Set among the rolling hills of the Algarve, Laguna Vilamoura feels a bit different to its neighbours. It's got a links-leaning feel that you don't always get in southern Portugal, with more open sightlines, rumpled fairways and bunkering that's there to catch a lazy line rather than simply look pretty.
Water is the headline act. The course threads through a network of lakes and streams that come into play on 11 holes, so you'll score far better by plotting your way around than trying to overpower it. Keep it in play off the tee, choose your angles and you'll give yourself plenty of chances. Miss on the wrong side, though, and you'll be reaching for another ball sooner than you'd like.
In the warmer months it often plays firm and quick underfoot, which brings the ground game into it. If you enjoy a bump-and-run or a chased-up approach, you'll have fun here, especially when the breeze gets up.
You're also perfectly placed for a golf break. Laguna sits just minutes from the beach and the bustling Vilamoura marina, with loads of hotels, bars and restaurants on your doorstep. It's an easy one to slot into a sunny Algarve itinerary, particularly for groups who want plenty to do after the round.
Include Laguna Vilamoura on your next Algarve golf holiday.
Who is this for?
Anyone basing themselves in Vilamoura who wants a change of pace from classic parkland resort golf, plus easy access to the marina and nightlife.
Who is it best for?
Golfers who play with their head more than their muscles, especially mid-handicappers and tidy drivers who don't mind a proper water threat on key holes.
