Where to Stay: Dom Pedro Marina or Crowne Plaza Vilamoura
The Pinhal golf course is located on the outskirts of Vilamoura, just a short five-minute taxi journey back to the ever-popular Marina.
The Pinhal golf course was the second golf course in Vilamoura and was inaugurated in 1976. The original golf course was designed by Frank Pennink, the architect of the Old Course Vilamoura. He incorporated several refinements over the years, the most significant one by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1985. Trent Jones re-designed and improved the original layout to make the Pinhal golf course more playable for the average golfers and gave the travelling golfer another good excuse to play golf in the Algarve.
The golf course is typified by rolling parkland terrain covered with numerous umbrella pines and Atlantic pines that line many of the fairways, and a few even stand out on fairways or near greens. Ponds and a stream come into play on five holes but are not serious threats to above-average golfers.
Several holes have recently been lengthened to keep up with modern technical advances in clubs and balls, and the par 72 course now measures 6353m off the white tee markers. In addition, the clubhouse was completely renovated and modernized at the turn of the millennium. From the large veranda, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the excellent driving range and practice facilities.
The popularity of all golf courses in Vilamoura has continued to grow over many years and the quality. Vilamoura now has six golf courses and an incredible 117 holes to play in Vilamoura alone.
In 2016, the famous Dom Pedro Group acquired the Pinhal golf course and four original Oceanico golf courses, including Dom Pedro Millennium Course and Dom Pedro Laguna.
Pinhal is another classic from the Robert Trent Joines Snr portfolio and a must-play when in Vilamoura.
