Palmares Golf Course

We were given a guided tour of the new Palmares course a year before it fully opened and it was clear Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s €10m reworking of the already popular Frank Pennink’s original was going to be special. Once it was open, we loved it – and no-one has had anything negative to say about it since. There are now three loops of nine and these start high up in the wooded hills just as the old course did. But now there are also several holes at the bottom which run along the line of the Bay of Lagos and are linksy in nature. The Alvor course plays through pine tree-lined corridors with the majority of holes ascending hillsides or descending through intimate valleys.

The Lagos loop begins in a parkland phase and incorporates the only two lakes found on the site at the par-3 3rd and the long par-4 6th. The Praia is set on classic seaside duneland exposed to the elements, with four seaside holes bracketed by the beach and the railway line. The closing hole is a strong uphill par 5, rising back out of the dunes through a deep valley to an amphitheatre just below the new clubhouse.

Palmares Golf Course is a real golfing treat with fantastic views over the bay of Lagos…and the golf’s pretty tasty too with an outstanding combo of links and parkland holes, meaning you’ll experience the best of both golfing worlds. There’s a cracking start with the opening par 4 being one of the best in the Algarve: you’re firing from an elevated tee to a fairway that drops away steeply and leads to a hidden green. It’s not easy (it’s stroke index 4) but sets the tone for the rest of the round…

Set in 550 acres of rolling countryside, Palmares Golf Course is a most scenic golf course. During springtime the fairways are lined with flowering shrubs, acacias and the blossoming Almond trees. The golf course was designed by Frank Pennink who was able to include in his design five links holes on the sand dunes close to the Atlantic beach of Meia Praia. Not many golf courses in Southern Europe can offer such a challenge.

Click here to find out where Palmares ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Courses Europe

Palmares enjoys a beautiful location in the western Algarve near the historic city of Lagos, commanding magnificent views of the Lagos bay, and the distant Monchique hills.
The course was designed by the famous English golf architect Frank Pennink who made outstanding use of the unique situation and who was able to include in his design five Links holes on the dune close to the Atlantic beach of Meia Praia.

Soft Spikes required

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 1.5 out of 5 What a disapointment 14 November 2009

  By DavyG

  11/2009 Having played this course many times over the past 15 years it has now fallen foul of the "let's make money brigade".  This course is now closed for a major re-built (due to reopen 05/2010) and although they were very happy to accept our green fee (95euros) no discount was offered for the major re-construction. Our booked tee-time was 30 minutes late teeing off with NO apologies.  I wouldn't visit Palmares for at least 2 years - then only a maybe. This WAS a lovely course but the admin is abismal.

• 1 out of 5 Palmares "Desert" Course 14 October 2009

  By Julley

  Played 1st. October 2009. Terrible experience !! After 12 holes we did quit our round already. New course is being build just next to the old one. Some remarks: driving range is closed, 2 teeboxes are closed, GUR everywhere on the course, terrible noise of machines working on the course, absolutely no value for money !! Even the views are stunning but I would advise not to play this course the coming months, if you do ask for a big discount. AT THE RECEPTION THEY DO NOT TELL YOU IN ADVANCE THE COURSE LOOKS LIKE A DESERT !! Normally a nice course with nice sea views but at this time it is VERY disappointing to play there. Eric, Holland        

• 3 out of 5 Building Site 29 August 2009

  By lairdolossie

  Daveyboy confirms my worst fears! Last January I again took part in the well-known Almond Blossom Special Golf Week - most enjoyable as always and the course was at it's best....but --  the building development was already underway and one could envisage what was about to happen, especially after talking to local members. A new course is being built on the south side of the present course and what must be one of the prettiest courses on the Algarve will disappear under concrete!   It is some 35 years since I first played the course and it was sheer bliss not to see an actual house throughout the 18 holes! Oviously the lure of mammon would be too strong and I'm afraid that a golfing treasure will soon be gone for good. I pity those who battle along the country roads this year with the construction traffic and finally view their golfing treat.I guess that many will be asking for a refund!  But does the club warn would-be visitors? - not on your life - so be warned now fellow golfers.

• 3.5 out of 5 How to destroy a golf course! 03 April 2009

  By daveyboy23

  Played this 02/04/09 and was really disappointed. Played it with a group who had played it in 2008 and rated it highly and were horrified at the changes that have been made. Unfortunately the club is in the process of digging up a number of the holes to build a hotel and apartment complex. This resulted in workmen and a 40ft crane on the course not to mention piles of earth piled up in a number of places. The views are stunning as are the greens but this is not a patch on Parque de Floresta and until the redevelopment is completed will leave you frustrated...also no refreshments cart or halfway house.

• 3 out of 5 Its a MUST play 21 October 2008

  By pocka

  What a great knock this course is a must for any one .Its got something for golfers of all abilties and great risk and reward short par 4.Have a go at driving it its not as far as it looks.

• 3 out of 5 Parkland & Links 15 May 2008

  By nahgolf

  This course is a fair test of your golf skills but not excessively so - some holes need accuracy but on others a wayward shot is relatively safe. Greens were excellent, true roll and not too fast. Fairways were in top condition. The first hole is a fair test and then the next 6 holes run on the flat next to or close to the sea. Some holes have a blind drive but with a course planner there are no problems. All staff were very pleasant and we were welcomed by all.

• 4.5 out of 5 Amazing 21 October 2007

  By edhalson1592

  absouloutly loved playing here and with a polite welcome and good food is a lovely golfong destination well worth it.

• 4 out of 5 Awesome 13 March 2007

  By Fazerace

  Great scenery and some awesome holes. The front nine are definitely bettetr than the back nine but still a good test...

• 4 out of 5 Great variety 28 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  This course offers a great variety of holes and is a true test of golfing ability.

• 3.5 out of 5 fantastic 10 November 2006

  By Anonymous

  Have played 3 times before and always really enjoyed the course and the greens are great,you can play better but at 60 euros what great value.

• 4 out of 5 12 September 2006

  By Anonymous

  Wow. This is such a pretty course and quite a challenge, especially at the start. The back 9 is a little disappointing after the variety and scenery of the front. First hole looks, and is, a testing start then you have several classic links holes before moving back inland. And at the end you can enjoy a beer or two with fabulous views across the bay from the terrace of the clubhouse.

• 3.5 out of 5 10 July 2006

  By Anonymous

  Second favorite course in portugal.Has a mixture of semi links and traditional holes - a great test of golf. Suffering a little from the heat but still a great day out.Cold beer and the view from the terrace is exceptional

• 5 out of 5 12 April 2006

  By Anonymous

  Excellent