A very disappointing day at Palmares. The clubhouse, facilities and starter were very good. We played the Lagos/Praia combination and things started well with a few nice holes. Fairways were in good condition but almost every green had large patches where it had been re-turfed or reseeded and this hadn't fully taken yet. It didn't look great and the surface was uneven. But apart from that the Lagos 9 was generally OK. The Praia 9 is another matter, there are a few holes that are across a railway line to the beach. It was a mix between a wasteland and a massive sand dune. Totally unplayable for the most part. When I spoke with a YGT rep at the time of booking this course was recommended to me in a choice between it and Morgado. I would not recommend it to my worst enemy.
Perched above the sands of Meia Beach on Portugal’s spectacular southern coast is Palmares, considered by some to be the finest jewel in the Algarve’s golfing crown. This epic layout features a fantastic mix of both links and parkland style holes, making all three loops of nine holes well worth playing.
Palmares is located just outside the historic town of Lagos, putting it close to many of the Algarves great courses. Regardless of the other golf clubs you visit, Palmares is a must-play, having hosted a number of prestigious amateur and professional events, it is a top 10 course in Portugal and top 40 in Continental Europe.