On a recent golf trip to Portugal I was fortunate enough to play a round at Palmares Golf Club. It’s not often that I’m moved to put finger to key board but this gem of course should be on everyone’s playlist when in the Algarve.

The course is situated in West Algarve, just 20 minutes drive from Portimao, but probably more relevantly 15 mins drive from Le Meidien Penina. It has recently undergone major reconstruction which has transformed the golf course from being a very pleasant round, into a really quite inspiring test of golf that throws some of the very best golf architecture at you.

One of the key features of the new Palmares is the variation of holes; the golf course really does boast it all.  From the mature, undulating front nine through to a finishing nine that runs along the coast to quench any Links lovers thirst.  The greens run fast and true rewarding an accurate putt but have a habit of hurting if you miss.

I’d strongly recommend arriving early at the course as the view from the clubhouse is one of the best I’ve ever seen, the perfect place to sit and contemplate the round ahead. Typing of views, be careful when you’re playing the coastal holes as some of the residence on the beach like to come and spectate in the most “natural” of ways, mind you I would if I had this chaps artillery!

Turning attentions back the course, I questioned how far I’d drive to play Palmares given the wealth of courses around the Vilamoura area. For me the answer to buy a day ticket to take in all 27 holes, spend the day in some wonderful surroundings but I would recommend a buggy for your first round.

If staying at Le Merdien Penina, I’d suggest playing Palmares as it’s so close and is the perfect complement to the already well-established Championship course at Penina, just try and get the closing nine at Palmares.

I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did, play well!