Royal Obidos SPA & Golf Resort

Kevin Brown, Courses Editor at Today’s Golfer, was one of the first to play this latest addition to Portugal’s portfolio. “Royal Obidos has its creator Seve Ballesteros’ name written all over it,” said Kevin. “It oozes excitement and drama, not least by the fact it features nine lakes, most notably on the stunning par-5 signature 2nd hole complete with an eye-catching S (for Seve)-shaped bunker. Make no mistake, the 2nd is a potential early card wrecker. It’s played from a spectacular elevated tee in the woods to a slither of a fairway way down below and tightly guarded by water down the left and sand on the right. The course – Seve’s parting shot before his sad, untimely death – is only a year-old and was in immaculate condition when we checked it out.  It should provide a fitting legacy to the Spaniard and in time could well prove one of the best courses not only on the Lisbon Coast and Portugal as a whole, but continental Europe too. A memorable round fittingly finishes with a pulsating par 5 while the course is backed-up by a classy clubhouse, outstanding facilities and the kind of service you’d expect at The Grove or a high-end Florida venue.”

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

• 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 does not have: Dress Code
• Course does not have: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Silver Coast: The Algarve Alternative 02 April 2015

  By Colin Moody

  Royal Obidos has your typically modern, but excellent clubhouse, with fabulous views of the course and the coast not that far away. There is also a new hotel and spa located a short walk from the course, ready for those golfers looking for a bit of luxury with their golfing break. You can see straightaway that there are plans for villas to encircle the course, and there’s an ultra-modern show home close to the first tee to entice those with a healthy bank balance. The course itself was not overly long. Although it was a bit hilly in places for this middle aged golfer to be carrying, so I made a mental note to rent a cart the next day! Thankfully the winds had died down a little, so it felt like we had a chance to play some decent golf. The course itself was in great shape. Fairways were lush but firm. Bunkers were great, although a touch too much sand in a few of the fairway bunkers. However it was the greens we enjoyed the most, as not only were they firm, fast, with some devilish slopes, but they were absolutely true. Once you have played this course once, you realise that the master that was Seve had built a layout which was tricky to the unwary, with water very much in play on just about half the holes, and a few holes that offered you that risk or reward shot. The best of which had to be the 12th. Decisions, decisions. Take on a 230 yard drive over the water and leave a short iron to the green, or play safe with a 210 yard tee shot left of the water and leave yourself a 185 yard second shot into a medium sized green. So what was the most exciting thing about playing Royal Obidos? Well besides playing it again the next day, it had to be the fact that this course will only get better! When we weren’t golfing, we were wandering around the famous walled settlement of Obidos, or the town of Peniche on the coast. I know for sure it won’t be my last visit to the Silver Coast.