Golf de Salgados

Not impressed with this course played Mid Oct. Obviously reclaimed from the marsh land adjacent to it, flat as a pancake with a lot of water - much of it smelly. On two sides were part complete buildings with work continuing. Driving range dissallowed drivers and woods and honestly anything more than a 5 iron would go over the fence into the car park - just about 170 m. Wasn't told this before buying a token. Many of greens scabby and uneven with buckets of sand thrown down. Fairways looked to have been 'scalped' by mower and general condition of course was poor. Although there was plenty of water it wasn't too difficult to avoid just by taking the correct club - not a long course. Issue was the wind which whipped over the course. Paid 65 Euro which when compared with Pinhal looked pricey. Unlikely to return.

A great course. The talk of water is fair, but none of it's hidden and apart from SI1, you have to be fairly off-line to find it. I managed to get a ball round until the 18th....then smashed it into a building site. Great offer at the moment (due to building work) - 42.50eur for a day ticket. Clubhouse has been completed, very plush....good hire clubs. Total package for a round, clubs and a buggy was 150eur (for 2 people). Get any early time and you'll fly round..the pair of us were round in just over 2.5hrs....and that was with following a 4-ball for the front nine !! All in all, great - but play it NOW - normal GF 85eur....not quite worth that !!

Very Dissapionting.... played here on the 19th June 2006... had booked an 8am tee off with buggy... was told must be there 30mins prior to tee off must have soft spikes and propper atire and must take a handicap certificate... turned up at 7.30 to find the place deserted... other people started arriving, finaly a member of staff arrived at 7.55 and opened up the tent (Clubhouse is been built)this gave us 5 minutes to load our clubs onto the buggy and tee off, we were not asked for handicap cetificates and the group behind us were wearing trainers, cut off shorts and colarless tee shirts, they looked like they had never played golf before, and were all hireing clubs... on top of this if you wanted to buy golf balls they were charging 18 euros for a sleve of 3 nike balls, and this was all they sold, no other balls at all, you can tell there was a lot of water on the course, and they were intent on making money out of the fact... they also ran a two tee start on 1 and 10 from 8am to 9.00am, we tee'd off at 8am in a buggy, and by the time we got to the 12 th hole we had caught up the last group to tee off the 10th and got stuck behind them... there were also too many workers on the course, and they had no manners, they would drive past you when you were taking your shots and shout at each other... all in all not a pleasant experience... I would not reccomend this course to the serious golfer at all..

We played this course twice (at the beginning of June)during our stay in the Algarve and I would concur with most of the comments below about the number of balls required to negotiate this course. Whilst the actual condition of the fairways, tees, bunkers and greens were excellent, I felt the need to protect the course with so many ponds and lakes highlighted, in a sense, a certain lack of creativeness in the course designer's thinking. When the wind blows (as it did for our first round) it certainly blows hard and makes some of the holes almost impossible to score well. Having said all that it was an enjoyable challenge, albeit frustrating at times. The clubhouse is still a marquee at the moment whilst they build the new clubhouse. However the practise facilities are unaffected and are reasonable for a course of this standing. As has been mooted before the value for money is exceptional (Eur 32.50 with the discounts available) and puts other Algarve courses to shame in that regard. There is quite a bit of building work around and about the eighteenth fairway which is a bit unsightly, but doesn't distract from a very good experience. The adjacent nature reserve more than makes up for this in the overall ambience of the place.

Played this course in mid May. Although the greens had been tinned this did not detract from a suberb days golf. Fairways and tees in excellent condition. Plenty of water (and even a snake) to negotiate. The round took less than 4 hrs. I would recommend playing this course but take plenty of balls.

Played this course last Sunday in a four ball and had no delays or caused any as the course was, compared to others I have played abroad, quiet. The condition was superb although there were some signs of tines on the fairways they were almost comletely healed. A thinking mans course, as the water makes nearly every shot cautious. Clubhouse and changing is currently in Marquees, although it is perfectly adaquate. Could have used one of the Thailand courses caddies on many occaisions. Now I realise the use of sucking a golf ball through a hosepipe which I never understood! Also played Villamoura Victoria, and although about twice the price this was even better value and if theres a harder closing hole anywhere for a club golfer, I don't want to play it. Whole set up with free range balls is superb.

Played this course mid december. Almost empty. Very good challenge and best played twice to fully appreciate. The water not as intimidating as is suggested if a bit of sense is used from the tee. During this trip also played San lorenzo,Vale do Lobo Ocean and The Old Course in Vilamoura. This was by far the cheapest and if not for the lack of wonderful views/setting it would have been one of the best. Value for money to say the least. Ian Hughes 30/01/06

Water, water, water! Lost four balls - but still a lot of fun! Played at the end of Sept but course was still busy - slow at times. Also some holes on the front nine seemed to have irrigation problems. Nevertheless, a friendly atmosphere with wildlife on your doorstep!

have played Salgados a few times now....Has a very links'y feel with few trees and by the beach. Not a long course, but definetely a thinkers course as you plot your way round the water!. Hit the ball straight and your laughing! Played May 05 and the condition was excellent. There is building work round the course as the area is developed but this doesnt interfere. Nice relaxed clubhouse. Im sure we'll play again next year.

Played in March '05, during a break in the bad weather, but the wind was running very high. As with other reports you can imagine that this is a very difficult course for other than those very straight hitters. Plenty of the holes offer water on both sides of the fairway, and if the ground is hard then you could even find yourself running off the fairway into trouble. Certainly not a course for the average golfer, and one that I would suggest that you bring a few extra balls with you.

Well we took some extra balls with us as we were informed through these means. And we needed them. For us flat-landers the course isn't really diffecult. But the real huge amount of water makes it hard to play. Next time I am in the Algarve I will play Salgados again. PS. Bring your diving equipment with you :-)))

I played this course in a 30 mph wind, and I lost 13 balls during my round. I played 5 different courses during my stay, and lost a total of 15 balls on 5 courses. 13 of them on Salgados. This says enough about how hard it was... although I do recommend the course, but don't bring your most expensive balls! On the 14th I lost four balls until I gave up....

4 of us played the course in June 2000 and sent over 50 balls swimming in this tricky course!!! If you can't hit the ball straight most of the time take loads of balls as the fairways run off into the 14 water hazzards... A Real Challenge. Played it again July 2001 and knowing the course we all improved. A must to play when visiting the Algarve.

Our Society (14 of us) visited late June 2001. Not quite what we expected. Info downloaded from the net led us to believe that we would lose a shed load of balls in the water surrounding 14 holes. This wasn't the case, most holes have wide fairways or 'bale out' areas. Still the course was in extremely good condition, particularly the greens. Nature lovers will delight in the wildlife to be observed in the surrounding marshes. For lovers of links golf, could have done with a few more 'humps/bumps/bunkers' in the fairways.Best hole the 15th. Clubhouse very friendly but basic. Most of us would play again. Col Harwood (Lostock Arms GS)

bring your straight shots. it is a nice course with lots of water.I will certainly play it again