Quinta do Lago North Course Feature Review

Review by Golfshake's Kevin Paver

The North Course was often seen as the poor relation to its neighbouring South Course, but that was until it was totally revamped in 2014. The redesign, by renowned American architect Beau Welling in collaboration with former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, had no expense spared, with an impressive £7m worth of investment. This included new greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation, drainage and cart paths.

The 6,775-yard course is now one that they’re very proud of, calling it the new number one course at Quinta do Lago, and they might just be onto something. It's Highly Recommended on Golfshake.

Pre Round Thoughts

When arriving at the Quinta Do Lago estate, it’s everything you’d expect from this 5-star golf resort. A friendly welcome from the pro shop as you check in, collect your scorecards and get your ticket to golfing nirvana, before heading to a fantastic practice green. 

Want to hit some balls first too? Head to the fantastic driving range and practice area, also home to the new Paul McGinley Academy.

Front 9 Overview

The opening hole on the North Course sets you off in style. A 351-yard Par 4, a dogleg left from an elevated tee, with bunkers to the right that are in range. Play it well, you’ll be left with a short pitch into the green and certainly a good chance of a par to start.

The North Course has four very different pars 3s, but all equally good. The 2nd, at 190-yards in length has water running all the way along the right, and trees along the left. This is certainly a daunting way to open the par 3s! 

The 5th is a beautiful hole. A relatively short par-4 at 345 yards, but with a dogleg left leaving several of options off the tee. Take the bunkers out of play and go safe onto the nice wide fairway. You’ll have a longer approach to the three-tier green, but a better chance of par. It’s a total risk and reward hole and a very clever one at that.

Back 9 Overview

The 12th, a 415-yard par 4 is a stunning hole and one of my favourites on the course. With water down the left and bunkers to the right, you are again faced with some tee shot choices. If you’re not brave enough to flirt with the water, there’s plenty of fairway to go at too. A totally scoreable hole, but also with plenty of danger.

The 16th is final par 3 of the round. At 159 yards from a downhill tee shot. Don’t be fooled by the distance as you can easily be caught out. This is one of the nicest greens on the course, but the slopes on the green carry the ball away from the pin! It’s a much harder hole than it looks from the tee. 

And finally, the 18th. This par 5 certainly deserves all the attention. Not a long par 5, but hugely enjoyable to play, and a fabulous closing hole. The two fairway bunkers on the left are in range for a good drive. Hit the fairway and you have some more choices to make, as there are two approach bunkers left and greenside bunkers right. If you’re not brave (or long!), there is a lot of fairway to go at, leaving a short shot into a fast, two-tier green. Hole out, get for a beer and just think about what a lovely golf course you’ve just played!

Post-Round Thoughts

The North is a fantastic golf course, with magnificent fairways and wonderfully true greens. It’s a course that requires you to really think about what shots to play. It’s not an easy course, and even a low handicap golfer could throw in a high score.

Still, the condition and layout of the course is so good, that even a bad card can’t make you too grumpy as you walk off the 18th and head to the bar.

I’d definitely recommend using a buggy as it’s a reasonable walk, plus, they all have GPS and particularly luxurious seats!

Verdict 

OVERALL RATING – 10

Course (Conditions) -10

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 9

Course (Green Condition) - 10

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 10

Club Facilities & 19th/Clubhouse - 9

Practice Facilities - 9

Friendliness/Hospitality - 10

Pace of Play - 10

Value for Money - 10