Course Review of Palmares Golf Club Portugal

Palmares Golf Course

Location:- Algarve Portugal

Recent hot weather had dried out the course and this helped the roll on the fairways. I played in temperatures of around 35 degrees. The course is 5961 Metres (White tees) and 5614 Metres (Yellow tees) and is a Par 71. I played from the yellow tees. The views from the clubhouse are spectacular as you look out across the sandy beaches of the Algarve. In the distance you can see the course laid out near them same sandy beaches and it looks miles away but thankfully I have a buggy as there are going to be some hard hills to climb today.

Hole 1 Par 4 403 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 4
You start on an elevated tee that also has a spectacular view. If you aim a little right and can fade the ball slightly then your ball will end up near the green with the aid of the slope. The green is marshaled by two bunkers right and the railway to the left.
Authors Score 6 Unsteady Start

This is the first time I have crossed a railway track on a buggy!!!!

Hole 2 Par 4 297 Metres S.I. 13
With the Algarve Express now firmly to your right and obviously all OOB down that side, the course now opens up quite beautifully and there are palm trees everywhere. Oh yes, and the wind is blowing.
Authors Score 4 Lucky this hole is short.

Hole 3 Par 4 279 Metres S.I. 7
Again another short par 4 but this is a slight dog leg as the green is tucked away on the right hand side next to the railway. Still OOB all along the right.
Authors Score 6 This wind is tough!

Hole 4 Par 3 133 Metres S.I. 15
This is a difficult par 3 as the wind is now blowing crossways. Anything right is in trouble and S.I. 15 I think not!

Authors Score 5 There is trouble ahead…….!

Hole 5 Par 5 515 Metres S.I. 1
There are palm trees to the left and beyond the dunes on the right there is a wonderful deserted beach. If it were not for the Palm trees and hot sun then you could easily be on a links course in Ireland. If you manage to hit the fairway, try and stay left as the tiny green is tucked up in the right hand corner. The approach shot can be hit over the last stretch of dunes on the right. Have I mentioned the wind?
Authors Score 7 Should be S.I. -12.

Hole 6 Par 4 294 Metres S.I. 9
This short, dog leg, par 4 is reachable in one if the wind is in your favour. Alternatively lay up to the fairway on the left and have a short iron to this small green.
Authors Score 4 Satisfied with my par in this wind

Re-cross the train track……………Don't stall!!!

Hole 7 Par 5 450 Metres S.I. 11
With the 'Links Affect' gone you can now concentrate on getting a score. This uphill Par 5 dog legs once you climb the hill. On your third shot you should have a nice view of the green that is guarded by three bunkers and several palm trees.
Authors Score 6 My 3rd shot in right hand bunker.

Hole 8 Par 3 131 Metres S.I. 17
From the 7th you have a small climb to a welcoming 'shady' tee area. This par 3 is only dangerous if you land in the big bunker which is short and left of the green.
Authors Score 4 A missed par with three putts.

Hole 9 Par 4 303 Metres S.I. 6
You now climb all the way back to the clubhouse and this hole plays a lot longer than 350 yards. After you drive the hole dog legs left. A serious of bunkers, that are strategically positioned, protect this two tiered troublesome green.
Authors Score 4 Excellent par for me! Out in 46.

Hole 10 Par 3 156 Metres S.I. 14
This good looking par 3 is fairly long and needs a 5/6 iron over the valley that will also carry the bunkers at the front of the green.
Authors Score 3 Not difficult this hole.

Hole 11 Par 4 260 Metres S.I. 18
The shortest Par 4 on the course is inviting for you long hitters! You drive over another dry valley and should concentrate on playing a little right as the trees on the left can block your approach to the green.
Authors Score 5 I was in them trees!

Hole 12 Par 4 372 Metres S.I. 3
A much longer Par 4 that invites your Driver out of the bag, as the fairway is very wide. A slight dog leg left that sees a green well protected by bunkers and the bank at the rear encourages you to play short of the flag.
Authors Score 5 Haven't seen a double bogey for a while.

Hole 13 Par 4 364 Metres S.I. 8
Another wide fairway and another tee shot over a small valley. Nothing too dangerous on this hole so go and make par, unlike me.
Authors Score 5 Another bogey hole.

Hole 14 Par 4 340 Metres S.I. 5
The third big fairway in a row that invites the big club out. Once on the fairway lookout for the big deep bunker on the right of the green. The green is two tiered so aim for the flag.
Authors Score 5 That's my fourth 5 on the trot.

Hole 15 Par 3 192 Metres S.I. 12
The longest Par 3 is all downhill and surprisingly wind affected. The green leans towards you so go for the flag and it will stick.
Authors Score 3 Nice tee shot got the par

Hole 16 Par 4 370 Metres S.I. 2
Uphill, big fairway, dogleg, heard it all before! This is a tough hole that demands respect. The three bunkers at the green are dangerous and the green is probably the trickiest on the course.
Authors Score 6 There it is the double bogey!

Hole 17 Par 5 447 Metres S.I. 16
You are met on the tee by some more wonderful views over the Western Algarve and that remind you of the clubhouse that is only a dozen shots away. All down hill so a straight drive will travel for miles. The hole then dog legs left quite viciously but if you are long and straight you can go over the trees onto the green in two. Go for it as the green you can't see is quite huge.
Authors Score 7 It's been a long hot round.

Hole 18 Par 4 308 Metres S.I. 10
Another steep climb to the clubhouse and again this short Par 3 plays longer than you may think. If you have the energy to go for the green in two then the green that awaits you is guarded well by bunkers and well placed palm trees.
Authors Score 7 That was a hole of a very tired man!

My score of 92 was damaged by the last three holes and four shots above my handicap. As I was playing my 6th round in five days I was glad to see the finishing line.

Palmares was a very pleasant surprise for me and I thought the course was wonderfully laid out. The five 'links' style holes by the sea were really great to play and will challenge any golfer. Once on the back nine the links affect is forgotten as the course rolls through the hillside quite nicely and you can come back in a good score.

There are some wonderful views on the course and from the clubhouse. Although we didn't dine there we did manage to have one too many drinks admiring the shoreline of the Western Algarve.

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