Amendoeira Faldo Course

The Amendoeira Faldo Course

The 6598-yard Amendoeira Faldo Course is one of the Algarve’s best-known championship tests, designed to reward strategy, accuracy and course management. It’s a superb choice for championship golf in the Algarve, with rolling fairways, bold elevation changes and a layout that feels different every time you play it. Away from the resort, the coastal town of Porches offers a quieter place to explore after your round, with a handful of restaurants and sunset viewpoints close by. Amendoeira and a very popular choice for golfers looking to book Algarve golf offers, only about 20 minutes from Albufeira.

"The site at Amendoeira is spectacular, and the project has the potential to become a great talking point in the Algarve." says the developer. In light of the large number of golf courses in the region, this is no small accomplishment," noted Nick Faldo on his visit in 2007.

I have organised several Portugal golf trips over the years and this course is outstanding. It feels like a Mediterranean interpretation of classic British inland golf. Think Sunningdale or The Berkshire in a warmer climate. Cacti and natural flora frame the fairways instead of heather. Holm oaks and old olive trees take the place of English woodland. The bunkers use crushed limestone rather than traditional sand, which adds a different texture while keeping the same strategic challenge that defines the best inland courses in Britain.

What I love about this layout (and what makes it perfect for group trips) is how it rewards thoughtful play rather than raw power. My clients consistently tell me it's a course that every player in their group can enjoy, regardless of handicap. You'll find yourself using every club in the bag, and it offers excellent value for the quality on offer.

Pro tip: Book the first tee time of the day when the limestone bunkers catch the morning light - it's absolutely spectacular and you'll have the course to yourself.

"This was a fascinating project that provided me with an excellent opportunity to utilise my interest for design in the same manner that I exploited my enthusiasm for playing," Nick explained. Working with natural terrain like this is a lot of fun." "You have wonderful vistas, lovely undulating countryside, and it is always a lot of fun working with natural terrain like this."

If you stand on the tee and look down at the golf hole, it tells you what to do, and if you do what it says, you get rewarded. If you don't do what it says, you get penalised." "The back nine is pretty mountainous, which is good because we have some spectacular views to accompany the course," says the designer.

"I want my courses to be hard for whoever is on them," says the designer. There may be superficial flaws in some areas, but they are a challenge because they need you to think about them, and that is precisely what I am looking for. It's the highest compliment a designer can receive when a player walks off the course and says, 'Wow, that was a challenge,' that's exactly what I hoped for when designing the system at Amendoeira Golf Resort."

In addition to being a Sir Nick Faldo design, the Faldo Course at Amendoeira is located adjacent to the Amendoeira O'Connor jnr golf course. It is about 45 minutes from Faro International Airport.

For your next trip to the Algarve, our golf holiday expert, Sophie, provides invaluable insights in her guide to the top golf courses in the Algarve.