The Old Course stands as a masterpiece of golfing tradition, recognized as one of Portugal’s leading courses in the Algarve. Designed by the renowned Frank Pennink and opened in 1969, it has evolved into a premier golfing destination, offering a challenging layout set against a backdrop of mature pine trees and rolling fairways. With its championship conditions and historic charm, it’s the ultimate test for golfers seeking both beauty and challenge.
Course Layout
& Hole-by-Hole Guide
Hole 1
This short downhill par 4 presents the choice of a risk/reward long drive as the fairway narrows at the landing area. The safe route is a shorter tee–shot, avoiding encroaching pine trees on either side, leaving a full short iron approach threaded between the greenside bunkers, to a 25m putting surface that slopes down from the front.
Hole 2
The first of five par 5 holes is up a gentle slope with a generous fairway. Off the tee, stay clear of the single fairway bunker on the left. On the second shot the flag appears to be closer than it is but a small plateau before the green, not visible from a distance, can fool you into incorrect club selection. Keep your approach below the flag on the upward sloping green to improve your birdie chances.
Hole 3
A well–placed drive away from the voluminous umbrella pine up on the left leaves the ideal route to the green on this short par 4. The main danger thereafter consists of two bunkers on either side of the entrance to the green.
Hole 4
This medium length par 3 is the most scenic hole. Played over the only pond on the course, the direct route to the green includes an umbrella pine plus a frontal bunker. The sizeable green is also flanked by three other sand traps, but a confident strike should overcome these mainly psychological hazards.
Hole 5
The par 4 closing hole is straightforward except for those playing from the 'tiger' tee — 73m behind the yellow one. The fairway narrows between a left hand bunker and a pine on the right between 110m and 130m from the green so precision off the tee will be rewarded. An off-line weak approach will flirt with two bunkers at the entrance to the green.
Hole 6
At 212m off the raised back (white) tee with its fine view towards the ocean this is the longest par 3, although being downhill takes off some of the effective distance. The secret is dodging the bunkers at the entrance to the green.
Hole 7
This long par 4 is a dogleg right to left up the hill, the player really should draw the ball off the tee to assure that it doesn’t run out of fairway and finish in the bunker or in the trees. The player can hardly see the putting surface on the 2nd shot, an extra club will not hurt you because it´s a very long green.
Hole 8
This long par 4 is a dogleg right to left up the hill, the player really should draw the ball off the tee to assure that it doesn’t run out of fairway and finish in the bunker or in the trees. The player can hardly see the putting surface on the 2nd shot, an extra club will not hurt you because it´s a very long green.
Hole 9
Unless you are a long straight hitter, tactical play off the tee on this short par 4 is required as the landing area close to the green is fraught with danger from trees, rough and bunkers. A mid’iron from the tee to the left side of the fairway will leave only a 9’iron or wedge approach to the sloping and generally fast amphitheatre green.
Hole 10
The back 9 starts with a teaser of a par 3 measuring 153m from the white tee. The shot is all 'carry' over a depression to the green so make sure you take enough club to land on the green or thereabouts since anything short is played from a steep slope with rough.
Hole 11
A tricky par 4 dogleg, stroke index 4. Plan the downhill drive carefully, avoiding the left and aiming to play between the two fairway bunkers. The difficulties on the uphill approach are mainly on the right with the omnipresent pines, a steep slope as well as bunker to catch errant shots. Take care with the breaks when reading the green.
Hole 12
This par 5 is an unusual dogleg right with the shorter section first. Long hitters can gain distance by cutting the corner over the pines close to the out of bounds fence. The second shot is straight up a gentle climb but demands precision due to the narrow pine tree lined fairway with a bunker on the right, 95m short of the green. Two other bunkers, one on each side, defend the entrance to the green. A good challenge.
Hole 13
This is a tricky par 4. A left to right dogleg and a fairway that runs from right to left into a small ditch along the fairway really demands extra attention. You really don´t need to be long off the tee; play for position and you will have a better shot in. The 2nd shot is slightly down hill into a small target, make sure you don´t hit it over the green, this will make some serious damage to you score card.
Hole 14
A short par 5 and potential birdie opportunity. This requires a drive threaded between the bunkers on either side of the fairway, followed by an accurate uphill fairway wood ending up on or close to the large green protected by three bunkers. A more conservative strategy should ensure a relatively simple par on this hole.
Hole 15
Similar to the 10th, this par 3 demands a medium to short iron over a depression direct from the tee to a wider green, albeit not so long from front to back. Bunkers right and left on the slope up to the green await any short offline shots.
Hole 16
The longest par 5 at 514m off the white tee down to 428m for the ladies, and rated stroke index 2. The ideal drive to the narrow landing area is on the left hand side, avoiding both the bunker and large pine tree just off the fairway. This will set up a downhill second shot to the wide part of the fairway some 110m short of the green, leaving a full short iron to the target. The green has bunkering on both sides.
Hole 17
This is a fascinating dogleg left par 4. Slightly uphill from the tee one can see two bunkers at the top of the slope. Longer hitters can clear these and get some run beyond the crest of the rise. A bail out area is available to the right, leaving a longer approach shot. The contoured green is on an upward slope and the putting lines can be awkward to read.
Hole 18
The drive starts off through a menacingly narrow avenue of tall pines. The ideal landing area is right of centre without flirting with the first fairway bunker on the right. This takes a sole pine on the left out of play for the long second shot on this par 5. A further pair of lofty pines act as sentinels close to the subtly contoured green.
A Culinary Journey at the Heart of the Old Course
Inspired by the classic British pub, our restaurant in the Golf club offers a menu of simple, freshly prepared dishes crafted from the finest local ingredients. Enjoy a variety of dishes ranging from classic British staples to modern takes on pub favorites, all expertly seasoned and paired with an extensive selection of international beers, wines, and signature cocktails. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal after a round of golf or looking to enjoy a light snack with friends, our golf course with a restaurant caters to every taste.
