Vilamoura Laguna course as the name implies has plenty of water hazards to negotiate! The first hole is an impressive par 5 ( just to get you tuned in) and you need a good course layout drive and an even better second shot to attack the green. The crunch comes with the shot to the green which depends on the accuracy and position of your second shot, either a tricky shot over an array of bunkers or a longer shot up the stepped green - both shots require pin point accuracy to score well. The Vilamoura Laguna course was designed incorporating many of the old Vilamoura 3 course holes when the extra holes were introduced to create the Millenium golf course. This is why the Vilamoura Laguna shares the clubhouse with the Millenium course to create a great golf destination for all amatuer and proffesional golfers.
The par-4 fifth brings out the 'greed factor' of every golfer in that the tree on the left pushes you out to take on too much of the water and it could all end in tears! - an extra injection of 'course management' is required at this hole. The Par 4 ninth hole also requires a tad of course management as there is a well in the middle of the fairway to navigate. Long hitters may be tempted to try a shot to the green but the right hand side of the green slopes sharply away into water.
The second nine starts off relatively straightforward, until you get to the par 3 twelfth, which is all carry over the lake and depending on the wind factor club selection can be difficult, because the shot ideally demands a high flying shot into the green. The par 4 forteenth is a tricky dog leg right with the 'full hit' of bunkers and water, both the tee shot and the second shot require accuracy and distance to get into the well protected green with a tight landing target area.
When a course is visually appealing as this one, it is hard to determine which hole will linger longest in the mind, but the par-5 fifteenth is a contender.
Length: Championship: 6121 metres | Mens: 5774 metres | Ladies: 4900 metres | Par: 72
Slope Rating: 133 | Course Rating: 72.6
Requirements: Handicap Certificate. Max: Men - 24, Ladies - 28
Dress Code: Only soft spikes are allowed. Tailored shorts or trousers, Polo shirts, Golf shoes
Facilities: Club House, pro-shop, restaurant, bar, buggy bar on the course, putting-green, driving range.
Local Rules: to be read in conjunction with the FPG golf rules and any temporary local rules.
Out of Bounds: White stakes
Course Signage:
Players with buggies must follow the paths and course signage at all times, 100 and 150 meters distance posts are in meters measured to the front of the green.
Course layout:
Take a tour around the course