It would be a lie to say that Silves is anything but a challenging course, but that doesn't mean players of various abilities can't enjoy this picturesque and imaginative layout.
Silves is the type of course that you can probably only fully appreciate if you're a reasonably accomplished player. That's not to say a beginners can't enjoy a round here. The first-class conditioning, wonderful scenery and panoramic vistas from the high points of this undulating course add a real sense of occasion that players of any ability can appreciate. However, this is a strategic course through and through, and the mind games start from the off.
An aggressive, high quality tee shot that skirts the water encroaching from both sides will leave you with a short, straightforward approach shot to a generous green. The alternative is to play more conservatively from the tee but leave yourself a long uphill shot in that will much harder to judge from back down the fairway. It sets the tone for a course that is set-up to present risks and rewards in equal measure.
The bunkering, in particular, is situated to catch out big hitters, but longer players do not enjoy a massive advantage here. While there are six high quality par-3 holes ranging between 150-220 yards, it is the four par-5s that are, arguably, the most memorable holes. The 13th sums up what this course is all about. A par 5 with an elevated tee, it offers up some stunning views. A tricky second shot leaves the player with the dilemma of going for the green in two or negotiating a dogleg left protected by a large water hazard.
It might be hard to concentrate on such course management issues when the vast majority of holes offer spectacular mountain and valley views overlooking palm trees and olive groves. But if you want to make a score at Silves you'll need to keep your wits about you at all times!
STATISTICS
TEES
White Tees - 5615 Meters (6141 Yards)
Yellow Tees - 5256 Meters (5748 Yards)
Red Tees - 4728 Meters (5170 Yards)
Par: 70
Course Opened in: 2006
Designer: Jose Matias and Peter Booth
Great fun. Course was in fantastic condition.
what a course to welcome our first day in Portugal. the course was in great condition and some of the holes where breath taking. it was a tough walking course for the first day.
No problems.... some of staff obviously having a bad day !! So nice to see the new signage to the course , makes getting there so much easier
Greens were slow compared to gramacho and pinta..long par 5s and par 3s with some short par 4s we were a bit spoilt playing the other to first..good course tho
was ok had to alter the round to silves from alto which we had been booked on despite asking not to
Playing it again on 28 December
We will not play here again . We have had mixed experiences on this course mainly pretty negative. Instead of improving it gets worse . There seems to be a problem with drainage on the fairways. Obviously there is a comprehensive watering system due to climate . The problem is most of the fairways remain soggy giving difficult conditions and making the course play very long . They need permanent preferred lies on many holes . There is no Marshalling / supervision on the course. They allow non-golfers on the course making it chronically slow . Whatever happened to min Handicaps.? At one point we were one of 4 x 4 balls on one tee. We came off after 16 holes ,having been on course for 4.75 hours . We ought to have our money back
nice but feel not as good as the others. greens need work and slow round. NO course Marshalls to quicken up play. Again buggy's expensive
Course was good (1st time we played it).. greens better than Pinta. Pestana look like they are spending a lot of money on facilities so when these are finished this will be a really good facility and track... only gripe... 30 degree temp and no on course refreshment buggy
Bunkers were watered too much
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