Course Review of Vilamoura Golf Club Old Course

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Vilamoura Golf Club Old Course Algarve

I was lucky enough to visit Vilamoura for the first time in October 2003 and the following course report and golf club review are my own opinions and thoughts. I have been playing golf since 1997 and currently play off 15 handicap.

Location: Vilamoura, Algarve

Vilamoura Golf club consists of four separate golf courses, in three different locations. The Old course is definitely the flag ship but the Pinhal course is an equal rival without being so spectacular. The Laguna course and the Millennium (newest course) share the same clubhouse but are specifically separated. The signage is very good from the town centre and you will struggle not to find each course.

On Course: (Old Course)
Marshals are conspicuous but are available if needed. Drinks cart made sure that you had at least three visits and toilets on course were most welcome.
Clubhouse: (Old Course)
The welcome was superb!! You are greeted in the car park by a stretch 'limo' buggy and you and your clubs are transferred to the clubhouse. Your clubs are loaded onto the buggy or trolley whilst you check in at reception, where the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.
Locker room: (Old Course)
The locker room was decorated in a pleasant nautical style and towels were available for those wishing to make full use of all the facilities.
Restaurant: (Old Course)
The menu was superb and the service was outstanding. Views of the course from the restaurant were very scenic.
Practice Facilities: (Old Course)
I didn't have time to check out the driving range but there was a huge putting green just by the first tee.
Pro Shop: (Old Course)
The pro shop was well stocked. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.
Buggies: (Old Course)
Buggies were not allowed out on the day we played, as there had been a huge storm the day before. However, they are available at a very reasonable €45.00.

Old Course
Course Review
6254 Metres (White tees) 5913 Metres (Yellow tees)

Hole 1 Par 4 3302 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 17
This hole is predominately downhill and the green is tucked down in the left hand corner. Dangerous bunkers are there to protect you at the edge of the green.
Authors Score 5 Steady Start

Hole 2 Par 4 417 Metres S.I. 5
This is a long, straight, uphill par five. OOB all down the left side and trees are over on the right, so again you must play straight.
Authors Score 5 Good Par

Hole 3 Par 4 300 Metres S.I. 9
This is a short par 3 with an elevated green that makes it a little difficult. There are also some trees that protrude onto the fairway on the right hand side.
Authors Score 5 Please with another five.

Hole 4 Par 3 149 Metres S.I. 15
Lovely looking par 3 with a lake directly between you and the flag. However, the bigger danger is the tree just the other side of the lake, that did capture my ball and will capture many more.
Authors Score 5 Damn tree!

Hole 5 Par 5 449 Metres S.I. 10
This is the narrowest hole yet and the fairway is protected by five pot bunkers at the turn in the dogleg. Two more dangerous bunkers protect a long straight green.
Authors Score 5 Another Par ! Another 5 !

Hole 6 Par 3 196 Metres S.I. 11
Good 'valley' looking Par 3. If the wind blows then even a driver may not reach the green
Authors Score 4 Happy with that.

Hole 7 Par 4 344 Metres S.I. 7
Try and drive over the bunker on the left and you will then have a short to another narrow green. The fairway bunkers on the right are very dangerous and should be avoided. The green is elevated so take an extra club.
Authors Score 6 Avoid the bunker 'I Said'.

Hole 8 Par 4 400 Metres S.I. 1
This is a serious narrow hole and nothing but straight will do. The fairway bunker on the is only about 180 yards from the yellows but stray too far right from this and you have no shot to the green. The green is elevated, again, and drops off left towards two awaiting bunkers.
Authors Score 4 Chipped in for a great Par.

Hole 9 Par 4 260 Metres S.I. 13
Lovely looking short Par four that is not drivable. Consider an iron off the tee but play it to the right for a good look at the green.

Authors Score 4 Missed the green but up and down! Par.

Hole 10 Par 3 148 Metres S.I. 18
Don't go in the valley as you will then be left with an extremely hard 'lob' wedge. It's an easy hole if you make the green. Extra club please!
Authors Score 4 Had a good 'Lob' wedge.

Hole 11 Par 4 371 Metres S.I. 4
Straight forward drive as long as you keep it straight. The approach is very undulating and if you don't make the green then you can just 'bump n run' it on and then putt for a par.
Authors Score 6 I approached this hole wrongly.

Hole 12 Par 5 482 Metres S.I. 6
The drive is a blind shot but be brave and cut the corner off. Aim at the bushes to the right and it opens up once you walk to your ball. It's a tight approach to this well guarded green.
Authors Score 7 Oops! Another double bogey.

Hole 13 Par 4 342 Metres S.I. 16
Make use of the toilet facilities on this tee. I got the driver out for the first time on the course as the fairway is wide. However, the approach is extremely difficult as there is a valley in the front of the green, bunkers to the right, then OOB and a stream to the left.
Authors Score 6 S.I. 16 !? I think not.

Hole 14 Par 5 426 Metres S.I. 8
This hole features a tiny well protected green so make sure you approach carefully.
Authors Score 5 Good! Back on the par trail.

Hole 15 Par 3 145 Metres S.I. 14
It's a really tiny green to hit. So try and take a club that puts the ball high and stops it dead. Don't roll off the back.
Authors Score 3 Missed a 12 foot birdie putt.

Hole 16 Par 5 494 Metres S.I. 2
I got the driver out again and put it behind the tree by the bunker on the left. Don't follow me on this hole.
Authors Score 7 Tree cost me my par.

Hole 17 Par 4 348 Metres S.I. 12
Sharp dog-leg left, that has some dangerous bunkers to trap those who want to cut the corner. Your approach shot is played to an elevated green.
Authors Score 6 Another double!

Hole 18 Par 4 340 Metres S.I. 3
Stay to the left on this fairway as the trees on the right are quite dense. A thin, well protected green awaits your final putt.

Authors Score 5 Sank a 35 foot putt for a bogey.

I was very satisfied with my 92 shots. Only 4 shots over my handicap on one of the tightest courses I have ever played. My lasting memories of this course would undoubtedly be the 'Umbrella' pine trees that guarded all the fairways. The beauty of every hole was only eclipsed by the toughness of the course.
Oh…and I enjoyed my chip in at the 8th and the putt on the last.

Course Review by Golf Holidays Abroad Ltd.

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