Course review of Vila Sol Golf Club Algarve

Vila Sol Golf Club Algarve

Location:- Vilamoura Algarve

I was lucky enough to visit Vale do Lobo for the first time in October 2003 and the following course report and club review are my own opinions and thoughts. I have been playing golf since 1997 and my current handicap is 15.

Vila Sol is very easy to find if you are staying in Vilamoura and most hotels run a courtesy bus to and from the course. If coming from elsewhere, take the N125 to Almancil, then to Quarteria. Make sure you leave plenty of time to arrive and enjoy the wonderful facilities.

On Course:- Marshalls/rangers were present during out round, but we didn't feel rushed. The 'Halfway Hut' at the 10th/19th is extremely well stocked, offering baguettes, snacks and a varied supply of drinks.

Clubhouse:- Superb views of the last hole with all the dining tables spaced along all approach shots! Very clean, well decorated and furnished. Checking in was extremely quick and friendly.
Locker room:- Good showers and locker room facilities. Like all the Portuguese club houses there is plenty of thick furry towels.
Restaurant:- A very good menu is on offer and the service was excellent and swift. The value was reasonable and the SKY TV showing the sports channel is a magnet for football enthusiasts.
Practice Facilities:- I arrived late and didn't get to see the driving range but the putting green is large and lush.
Pro Shop:- The pro shop, although small, is well stocked and reasonably priced.
Buggies:- There are plenty of buggies at €40.00 and you must stick to the cart paths observing the "90 degree rule" on all fairways.

Vila Sol Course report.
Prime (Holes 1-9) Par 36
3241 Metres (White tees) 3032 Metres (Yellow tees)
Challenge (Holes 10-18) Par 36
3094 Metres (White tees) 2943 Metres (Yellow tees)
Prestige (Holes 19-27) Par 36
3079 Metres (White tees) 2903 Metres (Yellow tees)

Prime

Hole 1 Par 4 366 Metres (yellow) Stroke Index 2
The hole plays much shorter than it looks and you have to drive in straight to avoid trouble on both sides. The long thin green is very hard to hit
Authors Score 6 for a double bogey start.

Hole 2 Par 4 367 Metres S.I. 5
On this slightly elevated tee you are again faced with a tight drive along another tree lined fairway. The seriously undulating green is very tricky
Authors Score 6 because I three putted

Hole 3 Par 4 372 Metres S.I. 1
This dogleg left has a stroke index 1 rating purely because it has one of the trickiest greens in the Algarve. Don't hit your drive long as it will roll into the trees on the right and you will have no shot into the green. Play the ball onto the green on the left hand side WHATEVER the pin position. Authors Score 6 I landed my bunker short within a foot of the pin and it rolled back 30 feet.!

Hole 4 Par 3 158 Metres S.I. 7
This uphill par 3 slopes all away to the left hand side so for safety bail out on the right.
Authors Score 4 as I chicked it.

Hole 5 Par 4 360 Metres S.I. 6
Major dog leg right and only Pros should try and cut the corner. Put your drive on the fairway and don't go to long as you will lose your ball. At the gree everything falls off to the left so be accurate with your approach.
Authors Score 6 where are my pars today.

Hole 6 Par 5 480 Metres S.I. 9
Vila Sols signature hole and its beautiful. The tee is very elevated and you can see right down to the end of this long par 5. The fairway snakes around the second lake and you will be advised to take that road home. On your approach shot you will not be able to see the green. The green is another tricky little fast one
Authors Score 6 is a little better now

Hole 7 Par 3 162 Metres S.I. 13
A dangerous hole that must be respected. The fall carry over the lake needs to be long as the green slopes back towards the lake and could swallow your ball. The two bunkers are actually a safe place to aim
Authors Score 3 a par at last.

Hole 8 Par 5 483 Metres S.I. 5
Another typical tight hole from Vila Sol. A small stream follows you all along the left so you will do well to stay on the right. The sream gets bigger and crosses the green at the front and this makes the approach shot very dangerous.
Authors Score 8 bad,bad,bad,

Hole 9 Par 4 284 Metres S.I. 17
Short up hill par 4 with few trees to worry you. Three bunkers make it difficult at the green
Authors Score 3 Hit a 6 iron 4 foot from the flag and nailed my birdie.
(Out in 48 Barely pleased)

Challenge

Hole 10 Par 4 342 Metres S.I. 9
Very big dog-leg left. Play wide right as the fairway is flat and wide. The green slopes viciously toward you so try and hit below the flag.
Authors Score 6 Played one out of the trees! So, pleased!

