Faldo Golf Course

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. A strong opening Par 4 hole played from an elevated tee. Try to hit the right side of the fairway as it offers the better angle to the green. The green itself is elevated and protected by a large bunker at the front and to the left.
2. The first of four Par 3 holes on the course plays slightly downhill to a wide, but shallow target. Good club selection is vital here as the penalty for missing the green are steep roll off into large bunkers or grassy hollows.
3. Short Par 4 hole where the longest hitters can try to go for the green in one. The regulation play is a drive into the wide fairway followed by a second shot played uphill to a large two-tiered green.
4. Stunning vista as you stand on the elevate tee of this Par 5 hole. The drive must be long with a draw shape preferred. The second shot must carry a large barranca which crosses the fairway. Once again, the green is heavily guarded with bunkers.
5. Slight dog-leg right to left Par 4 with the ideal tee shot finding the right side of this fairway avoiding the bunker and water on the left. The second shot must be accurately struck to avoid the bunkers at the front of the green.
6. Long Par 5 that plays uphill and into the prevailing wind. Three long, accurate shots are require to reach this green in regulation whilst avoiding the various hazards laid out in from of you along the way. The approach would ideally be played from the left side to avoid carrying the vast bunker protecting the green short and right.
7. Downhill Par 3 which can be reach with a fully flighted shot, or a bump and run style approach. Whichever route you choose, be sure to avoid the bunkers.
8. The hardest hole on the course offers you choices from the tee with a large central fairway bunker that must be negotiated. The left hand channel requires a very straight drive between the bunker and the barranca that runs along the left side of the hole but the reward is a shorter approach and a better angle to the green. Choose the right side of the fairway from the tee and you have a wider target, but a longer approach to a green that slopes away from you.
9. A straightaway Par 4 to finish the front nine. Favour the right side off the tee as the fairway slopes from right to left and the fairway bunker on the left side must be avoided. A long, accurate tee shot will be rewarded with a shot approach to the green which falls away on the left hand side.
10. A very long Par 4 played from a high tee down to the fairway. Most players will play this as a Par 5 and a five here is not a bad score.
11. The shortest hole on the course played to a large, angled green with a steep slope separating the green into two main sections. The length of the green means the hole can play 3 or 4 clubs different depending on the pin position.
12. A daunting tee shot which must carry a wooded valley to a wide target with bunkers lining the entire right side of the fairway. The approach plays further uphill to the highest point on the golf course. Make sure to take enough club.
13. From the pinnacle point of the course, the spectacular vista is quickly replaced by the daunting nature of the tee shot ahead. This long Par 5 requires multiple well struck shots which must carry large gorges and smaller barrancas. The final approach to the green must also be precise as the green falls away on all sides.
14. Medium length Par 4 which plays longer as it goes back uphill. The fairway slopes from right to left, with a large desert scrub area on the left which must be avoided.
15. Back downhill again with a tee shot that should favour the left hand side of the fairway to give you the best look at the green. The green is perched up on the hillside with steep bunker below so a precise approach shot is vital on this hole.
16. Lovely, short Par 3 playing downhill to a large green surrounded by bunker and water to the right. Not a difficult green to hit, but hard to get it close to the hole so 3 putting can be common here.
17. A daunting looking tee shot where all you can really see is the large bunkering protecting the left side of this hole. Keep your tee shot to the right which offers you the best look at the green. A very strong Par 4 penultimate hole where Par is a great score.
18. A Par 5 to finish which meanders gently back up towards the clubhouse. A strong test requiring length and accuracy to reach this green in regulation. There is a barranca crossing the fairway which is in play for the second shot. You have to either lay up, leaving a mid-long iron for your third, or carry it to leave a short approach to a green set in the amphitheatre of the hillside with the clubhouse overlooking above.