Vale do Lobo — Royal Course

Almancil, Algarve · Designed by Rocky Roquemore, from Henry Cotton routing (1997) · Est. 1997

9.1/10Edge Score

€€€€Green fee

72Par

6,793Yards

18Holes

Why this Edge Score: Home of the most famous hole in Portuguese golf, the clifftop par-3 16th that carries a ravine to the sea, Vale do Lobo's Royal course is a handsome resort parkland west of Faro. A near-island green at the 9th adds to the drama, keeping it high among Portugal's resort courses.

The Royal Course at Vale do Lobo is home to the most famous hole in Portuguese golf: the par-3 16th, played over a line of crumbling red cliffs and ravines above the beach — a 200-yard-plus carry that is one of the most photographed holes in Europe, and one some professionals have compared to the Road Hole at St Andrews for sheer intimidation. Rocky Roquemore built the course in 1997, developing original routing ideas from Sir Henry Cotton, on the smart Vale do Lobo resort estate west of Faro.

Beyond its signature hole, the Royal is a rolling, handsome parkland test of par 72, its fairways lined with umbrella pines and dotted with lakes — the near-island green at the 9th is another highlight. It rewards accurate, thoughtful golf, and the closing stretch by the sea gives it a grandstand finish.

Set in one of the Algarve's most established resorts, with a fine beach and excellent restaurants, it is a bucket-list round for the drama of that 16th alone.

Holes worth knowing

116th (par-3) — the signature hole of Portuguese golf: a 200-yard-plus carry over a gaping ravine and crumbling red cliffs, the beach and sea far below. Take enough club and commit.
29th (par-4) — a near-island green ringed by water, a demanding and memorable approach at the turn.

Highlights

The famous clifftop par-3 16th over the ravine
One of the most photographed holes in Europe
The near-island green at the 9th
A complete Algarve resort with beach and dining

Good to know

→The 16th is the reason most people come — walk to the tee even if you top your drive, take enough club and commit to the carry; the view alone is worth the green fee.
→It is a resort course to enjoy rather than fight: keep it in play among the pines and lakes, and save your nerve for the clifftop finish.
→Vale do Lobo is one of the Algarve's longest-established resorts, with a big Blue Flag beach, a tennis academy and plenty of dining a buggy-ride from the course.
→The central Algarve here is superb for families: the Ria Formosa, the beaches of Quinta do Lago and the buzz of Vilamoura marina are all minutes away.
→It is 20 minutes from Faro and pairs easily with Quinta do Lago and San Lorenzo next door for a three-in-one premium week.