It’s a long time since we last visited this resort and we had forgotten how good it is. The golf course is basically two different 9 hole loops with the front nine winding through pine trees and the second nine running along the Atlantic Ocean offering spectacular views. Just over an hour from Lisbon and close to the ancient city of Obidos it is one of Continental Europe’s must visit courses and it is rightly highly ranked in the Top 100 courses.
The five star hotel overlooking the pool
The course designer Cabel Robinson had a wonderful piece of land to work with and produced a stunning design which is a mixture of seaside links and parkland and stretches to just over 7000 yards with a par of 73 from the back tees. If you don’t feel happy playing from the championship tees, it is not a problem as there are 5 different teeing areas to choose from so no matter your handicap you can enjoy the wonderful experience this course provides.
Stunning golf course overlooking the sea
The par 5 second hole is our favourite on the front nine. It’s just over 500 yards long and is a slight dog leg with water and bunkers to avoid on the right side of the fairway. Once you have found the fairway, you can either lay up to avoid the next group of bunkers or risk going for the green which is extremely well protected by more deep bunkers. Making 5 or better here gives a real feeling of satisfaction! You can get a similar feeling by making 3 at the short 8th hole where you hit over a lake and have to avoid going over the green into even more bunkers.
Cabel Robinson has designed a stunning course!
It’s on the second nine that the course provides unforgettable images and several holes present a photo opportunity that is hard to resist. It starts with a downhill par 5 that leads you towards the Ocean and then there is a short par 3 and a dogleg par 4 before you arrive on the 13th tee and have the most amazing view. The ocean runs alongside this and the next two holes and then the course turns back inland. One of this courses advantages is that although the fairways look narrow form the elevated tees, they are in fact quite generous and there is no excuse for missing them. The greens are well guarded by bunkers but again they are all reasonable targets and there is nothing tricky about the course.
Range of accommodation options at Praia d’el Rey
On-site there is a choice of accommodation available from the superb 5-star hotel to some extremely good apartments and town houses. With 3 other golf courses in the vicinity this area is a must visit for all serious golfers.
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