Welcome to UK-GolfGuide's page which contains feedback from site users who have played at Palmares Golf Club.

Whilst UK-GolfGuide.com attempts to turf out the more unhelpful or just plain daft contributions, some may slip through. If you have played the course or hold a different opinion to those of the contributors, feel free to use the Add your Comments icon to provide a broader spread of views. If you have a gripe with the club then take it up with them directly - please don't use this facility for airing grievances!.

If you have played this course and would like to add your comments then feel free to Add a Report.

Richard McMurdo (England) 02/01/08

One of my ‘always play’ courses in the Algarve is Palmares as it’s a mixture of links golf on the front 9 holes and then fruit tree lined fairway parkland on the back 9. However, the trick with this course is to stay away from the busy times and 'negotiate' your tee-off with the members, otherwise you'll round will be slow and frustrating. The opening hole starts with a tricky downhill tee shot leaving a mid iron to a well bunkered green. From here you play a mixture of links holes with an interesting short par-4 over water (or a dried up seawater pond in the Summer) before returning to parkland. Of the par-5’s the 17th is a definite eagle opportunity, even for mid handicappers, so long as you get your driver away. The course condition can be varied, but play it just before or after a Pro-Am event and you'll get it in very good condition. Palmares offers a good, well kept, fast putting green that has shaded spots for keeping out of the sun.

Value for Money	8
Challenge	8
Off Course	8

Ian Chambers (England) 26/03/07

Played Palmeras on the 20/3/07. What a joke ! 30 mins late off the tee because they are the only club in the area with 8 min tee times and with as poor an opening hole as the 1st is the delays just rack up. We were due to tee off at 1.48 but didn't start till 2.20 which meant it was dark by the time we finished. No applology and no refund. Pro shop expensive, bar dreadful.

The course itself was tatty with poor bunkers and greens. The stoke saver isn't worht the money as it is out by yards and yards

Value for Money	5
Challenge	7
Off Course	6

Geoff Gill (England) 03/07/06

Played this course on Tuesday the 27th June 2006, and was very impressed from start to finish... the course itself was immaculate and had lovely views over the bay... the pro shop however was very expensive at 100 Euros for a tee shirt, but this is the price you pay in the algarve... favourite hole had to be the tricky par 5 5th which runs along the beach front with a very narrow fairway, which is followed by a trickly little dog leg par 4 where you can take on the green if you are brave enough... they even had a 1 million dollar challange on the par 3 eighth where if you had a hole in one you went to las vegas to play from 1 million dollars or if you hit the green you won a cap (Which were 32 euros in the pro shop) I took it on and only won the cap... who needs las vegas anyway... the back 9 was not as good as the front nine but still some tricky little holes, and if the pin placements were naughty you are in for some fun... for example they had the pin on the 9th at the front, and it is a two teer green with a huge step in the middle going downhill, I hit the back of the green and could not keep my first put on the green and ended up 4 putting, but what a challenge... I will definatly go back next time im in the algarve...

Value for Money	8
Challenge	7
Off Course	9

chris millingtoncmillington (England) 18/07/05

panoramic views.perhaps not for purists but my personal favorite on the algarve inc.quinta old course etc.

Value for Money	10
Challenge	7
Off Course	10

Les Oborn (England) 25/09/04

Played here 24/09/2004. First seven holes very good then very similar to Scarborough North Cliff's inland holes. Approaches to greens had been watered too much for my liking.

Very friendly staff but restaurant closed just after six, so no food when we finished.

Need to employ a course ranger, as play was very slow (like all the other courses we played, nobody asked to see a handicap certificate and this was possibly why faster players were not invited to play through).

A relatively testing back nine with the 17th being the most memorable.

Ceri Rees (England) 19/05/04

Just played 6 rounds in the Algarve in a group of 8 players and to a man we all thought that the first 6 holes were very good with nice surroundings and good condition greens. After that the conditions were the same but the course became very similar to public parkland courses in England. We will not be revisting next year.

Andy Smith (England) 07/03/04

Played Palmares Feb 2004.

Well worht the visit, course in VG condition. Greens very quick.

Wind was blowing a gale, which made it very challenging.

Friendly reception.

Some lovely holes, with variety the key. Lovely Par 4 opener and following 5 by the sea.

Would go back.

Andrew Jarrod (UK) 03/12/02

Simply a stunning course. After spending a week in Portugal in early October this was out second (just) after Parque De Floresta. Both are hilly and stunning courses. The other 2 members of my party also shared this opinion. Palmares though has the best restaurant, and even after playing PdF we returned there to eat as the sun set in the background. Simply superb..!