Hole 11 Par 5 446 Metres S.I.15
Another wide fairway. This hole is fairly straight forward except for the very small hidden green.
Authors Score 5 Early par! Steady, Steady!

Hole 12 Par 4 341 Metres S.I. 5
Another left dog-leg, although this one is uphill and has a hard to reach green.
Authors Score 5 Another bogie.

Hole 13 Par 3 150 Metres S.I. 17
A lovely par three. An elevated tee of approximately 80ft allows a clear view of the green below, which is surrounded by trees. Avoid the heart shaped bunker to the right.
Authors Score 4 Avoid the bunker, I said!

Hole 14 Par 5 458 Metres S.I. 1
Stroke index one has a blind tee shot and you can't see it land. Hit it too long and you will have a difficult choice. The green it protected by a lake and you may have to lay up. Hit your approach too long and you are also in trouble as the green slopes all the way back towards the lake.
Authors Score 6 Acceptable for S.I. one.

Hole 15 Par 3 131 Metres S.I. 13
The lake doesn't really come into play. There is a deep bunker front right that you need to avoid.
Authors Score 4 Yep! I was in the deep bunker.

Hole 16 Par 4 338 Metres S.I. 7
Another hole that you can't see when standing on the tee. Hit your drive straight as the approach shot is into a very narrow target.
Authors Score 5 Fifth bogie on the trot!

Hole 17 Par 4 349 Metres S.I. 11
Another blind tee shot but don't go left as there is a huge bunker over the hill that will not give you a shot of the green. The fairway then narrows to approximately 20 feet at the green.
Author Score 7 Bunker and three putted.

Hole 18 Par 4 358 Metres S.I. 3
The third hole that has a blind tee shot but the fairway does widen where you hope to land the ball. The clubhouse appears on the left of the fairway and there are dozens of dining golfers watching your approach. The green is very tricky and undulating.
Authors Score 7 Get nervous in front of crowds.
(Middle in 49…………………..Not pleased)

Prestige

Hole 19 Par 5 470 Metres S.I. 6
A wide fairway that narrows as you approach the green. The green is elevated so take an extra club.
Authors Score 6 Got a bogie! Back on track.

Hole 20 Par 3 157 Metres S.I.16
Really did not believe this yardage, (172 yards), as my gentle three wood, (someone snapped my five wood), went 25 yards through the green. Not a hard hole.
Authors Score 4 Must get a new five wood.

Hole 21 Par 4 341 Metres S.I. 8
Lost my first ball of the weekend. There is a big lake to the left but your problem is the tree in the middle of the fairway about 50m yards short of the green. Maxfli 2 landed near the tree.
Authors Score 5 20 foot put for the bogie.

Hole 22 Par 4 278 Metres S.I. 12
Lovely short par 4 with a huge lake to the right of the tee and OOB all down the right side. Mind the locals as I was chased by some 'PortuGeese' on this hole!
Authors Score 4 Hooray. Par at last.

Hole 23 Par 5 485 Metres S.I. 2
Long, straight and narrow par 5 with OOB on the right and left. Must keep all shots straight.
Authors Score 5 3W, 3W. 3W, two putts! PAR!

Hole 24 Par 4 302 Metres S.I. 14
Must aim left on this hole as the dog-leg right slopes down towards the trees and it can be very tricky from this position.
Authors Score 5 Good bogie after 'medicine' in the trees

Hole 25 Par 3 143 Metres S.I. 18
Easy par 3 that shouldn't cause you too much trouble.
Authors Score 3 Three out of four pars now.

Hole 26 Par 4 370 Metres S.I. 4
Another great valley hole. Very tight as half way up the fairway there is an apartment block that overlooks this hole. Once negotiated there is a seriously narrow approach shot needed.
Authors Score 5 Another steady long putt

Hole 27 Par 4 359 Metres S.I. 10
A fairly straight forward finishing hole but stay right as there is an unwanted lake all the way the right side of the fairway.
Authors Score 6 Played one from the hazard.
(Back in 43 for a respectable 27 holes).

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