Vale do Lobo Golf Course Algarve Portugal

Vale do Lobo Golf Club Algarve Portugal

18 Holes 5680 Yards Par 71 Ocean Course

The Vale do Lobo Ocean Course is located near the sea and built mainly on undulated coastland, the Ocean Course is set amongst umbrella pine, orange, olive and eucalyptus trees. This creates very pleasant playing conditions.

The course was originally designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1972. Recent works have given it further new dimensions, resulting in two courses of 18 holes (Royal and Ocean courses).

The 11th and 14th at Vale do Lobo Ocean Course are two demanding par 4's and the par 3 15th is possibly the most scenic, running alongside the beach. Two par 5 holes in the final three demand concentration is kept to a maximum and ensure a great finish to an excellent course.

The front nine is gentle and enjoyable, with wide fairways, the back nine is tighter and more difficult. Slightly easier than the Royal Course, but well worth playing.

Handicap requirements Men 27 Ladies 35.

Facilities include:- Driving Range, Putting Green, Chipping green, Practice net, Restaurant, Bar, Golf Shop and Swimming pool.

Vale do Lobo, Ocean Course, Algarve, Portugal

The Ocean course at Vale do Lobo is situated on the very edge of the coastline with fairways running down to the beach, allowing the golfers to tee-off with some of the most incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. The two course architects, Henry Cotton and Rocky Roquemore, have inspired to shape a fantastic course, although the designs where over 30 years apart.

The Ocean course is not as famous as Vale do Lobo’s Royal course but some might agree that is a better test of golf and a clear favorite to play during your Golf Holiday in Portugal.

COURSE REVIEW

Hole 1 is a Par 4 and 429 metres (White Tees) and is SI 3
The Ocean course at Vale do Lobo start on an elevated tee and is a slight dog leg left. There are no fairway bunkers, however, a dangerous bunker front left of the green will grab your attention on your approach shot.

Hole 2 is a Par 4 and 347 metres (White Tees) and is SI 17
An uphill drive to a green that sits just up on the right. The two huge large umbrella palm trees will distract you slightly especially the left hand one that is cloaked by a bunker. The green slopes from the back and there is a bunker front left for anything stray.

Hole 3 is a Par 5 and 497 metres (White Tees) and is SI 1
The first par 5 on the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo is a monster. They have recently lengthened the hole from a par 4 and moved the hole back some 120 yards and added a huge lake. The lake is not noticeable from the tee as it’s a dogleg left with thick trees on the right and two bunkers just left at the turn. No let up if you make the green in regulation as its two tiered and very new and slippery.

Hole 4 is a Par 4 and 381 metres (White Tees) and is SI 7
A flat fairway that turns quickly to the right and its difficult to take the corner of the dogleg as there a bunch of trees directly in your way. Four dangerous bunkers await you at the green especially the small deep one at the rear.

Hole 5 is a Par 3 and 198 metres (White Tees) and is SI 13
Now you can see the Ocean at Vale do Lobo as you cross over a small river to the tee for the first par 3. It’s a very long Par 3 and probably windy when you play it. The green slopes form left to right and is protected by four flat bunkers.

Hole 6 is a Par 5 and 416 metres (White Tees) and is SI 15
A huge lake hugs the whole right side of this hole. You have a good look at the flag as you play around the lake towards the green. Again there maybe a little wind on this flat, open hole and try and stay left side of the fairway to avoid an approach shot over the water. Bizarrely at around 180 yards from the green a huge stone well appears on the fairway. You will have a mulligan should you inexplicitly hit this.

Hole 7 is a Par 3 and 171 metres (White Tees) and is SI 2
The Ocean course at Vale do Lobo now turns inland towards a much more secluded domain. This par three has two bunkers either side of the green and a more dangerous one at the rear.

Hole 8 is a Par 5 and 385 metres (White Tees) and is SI 9
This is a steep uphill Par 5 that requires a very accurate tee shot. Its all OOB along the left hand side but you need to land you ball this side as you need to have a clear view of the vicious dogleg on your second shot. And your second shot needs to land on the right side to have a shot at the hidden green that sits on a plateau on the left. A par here is a good score.

Hole 9 is a Par 4 and 344 metres (White Tees) and is SI 4
This is one of the best holes on the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo, An elevated tee, for a downhill drive, towards a huge lake that shouldn’t come into play as the hole then doglegs to the left. When you reach the bottom of the hill and look up towards the green your approach shot is quite daunting as there is an ornamental waterfall all along the left hand side. There is no room for error.

Golf Course Review by Golf Holidays Abroad Ltd.

Hole 10 is a Par 5 and 445 metres (White Tees) and is SI 11
You are now back near the wonderful clubhouse and have some great views whilst standing on the 10th tee. Try and hit a long tee shot as there is a lake close to the green that you do not want to have to lay up to. A large bunker hugs the abnormally shaped green.

Hole 11 is a Par 4 and 413 metres (White Tees) and is SI 2
A blind tee shot that needs to rise and fly over the hill. If you are short then you will not make the green on your second shot. The tiny green sits just on the ocean front and you will do well to take notice of the wind.

Hole 12 is a Par 4 and 379 metres (White Tees) and is SI 16
Back over the hill you have just came from and the wind should be at your back now. There are bunkers left side on the hill and these safely negotiated should see you have a good birdie chance as the green is only protected by a small bunker on the right side.

Hole 13 is a Par 3 and 144 metres (White Tees) and is SI 12
One of the shortest Par 3s on the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo but a tricky one. There is no room for error and you must hit the long curvy green to have a chance of a par.

Hole 14 is a Par 4 and 321 metres (White Tees) and is SI 11
A slightly elevated green facing towards the ocean. This exceptional hole is downhill all the way towards the green. Avoid the bunker, that is just right of the fairway by the dogleg needs to be avoided the you can have a glory putt on the narrow green by the ocean.

Hole 15 is a Par 3 and 195 metres (White Tees) and is SI 8
The Ocean’s course answer to the famous 16th on Vale do Lobo’s Royal course without the spectacular cliffs. It’s just as windy and your aim as out towards the wind surfers. Trust me, your ball will come back onto the green.

Hole 16 is a Par 5 and 483 metres (White Tees) and is SI 4
The Ocean is now behind you and its back towards course the club house. Drive over the hill onto a plateau with the green down below and a nice view of the lake that so haunted you on the third hole. The green is made more difficult by the deep bunker just in front.

Hole 17 is a Par 3 and 144 metres (White Tees) and is SI 18
The last Par 3 at the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo is also the easiest. Just avoid the bunkers at the front of the green and you will have a good birdie chance.

Hole 18 is a Par 5 and 411 metres (White Tees) and is SI 14
The Ocean course at Vale do Lobo has a gut buster finish. Although the shortest Par 5 on the course it will fell like the longest as its uphill all the way to the green and small stadium that surrounds it.

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