San Lorenzo Golf Course review Portugal

San Lorenzo Golf Course

Location:- Algarve-Portugal

I visited the Dona Filipa Hotel in August 2004 and was invited to play the San Lorenzo course for the fist time. As Golf World magazine had voted this the 5th best course in mainland Europe I was very excited at the prospect of playing this course.

Recent hot weather had dried out the course and this helped the roll on all the fairways. I played in temperatures of around 35 degrees. The course is 6238 Metres (White tees) and 5837 Metres (Yellow tees) long and is a Par 72. I played from the yellow tees.

At the time of play my handicap was 17.

Hole 1 Par 5 473 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 7
A long start on this almost double dog leg Par 5. Both sides of this fairway have steep banks that may hog your ball if you are not straight. The green is very well protected by four bunkers, a style that is continued on most of the course.
Authors Score 5 Nice par for a steady start

Hole 2 Par 3 133 Metres S.I. 15
Club selection should be carefully considered here as the huge bunker at the front of the green will capture anything that is played short. Be warned the wind can blow on San Lorenzo!
Authors Score 4 Over compensated and went through.

Hole 3 Par 4 296 Metres S.I. 13
Very angled dog leg left. Play to the right because if you try and cut the corner there are a few trees that may catch you. Again, large bunkering around the green.
Authors Score 4 An early Birdie putt missed.

Hole 4 Par 4 318 Metres S.I. 9
This hole dog legs the other way. Play to the middle and don't drive the ball too long. There are no bunkers on the left side of the green so try and play for this side.
Authors Score 4 Three Par's already…….!

Hole 5 Par 3 108 Metres S.I. 17
This short Par 3 can be dangerous if the pin is placed in the front of the bunker on the right. A small view of the ocean here giving you a clue on what is to follow.
Authors Score 4 Didn't avoid that bunker.

Hole 6 Par 4 365 Metres S.I. 1
An elevated tee sits you on top of what is a seriously spectacular hole. The Ria Formasa is laid out in front of you and its hard to concentrate on the straight drive that is needed. The green is also a reasonably small target here, so don't go long and right or that will cost you a penalty.
Authors Score 6 Satisfied on S.I. 1.

Hole 7 Par 4 328 Metres S.I. 11
Another elevated tee and more fantastic views over the Ria Formosa. You can now smell the sea and if it wasn't for the 32 degrees it would feel like you are in the South West of Ireland. Don't go short, long or right (again) on the approach to the green! The tide can also change at this hole and make it play very differently.
Authors Score 5 Getting a good score going again.

Hole 8 Par 5 495 Metres S.I. 3
Although we have no turned inland water is still everywhere and it is fresh water, as a huge lake meets you on this tee and stays with you for the length of the hole. This double dogleg hole is 'snake-like' and is a truly wonderful golf hole that makes the last three holes quite exceptional.
Authors Score 5 A very good par on this hole.

Hole 9 Par 4 352 Metres S.I. 5
The course now wanders inland and another dog leg the hole becomes harder and more demanding as you climb towards the club house. A large bunker roams close to the OOB all down the right hand side and good bunkering around the green should make getting your Par very difficult.
Authors Score 6 Hang on..! Out in only 43 shots!!

Course Review by Golf Holidays Abroad

Hole 10 Par 5 492 Metres S.I. 12
An elevated tee is situated in front of the lake. You drive over the valley, then dog leg to the left. The rest of the hole is now uphill and it's a tough par 5.

Authors Score 6 Bogey is a good score on this hole

Hole 11 Par 4 336 Metres S.I. 14
You can see the flag from the tee on this hole as it's tucked over on the right hand side but your line is the fairway. Three deep bunkers await any shot that is not accurate onto this huge green.
Authors Score 5 Another three putts! Another bogey!

Hole 12 Par 4 368 Metres S.I. 2
Avoid the drop off to the left on this hole. It's a narrow fairway so concentrate on accuracy. The green is narrow and falls away to the right, so again accuracy is the key.
Authors Score 4 A par and it's been coming.

Hole 13 Par 4 337 Metres S.I. 8
Yet another elevated tee and another dog leg. This time it winds left, but if you are long enough you can cut the corner by driving over the two bunkers on the left. Three huge bunkers guard this odd shaped green.
Authors Score 4 Another good par.

Hole 14 Par 3 143 Metres S.I. 18
This is the easiest hole on the course but still can be dangerous. The green is elevated and you must go right as there are big bunkers on the left. Anything too far left will drop away towards the OOB.
Authors Score 4 Tee shot was short of the green.

Hole 15 Par 5 455 Metres S.I. 6
This uphill par 5 seems much longer than it is! Once you are through the two bunkers on your drive there are five more bunkers waiting to collect your ball on your second shot. These avoided, there are three more guarding the front of a difficult green that slopes towards you.

Authors Score 5 Nice approach shot got the par

Hole 16 Par 3 172 Metres S.I. 16
The tee shot should carry the small valley but not too far as the back bunker protects the whole of the green. Anything short will be eaten by the front bunker
Authors Score 4 That's bogey on all the par's 3s now. 9

Hole 17 Par 4 317 Metres S.I. 10
Just when you thought it was safe…..! The water is back! A lake follows the entire length of the hole along the left hand side, so don't hook it left. Aim for the right side of the fairway this will help you avoid any approach shot over the lake.
Authors Score 5 Another steady bogey!

Hole 18 Par 4 349 Metres S.I. 4
This is an exceptional hole with two lakes that interfere with your golf. The bank on the right hand side will help your ball onto the fairway. You are encouraged to play right by the same lake on the 17th that is still haunting you. Don't be short as you will have to follow the 'Anaconda' style fairway. The approach to the green is an exciting one as the lake on the 10th now comes back into play. Three sides of the green are protected by water. He who dares…………!
Authors Score 7 Lost………. I went in the lake.

A score of 87 was exceptional for me around this course and I had six par's helping my scorecard. I was very happy with my game but ecstatic about the course. The trio of 6, 7 and 8 are probably the best run of holes I have ever played and 17 and 18 are really exciting finishing holes. I consider this the best course I have played in Portugal but please don't take my world for it and try it for yourself. Check into the Dona Filipa and take advantage of the reduced green fees.

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