrains without a |
| course is no easy ride. After the finishing the 18th | | | | golf club in your hand, taking in the landscapes in all |
| whole and adjourning for some refreshments in the | | | | their glory. For a day away from the course you can |
| luxurious club house it is clear that not a single dollar | | | | take in Lisbon, and all it's cultural offerings, a truly |
| has been wasted, many are quick to part with their | | | | eccentric Mediterranean city, though your mind may |
| cash for a second loop soon after. | | | | be back on the courses thinking of 9th hole at Santa |
| A cheaper and just as prestigious alternative is the | | | | Rei and the next time you play it. |
| Vilamoura Old Course, this is widely known as a | | | | For all golfers the Algarve is a truly enriching |
| must-play course, and has been attracting golfers | | | | experience, burning away under a blistering sun, on |
| since 1969. Vilamoura is a notoriously tricky days | | | | some of the finest courses around. This is a spot |
| golfing, people wishing to traipse these greens with | | | | where the greens really are green. |
| class should ensure they are on top form, this course | | | | |