Clube de Golf Santo da Serra

Portuguese golf isn’t just about the Algarve you know and you’ll realise that as soon as you stand on the par-4 2nd tee of Santo da Serra’s Machico golf course. Golf holes don’t come any more dramatic than this: you’re required to hit over a gaping chasm with the fairway seemingly a distant dot on the awesome horizon.

Okay, Madeiran golf lacks quantity – besides the 27-hole Santo da Serra, which staged the Madeiran Open recently, the only other golf course on the island is the splendid, Woburn-esque (in places) Palheiro which breathtakingly overlooks the bustling capital of Funchal with its 15th century cathedral

Clube de Golf Santo da Serra is the oldest golf course in Madeira. The nine-hole golf course was originally built in 1937 and redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Snr when he created the new 18-hole championship layout, transforming Santo da Serra into a spectacular 27-hole venue. It has hosted the island's most prestigious tournaments, including the European Tour's Madeira Island Open over the past 12 years.

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

• 5 out of 5 Memorable golf experience 30 January 2012

  By Anonymous

  What a wonderful gem of a course we found at Santo da Serra. Took a trip down with my brother and friend. We did not know what to expect - amazing surprise. Great scenery and course conditions. We got paired up with a local- Virgilio- he was great company too. Demanding yet fair to golfers of all skill levels. The fairways are conditioned nicely and the greens are some of the best I have played in. I have played this course twice now and both times have been a great experience. The staff is friendly and courteous. I recommend this course to anyone visiting the area and would definitely come back to play again.  

• 5 out of 5 An incredible course, well deserved high status 30 January 2012

  By Anonymous

   We really enjoyed our time at the course. Recommended by some friends who visited previously, this is a demanding course for the higher handicaped player but a gem for the serious minded golfer. My pals and I had a real challenge of a round, full of amazing views and a variety of plays to think through. I'd highly recommend a visit and if a lesser player, then there's also a nine hole course which we tried.  Lunch at the restaurant after our round was a welcome surprise, good local fare (try the sea food rice if you can).   

• 2 out of 5 Really Poor!! 09 May 2011

  By smithyjtb

   This golf course has a lot of potential, yet doesnt seem to be mainted well at all.  I played in April 2011, and some of the views were amazing.  However, the fairways and the tees were absolutely COVERED in daisies.  The bunkers were also full of water and the greens peppered with pitch marks!! The golf course is very expensive to play @ 95 Euros, with an extra 45 Euros for a buggy, which is a necessity, considering it is built on a mountain side!!  I complained, waited for a week for a proper reply, in which they offered me a free round there, but it was of no use as I was back in the UK by then.  I explained that this was not a good offer for that reason, but have since been told that I either accept the offer, or leave them alone.  I genuinely would tell anyone who visits Madeira to visit Palheiro golf club over this course.  For 140 Euros i have only been left disappointed and out of pocket.  The course may be in top condition on your visit, but seriously, I wouldnt take the chance, as it could prove costly!!!!

• 4.5 out of 5 stunning views 17 October 2008

  By alanadam

  a course worth playing just for the views. It has held the Madeira open and is a good track with subtle undulations on most greens and some steep slopes

• 3.5 out of 5 Solid not spectacular 03 December 2003

  By Anonymous

  This is a course worth playing but does not make my all time top 10. Solid but not spectacular