Pinhal (Formally Golf 2) was originally designed by Frank Pennink for the Dom Pedro Hotel and was originally opened in 1976. It has vastly changed from the original design, most of which was made in 1985 under the direction of Robert Trent Jones Jnr. More recently the 12th, 15th & 16th have been remodeled by Lusotur Golfers, it has made the 15th a very inviting hole for someone with a long drive. Pinhal winds its way through the umbrella pines which the Algarve courses have come famous for, undulating landscape and some difficult approaches to greens making it more difficult than first thought.

• Alto
• Benamore
• Castro Marim
• Carvoeiro Vale da Pinta
• Carvoeiro Gramacho
• Pinheiros Altos
• Quinta do Lago
• Quinta do Lago Ria Formosa
• San Lorenço
• Vale do Lobo Royal
• Vale do Lobo Ocean
• Vilamoura Pinhal
• Vilamoura Laguna
• Vilamoura Old Course
• Vilamoura Millennium
• Vila Sol
• Pine Cliffs
• Salgados
• Penina Championship
• Penina Resort Course
• Palmares
• Boavista
• Parque da Florest
• Quinta da Ria
• Quinta de Cima
• Lisbon Courses

Over the last two years Pinhal has undergone some major redevelopment, seven holes have been changed and a new clubhouse has been built. Today the clubhouse is finished but some work is still going on with hole 14, this hole has a new green, fairway and tees. Pinhal is now back to it's old self and worth playing, fairways and greens are in good condition.

The first is a par 5, a straight hole which has few problems but still difficult to par. The green is a two-tiered green and on the wrong level you are looking at a possible three puts. When on the tee at the second it again looks somewhat simple, but this hole is probably one of the most difficult. Your tee shot has to be long and accurate, with it missing a strategically placed tree left of the fairway. The approach shot is also made difficult, by yet another tree centre of the fairway and bunkers left and right of the green. The sixth a par 4 dogleg left, this hole is rated stroke 2 and deserves it. From the tee there is a narrow entrance to the fairway, a good draw is what is required. Your second is probably going to be with a fairway wood, do not be disappointed if you are not on the green this hole plays like a par 5. On the second nine it gets a little hilly, but the trees keep coming.

On the second nine the first test is the tenth, a par four with an uphill tee shot, try and keep left centre of the fairway. The approach shot is very demanding, the green slants away from you and is protected by bunkers left and right. Once on the green you will be on one of the two tiers, this green also slopes left to right. The 13th is a very long par 5, most of the way it is uphill. Trees left and right of the tee restrict the tee shot, with a brook just past the ladies tee and out of bounds left. Your second is an uphill shot to a ridge on the fairway, if you are over this in two a par is on the cards, but watch out for the bunkers left and right of the green and by the way this is stroke index 1. The seventeenth is a bit of a joke, this par 5 dogleg right is best played with 3 six irons. The last is a par four, an uphill tee shot has to be over the ridge to be able to get on the green in two. If you make it take a good look before the second, 3 bunkers protect this green and out of bounds into the car park. A good hole to finish and one to par as well, time for the after round drink on the terrace of the new clubhouse.

Course Details

18 Holes Par 72 (SSS 71) - Length Meters 6,300

Score Card

Requirements to Play

Handicap Certificate Men's 28 Ladies 36 - Normal Dress Code

Amenities

Pro Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, Club Hire, Trolleys, Buggy's, Clubhouse