Herdade dos Salgados Golf

Links layouts are not exactly renowned for their water hazards apart from the odd burn or two. But Salgados Golf Course is an exception to the rule, this dramataic coastal golf course being full of water obstacles which you carefully need to plot your way round. Or else. You certainly need to be accurate off the tee as well as with your short irons as the ability to hit some precious approach shots to well guarded greens is essential. The layout is well balanced with two par 5s around 500 metres and a couple of par 3s in excess of 170 metres on both nines though the star of the show is the par 4 7th.

Located near Gale beach, between Albufeira and Pera, Salgados Golf Course has been laid out among the low lying wetlands and incorporates 14 water hazards.

To compensate for the amount of water, Salgados has only semi-rough and the length has been restricted to 6080 metres from the championship tees.

It is a traditional par 72 course with four par 3 holes and four par 5 holes.

Tifton 419 Bermuda grass has been used for the fairways, Rye grass for the semi-rough, and Penn Cross for the greens.

• 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 does not have: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Water Water Everywhere 20 May 2010

  By andyjdavidson

  Just played this course twice on 14th and 15th May 2010. Fantastic, really enjoyed it. I've read previous comments about the greens, however they have obviously done work on them as they were very good. All of the greens ran very true and were not very quick as on some courses in Portugal, so quite fair to the average golfer. Hole 6 is a great par 5 with water all the way down the right. Don't be fooled into hitting a driver on 11 as the water is sooo reachable. I hit 7 iron. 13th is a short par 4 and the green is reachable over the water with a breeze behind you. I hit the water on the 1st day but just made it on the second. Have a go, you know you want to.

• 4.5 out of 5 theres less water in the atlantic 15 February 2010

  By Ryanhealey7

  an amazing course one of the best i have ever played, but a bit too much H20 for my liking, think i lost about 10 balls .Now eat shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 3 out of 5 Greens spoil what would be a fantastic course!!! 06 October 2009

  By 123billyb

  Played this course in a fourball after playing Morgado and Alamos as part of a golfing package, the other two were both fantastic courses so were expecting alot from this, especially as we were staying at the nearby CS resort which is also fantastic...unfortunately we left dissapointed, the clubhouse is lovely, fantastic facilities and views from the bar and eating area are wonderful, overlooking the course and nature reserve beyond. The fairways and the layout are also brilliant and make this course exremely challenging but also alot of fun to play, we were constantly laughing at each others misfortune in finding water with a "splash" what did let the place down though were the terrible condition of the greens, I have never seen anythink like it, they are either suffering from disease of have been severely burned, leaving most of the greens without as much grass as with it. If they are unable to get the greens sorted pretty rapidly they will lose so much custom as it certainly doesn't warrant the hefty green fees...luckily we played as part of a package so didn't leave too dissapointed, would have been furious had i paid the 85euros, which is the current green fee, worth playing if part of a package tho as the fairways are in great condition and the course is great fun overall!!!

• 4 out of 5 What a Course !!! 18 July 2007

  By davisr2007

  I have now played this course twice and i have got to say that this is one of the best courses to play in the algarve because you have got to think about every shot before you hit it and the brand new Clubhouse is fab with very good changing rooms and an excellent relax centre and Bar area Once you have played this course it will definetly help your game by thinking about every Shot as if you are either short or long in too some of the greens you will hve to find another ball to play with the masses of water ...... Bring enough Golf Balls or you may be walking in after 9 holes

• 2 out of 5 Poor Condition 10 October 2006

  By Anonymous

  I have played this course on several occasions and each time I play it the condition of the course is worse than the previous time The layout is good and there is water everywhere so it is fun to play but the condition is now so bad that I will not be returning in the foreseeable future

• 4 out of 5 Where did that come from 05 June 2006

  By Anonymous

  We phoned before we left and were told there was no need to book any tee times, and to just turn up when we wanted. When we phoned from the hotel reception organised the taxi to come and collect us. Everyone we met from the cart cleaner to the green keepers were courteous and friendly. On the first round we just let the driver loose at every opertunity and got away with it. The greens were in excellent condition and we enjoyed the experience.

• 3.5 out of 5 Thinker's course 12 May 2006

  By Anonymous

  The course is in superb condition. Don't be put off by the water but be prepared to lose a few balls, and LEAVE THE DRIVER IN THE CAR. A real thinkers course.  Unfortunately the clubhouse is being re-furbished after a fire so the clubhouse is actually a clubmarquee.

• 3 out of 5 Worth a visit 05 August 2005

  By Anonymous

  Not as pretty as the more famous courses on the Algarve but a tough enough test for most golfers. Some wide open fairways let you drive with confidence but the amount of water and the coastal winds make club selection difficulyt and place a premium on accuracy alot of the time. Not in the best condition when I played, but good value for money and well worth a visit.

• 3 out of 5 Very busy 23 June 2005

  By Anonymous

  Water water everywhere. They had just tyned and hollowed the greens so they were very bumpy. Very busy with the locals, tee time pre-booking well advised.

• 3 out of 5 Lots of water 15 August 2001

  By Anonymous

  A relatively flat course with many water hazards. If you can't predict where your ball will land take a dozen - You will need them! Spectacular onritholigical wildlife is a nice distraction.