Alamos Golf Course
Alamos golf course is one of the shorter courses in the region but the skillful design of the greens and fairways makes this one able to challenge golfers of all levels.
This 18 hole, par 71 course was opened in 2006 and the handicap of the course is 28 for men and 36 for ladies.
The ethos behind the course is to offer a testing game of golf while also respecting the beauty and nature of the Algarve and the course has been built sympathetically to balance nature with golf with spectacular results.
Take in the views of the stunning Monchique mountains as you make your way around the course and stop off for some refreshments in the clubhouse, complete with restaurant, bar and a well-stocked Pro-shop after an enjoyable round.
Here is a helpful hole-by-hole guide to this course written by Rob Cheney. Rob is a leading PGA Pro with extensive knowledge of golf in the Algarve and over 15 years of coaching experience.
1. Short Par 4 to open up with a large lake on the right. The tee shot should favour the left side as the fairway slopes from left to right towards the water. Only an iron or hybrid will leave you a short approach to a raised green.
2. Par 5 that plays from left to right and downhill around the water. The line from the tee you choose will depend on how far you can carry the ball. The second shot is the most important this hole, with the fairway narrowing at the ideal spot, you must choose whether to carry over the water, or lay up short leaving a much longer third shot. Risk/reward hole which favours the brave.
3. Short Par 3 playing downhill, but often into the prevailing wind. One or two extra clubs may be required here.
4. The drive must stay away from the lateral water hazard that runs along the left side of this hole. The second shot plays slightly uphill and the green is protected at the front by a bunker, so one extra club is advisable here.
5. Drive just short of the tree in the middle of the fairway to leave the best angle to the green. Any approach shot hit to the left will end up down a slope leaving a very tough up & down.
6. Par 5 hole that is reachable in two for the longer hitters. Avoid the bunkers off the tee and you give yourself a great chance to make birdie.
7. Strong Par 3 that requires a well struck shot to carry all the way to the green. Any flag cut on the left side of the green is harder to find as there are bunkers protecting that side of the green.
8. Par 5 hole with a lateral water hazard running down the left hand side. The second shot must be played short of the fairway bunker – only the longer hitters will be able to carry this. The long green means the approach shot can play very different distances depending on the pin position.
9. Par 3 to close the front nine. Protected at the front left by a bunker, the green is small and requires a precise shot to find the green.
10. Short Par 4 where the premium is placed on accuracy from the tee. Once you have found the very narrow fairway from the tee with the club of your choice, you must ensure your approach doesn’t leak into the creek which is waiting to capture any stray shots.
11. Another Par 3 requiring a well-struck shot to find the green avoiding the water and bunkers on route. The green itself is one of the most undulating on the course.
12. A short Par 4 where the tee shot should lay up short of the bunkers, leaving a straightforward short iron/pitch to the green protected by bunkers on the left and right.
13. Dogleg left to right with water running down the left side of this hole. The ideal tee shot will start at the left hand bunker with a small fade. Longer hitters can carry the right hand bunker on the corner of the dogleg. The approach must avoid the greenside bunker short left of the green.
14. Par 5 which is reachable in two for the longer hitters. The tee shot suits more of a draw shape and a long drive will give you the choice of going for the green or laying up short of the fairway bunkers. A genuine birdie chance.
15. Another short Par 4 where accuracy is more important than distance. An iron or hybrid from the tee will set-up a second shot that must avoid the creek at the front and out of bounds at the back.
16. Strong Par 3 with water playing a part down the right side of the hole which cuts in at the green. Aiming slightly left towards the green side bunker is the safer route. A Par here is truly a great result.
17. Finally, a wider target to aim at from the tee. A gentle dogleg from right to left requires a tee shot that draws slightly between the fairway bunkers. Beware the out of bounds for any tee shot straying too far to the right. The approach often requires one more club than the yardage and is better played in from the right to avoid the greenside bunkers on the left.
18. This closing hole requires a drive aimed towards the left hand bunker with a slight fade to find the middle of the fairway. The final approach plays uphill and club selection is at a premium here, as anything long or short will be punished. The green is the most difficult one on the course.
