Gramacho Course

The course is the result of a conversion from Ronald Fream's original, double nine layout. The four opening holes remain much the same as before, with the latest new nine holes played from hole five to thirteen, with the last five holes as the original layout. The diversity of playing length to test golfers of every calibre. A memorable hole is the long demanding 2nd . It is a par-5 where a lengthy straight drive along the extreme right hand side of the fairway will stay clear of two majestic pine trees and set up the ideal line towards the green. It is normally advisable to lay up the second shot in front of the myriad of bunkers which defend the front of the green. The 15th is an attractive long par-3 hole from elevated tees, played over a water hazard to the green down in a valley. The distance is deceptive, making club selection important. Next we have the tough par-4 16th where one requires length and accuracy to reach the green, tightly guarded by bunkers. This followed by a genuine thinking golfer's hole, the short par-4 17th. Accuracy is important, the fairway being extremely narrow, with a lake to the left and difficult rough to the right. The 17th green is out to the left, cut into a terrace just over the bank of the deep lake, but it is usually reachable with a short iron second shot. Too finish a long par 5 upto the club house

Played Gramacho in July 07 on excellent twightlight deal. I didn't think it was quite as difficult as Pinta but it was a thoroughly enjoyable round. What a relief to sit on the clubhouse terrace with a cold drink watching other poor sods struggling up the long uphill 18th just like me. Will definitely play it again.

Played in mid October 2006 when there had been heavy rain and storms nearly every night for a week which affected all the Algarve courses. An ideal holiday course in a rolling landscape with a tough and tight start but it opens out after the 2nd hole. Well bunkered and nicely laid-out. The course stood up well to the weather, especially the greens. This is now a true 18-hole course but retains some twin greens from its origins. Well worth playing and the ball needs to be driven into the right place to allow the pins to be taken on. Sensible prices for food and drink and a nice drinks' terrace overlooking the 18th. Very courteous and helpful staff. Well worth a visit.

Have played this course and the nearby Pinta for the last two years (feb)staying for a week and alternating courses, the best way to describe the greens are that they were built by Pilkington (they are so fast, in fact "Double Freaky")and the staff and clubhouse are friendly. And guess what yep i'm going back next year also in feb if you want great golf on fantastic courses then come here. It was also the cheapest holiday of UNLIMITED Golf i have ever had give golf amigo's a ring

Played Gramacho in blazing '03 Summer heat. Green extremely fast and fairways in good condition. Was expecting something sub standard due to all the publications describing the course as double greens but recently extended. Reality is that the course is great and I'd rate Gramacho & nearby Pinta as better than the Vilamoura offerings. The 18th is a lovely finishing hole, driving from a raised tee with a sweeping fairway rising up to a well bunkered raised green.

We played the Gramacho course in February of 2003. The new 9 holes designed by Nick Price are ideal holiday holes, wide fairways and no rough. You need to think your way round. The back nine after several days of rain were rather sticky at the bottom end of the course.

It's a shame that I have to be the first to leave a comment about this course as I'm sure that in time it will be a good, if not great, course. As it was, the greens were almost like fairways when we played and the course marshalling was non-existent to the point that 9 holes took us just short of 3 hours. I will hope to play here again one day to see if that is always the case as there were some attractive holes and I really hope our experience was a one off. As it is though, I will be elsewhere in the Algarve first.