Ponte de Lima

The Ponte de Lima Golf Resort Hotel sits in the hills overlooking the Roman town. It may be more than an hour’s drive west of Vidago but enjoys similarly stunning mountain surroundings. Designers Daniel and David de Silva made full use of the landscape to create a round of two contrasting nines, though both halves of the course exhibit a maturity beyond their 19 years.

The front nine takes you on a heavily undulating journey through ravine and woodland including chestnut, cork and oak trees. The 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th provide superb views over the Lima Valley and the town of Viana do Castelo. If you hadn’t heard of the par-5 3rd before your arrival, you’ll certainly never forget it when you leave. At 680 yards off the back tees it’s the longest hole in Portugal and among the longest in Europe. It double-dog-legs down with water left and a bunker-protected green meaning anyone putting for birdie deserves considerable praise. Despite all that it’s only deemed to warrant stroke index 2, with the 490-yard par-4 12th the stroke index 1.

The long par-3 8th is memorable for different reasons, its elevated tee offering the perfect photo opportunity before your difficult shot to the green below. The back nine is an altogether more gentle affair on a plain surrounded by vineyards, corn fields, apple and pear trees. The aforementioned 12th dog-legs right with heavy woodland demanding an accurate drive and a green protected by water demanding an accurate approach. It’s followed by the uphill par-5 13th, which plays longer than its 535 yards. Get through unscathed and the home stretch is relatively stress-free. 

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

• 4 out of 5 Cracking layout quality course 18 November 2015

  By Joncy123

  Visit the town, enjoy the history and the hit the course, because its a cracker! You won't play many better than this layout in Portugal, its got some major elevation changes which have been used to setup stunning tee shot locations. There is the monster par 5 - longest in Portugal, but its the visual changes through the 18 holes that live in your memory, along with the resort restaurant. Play well.