Feature Review: Quinta do Lago South Course

UPDATE Oct 2019: New golf course review available here.

The South Course is the most famous and highly regarded course of the Quinta estate, and with good reason. Opened in 1974 it has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times, including the famous win by Colin Montgomerie in 1989 when he won by 11 shots, while also breaking the course record.

With the stunning Ria Formosa as a backdrop, this 7000 yard par 72 course is simply stunning. With fairways surrounded by pine trees and a good measure of water, it’s a course that is a serious (but hugely enjoyable!) challenge.

Pre round thoughts

The North and South both begin from the same clubhouse location, so everything you could ever need (and more!) is here for you. Whether that’s a trip to the pro shop or a rather special pizza before you play, nothing here is too much trouble for the staff.

If you’re playing a serious match and want some practice, they facilities are superb. Across from the pro shop is the fantastic driving range and practice area, also home to the new Paul McGinley Academy.
If you can, take a buggy. They’re probably the most luxurious buggies you’ll ever sit in, and they have course GPS.

Par 3s

The 11th Hole, a 203 yard downhill hole is a beauty, but when the wind blows I imagine it can be seriously tricky. Forget the shot for a minute and just enjoy the view, as it’s pretty special. Then, back to your shot whilst you focus on missing the left and right bunkers!

The 15th hole at the South must be one of the most photographed holes in golf… and for very good reason. It’s really is stunning. 219 yards from the white tees, and nearly all of it carry across the lake. Land one on the green and you could die happy. It really is that good.

Par 4’s

The 3rd is a tricky hole. The fairway looks pretty big from the tee, but hit one too far right and the pines will block your second out. Hit one too far left and you could watch your ball run away into the lake.

At 407 yards from the white tees, the 16th is a hole you can really go at as it has a nice wide and inviting fairway. Hit one in the middle and you’ll be left with an easy short iron to the green. Big hitters could be in trouble down the left though, with the pines lining the fairway running up to a bunker.  After you’ve holed out for par, have a look at the beautiful Ria Formosa just behind the green.

Par 5’s

The 5th is a great par 5. 552 yards to a left to right sloping fairway with bunkers on both sides, which are reachable for a good drive. The second shot brings trees into play on the left, and if you push one right… more trees! When you finally get to the beautiful (and really fast!) raised green, if you walk off with a par, you will be very happy!

The 17th and penultimate hole is another picture opportunity, regardless of how well your round has gone. 558 yards with water to the left, to the right and in front of you. There’s plenty of fairway to go at, but it’s a hole that really needs a straight drive. The shot into the green has bunkers left and right, which are raised above the fairway. Once you get to the green, it’s a very tricky one with lots of contours.

Post-round thoughts

The South is one of the finest golf courses you will ever play… fact.  It’s a really interesting layout that is challenging, but fair. It’s relatively long, but still requires you to think, so even the higher handicap golfer would still really enjoy playing here.

The fairways are wide and the greens are world class… everything you would expect from a course ranked in the top 5 in the Algarve… and that rating is absolutely justified.

If you plan on going to the Algarve to play golf, a round on the South Course is a must. Simple as that.

Feature Review: Quinta do Lago - North Course

Feature Review: Quinta do Lago - Laranjal Course