San Lorenzo Golf Resort Review

By: Kevin Paver | Sun 04 Sep 2016

San Lorenzo is an 18-hole Championship Golf course, in the golfing mecca of Quinta Do Lago in Portugal.

Designed by American golf course architects Joseph Lee and Rocky Roquemore and opened in 1988, San Lorenzo has consistently been rated as one of the best courses in Portugal. The figure of eight layout is located within the Ria Formosa nature park, with fairways running along saltwater marshes, freshwater lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean.

The 6402 yard course (yellow tees - 6800 yard white tees) is a classic risk and reward style course and considered a must play in the Algarve, regularly appearing in the top 5.

San Lorenzo Golf Resort Video

Pre round thoughts

As you head towards the course, you immediately get a feel for what you can expect when you arrive at this 5 star resort, Beautiful (and no doubt very expensive!) villas, high end hotels all surrounded by golf courses.

When you arrive at San Lorenzo, it doesn’t disappoint. We were welcomed immediately and asked if we wanted our clubs taking to a buggy before heading to the well designed and well stocked pro-shop.

If you want to have a pre round warm up, there is a small range and a putting area as well as a great clubhouse with a large outdoor terrace to fuel up before you head out.

Par 3s

The 5th is the shortest hole on the course at just 130 yards (off yellow tees), but is a pretty special one. Don’t be fooled by the distance or the stroke index of 17. Club choice is crucial as you can easily be caught out by the breeze coming in from the Atlantic, which sits beautifully at the back of the green.

We thought the 16th was the toughest of the par 3s. 190 yards to a small slightly elevated green, with a big bunker front right. You need to be top side too as it all runs back down at the front. A par here feels like a birdie!

Par 4’s

17th Hole

The 6th hole is the first that brings another element into play. A big dogleg left, stroke index 1 hole with the Atlantic ocean running alongside. The temptation is cut the corner, but make sure you get it right as there is trouble left. Once you’re around the corner, you can see the green, and the small bunker to the right of it. The wind can really come into play here too so choose your club wisely!

The 12th is the second hardest on the course, and worthy of the title. Nearly 400 yards with a very narrow fairway. Just to add some more difficulty, there is a bunker on the right that is in range and trouble all along the left. Make it to the fairway, you’ll have a mid iron to a green with more bunkers left and right. A par here is a big result!

On the 17th, all 360 yards run alongside a lake, right up the to the green which is to the left. A decent drive gives you a great birdie chance, if you stay clear of the water! Then, the 18th. 390 yards of brilliance. Again, the lake runs alongside the fairway on the left, and a bunker is in play on the right. Hit a good drive and you’re then faced with another shot over water to the right hand side as the fairway doubles back on itself to a small green. A fantastic finishing hole…

Par 5’s

The 8th hole is a fantastic par 5. Bunkers to the left, water all along the right, with the fairway following an ‘s’ shape. Your third shot has to carry water to a very tight green. Having the water right makes you think about playing to the left… but here lie bunkers. Just go for it, take a 5 and feel super proud!

The 10th is a quality start to the back 9 and needs a brave drive across two lakes. If you’re long, you can reach in two. But, beware of the bunkers either side of the large green.

Post-round thoughts

San Lorenzo is a golf course that should go on your list if you’re heading to the Algarve. With its interesting layout and fantastic scenery, not to mention two of the best finishing holes I have played, it’s a course that you have to really think your way around to score well. With water coming into play on so many holes, it’s easy to get through a sleeve of your best golf balls!

That said, whatever your handicap, it’s still a golf course that you will thoroughly enjoy. If you can, take a buggy as it’s quite a walk in the Portuguese sunshine.