Where to Stay: Magnolia Hotel or Hotel Quinta do Lago
You will not find a better spot for playing golf anywhere in the world than the Algarve. Ideally placed between Faro and Vilamoura, you can be at Quinta do Lago North Golf Course and enjoy a round of golf just an hour after arriving at the airport. This exclusive estate of nearly 1,594 acres borders the Atlantic Ocean and the nature reserve to produce a stunning environment for a memorable holiday.
Situated on the south coast of Portugal, the Algarve may not be home to the world's most famous courses, such as St Andrews or Augusta National but does have arguably the highest concentration of top-quality golf courses on the planet.
With Faro International Airport accepting flights from around the world, the Algarve is well connected, and this means courses including Quinta do Lago North become available for everyone to enjoy.
The resort had come a long way from when it all started in the 1970s and is beautifully situated in the Ria Formosa nature reserve.
On eight occasions the Portuguese Open was held here, and Colin Montgomerie was awarded a 1989 win on the south course. The course is not meant to exclude amateur golfers given its Championship pedigree. One of the best courses in the Algarve.
Finding the fairways is the challenge. When you go out, the holes sweep through the parkland, which runs around a lake with beautiful views across the water.
Beau Welling and Paul McGinley redesigned the North course in 2014, and the Taylor Made Performance Center, the state-of-the-art academy.
The Quinta do Lago North Course may not get the same attention as the South it has been redesigned by Beau Welling and Paul McGinley in 2014 to deliver a tremendous golfing experience. A sum of €9 million was spent redeveloping the course, and as you would expect from such a significant investment, the results are superb.
The course has improved its standing in Quinta do Lago and becomes a slightly tougher challenge, the greens now play faster and you will not find a truer putting surface anywhere in the Algarve. Some of the green settings are magnificent, and the view to the par-3’s is exceptional, with the greens well protected by bunkers.
The fairways are generally quite generous but while you will usually have no problem finding your ball in the rough, playing out from it is different. The mature umbrella pine trees only add to the experience as you play your way around the course.
Quinta do Lago North Course is well maintained, and you are guaranteed a great golfing experience, whatever time of year you visit. Some people are a little put off by the roads that appear to interfere with the course, but you will never feel they encroach on the course or deter from a great course and lovely venue to play golf.
In terms of the facilities, you will not be left wanting anything. The resort was named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Destination at the World Golf Awards in 2015 and 2016 and being given the ‘Editors’ Choice Award for Best International Resorts’ in 2016 and 2017, by Golf Digest.
With a wide choice of restaurants, accommodation, and activities, you could easily spend a week on the resort, playing the North Course and enjoying everything else available.
Nearby Golf Courses in Quinta do Lago:
Vale do Lobo Royal Course and Vale do Lobo Ocean Course are a short drive away.
Other courses include San Lorenzo Golf Course, Pinheiros Altos Golf, Quinta do Lago South and Quinta do Lago Laranjal are also within ten minutes drive.
