Talented golfer or beginner, Portugal's Algarve Coast caters to all
By David Brice, Golf International Inc
Portugal's southernmost region of The Algarve is a golfers paradise and perhaps the heart and soul of the game on Continental Europe. Nowhere else will you find such a concentration of top quality courses, all conveniently located close to each other. Just as bees are attracted to a pot of honey, so serious golfers are drawn to this sun-blessed coast to indulge themselves, squeezing in as many rounds as vacation time permits and all on some of the greatest layouts on the planet.
| BOOK YOUR TRIP | |
|
For all the appeal The Algarve holds for the accomplished golfer in search of testing new challenges, those of far lesser abilities, even the rank beginners, are not overlooked. There may be no better place to spend a week or two being introduced to golf and learning the basics of the Royal and Ancient game. For those who already have a grasp of the basics and now live in hopes of someday breaking 100, The Algarve presents the ideal opportunity to improve their game amid inspirational surroundings. This could be the world's most golf friendly destination that welcomes all golfers and would be golfers, regardless of skill levels (or lack of them) with wide-open arms.
In a place where the game is held in such high esteem, it should come as no surprise that in addition to offering some of the most challenging courses to be found in all of Europe, there's also an emphasis placed on teaching the golf skills required to play these layouts. Along 90 miles of gorgeous Atlantic coastline there's a choice selection of golf schools and academies, each with the single mission of helping those who wish to be helped, get the maximum enjoyment out of their game. Whether it's to be an hour or so with an instructor to brush up on a game grown rusty from lack of use; improving specific shortcomings of your game, or friendly group instruction with other beginners, learning the basics, there are lessons available for everyone.
The standard of facilities and instruction at The Algarve's impressive array of golf academies is consistently top notch, always with a staff of qualified, PGA teaching professionals. Many of these hail from the UK or Ireland, others from Scandinavia, Portugal, Spain, even Australia and the USA, but they are all fluent in English, the semi-official language of this part of Portugal.
There are golf academies located along the entire length of this coast, at some of the regions leading 5-star golf resorts, all with their own golf courses right there, on site. And because this is The Algarve, there will always be plenty of other golf options very close by and within a few minutes drive. But the opportunity to stay at one luxury resort hotel for the entirety of your vacation, with as much golf as you care to play, sitting practically on the door-step, maybe the greatest luxury of all.
The plush, Le Meridien Penina Golf Resort, set on its own 360-acre estate, is the pioneer resort on The Algarve and home to the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course, affectionately known as The Penina. This ten time host to The Portuguese Open, was the first course to be built on The Algarve and is still ranked as one of the very best, so it's only fitting that Penina's golf academy has earned similar credentials. This is a state of the art facility, boasting the latest in video swing analysis and a sparkling new driving range, stretching to almost 300 yards. There is a range of putting and chipping greens, target greens and practice holes, complete with bunkers.
Topping off one of Europe's most complete teaching facilities is the Academy Course, a 9-hole layout, specifically designed for the novice to put their developing skills into practice. Graduate from this one and you can move on to the more testing, Resort Course, Penina's second 9-hole track that also offers more accomplished players the opportunity to put their short-game to the test. But the ultimate goal for everyone will be to play The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course.
Sitting halfway between the historic town of Lagos and the bustling fishing port of Portimao, Penina is surrounded by other golf choices. Within a 10 to 15 minute drive you can be playing the highly acclaimed Frank Pennink design at Palmares, or impressive Boavista. Just as close are the two newer layouts at Morgado and the very testy, Dave Thomas designed 9-holer at Vale de Milho.
Make The Penina Resort your vacation base and you will be staying at one of the best, only taken to another level by an extensive recent refurbishment. Yet for all of the very luxurious accommodations, this is a place that retains a comfortable informality and very golfer friendly atmosphere. It's easy to see why Penina is a firm favorite with many regular visitors.
There's another excellent golf academy at the elegant, Pine Cliffs Resort, located on the oceanfront, some 45 miles east of Penina, close to the popular resort town of Albufeira. Don't be deterred by the fact that the Pine Cliffs golf course is only 9 holes; this is a spectacular layout that will forever cast from your mind any thoughts that short courses may be inferior.
The golf academy here is another school that leaves no student wanting for anything, whether a complete novice or a brief de-rusting is the only requirement. For the complete beginner, there's a "Learn Golf in a Week" class where 13 hours of "soup to nuts" instruction on every aspect of the game, culminates with an on-course lesson and post-game analysis. Quite a bargain at around $500! Highlight of the week will undoubtedly be the students first solo effort, playing Pine Cliffs' much-respected course. For any golf snobs who may have scoffed at the idea of being confronted by a mere nine-hole layout, Pine Cliffs will quickly change their mind.
Opened in 1990 and the design work of the great Martin Hawtree, the setting is stunning, as the track follows the edge of spectacular cliffs, overlooking the Atlantic and some of those pristine Algarve beaches. Meandering through pine trees, the first couple of holes are gentlemanly enough as introductions between course and player are politely exchanged, but then the test begins. Never unfair and with only two holes reaching to 400 yards, both softened by picture postcard views, this is a course to be savored and a reminder that golf is after all a game and games are to be enjoyed. The feature hole is the rather amazing ninth, appropriately named, The Devils Parlour. Played from the edge of a ravine and requiring a carry of over 200 yards, across the beach onto a deep but narrow green. It's a hole that will live with you for years to come and for those new to the game, solid confirmation that Pine Cliffs will be forever, their favorite course.
Stay in Pine Cliffs at the decidedly deluxe Sheraton Algarve, choosing either the main hotel, one of the opulent golf villas or the very comfortable Pine Cliffs apartments and The Algarve's amazing world of golf will be a short chip shot away. From the 5 championship layouts at Vilamoura to the two world renowned layouts at Quinta do Lago, the stunning pair at Vale do Lobo and even more - it will take little more than a ten minute car ride to reach any of these top ranked courses.
The Algarve presents a special opportunity for the entire family to become involved in golf and all in a friendly, relaxed, vacation setting with no pressures. It would be hard to imagine anyone not being bitten by the golf bug amid such beautifully inspirational surroundings, but if there are, there is no shortage of other activities to keep them busy.
From Europe's most spectacular beaches and a never ending array of water sports and deep sea fishing, to exploring the centuries of history and culture that lie within the region's ancient towns and charming villages. There are museums to be visited and shopping to be done and for those who fancy a little nightlife, the casinos and nightclubs get underway in late evening and keep popping until the wee small hours of the morning. And for the foodies who enjoy eating, a dizzying selection of restaurants, specialized in everything from haute cuisine to delectable regional Algarvean dishes and always the finest of Portuguese wines. A vacation on Portugal's Algarve coast is an experience in good living, so enjoy it to the fullest
For more ideas on how to get the most out of all The Algarve has to offer, both on and off the golf courses, click here.
©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.
Get the best deals on the best equipment all at the SHOP.PGATOUR.COM.
A TPC is Near You
The PGA TOUR's TPC Network comprises 28 premier properties designed by elite architects.
Take off to Portugal
Given the choice of shoveling snow or playing golf in the sun, which would you choose?
PGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network