Vilamoura Golf club - Pinhal Course Algarve Portugal

Vilamoura Golf club - Pinhal Course

Location:- Algarve-Portugal

The Pinhal course was opened in 1976. Originally designed by Frank Pen nick, it was modified by the World renowned Robert Trent Jones in 1985.

I visited Vilamoura in August 2004 and was invited to play the Pinhal course for the fist time.

Recent hot weather had dried out the course and I played in temperatures of around 40 degrees. This helped the roll on the fairways but zapped my stamina at the end of the round. I played from the yellow tees. The course is 6353 Metres (White tees) 5914 Metres (Yellow tees) long and is a Par 72.

Hole 1 Par 5 469 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 14
A very easy, steady starting hole. The fairway slopes down on your approach shot which you have to hit right to avoid the big mound that protects this two tiered green. Authors Score 6 Steady Start

Hole 2 Par 4 374 Metres S.I. 4
This hole dog legs to the left. There is a huge tree in the centre of the fairway that guards your approach shot, so don't be straight!
Authors Score 5 That tree cost me.

Hole 3 Par 5 495 Metres S.I. 10
This is almost 'snake-like' as the hole drifts from right to left. Two big trees about 280y from the tee make this a tight fairway. Watch out for the deep bunker on the front right of the green that shield this round, almost circular green.
Authors Score 6 Still a steady start!

Hole 4 Par 4 339 Metres S.I. 8
Your line is the fountain as long as you are not John Daly (Its 300y). Any ball that finds the fairway has to go for the green as trees, water and sand are all waiting to punish you.
Authors Score 3 Birdie, Birdie, Birdie……:

Hole 5 Par 3 168 Metres S.I. 18
This small green has bunkers at the front and trees to the rear, so well protected. A straight shot should be rewarded with a par.
Authors Score 3 Put that Par with my Birdie please!

Hole 6 Par 4 379 Metres S.I. 2
This is now stroke index 2 and starts with a very narrow view so your drive is straight. This hole has OOB both right and left but the fairway does widen as you wander closer to the green.
Authors Score 6 Back down to earth for the 15 'hcp'er

Hole 7 Par 4 365 Metres S.I. 6
A very ordinary hole with a dog leg to the left and a narrow entrance to the green. All eyes are on the refreshments hut that awaits the thirsty golfers.
Authors Score 5 Ahhh!!!! Refreshments at last!

Hole 8 Par 3 140 Metres S.I. 12
A very cleverly designed hole. An oblong green will cause problem with any pin placement. The three, right side, bunkers over and above will capture all those that club too much and the ducks will see all those who don't.
Authors Score 5 I saw two of those bunkers.

Hole 9 Par 4 325 Metres S.I. 16
This uphill par 4 is a lot shorter than it looks and the fairway bunker is also bigger than it looks. OOB all along the right side.
Authors Score 5 Another bogey.
( Out in 44 but the heat is now having an affect)

Course Review by Golf Holidays Abroad

Hole 10 Par 4 307 Metres S.I. 5
A long uphill drive is needed to reach the top of the hill. Once you arrive at your ball you are greeted by some great views of the town of Vilamoura. It's a long narrow green guarded by a bunker either side.

Authors Score 5 No buggy, No bogey!.

Hole 11 Par4 324 Metres S.I. 11
A dog leg left which you can cut the corner by aiming for the bunker on the left. A short narrow approach short is needed and this green has no protection at the back.
Authors Score 6 Don't go in the bunker! Go over it.

Hole 12 Par3 154 Metres S.I. 13
A very straight forward Par 3 that will make you angry with yourself if you don't make it in three.
Authors Score 3 Golf is sometimes easy.

Hole 13 Par5 508 Metres S.I. 1
They made the last hole easy because this one is an absolute monster. It's a long, long way uphill and the fairway is very narrow. 550 yards are all OOB to the left. The green is also narrow and two bunkers guard the entrance.
Authors Score 7 3W,3W,3W,3W, Chip, Putt and Putt

Hole 14 Par3 113 Metres S.I. 17
A strange par three that has trees in the middle of (right in your way). This means your tee shot needs to get up quickly but that will hopefully help to stop it dead on the green.
Authors Score 3 Why aren't they all Par 3s?

Hole 15 Par4 281 Metres S.I. 15
A short par 4 that will take a controlled drive as anything too long will be met by a stream. No bunkers protect this green.
Authors Score 4 Sensibly played.

Hole 16 Par4 314 Metres S.I. 9
Another short par 4 that has OOB all down the left side and around the back of the green. Three bunkers protect the fairway approx. 230 yards along the fairway.
Authors Score 6 Phew! It's getting hotter here.

Hole 17 Par5 487 Metres S.I. 3
A big dog left to the right. Your first shot should be controlled as it can be driven through the trees and OOB. Once you are on the turn there is still a long way to go and the OOB follows you all the way to the hole.
Authors Score 7 Its getting tough now.

Hole 18 Par4 372 Metres S.I. 7
A straight drive is needed but you won't see it finish. This green is well protected by three bunkers and apart from the OOB right side it will cost you if you go too long as well.
Authors Score 6 Third triple bogey and very tired.

A final score of 91 is considered good in this heat. Without the buggy it would have been over 100.

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