Vale do Lobo Royal Course
Golf at Vale do Lobo began in 1965, when Sir Henry Cotton was brought in to lay out the resort's first course, part of Trusthouse Forte and Costain's plan to build Portugal's first purpose-designed luxury resort. Two nine-hole loops opened in 1968 and 1972, and eventually became today's Ocean course. The Royal course as it stands opened in 1997, American architect Rocky Roquemore's reworking of Cotton's original drawings.
It's a par-72 layout of around 6,059 metres, rolling through pines and lakes, with some steep climbs on the back nine and a couple of doglegs. Water shows up on both nines, mostly visible from the tee. The 9th plays to a green that's almost an island. But the signature hole is the 16th, inherited from Cotton's original 1968 routing: a par-3 played along the coastal cliffs, often named among the most photographed holes in Europe.
The buggy is recommended here, and the resort backs it up with a driving range, an academy staffed by resident professionals, a clubhouse restaurant and snack bar, locker room and pro shop. Book a round on the course that gave the Algarve its most famous photograph, and pair it with its sibling, the Ocean course, next door.
Reception: 6:45am to 7pm(Summer) / 6pm(Winter)
Golf Clubs: Standard
Club House: With Restaurant and Snack bar
With driving range
With an Academy
Trolleys: Manual and Electric
With locker room
Pro Shop: 6:45am to 7pm(Summer) / 6pm(Winter)
Golf Lessons: Resident professionals
With putting green
Juniors: Up to 16 years oldVale do Lobo Royal Course - latest comments and reviews
Julie Cobley
2026-07-14
Very good
Elaine
2026-07-07
Fantastic course and clubhouse - staff not entirely helpful, if I am honest
Tim Bailey
2026-07-05
Most popular course and so is nearly always busy but a really nice course to paly.
Jon Gillen
2026-06-26
Great course, very helpful staff
Darren Howlett
2026-06-24
Fabulous
Justin Riley
2026-06-16
Amazing course, club house , definitely a must play . 16th over the ocean is an amazing golf hole .
Steven Morement
2026-06-15
Great course, we actually prefer this to the Royale
Jean Halpin
2026-05-21
a slight hiccup on arrival as the receptionist said the accompanying adult was inappropriately dressed! polo top
trousers and trainers, to drive the buggy! she was the only person who seemed
to have that opinion!
Stephen Mcivor
2026-05-19
Good golf course in great condition. Always a good experience at Vale Do Lobo
Andy Connellan
2026-05-17
very good
Neil Clydesdale
2026-05-13
Course condition good - well run with warm welcome - pace was a little slow but overall very enjoyable experience & 16th hole is a must see / play!!
Mark Greenwood
2026-05-11
Lack of range facilities but otherwise very good . Long way between holes .
Tecnicals
*Parkland - Total except the 16th
*Undulated - With some steepish climbs on the back 9
*Buggy Recommended - yes
*Signature Hole - famous 16th , par3
*Water hazards - Yes on both 9's, easily seen from tees
*Tree Lined - Yes, with Pines
*Dogleg - Couple on the back 9
*Comments - Excellent course, one of Algarve's best
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