Golf then… To start with you head down to the Ocean on a great downhill LONG par-4. Then the next 5 holes are spent along the beach where rough = sand. This stretch includes the infamous MASSIVE par-5 with both a hard drive and a hard (often blind) approach. Then an opportunity on the 6th to drive the corner off a short par-4. A risky shot though over OB.

Then back up sharply into the hills and back to the clubhouse.

The back 9 is all inland, and perhaps a tad less spectacular, but they are still very good golf holes. I enjoyed every one.

AJ

Adam Lawrence (UK) 01/11/02

Loved the place, absolutely loved it. Fabulous condition, both fairways and greens, the latter being quick but wonderfully true. I putt badly as a rule, being often too tentative, but here I forced myself to ram short putts home - being so confident in the roll - and did much better as a result. I think the back nine doesn't live up to the front, though, especially the stretch down by the sea. Can only echo others' comments if you go into the dunes - take your medicine. I had several blows from the beach on the long fifth, very annoying since I thought I'd hit a perfect drive, only to see it fall a couple of feet right of the fairway - and had to hit close from 120 metres and make my putt to get a seven! Gripe would be that the course plan could be better. It's very hard, as a first time visitor, on one or two holes to understand where you should be going (I include the sixth in this), and the little sketches on the course planner don't really help. Yardages would be especially useful - I didn't notice a yardage chart for sale in the pro shop. My first choice for a return - though I want desperately to go to Parque da Floresta, so that might come first.

Peter van Meerten (The Netherlands) 17/10/02

Great course. I will play their once again when I am in the Algarve. Nice views and sometimes really hard work to reach your ball. Try the 6th hole and play it right on the green but watch the wind.

Gavin Ball (England) 24/09/02

I agree with some of the comments from previous writers. Teh first tee gives the most amazing view and the tee-shot is a real challenge, then as you stride down the middle of the fairway and the green opens up to you and the views get better and better, they are wonderful. In my eyes from then on the course does not live up tot he start. It just doesn't happen. Too many long walks. too many hills to climb. I was standing on the 14th hole reflectying on the round and the course and it did nothing for me. We had played Pinta the day before and out of the two I know where i will go back every year. Palmares is every other year and only for the views from the first tee and the sun terrace at the end fo a round lookign down on holes 2-6 (links holes) with a beer in hand.

Alex Tracey (England) 30/05/02

Totally agree with all the previous comments. A stunning course that provides a challenge to any golfer. Can't wait to go back to the Algarve to play this course again.

Charles Gordon (UK) 19/03/02

This course is a real delight. Although it is not perhaps one of the more recognised gems in the Algarve's crown it is has lots going for it. A nice variety of different holes (links and parkland), challenges for beginners and more experienced golfers alike and views to die for. Well kept and well run too. I also recommend a post-round drink on the terrace with its stunning sea vistas.

Tom Simm (England) 04/01/02

Im just 16 and I visit my family in Portugal every summer, secretly this course is why I come, the sheer satisfaction you get when you stand on that first tee is amazing. I play off a meer 13 strokes and the sensation you get when you show off to your fellow members of the society and wallop that drive over the corner of the 1st tee, looking out to sea is one of the best feelings you will ever have. I recommend having a crack to the green on the par 4 6th. ive done it only once out of 7/8 trys and 2 putted for a bird. The greens are so so true and the fairways always let your ball sit perfectly. Accuracy and good approach shots are needed, with length on the par 5 5th. If you slice madly, forget the 5th, instead of rough, there is sand. and believe me give up hitting a 7 iron up the fairway out of it jus knock it out sideways like your elders always tell you to. Reasonable pricing but the service is immaculate. Just take a look out from that 1st tee, you'll be hooked for life.

gary (england) 10/07/01

superb course in great condition, with so many

differant types of holes.from links to parkland

and back again,a really enjoyable day of golf.

the view from the terrace bar overlooking the

valley then the links sand, then the sea is

awsome.we will return .reguards

gary martyn& stuart.

Barry Gray (england) 18/07/00

I first played this course about 7 years ago and was impressed by the varied layout although the facilities were quite basic. This aspect has been improved and work is ongoing.

The course was up to my expectations, well maintained and the the greens true and fast. The true delight of this course is the sheer variety of the holes and the views are great from some of the tees.

I recommend this course to anyone in the area. I much preferred this to Penina where all the holes are the same, very flat and tree lined.

Palmares is not cheap but worth, at least, one visit.

Frank (england) 17/08/99

As good a golf course as you could wish to play anywhere.There are links holes(2-6),narrow tree-lined holes(1,7,8,9,10)and holes with a bit more freedom to really have a go(11-18).Greens have always been superb,fast and true.Beautiful views,particularly 1 and 17.A buggy is a good idea!Highly recommended.