Millennium Golf Course Vilamoura Portugal

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Millennium Golf Course

Location:- Vilamoura, Algarve Portugal

The Millennium course was opened in May 2000 and was designed by English architect Martin Hawtree.

I visited Vilamoura in August 2004 and was invited to play the Millennium course for the fist time.

Recent hot weather had dried out the course and this helped the roll on the fairways. I played in temperatures of around 40 degrees on the back 9 and this zapped my stamina a little. I played from the yellow tees. The course is 6157 Metres (White tees) 5784 Metres (Yellow tees) long and is a Par 72. My current handicap is 16.

Hole 1 Par 4 400 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 9

Quite a short Par four that dog legs to the right. The approach shot is up hill to an elevated green that has a pot bunker on the right. A big bunker will claim any ball that is under clubbed.

Authors Score 5 No birdie. Three putted from 12 foot

Hole 2 Par 4 386 Metres S.I. 7

This straight Par four is all OOB along the right hand side. Anything left of the fairway will be trapped by a bunker. The kidney shaped green has bunkers and mounds right and left.

Authors Score 5 Over compensated and went through.

You now cross the road via a tunnel and five holes are played through a densely populated Pine forest that resembles the famous Old course at Vilamoura

Hole 3 Par 3 179 Metres S.I. 11

You are forced to keep the ball straight on this hole because of the trees on either side. The green area opens up slightly and anything right will be swallowed by a deep long bunker.

Authors Score 3 Ah! There's my Par.

Hole 4 Par 5 470 Metres S.I.3

The first Par 5 and the trees are still dense on the left side. You drive over a small 'Lagoon' that should not worry you but keep right as you will have a better sight of the green. The big green has a constricted entrance and has three hidden bunkers.

Authors Score 5 Good par here!

Hole 5 Par 4 390 Metres S.I. 1

The course now seems to be getting narrower. This undulating fairway needs to be hit accurately. Too long and straight off the tee and you are in a fairway bunker that will penalize you. Approach shot must be accurate as danger lurks on all sides of the green.

Authors Score 7 Stroke Index 1. Tough hole!

Hole 6 Par 3 365 Metres S.I. 13

A very pretty Par 3 that demands concentration. Too left is a Lagoon! Too right a bunker! Too long OOB. So try and be accurate.

Authors Score 4 Went too long and cost me.

Hole 7 Par 4 347 Metres S.I. 5

Probably the easiest hole in the forest but still very tight. No bunkers centaur this winding fairway and only one centurion by the green.

Authors Score 6 A bad double bogey.

Now you go back under the tunnel for the rest of the course. Be sure to appreciate the forest as there is not much shade ahead.

Hole 8 Par 5 436 Metres S.I. 17

A fairly shot Par 5 that I am sure is reachable in two for those big hitters. There are five bunkers on the left of this hole and one on the right. Play straight and you should get a Par.

Authors Score 6 My Pars have disappeared now.

Hole 9 Par 4 310 Metres S.I. 15

This hole brings you back to the clubhouse and you are followed on this hole by a dry stream on the right. You can see the flag on the tee but aim for the fairway as I think it is also a little long for you big hitters.

Authors Score 5 Out in 46 shots! Not bad.

The next nine holes are played through a series of Villas and Apartment estates. Every hole has an OOB given resident's protection but it would be difficult to trouble them even with the biggest hacker!

Hole 10 Par 4, 335 Metres S.I. 8

This is a very pretty hole that has bunker just to the right at driveable distance. The green is slightly over to the left and has three good bunkers awaiting anything that is stray.

Authors Score 5 I found a bunker and it cost me.

Hole 11 Par 5 458 Metres S.I. 12

A long Par 5 that is all OOB left and has good bunkers about 220y-240y up the undulating fairway. A serious of six bunkers make this the most protected green on the course.

Authors Score 6 Duffed a greenside putt. Doh!

Hole 12 Par 4 305 Metres S.I. 16

The next two holes turn into the estate and this hole is probably the only originally hole on the course. A short par four that you should make a par on.

Authors Score 4 Made Par.

Hole 13 Par 3 142 Metres S.I. 14

A tricky little Par 3 with an awkward shaped green. Big bunker in front to avoid and a small pot bunker at the rear that you don't want to be in. Anything 'duffed' from the tee will meet a watery reception in the small lagoon.

Authors Score 3 Another par.

Hole 14 Par 4 312 Metres S.I. 6

Probably the tightest hole on the course as the estate is now really close to your right side and OOB all down the left side. Again, it's a short Par 4 but don't hit long into the green as it's also OOB at the rear.

Authors Score 6 Took some medicine under a tree..

Hole 15 Par 3 119 Metres S.I. 18

Shortest hole on the course that has plenty of protection as it is guarded by five clever bunkers. Green is slightly elevated so go one club more!

Authors Score 4 Back bunker cost me.

Hole 16 Par 4 371 Metres S.I. 2

Now a much longer Par 4 and up hill as well. Drive towards the small bunker on the right (not in it). When you arrive at you ball you should then have a long iron into this oblong green that is well protected by three bunkers.

Authors Score 6 Too long for me this Par 4.

Hole 17 Par 4 333 Metres S.I. 10

You now join with the Laguna course that is on the opposite side of the big scary lagoon that is waiting for you to slice your tee shot into. Not too much danger on the green and providing the tee shot hits the fairway then this is a good hole to birdie.

Authors Score 5 Birdie! Ha, Ha

Hole 18 Par 5 454 Metres S.I. 14

This is a very wide fairway with a lake/lagoon on the left hand side. This shouldn't bother you until your approach shot as this hole is a 500 yarder. Depending on your position on the fairway you could have an approach over the side of the lake. So keep right all the way along the hole.

Authors Score 5 Back in 44 for a respectable 90

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