The Best Golf Courses on The Silver Coast in Portugal

Travelling golfers in the know are long familiar with the value for money to be found at the courses of Portugal’s Silver Coast, an hour’s drive north of the capital, Lisbon.

The first course there, Praia D’El Rey has attracted players from the UK and Europe since it opened in 1997.

The additions of the Bom Sucesso Resort, Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort and West Cliffs greatly enhanced the appeal and now, with the four courses working together with bookings and transfers, there is no better time to go.

Praia D'El Rey Championship Course

The Cabell Robinson course was the first to open in the region set amid a wide range of villas and apartments.

Offering a mix of tree-lined parkland style golf and a handful of links-like holes overlooking the wild Atlantic in a truly stunning setting it quickly won the hearts of golfers.

It is a favourite course of many who play it, not many people go away with a bad impressions. A lively clubhouse with great terrace and extensive practice facilities complete the picture.

The first provides a nice warm up starting tee shot, but you immediately get to see that the greens are large and undulating and bunkers are aplenty.

The course heads off toward the coast for the next two holes before returning inland to a short yet testing par four 4th and a long 5th and seventh.

The back nine begins from an elevated tee on a par 5 with a large pond attracting balls hit to the right of the green before the coast holes begin to feature. 

Standing on the 10th tee just beyond the putting green to the rear of the clubhouse is a joy to behold. The 14th tee offers a similar vantage point of the rolling Atlantic waves.

Bom Sucesso Resort

The second course in the area was built by Donald Steel in 2008 overlooking the large lagoon known as the Lagoa de Obidos.

After a rather dull opening hole the course rapidly gains interest from the tough yet scenic par 5 2nd hole which sweeps downhill towards a lake on the right of the green.

There follows a number of interesting and varied holes along largely level land until the turn where the course takes on a different flavour, traversing hills and valleys before reaching an eye-catching pair of closing holes.

The course has very good, well maintained greens, yet the fairways at the time of our visit in March were very wet, full of weeds and lacking in turf density.

However, the course is well worth playing during a visit to the region, particularly as it’s cheaper than its neighbours. The clubhouse restaurant is highly recommended.

Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort 

This Seve Ballesteros design has been in immaculate condition whenever I have played it. The course is challenging however, particularly if your knees tremble at the thought of playing over water. There is plenty of aqua here for sure, so a somewhat cautious approach to shotmaking is required. It is however an extremely attractive course with plenty of memorable holes. Standouts for me are the 2nd - a long par 5 played from an elevated tee to a fairway hugging a large expanse of water on the left all the way to the green. In my opinion the 11th is the best on the course. No matter where you position yourself after a second lay up shot, you are left with a carry over water to a large rolling green. The 17th and 18th are also excellent. It does feature one of the oddest holes I have played anywhere. The par 4 12th, with its severe dogleg left has players scratching their heads on the tee wondering where to hit the ball. I must admit I have no idea how the hole is meant to be played to best effect. This is a mere quibble as the rest of the layout is excellent. 

West Cliffs Ocean & Golf Resort

The newest of the four courses which opened in 2017 receives many plaudits for its design, beautiful surroundings and is without doubt one of the finest in Portugal.

It is challenging though, and due to some long carries from tee to fairway in places, it pays to take the starter’s advice when selecting tee boxes.

The course is fairly hilly and energy sapping too, particularly due to some long walks from tree to tee, so buggies are recommended. 

Greens are huge and very undulating, though held at a pace to make them playable.

Despite these provisos, West Cliffs is hugely enjoyable and few regret playing there.

The opener is a tricky start, a par four, while not particularly long at 334 yard from the "55" tee boxes needs a good drive down the left followed by a deft iron to a long undulating green.

You will need to have got right into your game by the 3rd hole which is menacing to say the least, with water running the extent of the right hand side, to a tiny green hidden away among dunes.

The two par 5s on the front nine - the 6th and 7th are arguably the best and toughest on the course, particularly the 7th. Native vegetation here is really a thing of beauty yet some of the finest views belong to the back nine which starts with a glorious short par 4 with the ocean in the background.

Highlight holes on the return include the downhill 14th, the difficult  par 5 15th and the highly memorable 18th which runs down a steep slope towards the green guarded by a large lake.

The Resort 

Praia D’El Rey is easily reached from Lisbon airport following the toll road heading north.

It was established in the late 1990s with a combination of apartments, villas and townhouse, with the Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort completing the accommodation options.

This recently refurbished five star hotel has a choice of five restaurants all serving fresh and authentic produce and a comprehensive range of therapies and treatments are on offer at the Kalyan Spa.

Accommodation alternatives include Royal Obidos’ contemporary five star Evolutee boutique hotel overlooking the course and coastline beyond, and a wide range of villa and townhouse options at Bom Sucesso, situated in a village concept created by 23 architects.

The Silver Coast’s setting on the rugged shores of the Atlantic is stunning - with huge rollers attracting the international surfing set to nearby Peniche and Nazare.

Obidos, an historic town that attracts tourist to view its well-preserved medieval architecture, provides added interest for those wishing to explore, while Portugal’s renowned sea-based cuisine and superb local wines add to the appeal. 

Despite these nearby attractions, a downside to the resort is lack of evening interest outside of the hotel and clubhouse unless you are willing to take a taxi to the nearby towns.

Verdict

These four courses make up a great golfing experience on the Silver Coast and are a worthy and cost effective alternative to Algarve golf.

For bookings take a look at our travel partner Golfbreaks which offers deals at the Marriott and also a number of self-catering deals.

Holiday Extras

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers - and last year its customers saved an average of £191 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance. 

Booking an airport hotel means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. One night stay at an airport hotel at Manchester plus seven nights parking is available for £113.74 based on arrival on 27th April.

For more information and to book, HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.