User Reviews
for Pinheiros Altos Golf Course, Almancil, Portugal
Reviews 1 - 7 from 7
Original version
...enter the first tee...
Reviewed February 8, 2024
...that was the first course we played in the Algarve - for the first time in Portugal - 30 years ago (1994) - back then it was still an 18-hole course.
The notes reveal:
We were fascinated by the course maintenance - manicure level - was the best of all the courses we played during this trip. It was at the same level as the US courses we played a year earlier in Florida.
This course was designed by American Ron Fream - was still brand new - and was opened shortly before our visit.
The back nine was reworked in 1995 by Peter McEvoay and Howard Swan.
In 2007 this campo received another 9 holes, built by George Santa da Silva.
Four course designers were able to work here...
Ron Fream studied in California, was discovered as a talent by Rober Trent Jones and worked in his company for four years.
Together with Terry Storm - who also works for Rober Trent Jones - he set up his own business in 1972 and founded the Golfplan Company, which has its domicile in California.
They also worked with five-time "The Open" winner Peter Thomson - an Australian.
The company has planned or renovated well over 100 courses - around the globe - with many of them included in the top 100 lists in all countries.
His contacts with John Harris make him a globetrotter. Ron Feam is considered in the industry to have traveled to the most countries and to have the most airline miles to his name.
He now lives as a pensioner in the south of Malaysia.
This was the first Ron Fream-built course we played in 1994, and today there are almost a dozen on the list - in France, Italy, South Africa and the USA.
We played corks and pines today - we wanted to play all 27 holes, it wasn't possible - in our opinion they are the better ones and more demanding to play. This loop serves just over 340 meters per hole, but is still challenging thanks to the terrain and the pine trees on individual holes. A number of holes are in the wind, which can often spoil the game - as was the case today.
We think it's easy to see that several designers wanted to leave their mark on the course...
The maintenance is good, but nowhere near the level of our first visit - this facility deserves a little more attention.
We know of Ron Fream's several courses that truly deserve the five stars - not this one.
We had to flip a coin - three or four stars
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- Original version
Ok
Reviewed October 3, 2023
Pinos and Olives played 10/1/23. Condition of the place is acceptable. Layout is good, especially from Olives. Rather little activity and a pleasant round played. Even relatively short holes cannot be reached in regulation against the wind. This course is worth playing as a contrast to the beautiful Quita do Lago South and Northe.
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- Original version
Perfect at the moment
Reviewed January 4, 2023
Thanks to the favorable rainfall in December, almost all courses in the Algarve are in good condition at the moment, the perfect opportunity to try out courses that would otherwise not make it onto my bucket list. So today Pinheiros Altos.
Due to the very negative reviews, I initially wanted to skip the place. I'm very glad I changed my mind because I had a great round of golf today. The golf friend who accompanied me was also enthusiastic.
The course is not as perfectly maintained as the absolute top courses in the region. In the fairway, the grass types are sometimes mixed, in a few places the grass grows a little too sparsely. Nevertheless, the condition up to the greens is very good - and from there it is excellent. Fast as an arrow, faithful and incredibly exciting due to the undulations. The layout of the course is challenging and varied. We played Pines and Corks, i.e. the two 9-hole loops, half of which consist of old holes and the other half of holes that were added later. Both 9 hole loops were interesting. If you think about it now, most players do the third loop. Olives, best find...?
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- Original version
Too expensive
Reviewed November 16, 2022
I'm a little disappointed, I expected more, the layout was confusing, the maintenance was mediocre, the greens were slow and the buggy paths were in a catastrophic condition. Neither at the start nor on the round was a marshal, in front of us there were two flights that belonged together (4 men and 4 women). If they didn't let us audition, we played for over 5 hours. There are also positives. In the nice clubhouse is a nice restaurant with good food and a very friendly and fast service, highly recommended. Conclusion, too expensive, you can skip it, we won't play here anymore.
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- Original version
Varied 27 holes
Reviewed December 2, 2018
9 hole loop "Pinos" played on 18.11.2018.18 hole "Corks" and "Olives" played on 25/11/2018. The slightly hilly 27-hole course (Cart for the normally sporty Ambitious not required) in the Quinta do Lago / Vale do Lobo region is divided into three 9-hole courses. In my view, it is a mixture of resort and parkland course. Although one plays partly between villas, which are usually discreetly seen in the background, but also large parts of the natural landscape. The design is varied and offers interesting water hazards (especially on "Olives", with island green), tall pine trees, occasional doglegs and some well-placed bunkers. Most haircuts are open, so that even high HC should get along. Despite the heavy rains of the last days, the care condition was relatively good (slight reduction in "Olives") but above all the greens were very good, loyal and fast. You pay your green fee in the pro shop in the clubhouse above the complex. The ladies at the front desk were friendly. The Regelgreenfee is with 95 € in November for 18 holes in order and thus in the Algarve in the middle area settled. Unfortunately you can not book his tee times on the homepage( Tip: about algarvegolf Book start times online, even an EarlyBird for 60 € at a discount until 8:00 clock is offered there. You enter the desired start time, receives a feedback if this is possible, then booked firmly specifying the credit card and receives by pdf a voucher At the time of my first spontaneous visit, however, I was able to start immediately for a 9-hole round at around 10:00 o'clock and did not have to go forward, still back pressure. However, when I was done, I saw at least three four-flights, waiting for the tee on the first tee "Corkes". So reserve early or rather early on the round go. The offer is completed by a driving range. I can recommend the game on the court.
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- Original version
Unkempt and somehow loveless
Reviewed December 26, 2017
Unfortunately, shortly after Christmas, the fairways look awful. The 9 holes of the "Pines" would be very varied, the 9 "Olives", however, seem unfinished and not very exciting. Except for the final with two (half) island greens. The last impression, however, remains marked by the condition of care: somehow carelessly the whole thing.
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- Original version
Unsympatischer place
Reviewed April 1, 2013
This golf course is unsympathetic to us!
It was then sold to us on the first tee to announce that the fairways are not to be used e-buggies.
Summary: Again and again walks of Carway with an armful of bats. These are extremely poor or non-existent, partly hidden behind bushes distance markers.
The greens are sometimes very large, do not see the character of a Bavarian alpine landscape and are. Information about the position days "None".
All in all, this place will not play multi.
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