Portugal, along with its Iberian partner Spain has long been the sunshine golf destination of Europe. The popularity of Portugal as a destination has continued apace, as a result many fine courses have been developed and refined particularly in the Algarve. It is from this selection of stunning creations we look to select a signature 18.

Hole No 1 – PAR 4 – Yards 417
Vila Sol – The Algarve, Portugal
The greatest challenge on this opening hole is to keep the ball on the fairway. The contoured fairway slopes sharply left, while numerous tall pines block routes to the green. As befitting the toughest opening hole in Portugal a large bunker guards the green from the right.

Hole No 2 – PAR 4 – Yards 438
Le Meridien Penina & Resort – The Algarve, Portugal
The Meridien is a beautiful Henry Cotton creation, sitting on a former rice field. The second is a tough hole, a good drive will provide a challenging second across a water hazard. A goose egg green sheds anything but the most accurate approach.

Hole No 3 – PAR 5 – Yards 622
Clube Golfe de Ponte de Lima - Ponte de Lima, Portugal
A mountain course, covering six square kilometres amongst mature chestnut, cork and old oak trees leading, through a ravine, to the Quinta do Anquiao, with fantastic views over the Lima valley. The third at some 622 yards, is the longest drive in Portugal and one of the longest in Europe.

Hole No 4 – PAR 3 – Yards 178
Vilamoura Golf Club – The Algarve, Portugal
Opened in the late 60’s Vilamoura is an Algarve course steeped in history. The 4th needs a long iron off the tee into the wind. Don’t come up short or you will get wet in water that skirts the green.

Hole No 5 – PAR 3 – Yards 123
Parque Da Floresta – The Algarve, Portugal
Analogies with the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon are inevitable. As short a hole as you are likely to find on a championship course the challenge here are unique. Played from an elevated tee getting the ball onto the green is the mission, when the wind blows the mission is for many impossible. Miss and you end in a bunker or worse.

Hole No 6 - PAR 5 – Yards 501
Penha Longa – Linho, Lisboa, Portugal
Penha Longa is just 30 minutes from Lisbon, situated at the confluence of the Sintra Hills and Sintra Cascais Park. A short par 5 but you will need to be wary of the large lake and enormous bunkers.

Hole No 7 - PAR 5 – Yards
Praia del Rey, Lisboa, Portugal
Praia Del Rey, was rated 13th best course in Europe by Golf World magazine. The courses 600 acres, flanked by a 2-mile stretch of unspoilt, beautiful and often deserted beach pounded by the Atlantic rollers. The 7th is a long and challenging par 5.

Hole No 8 – PAR 3 – Yards 213
Benamor - The Algarve, Portugal
Benamor pushed golf to the east of the Algarve for the first time. A low iron to an elevated green is challenged by cork trees and bunkers. A tiered green makes for a tough putting surface.

Hole No 9 – PAR 4 – Yards 385
Quinta Do Lago South Course - The Algarve, Portugal
A tricky fairway with rolling elevation and numerous bunkers makes for a challenging tee shot. As the hole turns left you will be presented with an uphill approach to the green. Be wary of the green as it falls sharply away to the left.

Hole No 10 – PAR 4 – Yards 465
Quinta Da Ria – The Algarve, Portugal
The 10TH AT Quinta Da Ria will challenge your ability to draw and fade. As with several of Portugal’s finest holes you begin from an elevated tee, well bunkered from tee to green and with a large body of water the 10th is a fun challenge.

Hole No 11 - Par 4 - Yards
Santo Estevão Golf, Lisbon, Portugal
Located to the east of Lisbon in the fertile rolling lands of the northern Alentejo. Stretched over 72 hectares the course has ample room to take advantage of wide fairways and open wooded countryside. The 11th hole, Par 4, is the most attractive on the course and at the same time the most challenging to play well.

Hole No 12 – PAR 4 – Yards 395
Rio Formosa Golf Club – The Algarve, Portugal
The irony of a course named after the local wetland nature reserve is that water rarely features on the course. An irony addressed on the 12th where a large lake defines the sharp dogleg, beware the big hitters the lake is larger than many anticipate.

Hole No 13 – PAR 3 – Yards 202
Le Meridien Penina & Resort – The Algarve, Portugal
Yet another Algarve legacy of Sir Henry Cotton the Meridien is a classic championship course. The island green of the 13th is equal part panoramic marvel and golfing challenge.

Hole No 14 - Par 3 - Yards 125
Aroeira Golf Club - Herdade de Aroeira, Portugal
Some claim one of the best in Europe, the Aroeira hosted the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997 and a number of Ladies Opens. The 14th is a short hole at only 125m long, however there is a large lake between the tee and the green, which is well protected by a bunker to the right and rear.

Hole No 15 – PAR 3 – Yards 210
Vale De Lobo, Ocean Course - Algarve, Portugal
Many of the best courses in Western Europe share the worlds largest water hazard (the atlantic) and so it is with the 15th at Vale Do Lobo. Bunkers, beaches and bewitching westerly winds can make the 15th memorable for more than the panoramic view of the atlantic expanse.

Hole No 16 - Par 3 - Yards 230
Vale do Lobo, Royal Course
The Royal Course at The Valley of the Wolf, Vale de Lobo is some 6,800 yards from the tips and considered more difficult than the Ocean Course. The highlight is undoubtly the cliff-top 16th hole, easily one of the most photographed par threes in the world. It measures 230 yards from the back tees and is played across two gaping gorges to a large putting surface.

Hole 17 – PAR 5 – Yards 561
Quinta Do Lago – The Algarve, Portugal
Undoubtedly one of the Algarves finest courses, Quinta Do Lago showcases the best of Portugal’s diverse landscape. Pine forests, fig groves and beautiful lakes. The challenge for many on the 17th is the subtle contours of the green, read and read again.

Hole No 18 – PAR 4 – 382 Yards
San Lorenzo – The Algarve, Portugal
Everybody likes a short par 4 to close right. But did we mention the water. This stunning dog leg requires you to carry water on your first and your second shots. A fitting close to a Portugese 18.