Golf Courses at Pestana Carvoeiro Resort

For golfers, there is a choice of two courses on the property and another three great courses just 15-minutes away by car. The clubhouses at the two on-site courses have everything you need from buggy hire, merchandise, club hire, snacks and a putting green for final preparation before you head out to play. Once you’ve finished up, you should stay for a while and grab some food and drink in the clubhouse to pour over the round you have just completed.

Gramacho Course

Nick Price, former world number one, worked with Ronald Fream to build this 18-hole course with 27 greens. This may sound strange but it means that this course is very versatile and can be set-up in multiple different ways. This course has played host to the Portuguese Ladies Open many times, which gives an example of the championship pedigree of the course.

One of the highlights of this course is the incredible use of the natural terrain that was on offer during the building of the course. Exposed natural stone, large trees, lakes and historic walls all add to the unique character of the round.

The 5th hole at Pestana Gramacho in the Western Algarve is considered by many to be a hidden gem, and is the perfect showcase for Pestana’s undulating fairways and slick greens. A dramatic driving hole, featuring an uphill fairway and a significant dogleg to the right.

Vale da Pinta

This course hosted European Seniors Tour Qualifying eight times and is a great golfing challenge for players of all levels. The course is highly playable and intelligent design by Ronald Fream has resulted in a superb experience. Strategic bunkering has been deployed perfectly to protect the course and water hazards add another element of danger for your scorecard. The terrain is an absolute joy on the eye and includes some wonderful trees, including an olive tree that is over 1200 years old!

The 13th hole is a real stand-out and a potential card-wrecker. A tight tee-shot requiring the avoidance of a large water hazard and many bunkers leaves a short approach to a very well-protected green. Greenside bunkers await errant wedges.

The course places great importance on accurate shot making- tight fairways, doglegs, and many well-placed hazards leave little margin for error. Perhaps the finest example of this can be found on the par 5 4th hole, measuring at 560 yards. The hole certainly provides a stern test of the driver, with a long and accurate drive towards a marker post, made tougher by the out of bounds on the left, and rough on the right. Further caution is required on the approach, with an ever-narrowing fairway and a well-protected, undulating green making for a tough par.

Pestana Golf Academy and Driving Range As you would expect from a championship venue, the practice facilities are truly world-class. If you would like to get some tuition in whilst you are on holiday, the PGA professionals at the resort are here for you. Group clinics are also available for those who just want a quick tweak rather than a full analysis of their swing.

The driving range is equipped with a shelter to shade you from the sun and cool you down as you hit balls in the sun. You can loosen off with a bucket of balls before making your way to the first tee or you can spend a few hours working on your swing. There are also great facilities for you to work on your short game, putting and bunker skills.

Off-site Courses Wait, there’s more! If you upgrade to the ‘Unlimited Golf’ package then there are another three courses around a 15-minute drive from the resort. Two incredible parkland experiences await you at Silves, Alto and Vila Sol. Each of these courses is of championship quality in its own right and they all have a unique character.

Together, at Pestana Carvoeiro, you have five wonderful courses to enjoy. It seems only right to play all of them then try your favourites again. Maybe this is one of the reasons why so many people return to this resort so frequently.