Quinta do Lago South

The premier track at this three-course venue – both the others, the North and especially the Laranjal, were under serious consideration too – was laid out in 1972 and the Almancil-based layout has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. It demands accurate drives and precise approaches and thus produced champions of the calibre of Colin Montgomerie. Stunning backdrops of Ria Formosa Natural Park, it has been meticulously refurbished in recent years

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

Designed by WILLIAM MITCHELL from the USA and opened in 1974, the Quinta do Lago South course was used eight times for the “Portuguese Open Championship” in 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 2001. It has also hosted many large professional and amateur championships.

The favourite of many tour players, this course offers the possibility to hit the greens in regulation in several ways. However, each hole has one easy route and the player who sees this, and has the skill to follow the designer’s intention, and produce sub-par figures. An anti-clockwise loop, it favours the draw shot.

This course favours the long hitter, but requires the player to pick a particular route to score well. Although both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. Holes 3, 15 and 17 features lakes, which must be negotiated.

Holes 8, 10, 15 and 18 are the most testing for the scratch player while holes 2, 3, 5, 12, 13 and 17 offer the best possibilities of birdies. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards.

This course favours the long hitter, but requires the skill to score well. Although the front and back nines are both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards

• 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 does not have: Club Hire
• Course has: Handicap

• 4.5 out of 5 The best of the Algarve 25 July 2010

  By lotie

  Everytime I play this course in blows me away. Always in good condition and not the most expensive. It is simply a collection of 18 really good, solid golf holes. This is not a tourist course and while it is very playable it is a serious test of your game. This course should be the first on your Algarve list even if the Algarve has seen a lot of good additions to its course list over the last five years.

• 4.5 out of 5 A must play course 20 May 2008

  By macim67

  Quite a long course but every hole is different and many holes quite spectacular. We decided to walk the course and take in the views. It shouts out class and the villas overlooking the course are magnificent. I find it hard to find fault in anything to do with course, worth every penny. Plenty of water and memorable holes. A must.