Pine Cliffs Golf Course
Perched high above the golden sands and blue water of the Atlantic Ocean, between Vilamoura and Albufeira, lies the immaculate Pine Cliffs Golf Course. Architect Martin Hawtree’s main concern was to keep the natural surroundings as it was before the course was built.
This pretty 9 Hole Pine Cliffs Hotel golf course opened in 1991 and it’s one of Portugal’s most original golfing layouts, with fairways routed through a delightful pine forest that sits on cliff tops along the Algarve coastline.
At 2,450 yards from the back tees, Pine Trees is not long – only a couple of its par-four holes measure more than 350 yards – yet it presents an engaging round for the many holiday golfers who play here. One of its early members was Nigel Mansell, the 1992 F1 motor racing world champion, who was president of the golf club in its formative years.
The 434-yard 5th at Pine Cliffs Golf Course is a tough proposition to play here when the wind is up along the edge of the cliffs and it’s followed by the feature hole on the card, the par-three “Devil’s Parlour,” where the tee shot must fly all the way to a green that lies 200 yards across an intimidating jagged precipice that drops down sharply to the beach below.
Pine Cliffs Golf Course is perfect if you want a quick game, or you can play it twice for a thoroughly enjoyable 18 holes.
