Designed by William Mitchell from the USA and opened in 1974, the Quinta do Lago South course was used eight times for the 'Portuguese Open Championship' in 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 2001. It has also hosted many large professional and amateur championships.
The favourite of many tour players, this course offers the possibility to hit the greens in regulation in several ways. However, each hole has one easy route and the player who sees this, and has the skill to follow the designer's intention, and produce sub-par figures. An anti-clockwise loop, it favours the draw shot.
This course favours the long hitter, but requires the player to pick a particular route to score well. Although both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. Holes 3, 15 and 17 features lakes, which must be negotiated.
Holes 8, 10, 15 and 18 are the most testing for the scratch player while holes 2, 3, 5, 12, 13 and 17 offer the best possibilities of birdies. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards. This course favours the long hitter, but requires the skill to score well. Although the front and back nines are both anti-clockwise loops, the first nine favours a draw, while the second favours a fade from the tee. An enjoyable experience for players of all standards.
Packages 2 Pax / 60 min. 3 Pax / 60 min. 4 Pax / 60 min.
90,00 €
120,00 €
140,00 €
Playing with Professional
Score Card:
Hole
S.I.
Par
Meters
Yards
Meters
Yards
Meters
Yards
1
13
4
390
429
345
380
320
352
2
7
5
500
550
470
517
415
457
3
5
4
387
426
350
385
285
314
4
17
3
171
188
135
149
110
121
5
1
5
505
556
480
528
435
479
6
9
4
350
385
315
346
290
319
7
15
3
182
200
160
176
142
156
8
3
4
385
424
350
385
320
352
9
11
4
355
390
320
352
290
319
Out
36
3225
3548
2925
3218
2607
2868
10
6
4
410
451
375
412
340
374
11
16
3
190
209
160
176
112
123
12
12
5
460
506
425
468
380
418
13
18
4
325
358
285
313
255
281
14
2
4
383
421
350
385
300
330
15
8
3
200
220
160
176
125
138
16
14
4
372
409
330
363
270
297
17
4
5
510
561
490
539
465
512
18
10
4
413
454
370
407
338
372
In
36
3263
3589
2945
3240
2585
2844
Total
72
6488
7137
5870
6458
5192
5711
Tips given by professional players and based on white tees:
1
A drive lightly downhill to a right to left sloping fairway with bunkers on the right and one strategic pine tree on the left. Following a good drive to the left centre of the fairway, the second shot is a short iron to a slightly raised green, with bunkers left and right.
2
The drive is across a depression, with a right to left fall and bunkers on the right, to catch the ball, which is started a little too far to the right. The second has plenty of room, but needs to be left of centre of the fairway, to allow an easy approach to a green bunkered on the left and with a trap cutting across the front of the green, on the right.
3
The third offers a generous fairway to hit at, but the drive on the centre right of the fairway will follow the right to left slope to give the easiest second shot. Too far right and pines can block the second shot. Too far left and the ball can run down a steep bank towards the lake, which runs down the left side of the fairway and ends just 25 metres from the front left half of the green. The green is raised and the second, hit short can roll back into the lake. A trap on the right catches those fearful of the water on the left.
4
A flat Par 3 to a green raised one metre above the fairway, rapped left and right. The shot is played with a mid or long iron and needs to be hit right up to the flag. It is easy to underestimate the length of this shot.
5
Another of Quinta do Lago South great Par 5 holes. The drive, to a left to right sloping fairway, is trapped both sides at 220 metres. Trees and then out of bounds, on both sides, prevent a wild tee shot. A large clump of trees eating into the left side of the fairway at 400 metres pushes the player right towards another group of pine trees at 470 metres. The green is raised, has a large frontal trap and another on the right. A long pine guards the left of the green. A good hole for a player with a controlled draw shot.
6
An uphill dogleg left with a bunker on the left at the turning point. The fairway rolls left to right. A draw shot into the hill sets up a short iron to the elevated green, bunkered left and right. The length of this (apparently) easy second shot is hard to judge.
7
A slightly downhill Par 3 with a mid or long iron, to a green trapped left and right. The wind has an effect on this open Par 3.
8
A very testing tee shot to a severely right to left sloping fairway. A clump of trees starting at 200 metres on the right demands a long power fade down the centre of this fairway to set up an easy second shot. The second with a mid iron is uphill to a green cut into a bank, trapped on the left. It is paramount to carry the ball into the green.
9
Driving across a dip bunkers left and right at 230 metres demands accuracy. The hole turns slightly left and uphill to a green level with the fairway. The short iron second must be pitched well up to avoid bunkers on the right, and the tendency to hook must be resisted as the green falls away steeply on the left. A contoured green demands good judgement and touch, to avoid a three putt.
10
A testing opening Par 4 hole. The landing area for the drive is fairly generous, but a trap on the left and pine trees on the right can punish a wayward shot. The second across a dip is a matter of lengthjudgement. The green, trapped left and right, is long and it is easy to leave a long putt.
11
A downhill Par 3 that becomes very testing when the wind blows. Normally a mid iron shot to a green-trapped left and right. The view from the tees is well worth a moment of contemplation.
12
A precision driving hole if one wishes to make an easy par or birdie. The ground falls right to left as the hole swings left to right, round a ninety-degree dogleg. Bunkers left and right, on the corner of the dogleg, add to the demand for length judgement and accuracy. The second (up a hill to a generous plateau) is no problem, until one strays from the fairway. The land falls away sharply on both sides. The green is trapped right and left and tends to be very fast, when putting from the back to the front of the green.
13
A right to left dogleg with a right to left slope. A bunker on the left of the dogleg, and trees right and left, catch the errant drive. After a good drive it is just a short pitch to a slightly elevated green and, hopefully, a birdie.
14
A testing tee shot when the wind blows. The tee is elevated 25 metres above the fairway and a ball hit with slice or hook spin can be adversely affected. A trap on the left at 240 metres awaits a draw. A tee shot in the centre right of the fairway leaves a mid iron to a green, trapped left and right.
15
One of golf’s most photographed holes. A carry of some 80 metres across a lake to a green with a trap on the left and tress on the right. Requires a good long iron or a wood if the wind blows.
16
A good driving hole. A drive down the centre right of the fairway, sets up an easy approach to a sunken green. But sand and trees trap any drive hit too far left. A steep bank to the right of the green allows latitude for a pushed second. Left here is a disaster.
17
Another picturesque tee shot with lakes left, right and in front. A long straight drive leaves a second shot to a generous fairway, where left is better than right. The pitch is to a green trapped left and right and slightly elevated above the fairway. The green has some interesting contours, which can make a birdie difficult.
18
A very testing finished hole. The long hitter can try to carry the bunkers on the left, but must beware of running out of room on the right, as the hole doglegs let. The second is to a slightly elevated green-trapped left and right.
Information:
Founded
1974
Architect
William Mitchell
Proprietor
Sociedade do Golfe da Quinta do Lago, SA
Director
Iain Mclnally
Professional
Domingos Silva
Rogério Valente
Jason Hoyles
Green Keeper
Paulo Viegas
Main events on this course
Portuguese Open 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989,1990 and 2001 Johnnie Walker Euro Classic 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 , 1999 and 2000
Map:
Quinta do Lago South - Quinta do Lago 8135-024 Almancil, Portugal
Directions:
GPS
37º02'42.42"N 8º01'22.14W
National Road number 125, direction to Almancil. In Almancil, follow the signs to Quinta do Lago. Within Quinta do Lago, drive along the main road (Av. André Jordan), until roundabout nr.4; turn right and right again. Free parking, with vigilance service for private cars is available on the surrounding area of the Clubhouse.
