| People will always debate which of Portugal's | | | | sand hazards stand in the way of many of the |
| numerous championship-grade golf courses should | | | | greens. Two driving ranges are available, one |
| be counted among the top five in the country, | | | | designed for use with irons and includes a golf |
| but the following are courses that will definitely | | | | academy devoted to iron shots, and another that |
| satisfy even the most demanding of golfers. | | | | permits you to use your woods to practice |
| Here are three of the very best that the Algarve | | | | making long hits. |
| has to offer; | | | | An old favourite on the Lisbon Coast |
| Vale do Lobo | | | | The famed Estoril located on the Lisbon Coast, is |
| The oceanside fairways of Vale do Lobo include | | | | one of the oldest and most well-known golf |
| two 18-hole courses - the Royal, where straight | | | | courses in Portugal, and the Portuguese Open has |
| hitting is a must, and the Ocean, which has been | | | | been hosted here many times. The 18-hole, Par |
| designated as one of the top three course in | | | | 69 course is set in a mature pine and eucalyptus |
| Portugal by Golf Digest Magazine. You are certain | | | | forest, and features a challenging 185 meter |
| to love the gorgeous Atlantic views when you | | | | fairway at its internationally famed 16th hole. |
| get to the challenging Par 4s of the 11th and 14th | | | | There is another course with nine holes where |
| Ocean holes, and the Par 3 15th hole is actually | | | | less experienced people can practice their golf |
| right next to a beach. Though the Royal's | | | | skills. When finished, they can enjoy fine |
| spectacular and difficult 16th is renowned, the final | | | | Portuguese cuisine in the clubhouse restaurant |
| hole provides a challenging end to your round, with | | | | with breathtaking views of the Atlantic. |
| its narrow fairway and confusing green. | | | | The Portugal Golfing Island of Madeira |
| Palmares | | | | PGA European events, including the Madeira Island |
| Five of the holes of the scenic Palmares course | | | | Open, are hosted on Madeira Santo da Serra. This |
| run along the sand dunes of the Meia Praia beach, | | | | is Portugal's golfing island and it overlooks the bay |
| and the rest of the 13 holes are situated among | | | | of Machico. Originally built in 1937, the course was |
| the rolling hills that overlook the Bay of Lagos. | | | | redesigned by Trent Jones in the 1990s, at which |
| The gorgeous course is only 2 km to the east of | | | | time it morphed into a 27-hole golf course |
| Lagos, and really comes alive in the spring when | | | | featuring panoramic views. Unforgettable as well |
| acacias, almonds, and other shrubs all bloom. | | | | as demanding are the second and fourth holes of |
| Challenging holes situated on sand dunes are | | | | the Machico part of the course. You can choose |
| featured at the open 18-hole, Par 71 course, and | | | | from one of four tees at each hole, allowing you |
| the driving range, chipping green and putting green | | | | to experience various levels of challenge, from |
| afford lots of opportunities for practice. Although | | | | relaxing to more difficult. Throughout the course, |
| Palmares has the potential to be difficult, it is | | | | you will find roughs and semi-roughs, and four |
| great for golfers of all skill levels. | | | | gorgeous lakes with shade trees around them |
| Quinta da Ria, | | | | offering respite from the hot sun. |
| This course which is situated in the Ria Formosa | | | | Portugal is a mecca for golfers and offers a wide |
| Nature Reserve, is one of the top Portuguese | | | | variety of courses. If you are planning a golf |
| courses, featuring ocean and mountain views | | | | holiday in Portugal you will not be disappointed with |
| from various locations. The 18 holes are dotted | | | | the breadth and variety of courses available to |
| with more than 300 olive and carob trees. Many | | | | you. It's also still possible to find reasonably priced |
| tricky doglegs must be dealt with and lakes and | | | | tee times in Portugal. |