Where to Stay: Dona Filipa Hotel, Magnolia Hotel or Wyndham Grand Algarve
The Quinta do Lago Estate in the Algarve is a great place for a golf holiday. The weather is warm in the summer and remains pleasant in the winter, making it a perfect destination for golf lovers. There is a wide selection of golf courses to choose from, top quality, championship courses, and one that certainly fits into this bracket, is Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf Course.
The course is situated on the outskirts of the exclusive Quinta do Lago estate overlooking the impressive Ria Formosa Nature Reserve just a short 25-minute drive from Faro, making it very quick and easy to reach the airport. Anyone flying to the Algarve for a golfing break will be landing in Faro, so even with the flight time in mind, it’s possible to leave the UK and be on the first tee, in a matter of hours.
The San Lorenzo Golf Course is located in Portugal overlooking the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve on the exclusive Quinta do Lago estate's outskirts. Designed by golf course architect Joseph Lee San Lorenzo Golf Course opened its doors in 1988, it is of the highest quality and has been ranked consistently as one of the best golf courses in the Algarve. Over the course of its history, the San Lorenzo golf course has received many accolades, namely The number 1 Golf Course in Portugal on no fewer than 5 occasions, and consistently features in numerous Top 100 Listings.
Access to play San Lorenzo is exclusive to JJW Hotels' residents. Namely, the Dona Filipa Hotel, located in Vale do Lobo. The Dona Filipa Hotel provides all golfers with a complimentary shuttle service to and from the golf course.
The course winds its way across gently undulating pine woodland, and once on the par-three, 5th hole, things really begin to open up. The views down to the beach and across the ocean are fantastic. However, do not allow yourself to be caught up in the beautiful scenery, as although this is a short par three, the wind coming off the Atlantic makes club selection crucial. The 16th is a further example of a great par three holes, with a slightly elevated green, which slopes down towards the front edge. You really need to be aiming for the top side of the green or face seeing your ball rolling down to the fringe.
There are some brilliant par four holes at San Lorenzo with the pick being the 6th, 12th, and 17th holes. The 6th features a big dogleg left and ran alongside the Atlantic. You will be tempted to try and cut the corner, which is possible but plays close attention to the wind and the trouble which lies in wait down the right side. The 12th hole has a very narrow fairway and with a bunker on the right side, in addition to those surrounding the green, it is one of the toughest holes on the course. The 17th hole runs alongside a lake, which is present all the way to the green, so anything less than an accurate drive off the tee, could see you in the drink.
The par-five 10th hole is a real tester, as it requires a drive over two lakes and this needs 100% concentration because with bunkers either side of the green. Even the longest hitters can struggle on this hole.
The layout of the San Lorenzo Golf Course is superb, and the scenery is fantastic. The course requires plenty of thought to score low but at the same time, presents a delightful challenge, one which golfers of all abilities will enjoy. San Lorenzo has been named one of the Top 15 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe by Golf World, and it is easy to see why. This course is regarded as a must-play when in the Algarve. This course features in our ultimate guide to the best 9 holes of golf in Portugal.
Nearby Golf Courses in the Quinta do Lago Area:
Vale do Lobo Royal Course or Vale do Lobo Ocean are a five-minute drive away.
Other courses include Pinheiros Altos, Quinta do Lago North, Quinta do Lago South and Quinta do Lago Laranjal are also within ten minutes drive.
