The Golf Courses

(see golf information table)

The Algarve offers golfers of all standards a huge variety of courses all within a reasonable distance. The furthest course from Vale do Lobo is the Parque da Floresta, a 75 minute drive away. Its location, 16km west of Lagos, is at the Atlantic coast end of the Algarve.

Within the length of the Algarve, there are at least 32 outstanding 18 and 9 hole courses, with several more courses currently under construction. However, just within 30 minutes drive of Vale do Lobo, golfers have the choice of over 12 of these courses, with 2 of the best within the resort.

All of the courses are in superb condition all the year round and the views from many of them are breath-taking. No winter greens anywhere!

However, the quality of the courses does affect the prices, and if you were to pay the full green fee on the more prestigious courses, you would certainly be in for some rather expensive golf!

Discounted Green Fees

Fortunately, there are several relatively easy ways to obtain reduced green fees at most of the courses on the Algarve. Discounted fees are available on almost all courses and the discounts can be quite substantial - and vary according to the season.

• Barringtons. If you stay at the apartment advertised on this site, you will receive Barrington's membership for the period of your stay. Barringtons have arrangements with several golf courses that will provide you with substantial discounts depending on season. We suggest you ask them to send you the current discounted costs for members about a month before you go and then contact them with your requirements. For some courses you may not get confirmation of a tee off time until a few days before you go.
  Barringtons may ask for a credit card number to reserve the bookings, however you do not have to pay until you collect your vouchers. We suggest you then pay by cash in euros, as Barringtons charge an additional 5% for credit card payments so take plenty of cash/travel cheques with you or use the bank machines.

Any change of golf booking through Barringtons incurs a 5 euro charge, and all no-shows are charged.
Unfortunately Barringtons are unable to give you a discounted booking on the Royal or Ocean courses at the current time.

• Golf Passport.  There is a Golf Passport available that enables you to play 5 different courses within a space of thirty days (or shorter if you want!).   This is available from www.algarvegolfe.com .   Full details are available on their website.   You book your golf direct with the courses stating that you wish to use the passport.   You then purchase the passport at the first golf course (only cash accepted) and then hand it in at each future course to be stamped when you play there.   The cost is €225.    Alternatively you can ask Algarvegolfe to book all the golf directly for you for a cost of €250 and they will send you the passport before you leave the UK.   They take the cost by credit card.  Courses that accept the passport are indicated with a star on the table on the Golf Information Table

• Golf Shops/Booking agencies. In Almancil, Vilamoura and the area surrounding Vale do Lobo, there are golf shops and stores that have negotiated discounts with many golf courses. One is Florida Golf in Almancil (Tel: +351 289 399522; Fax: +351 289 393241; Email: floridagolf@mail.telepac.pt) They will happily fax you details on the latest discounts that they have.  Another we use a lot is Tee times Golfe Agency  (www.tee-times.info) or e mail them at teetimes@mail.telepac.pt (Tel +351 289 321 644). They are located on the main dual carriageway road out of Vilamoura after you take a sharp bend to the left but before you reach the Laguna and Old Courses, at Parque das Amendoeiras on your right hand side - difficult to miss - there are some high rise apartments and shops there.  Go into the Reception to book.  No booking fee, but a charge for using credit card! Probably the cheapest rates in the Algarve including some excellent packages for the best courses!

• The Internet. The best option here is to check out the links on this site, and do your own searches, and you never know your luck!