Quinta do Lago Laranjal Golf Course Review

With the Algarve already one of Europe’s premier golf holiday destinations, any new golf courses hoping to cause a stir in this region have to be of considerable stock. In the Laranjal course at Quinta do Lago we feel we’ve stumbled across one of the best new courses to emerge in recent years. With greens as smooth as silk and a level of condition that is comparable with the very best, this new course looks set to shake up the golfing hierarchy of the Algarve.

As the newest course amongst the established Quinta do Lago stable, the Laranjal golf course has some very established relatives in the North and South Courses to live up to. Although in the design of the Laranjal course it is easy to draw comparisons with its older family members it is clear that Laranjal has been built with tournament golf in mind. A quick check of the scorecard notes that yardage at just over 7,100, making this par 72 layout a daunting prospect from the Black Championship markers. However with a choice of tees, anyone hoping for a slightly easier test can find solace in the yellow or white markers which make the course a friendly option, in particular the par-3’s.

I have been very fortunate in my golfing travels to experience some fantastic golf courses but can safely say the par-3’s at Laranjal are without doubt the toughest set I’ve ever played. Perhaps it was the wind direction on the day I played it but over the course of 5 par-3’s I didn’t hit anything less than a 4-wood into them! I will also add that on two occasions my Sunday best effort with a driver on the 7th and 17th holes still weren’t good enough to reach the putting surface! Despite this I have to say the likes of the 7th and 11th holes were up there with some of my favourite short holes I’ve had the pleasure of playing. The 11th in particular with its “beached” bunker (pictured left) stretching out into the large lake which protects the right hand side of the hole is a unique design which works perfectly with the hole itself.

Right, that’s enough of my inadequacies at golf and more about the positives of the course! In terms of golf course construction I would rank this amongst the very best. With the Algarve suffering from unseasonably bad weather in the weeks prior to my visit, the course was absolutely perfect and the greens were as good (and as quick!) as I’ve seen. With numerous hazards in play for a less than accurate drive, the course not only requires length off the tee to tackle the 7,100 yards but accuracy if you are to avoid the cavernous bunkers which line the fairways.

Talking of driving, the 5th hole from its elevated tee position set back amongst a funnel of trees is the perfect place to unleash your best drive. As the ball sails towards the lush green fairway there is an immense sense of satisfaction as the ball lands after hanging in the air for an eternity. I would love to play every tee-shot like this; my only issue is that generally if you walk down a hill on a golf course, you have to walk back up it!

Although the Algarve is spoilt for choice in terms of high quality golf courses, I would thoroughly recommend a trip to Laranjal. The condition and speed of the greens is justification alone in playing it, combining it with the quality of course design make this a must play in my opinion. Anyone considering their next Algarve golf holiday and wanting to incorporate Laranjal within their plans should take advantage of the superb package offered by Your Golf Travel where you can enjoy not only the Laranjal Course, but also its established siblings in the North and the South Course. Valid during the month of June, enjoy three night’s bed & breakfast at the Pinus Ria Hotel and three rounds of golf for just £299 per person.