Oceanico Millennium Golfcourse

I would regard the Millennium Golfcourse in Vilamoura the ideal warm up course if you are planning to come out to the Algarve in Portugal, to play several rounds of golf. No golfcourse is easy but with few hazards even fewer water hazards this course will allow you to post a score close to your handicap while getting used to the Algarve conditions. The greens will vary depending on the season.
During the spring,summer and autumn months they will be quick but to allow for the damper conditions during the months of December, January and February they are a good bit slower.
The first hole has an out of bounds on the right so whatever you do, don't let the first tee nerves
take over and start with a slice! The most scenic part of the course are holes 3 through 7 but they also include three of the toughest holes. So don't get to hard on yourself if you used up a few extra shots as the back nine will give you the chance to stay in touch with your handicap. Apart from a tricky blind shot on 16 all other holes play fair.     

Victoria Golfcourse

Victoria Golfcourse is home to the European PGA Portuguees Masters during the month of October. It comes as no surprise therefore that this course requires length of the tee. Even when you play from the yellow tees expect par 4's of over 435 yards and par 3's measuring between 180-205 yards. It lets you find out how your game meaures up against that of the professionals. I like the fact that there are no blind shots anywhere, the greens are fast and that you get rewarded for good shots. No great distances between tees and greens and although a buggy is included in the greenfee you could easily walk the course. The wildlife around the course is enough to make a nature programme. Storks, Eagles, Flamingos and numerous birds are a joy to watch. One flock of coots however has taken possession of the 18th green so be prepared to clear some of the droppings! The 18th is a tough 460 yard par 4 finishing hole. Even more so because if your second shot is a little short of the green the fairway slopes towards the water hazard! Hopefully you have a shot to spare. Victoria GC is a great golfing experience but you do well to play to your handicap.

Algarve Golfcourse of the Week

Vale da Pinta Golfcourse

Lets face it, few of us can drive the ball 300 yards and reach the remaining 145 yards with a pitching wedge. This is why Vale da Pinta is such an enjoyable golf

experience. It is all about strategy and less about length. Playing the course for a second time will help you shoot lower scores as the course does have a number of blind shots. For those wanting to play without a buggy there are a few hilly walks to get from green to tee and the walk back to the clubhouse from the 18th will

test your fitness. The course is in magnificent condition and the competitive greenfee makes it a popular venue with many. We suggest you book your teetime as soon as possible. You may consider staying in one of the associated

4* hotels or apartments owned by Pestana.

Algarve Golfcourse of the Week

Vila Sol Golf Resort

Vila Sol recently taken over by the Pestana group offers a tough golf challenge.

The narrow tree-lined fairways put a premium on straight drives. Once you have found the fairway you have a chance of a decent score. The course offers great variation as each hole asks a different approach. The par 3's from the yellow tees play from a similar length of 175 yards.

The course has 27 holes but since the new Pestana management has taken over they have reinstated the original 18 holes as the proper Vila Sol golfcourse and the "Prestige" 9 hole loop is now the Academy course. Still an excellent 9 holes of golf and if you have difficulties getting your preferred teetime start on hole 19 and play from the 1st tee for your second 9.

Greenfees start from € 65.00 per person including a shared buggy.

For discounted Vila Sol Greenfees: www.playbettergolf-algarve.com/greenfees.html

Algarve Golfcourse of the Week

Palmares Golfcourse ( Lagos )

The links holes along the beach make the course lay out unique and the great views are a constant highlight. Imagine playing the best links of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England in beautiful weather and you get some idea of what it will be like to play Palmares golfcourse.

It requires a long drives on some holes and then again leave this club in the bag if you want

to avoid some of the hazards. The wind direction plays an inportant part when you play this golfcourse. The course has been redesigned and now offers 27 spectacular links type golf.

An absolute must play course!

For Discounted Palmares Greenfees www.playbettergolf-algarve.com/greenfees.html

Should golf exams be introduced

How well do we know the game of golf ?





I bet that most of the golfers in the Commonwealth countries and the United States do not realise that most Europeans need to pass a Golfing exam before they are allowed on a golf course. The course consists of between 12 and 16 hours of tuition depending on how many students take part. Most golf academies advertise for a maximum of 4 students per teaching pro. In addition to these hours they are expected to practise these learned techniques until they have reached a certain level of consistency to play a Tee-shot 120 m ( 132 yrds ) straight onto the fairway. (Ladies 100 m). Once they have sort-of mastered fairway shots, chipping, bunkershots and putting a playing exam awaits the very nervous student. The points (some variation on this depending which country the exam is taken) are awarded according to the Stableford system. Over a 9 hole test the 6 best played holes need to add up to 12 points with 3 over par equaling 2 points or Par. 95% of students will manage this. Quite remarkable considering the average age for a beginner is 40. My oldest student started at 72 years young. But what I really appreciate about having to do a course in golf is that the second part before they pass, is a theory and etiquette exam. Yes, every beginner learns the most important rules of the game of golf and how not to waste time on a golf course before they ever played a round. The question I would like to post : Should we not introduce this to the English speaking world. The argument has been that we grow up with the sport and like football we just know! I disagree. The number of times I see players scoring their card before leaving the green or placing their trolleys on the wrong side of the next tee or not repairing pitchmarks is numerous. I forget the number of times I have had to explain the rules that apply for an unplayable ball to one of my fellow players. But at least next time you query a rule of golf ask a Dutchman, German or Norwegian.

Do you agree or disagree with an exam for every player?