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The Algarve region of Portugal is famous for the quality of its golf courses and those renting villas in the Algarve region for a holiday will want to take advantage of these superb facilities. There's not many places where you can spend part of the day playing golf and the other sightseeing or sunbathing on some of the finest beaches in the world. Sun, sea and golf – what more can you want from your holiday in Portugal? Here are some of the best courses in the Albufeira for those who have holiday accommodation in that area of the Algarve :- Albufeira Golf Courses Salgados – This 18 hole golf course is between Albufeira and Armacao de Pera. With its many water obstacles, it is a real test of golfing skills. It is a well balanced course with each half having three par 3 holes of 170+ metres and two par five holes of about 500 metres. The course par is 72. Pine Cliffs – This 9 hole golf course is located in a pine wood situated on the edge of a cliff. The first two holes are quite easy but the course gets more challenging after that. The hole known as “The Devil's Parlou” is a particular challenge because you have to play over a ravine. Par is 33. Balaia Golf Village – Located on the road between Albufeira and Vilamoura, this is a 9 hole course which is ideal for beginners. All holes are par 3 and are based around a loop. The course is also perfect for those wanting to practise and perfect their distance control. Par is 27. Alto Golf – This 18 hole golf course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, three times winner of the British Open golf championship. This course really does test a golfer. It has dog legs, cleverly placed bunkers and many trees and shrubs to negotiate your way around but has spectacular scenery to enjoy as it makes its way through two valleys with the Monchique mountains in the background. The course is par 72. Ocean Golf Course – This golf course can be found in Vale do Lobo and is a Par 70 course. Another Sir Henry Cotton course, this is an 18 hole clifftop course with wonderful views Pinheiros Altos – On the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park is this 18 hole golf course in the Quinta do Lago estate in Almancil. The course is a challenging one because the second nine holes are set between hills dotted with water hazards and the green of the seventeenth hole is on an island. The course has become popular with top professional golfers for pre season practice sessions. The par of this course is 72. Quinta do Lago South – This par 72, 18 hole golf course has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. The course can be played in a variety of ways because of its two anti-clockwise loops and is a great course for all standards of players. Quinta do Lago North (Rio Formosa) – This par 72, 18 hole golf course can be a bit of a challenge. There are sometimes windy conditions on the par 3 holes, there are dog legs on the par 4 holes, water hazards on holes 13 and 18 and the par 5 holes require both accuracy and power from the golfer. San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago – Ranked second in Europe, this 18 hole golf course is a challenging course with various water hazards and a few holes going through a pine forest. The 18th hole, which is situated on a half island green, is said to be one of the best finishing holes in the world. There are wonderful views over the sea and over the lakes of the Natural Park that the course is set in. The Par is 72. Roger Wakefield writes content for Villa Retreats, (http://www.villaretreats.com) who offer villas in the Algarve, Portugal, The Med and other glorious holiday resorts.
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