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Oitavos Dunes

When you think of golf in Portugal, you probably jump straight to the Algarve. Fair enough. But the Lisbon coast has been closing that gap for a while now and Oitavos Dunes is a big reason why.

It's just over 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport and it's regularly talked about as the best course in Portugal. Golf World has also had it ranked inside the world's top 100, which tells you the hype is not just local. The European Tour Golf Sixes event was held here in 2019 and the tour has visited a few times before that.

Set on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Oitavos is a proper links-style test. Arthur Hills routed it through towering dunes and wispy native grasses, with the Atlantic never far from view. If you like your golf firm underfoot and shaped by the wind, you'll feel right at home here. Pick the brave line and you'll make birdies, get a bit greedy and it can bite back quickly.

Off the course you've got a modern clubhouse, a solid practice set-up and plenty to do nearby, from coastal walks to long seafood lunches in Cascais. It's ideal for couples and groups who want championship golf without being miles from a great city break.

Who is this for? Golfers who want a top-tier Portugal course near a proper city, with beaches and great food on tap.

Who is it best for? Anyone happy flighting the ball down in the wind, particularly low to mid-handicappers who enjoy links golf and a strategic test.

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3 Nights, 2 Rounds

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  • 1 round at Atlantic Course (Penha Longa Resort)
Speak with someone who's been there! Call us on 0800 043 6644 from 9AM today

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Oitavos Dunes

From the back tees, the par 71 Oitavos Dunes plays 6,970 yards which is plenty when the coastal winds get up. Sitting on the dramatic Atlantic Coast, this Arthur Hills course makes full use of the wonderful panoramas on offer from the ocean. Not only is the course beautiful, it is one of the most environmentally friendly courses in the world.

The course was carefully crafted within the Sintra-Casacais National Park and uses the pines and sand dunes of the land to perfectly compliment the coastline. The course is set-up like a classic Scottish links with nine outward holes and nine back.

The 14th hole is arguably the most memorable one on the course, although it is not an easy choice. A dramatic tee shot over a sandy gorge will test your nerve. This gorge stays with the hole and creates some danger to avoid on the right side of the hole. This 167 yard hole plays longer than the scorecard suggests so take an extra club.

The clubhouse offers a modern, warm and welcoming experience. The Verbasco restaurant is a wonderful place to have a bite to eat and a drink whilst reminiscing over the amazing course you just played. Sip on some local wine whilst taking in the views of the umbrella pines and the Atlantic Ocean.

You should take advantage of the well-stocked pro shop and take your chance to take home a souvenir of the trip. At the club you can also arrange for hire clubs, buggies and trolleys. You can even arrange yourself a caddy for your round if you call ahead before the day of your game. When you arrive at Oitavos Dunes, the caddie master and other staff will take care of every detail of your visit. Upon arrival, simply drop your clubs off then relax as the staff get your clubs ready for you. This gives you time to go to luxurious changing rooms to prepare yourself for your upcoming golf.

The attention to detail involved in every part of your stay at Oitavos Dunes makes visiting truly unforgettable. Many people who have been before talk of being able to remember the entire course long after playing. Treat yourself to some golfing luxury and arrange a trip this Lisbon golfing gem.

Course Information
Par 71
Designed by Arthur Hills
Opened for play 2001
Previously hosted Portuguese Open (2005, 2007-9), Ladies Open (2006), Euro Pro Tour (2002-3), Challenge Open (2004), Seniors Open (2003-4, 2006)

Tees
Championship 6,372 metres (6,969 yards) SSS 74
Members 5,967 metres (6,526 yards) SSS 72
Dunes 5,605 metres (6,130 yards) SSS 70
Ocean 5,180 metres, (5,665 yards) SSS 73
Pine 4,488 metres, (4,908 yards) SSS 69

Accommodation at Oitavos Dunes

Fancy building it into a Lisbon Golf Break? Oitavos is an easy one to slot in alongside a couple of other top courses in the area.

The course sits right where the Atlantic meets the rugged Portuguese coastline and the sense of isolation is real. Despite being so close to Lisbon, it feels wild and untouched once you're out there. The fairways tumble through valleys and over ridges, with the sound of the sea never far away.

The routing takes full advantage of the natural contours and with the wind shifting, it can feel like a different course from one day to the next. Accuracy is rewarded and aggressive play is punished, especially late on when the holes start turning back towards the ocean. If the wind gets up, the finish can be properly spicy.

The par-3 13th is the one you'll see all over Instagram. It's played over a deep ravine to a green perched on the clifftop, with the Atlantic stretching out behind it. It's a real postcard hole and you'll want to take a photo before you tee off, trust me.

What makes Oitavos work so well is that it plays firm and fast, the way links golf should. The ball runs out, the turf is tight and you're constantly thinking about angles and wind direction rather than just bombing it down the middle. It's strategic rather than penal, but it will expose a loose swing quickly.

The clubhouse is modern and welcoming, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the dunes and the Atlantic beyond. The practice area is comprehensive and the service is attentive without being overbearing. For couples or groups looking to mix golf with some downtime, the nearby Oitavos Hotel offers spa treatments, coastal walks and access to some of the best seafood restaurants in the region.

Features

  • Golf Buggies
  • Driving Range
  • Pro Shop
  • Putting Greens
  • Club House
  • Championship Standard Course

Oitavos Dunes Reviews

Overall rating: 8.4 / 10

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