Vale do Lobo Golf Club. A course Review of The Royal course

Vale do Lobo Golf Resort Algarve-Portugal

I was lucky enough to visit Vale do Lobo for the first time in October 2003 and the following course report and club review are my own opinions and thoughts. I have been playing golf since 1997 and my current handicap is 15.

Location:- Almancil, Algarve Vale do Lobo boasts of being Europe's 'Finest Golf Resort' but beware as the signage, (in the whole area), is sparse so make sure you leave plenty of time to arrive and enjoy the wonderful facilities.

On Course:- Marshalls are in abundance checking on slow play and also give helpful tips on the course. We saw the drinks cart no less than six times and the sight of the 'Halfway Hut' is extremely welcome.
Clubhouse:
Superb! Very spacious with lots of glass windows and doors. Seriously clean and well sign posted for the bar! Checking in is easy and there are plenty of friendly staff around to help out.

Locker room:- Very good locker room facilities. There is lots of space and a good deep pile carpet for those aching feet.

Restaurant:- A very good menu on offer and the service was excellent and swift. The value is very good considering the boast of Europes 'Finest Golf Resort'.

Practice Facilities:- There are three or four putting greens that run very true to the course. I didn't have time to check out the driving range.

Pro Shop:- Good layout and there are some lovely pictures/prints of the course for sale. The staff are very welcoming and helpful.

Buggies:- Buggies are compulsory on the Royal Course before 10.30am, at the cost of €55.00. Well worth the cost just to play with the 'SAT NAV' gadget. You are made to stick to the cart path and the SAT NAV, giving you distance to the pin, is very useful when you have strayed too far from the path.

Royal Course Course Review
6059 Metres (White tees) 5655 Metres (Yellow tees)

Hole 1 Par 5 370 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 9
A very straight and narrow Par 5. Not very long from the yellow tees and if you keep the ball straight then an eagle putt will be possible.
Authors Score 6 Steady Start

Hole 2 Par 4 280 Metres S.I. 13
OOB on both sides of this hole. Your drive should arrive in the valley on the fairway but be careful as the fairway slopes away to the left and your ball could wander into the 'pot' bunker.
Authors Score 4 Good Par

Hole 3 Par 4 380 Metres S.I. 3
This fairway is a little wider than the previous two holes. However, just like the previous hole it is OOB on both sides. Make sure you have enough club for the approach as anything short will land in the bunker before the green.
Authors Score 7 Bad, bad hole

Hole 4 Par 4 295 Metres S.I. 15
It's downhill all the way on this hole, the best on the course so far. There are two fairway bunkers waiting to capture your ball on either side about 220-280 yards from the tee. Keep it straight onto the green, as a stray ball will find one of the four greenside bunkers.
Authors Score 5 Wasted by three putting

Hole 5 Par 5 455 Metres S.I. 7
The drive looks tight on this hole but the fairway opens up at about 280 yards. Keep to the left as there is huge 'bunkeresque' wasteland on the right side of the fairway, but not too far left as the three small bunkers will punish you!
Authors Score 5 Missed an 8 foot birdie putt

Hole 6 Par 4 375 Metres S.I. 1
Stoke index one and a very tough hole indeed. An average drive will leave you needing a long iron to a very narrow green. A huge picturesque lake to the left of the green will make you play left side but the land is dangerous and falls away. Two bunkers this side will help capture your ball.
Authors Score 6 Satisfied on S.I. 1.

Hole 7 Par 3 120 Metres S.I. 17
The first par 3 and worth the wait! A full carry over a lake and a very dangerous green to putt.
Authors Score 5 Three putted again!.

Hole 8 Par 4 360 Metres S.I. 5
This is a vicious dog-leg with the fairway sloping left. To annoy you further there is a bunker waiting to capture your ball. Keep well right to have any chance of seeing the flag.
Authors Score 6 Another bad double bogey.

Hole 9 Par3 135 Metres S.I. 11
Another Par 3! Another full lake to carry! Don't go too long though as the lake carries on behind the green. Start the ball high to avoid hitting the tall rushes, otherwise you won't make the green.
Authors Score 3 Missed the green but up and down! Par.

Half Way Hut
Get refreshments, rest, stock up on balls…. the best is yet to come!

Hole 10 Par4 315 Metres S.I. 18
A huge carry downhill but start your drive left so you don't fall into the bunker. A small well guarded green awaits.
Authors Score 5 Pleased after a good bunker shot

Hole 11 Par5 465 Metres S.I. 8
A very difficult par 5 that has no cart path. Its narrow with three fairway bunkers, two waters hazards and probably the most difficult approach shot so far.
Authors Score 6 Duffed a greenside putt. Doh!

Hole 12 Par4 305 Metres S.I. 16
A huge 'valley' hole. OOB left but an easy drive. To make the green? Take an extra club or two.
Authors Score 4 25 foot putt for a par.

Hole 13 Par4 350 Metres S.I. 2
Another valley hole but two dangerous bunkers await your drive either side of the fairway.
Authors Score 5 Steady bogie hole.

Hole 14 Par4 330 Metres S.I. 4
A vicious downhill dog-leg hole. Don't cut the corner as there is a lake, (under construction), awaiting your ball. A stadium green will not accept any stray approach shots.
Authors Score 6 Stupid! Stupid! Had an air shot.

Hole 15 Par4 275 Metres S.I. 10
"On a dark desert highway"! The course suddenly turns into California and this hole is exceptional. Lovely views of the ocean remind you of what's soon to come but don't lose your concentration as this can be a dangerous hole.
Authors Score 4 Nice approach shot got the par

Hole 16 Par3 190 Metres S.I. 14
Much photographed! Much Hyped! Well worth the green fee! I would hate to play this hole if the wind gets up. It's a full wood shot but hook it and you are on the beach. I bottled it but with a chip and a putt and earned myself a proud Par. I've now got this hole in my top five ever played. (You may wish to visit the on course toilet at this hole, which I consider to be the cleanest toilet in the world!)
Authors Score 3 Chip, a putt and a proud Par

Hole 17 Par4 350 Metres S.I. 6
Another great valley hole. Very tight as half way up the fairway there is The Le Meridian Dona Filipa Hotel that overlooks this hole. Once negotiated, there is a seriously narrow approach shot needed.
Authors Score 5 Another steady long putt

Hole 18 Par4 305 Metres S.I. 12
A nice calm finish after the last three holes. Short but narrow par 4. Lots of small bunkers to the left of the green.
Authors Score 5 Back in 43 for an 89+1 (airshot).

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