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Royal Golf Course
Recognised as a prestigious golf course
Inaugurated in 1997, the Royal Golf Course was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, based on the original drawings of Sir Henry Cotton. Recognised as one of Portugal’s most prestigious golf courses, its features include the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover – one of the most photographed holes in Europe.
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Hole 1
Par: 5
Stroke Index: 15
Pro tip
Your tee shot needs to be between the fairway bunkers.
On this narrow par 5 caved through the umbrella pine trees, go the green in two avoiding the bunkers left and right. Do not short at the green is deep.
| Tee |  |
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| Metres | 394 | 360 | 317 |
Hole 2
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 13
Pro tip
A short, straight hole, the tee is nicely elevated.
Hit your drive down the centre and you will leave yourself an easy approach to a large green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 287 | 261 | 264 |
Hole 3
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 3
Pro tip
A good drive to the middle of the fairway leaves a chance of making the large green in 2
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 383 | 370 | 309 |
Hole 4
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 11
Pro tip
This dynamic, short par 4 looks easy but is far from it. Bunkers are plentiful left and right, 7 in total.
The tee shot must be in the middle, leaving a short approach to this fiddly green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 313 | 288 | 230 |
Hole 5
Par: 5
Stroke Index: 7
Pro tip
Keep your drive left of centre on this long fairway.
Long hitters can make it in 2 over the waste area and bunker protecting the green.
The wise choice is to lay up short and left.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 463 | 450 | 371 |
Hole 6
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 1
Pro tip
Drive to the right of the fairway bunker.
When hitting the difficult second shot, your best bet may be to lay up and rely on your short game to achieve par.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 395 | 375 | 336 |
Hole 7
Par: 3
Stroke Index: 17
Pro tip
An accurate tee shot is required to avoid the water hazard in front and large behind.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 156 | 126 | 101 |
Hole 8
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 5
Pro tip
Drive just right of the bunker, on the top of the hill to the left.
Land your approach to the right of the flag as the green has an accentuated slope to the right.
You will need two good shots to reach the green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 388 | 365 | 296 |
Hole 9
Par: 3
Stroke Index: 9
Pro tip
This scenic par 3 is mostly surrounded by water.
Your tee shot must land softly and be on target.
The green is saucer shaped and hard to judge.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 148 | 133 | 102 |
Hole 10
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 16
Pro tip
The drive must be left of the two bunkers on the right side of the fairway, at the top of the slope down to the green.
This leaves a short to mid iron blind shot to a well guarded large green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 326 | 315 | 262 |
Hole 11
Par: 5
Stroke Index: 2
Pro tip
Drive right of centre, missing the fairway bunker on the left.
Lay up left of the bunkers on the corner of the dog leg, avoiding the water hazards on the left.
This will leave a solid 3rd shot to green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 494 | 473 | 408 |
Hole 12
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 12
Pro tip
An elevated tee shot hit down the right hand side missing the bunker on the left, offers the best angle for the approach to this green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 331 | 299 | 259 |
Hole 13
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 4
Pro tip
A straight drive between the bunkers would be a great help.
The approach to an elevated green, that runs away from you requires more club than it appears.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 352 | 341 | 311 |
Hole 14
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 6
Pro tip
Keep the tee shot right of centre avoiding the water at the right corner of the dog leg.
On the approach be aware of deep bunkers on the right side.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 360 | 327 | 312 |
Hole 15
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 18
Pro tip
A well placed drive just over the right edge of the sandy waste will set you up for a birdie chance on this short but treacherous par 4.
Sandy waste up the left, three big bunkers right and two pot bunkers short of the green!
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 303 | 282 | 251 |
Hole 16
Par: 3
Stroke Index: 10
Pro tip
Take a minute to enjoy the view of the beach and the Algarve coastline.
Aim for the right and short chip will get you on.
Take on the ravine and a big bunker to the green.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 224 | 190 | 133 |
Hole 17
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 8
Pro tip
Drive down the right from this wonderful elevated tee.
The uphill approach is long so take plenty of club.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 366 | 346 | 284 |
Hole 18
Par: 4
Stroke Index: 14
Pro tip
The tee shot should be left of centre but accuracy is more important than distance.
Then take a short to mid iron to the green, two putts and adjourn to the 19th.
| Tee | |
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| Metres | 322 | 295 | 260 |
The Golf Club
The Golf Club is located at the Parque do Golfe complex in the heart of the resort, which offers a full complement of services, including a branch of Nevada Bob’s, the biggest golf store chain in Europe, and the fully-equipped Fitness Centre with a physiotherapist specialising in golf injuries. The Clubhouse is also the home of the Spikes Restaurant and Bar whose terrace overlooks a pretty garden, making it an environment that both golfers and non-golfers can enjoy from breakfast through to late at night.
See Golf ClubFacilities included:
- Golf Centre / Clubhouse
- Golf Academy
- Resort Reception
- Real Estate Office
- Royal Spa
- Fitness Centre
- Auditorium
- Vale do Lobo Shopping
Vale do Lobo Praça
The heart and soul of the resort. Dining and entertainment are provided in its diverse restaurants and bars, with something for every taste. This beachside complex is also home to the swimming pool with its stunning view of the ocean, a children’s pool, changing rooms, WC/shower facilities, crazy golf, Kangaroo Children’s Club.
Facilities included:
- Sales Office
- Restaurants & bars
- Beach & Swimming pools
- Fashion shop
- Newsagent
- Children’s Entertainment
Golf Academy
The Golf Academy has two distinct areas. A higher level area for the instruction of beginner golfers which is used as a warming up area for golfers.
The second area is a sort game practice grassed area with bunkers which is used by golfers to warm up before the game and as an instruction area used by the Vale do Lobo Golf Professionals.
The Golf Academy incorporates short practice areas and a putting green. Coaching is also available from a resident teaching professional.
The Royal Golf Course has rolling fairways set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes surrounded by wild flowers.
| Holes | Distances | Par | Inaugurated | Designed by |
| 18 | 6005 | 72 | 1997 | Rocky Roquemore |
The Royal Golf Course is home to the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover, one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, which has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve.
Jarmo Sandelin
European Tour Professional and former Ryder Cup Player
Book Tee Times
See Slope Rating (Click or Scan)
"My favourite hole is the 16th on the Royal, which has to be one of the most challenging shots in the world if the wind is against."
