Golf, Algarve, Portugal

Algarve - Golf
Vila Sol

Portugal > Golf > Algarve > Vila Sol > Packages | Bookings | Shuttle

The Vila Sol Golf is a fabulous 27-hole golf course designed by the famous architect Donald Steel, which stretches along a wide valley, naturally sculpted by Mother Nature and divided into three loops with three different levels of difficulty: Prime, Challenge and Prestige.

Vila Sol Golf has twice played host to the Portuguese Open, in 1992 and 1993. It was honored by the Green Globe organization in 1996 with the Green Flag award, certification of meeting their environmental requirements. In 2001 it won the prize for Best Golf Development, presented by British MP Sir Eric Pickles.

Against this backdrop, full of trees and wildlife and contemporary sculptures, carefully looked after and protected by specialist staff, golfers can discover an environment par excellence which will envelop them throughout the day. From the 1st tee to the Clubhouse, a large team of professionals are at work and remain at your disposal to make this paradise a unique, unforgettable experience. The Clubhouse, with its central location, is the starting and finishing point for each of the three 9-hole loops: the first heads to the East, the second to the West and the third to the South. You can also practice your game at the excellent driving range or practice course of around 300 meters, alongside the Clubhouse.

Nearest Accommodation: Vilamoura Beach Hotel , Hotel Tivoli Marina Vilmoura, Vilamonte Resort I Accommodation Algarve
Nearest Golf Courses: Old Course, Pinhal, Laguna, Millenium

COURSE LOOPS:
Prime - The Prime loop, comprising holes 1-9, is the most difficult of Vila Sol Golf, and is considered by most golfers as presenting an attractive challenge. Not only are the fairways long and narrow on the first four holes, but in addition it is known as “the most difficult start” on the Algarve.. Hole 6 is probably the signature hole of Vila Sol Golf. It is a long par 5 with a number of lakes, where it is important to hit three good strokes to stand a chance of reaching par. The par 3s on this loop are long and present a great challenge to high-handicap players. PRO Suggestion: The secret to playing this loop well is not to falter on the fairways, even if that means using a club other than the driver
Challenge - The Challenge loop, better known as the back nine of Vila Sol, comprises holes 10-18. The challenge of this loop is that its greens are more hilly than either Prime or Prestige, because of the natural terrain, which means that players need to be more accurate when approaching the greens. The first five holes are friendly and allow players to score well before getting to the final four holes, where there is a difficult par 3 (the 15th) and three challenging par 4s. The 18th, next to the clubhouse, finishes with an approach shot that should allow players to shine in front of the public sitting on the terrace. PRO Suggestion: Once again, to avoid high scores on these last holes, it is necessary to place the ball on the fairway, even if it means using an iron from the tee.
Prestige - The Prestige loop is a shorter loop, but narrower. Accuracy and not length is by far the deciding factor on this loop. The first four holes are “friendly”, and do not prepare the player for the difficulties ahead when he arrives at the 23rd tee and sees a very narrow fairway. From this hole onwards the loop becomes progressively more difficult, and it is important to place the ball in the correct positions so as not to find yourself behind trees, out of limits on the course or in the water at the lake alongside hole 26, which can also offer a “waterfall shower”! This loop only has five bunkers, but course architect Donald Steel managed to integrate natural obstacles to challenge the player, and you have to play the course various times to familiarize yourself with the best places for opening shots. PRO Suggestion: The hardest part is the last hole and because of that is very important to start having good results in the beginning.

Course Data
Architect: Donald Steel
Opened: 1991
Holes: 27 (18 + 9)
Par: 72
Length: 6.189 meters +
Requirements: A Handicap Certificate.
Max. Men=27, Ladies=35. Soft Spikes
Facilities: Driving Range, Putting Green, Pitching Area (with bunkers), Trolleys, Buggies, Club Hire, Pro-shop, Restaurant, Bar, Terrace cafe.

Score Cards:

Prime and Challenge

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
1	381	366	344	4	3
2	407	367	345	4	7
3	385	372	349	4	1
4	190	158	117	3	15
5	392	360	345	4	11
6	515	480	418	5	9
7	180	162	125	3	13
8	499	483	411	5	5
9	292	284	274	4	17
out	3241	3032	2728	36

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
10	355	342	307	4	10
11	456	446	409	5	16
12	360	341	318	4	6
13	159	150	144	3	18
14	506	458	432	5	2
15	198	161	135	3	14
16	346	338	328	4	8
17	369	349	291	4	12
18	403	358	314	4	4
out	3152	2943	2678	36
Total	6393	5975	5406	72

Challenge and Prestige

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
10	355	342	307	4	9
11	456	446	409	5	15
12	360	341	318	4	5
13	159	150	144	3	17
14	506	458	432	4	11
15	198	161	135	3	13
16	346	338	328	4	7
17	369	349	291	4	11
18	403	358	274	4	3
out	3152	2943	2678	36

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
19	488	470	434	5	6
20	166	157	128	3	16
21	368	341	326	4	8
22	301	278	232	4	12
23	524	485	438	5	2
24	320	302	269	4	14
25	147	143	118	3	18
26	398	370	308	4	4
27	369	359	332	4	10
in	3081	2905	2585	36
Total	6233	5848	5263	72

Prestige and Prime

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
19	488	470	434	5	6
20	166	157	128	3	16
21	368	341	326	4	8
22	301	278	232	4	12
23	524	485	438	5	2
24	320	302	269	4	14
25	147	143	118	3	18
26	398	370	308	4	4
27	369	359	332	4	10
in	3081	2905	2585	36
Total	6233	5848	5263	72

Hole	C	M	L	Par	Stroke
1	381	366	344	4	3
2	407	367	345	4	7
3	385	372	349	4	1
4	190	158	117	3	15
5	392	360	345	4	11
6	515	480	418	5	9
7	180	162	125	3	13
8	499	483	411	5	5
9	292	284	274	4	17
out	3241	3032	2728	36


Portugal > Golf > Algarve > Vila Sol > Packages \| Bookings \| Shuttle