Courses in Algarve

First post here.

I have been playing golf for around 18 months and got a bargain for a week out in the Algarve in March. I have never played abroad but I am hoping to get a few rounds in whilst I am over there.

What courses would people recommend for a high-handicapper like myself, and where would you book tee-times?

Thanks,

John.

Whereabouts you going John?

Sorry I should of said! Central Algarve, the nearest course is Oceanio Pinhal? Which is approximately 1000m away from the Hotel.

Hi John

If you are playing a few rounds, try and get a deal for the Oceanica courses, I think there are about 5 local and the Faldo course a trip away. Also playing the Oceanica courses, most hotels arrange for a courtesy bus to pick you up and deliver you back drunk at your hotel. In Vilamoura Marina or your hotel, there are shops that arrange tee times. The hotel's normally do a good deal anyway, not to many bargains to be had. So that said, arrange your golf, have a great trip, and remember the courtesy bus.

So I should be okay to book once I am over there rather than booking online?

I saw that there were a couple of offers on the Oceanica courses but they required a lower handicap than I have.

Thanks for your help.

Would the two Vale Do Lobo courses be too tough for a higher-handicapper?  All reviews I have read talk about the 16th on the Royal and nothing else, seem to be a few offers on these.
 

I last played Vale de Lobo 36 years ago when only 27 holes were in existence, the red, yellow and green loops of 9 holes.

I assume that the 16th on what is now called the Royal is the old short 7th over the red cliffs on the Red/Yellow loops.

They were just beginning to line the fairways with property and rather hemmed the course in, but, nevertheless it was always a good test, as was the newer course at Quinta de Lago.

My favourite was Vilamoura Old and has fond memories.

The last time I went, I was on my own and managed to get a couple of cheap deals from a kiosk in Vilamoura marina and on one occasion  I popped into Laguna and enquired about a green fee, but it was way too expensive for me, so I just took a chance and offered them 30 euro and they bit my arm off and placed me with a three ball.

It is always nice to play oin the sunshine but one can play far better courses on this little island of ours at much cheaper rates.

Yeah it is really expensive over there from what I have read, especially once you've paid to transport your clubs, paid for insurance etc.

The cost of the holiday for one week is less than the green fees on one of the courses for the two of us.
 

You are correct, the 16th is the par 3 over the cliffs.  I did look at the Old Course, it looks nice with little to no water to lose many balls in.  Some of the courses look like I could lose 18 or more balls in a round with the amount of water about.

I will wait until I get over there and see what sort of prices are going on.  Cheers for the information.

 

Cheers for the heads-up WIlliam, however, I have already paid the excess for Golf Equipment on the flight.  At this stage I prefer playing with my own clubs, seem to have shocking rounds if I use a mates!  I would rather enjoy the golf over there with my own clubs that worry about striking the ball with unfamiliar clubs.