The South Course is William F. Mitchell's original design for Quinta do Lago, part of the 27 holes he laid out in 1974 that also gave the resort's North Course its first nine. It's the estate's founding layout, set among umbrella pines beside the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and it hosted the Portuguese Open eight times between 1976 and 2001, Colin Montgomerie among the winners with a course-record 63 in 1989.
It's a par-72 of around 6,500 metres, run as two anti-clockwise loops: the front nine rewards a draw, the back nine a fade. Elevated tees, rolling fairways, and doglegs, three of them sharp, keep the tee shot honest throughout. Water shows up mostly on the back nine, though the 3rd is worth minding early, a risk-reward par-4 with a lake down the left. The signature hole is the 15th, a long par-3 played entirely over water with the Atlantic in view beyond it.
The buggy isn't essential here, and the resort adds a driving range, an academy, a clubhouse restaurant and snack bar, locker room and pro shop. Book a round at the course European Tour pros still call their favourite in the Algarve, and the one every other Quinta do Lago layout is measured against.
Mark Lowings
2026-07-03
Very nice course, excellent condition all round
Darren Howlett
2026-06-24
Wonderful course and condition
Anthony Seaton
2026-06-19
Great golf course well managed
Neville Hudson
2026-06-16
We always look forward to this course every year, it is just a great course and also in great condition. Will be back next year for sure
Dara Norton
2026-06-09
Excellent
Gavin Tucker
2026-06-09
Excellent service
Martin Burke
2026-06-02
Pace slightly slow … great course
Jerry Bower
2026-05-30
Hi Atyla - Quinta do Lago (south) was another very nice course. A very pleasant "Resort Type" course with wide fairways and very few water hazaeds. Was not as impressive and beautiful as Ombria and Palmaria however. Best regards, Jerry Bower (please tell me if this final course recview gets thru to you)
Jean Halpin
2026-05-21
Kaiden enjoyed all courses but South just tipped it for him. He had a wonderful time and played reasonably well
Mark Greenwood
2026-05-12
Great course . Staff helpful and friendly . Excellent greens . Good pace of play .
Darren Hayes
2026-05-02
Great experience. On time pickups, the course was in great condition. Smooth experience all round.
Jess Bush
2026-05-01
Beautiful golf course, in great condition,paired up with two others who also had not played it before and moved around in 415- held up a bit but the early tee time helped.
*Undulated - Elevated tees, with rolling fairways
*Dogleg - 3 acute, with several others winding
*Tree Lined - Heavily with Pines
*Buggy Recommended - Optional
*Water hazards - Mainly seeable on the back 9, but beware the 3rd
*Parkland - Yes
*Signature Hole - 15th
*Comments - Excellent Traditional course, great value, always in demand
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