Vale de Pinta, this
18 hole masterpiece is located in one of the Algarve's natural golf
terrains when Ronald Fream first encountered the area he acknowledged
it to be "God's Given Land" for golf. Pinta is one of the Algarve's
musts for any golfer, but you must be fit to walk it during the hotter
periods.
Your introduction to this course is gently with 3
par 4's, not to daunting until the 4th. The 4th is a par 5 with out
of bounds on the left and waist areas to the right, the drive is towards
a marker in the fairway but take care, to the left and right are carefully
placed bunkers. The second is around or over a dog-leg with the fairway
falling away to the left and down hill to a valley, if you can reach
the top of the valley around 120 meters from the green you are left
with one of the most daunting approaches. The approach to this two
tiered green that is well protected by bunkers, and a lightning fast
green three puts here are very common. The next is a par 3 and a bit
of relief after the 4th, but as with this course you still have to
take care, this hole can be deceptive. It is difficult to pick the
holes with which to describe this course due to them all being different,
challenging and rewarding once finished, but one that sticks in the
mind for a quite a while is the par 4 13th. From the tee you look
over a large lake, daunting enough but on the other side is a large
fairway bunker. The fairway runs lengthways to the lake, which makes
it into a dog-leg. If you have a long drawing dive in your repertoire
this is the time to pull it out, a good drive over the widest part
of the lake leaves you with a short pitch to the green. The safe way
is to the left of the bunker, but this makes the second shot very
difficult. Your approach shot to the green is made difficult due to
well placed bunkers in front and to the left, yet again this is a
fast green and slopes up, to bold and you could be off the green.
The next is a par 5, the tee shot is made harder as you have the lake
infringing at the front a firm drive and second leave you with a short
pitch to a large green. After two par three's and a dog-leg right
par four up hill, you are on the 18th. This 18th hole is long straight
to start then has a dog-leg right to the green. If you can get your
tee shot centre fairway you will have a chance of par, the second
may have to be played left of a bunker and trees to give you a chance
of reaching the green in three. The green is again protected by bunkers
on the left, but a good pitch to this tiered green leaves you feeling
good…. Hopefully you are still fit as you have a long walk to the
car park (New Clubhouse soon to open) until then it is a car drive
to get that refreshing drink, you deserve it.
18 Holes Par (SSS) 71 (72)
Length in Meters 6,152
Maximum Handicap 27, Ladies 35
Facilities: Temporary clubhouse, putting green, pro
shop, bar and restaurant
One course that deserves a visit, well cared for and chalenging.
