Penina Golf Club

We stayed and played here for a week and we're already looking forward to going back. The hotel is comfortable and we were made to feel very welcome during our holiday. I'd recommend getting a room overlooking the pool / golf course as this is a nicer outlook than the other side of the hotel. The golf course is very nice and mature. It has a feeling of an established UK course with lots of trees and undulating greens. Whilst I didn't play to my handicap, the course is fair and if you keep it on the fairways I'm sure you'd fair better than I did!

Played this course May 2012. Brilliant course. No problems with staff. Practice areas (putting green + grass driving range) best I've ever seen. Having said that I was so hungover from the previous night I fell asleep on the range for around half and hr. Despite this I bombed my drive off the 1st 330 yds and fell in love. Sliced my tee shot off the 2nd (worst hole on course) into the crap and fell out of love. Hit my 2nd shot into the drink on the par 5 5th (crap hole) and declared I was giving up golf. Parred my way in and walked off thinking it was the best course I had played in my life. We played in the evening which I would highly recommend, as the course looked busy early on. By the time we hit the back 9 we had it to ourselves pretty much. 8/10

My colleagues have be visiting the resort, to play golf, for the past ten years. Three years ago they talked me into joining them for a week, promising if I visited once then I’d be hooked and go with then every year. They were right - what a course, always tough and well presented. Just the thing for getting you warmed up for the coming season. I disagree with other reviewers comments about over officious Course Marshals, in my experience they have always been helpful and courteous. I further disagree about the prices charged for Green Fees, drinks, snacks and the Dinning Room charges, which, as far as we are concerned, are on a par with similar facilities in the UK and States. I'd suggest trying the masseur which is useful this early in the year. I look forward to another enjoyable repeat visit starting the 1st February this year.

I’m a low-mid handicapper but Penina always seems to return cricket score, however saying that, a few professionals have struggled to shoot a good score during Portuguese Opens too. I’ve played Penina a number of times but I don’t know why but I’m always starting from the 10th and am constantly 'encouraged' to keep up with play by over zealous marshals who then proceed to allow very, very high handicappers on. Noteworthy holes include this 190 metre par-3 which has been voted one of the world best par-3 holes by a number of publications. The par-5’s are all brain-not-brawn holes although a good drive finishing just before the water makes the par-5 18th a rare birdie opportunity. The course is very tight and requires a lot of planning from the tees. I played with some extremely high handicap Dutch couple and they gave up midway through the back 9. Perhaps the championship difficulty will not be to some peoples’ tastes and maybe some might find the test too repetitive, but you’d certainly appreciate what the pros do on TV when they tackle Penina. To the uninitiated they may just find this a too difficult, flat, parkland course and so if you’re a mid / high handicapper or a par / birdie counter then perhaps you may rethink playing this one. The putting green though is probably the best you’ll find as it can easily accommodate the hoards waiting to play and is in the shadow of Penina hotel. As you’d expect the drinks & food in the hotel / clubhouse are expensive but within a few km’s there a vast array of local establishments.

Played Penina last week after a 2 year gap. My first visit left me feeling Penina was overrated, however my second visit changed that view. It is a fabulous course in great condition. Dont ask me why...I walked off feeling it is a great venue. It meanders through the trees with all holes offering a different challenge. Its not overly long and manageable for most handicaps. I would thoroughly recommend you pay a visit. HOWEVER..our day was almost ruined by over aggressive and rude course rangers (for being 10 minutes over schedule at the turn) and an erratic start system. In summay....Great Course....terrible customer relations....(but go play it anyway!)

Played Penina last Friday 23/3/07. The course was in superb nick. Good tees, lush fairways and true if not lightening greens. Marvelous layout with so many challenges. I'm a 10 hcp and scored really well round there but really had to think my way round rather than just open the shoulders. It's a shame hotel guests don't need hcp certs as they tended to be the worst players on the course. I'll be back next year though you can caount on it.

a group of 8 of us played here on june 1 and june 2 and everyone thought it was probably the best course we ever played.for 50 euro it was terrific value compared to gramacho and pinta for the same price.walking down the long par 4 first we knew this was going to be a real golf course. will definately play it at least twice next year hopefully.

Week's visit Championship Course Jan 2006: Difficult to gain a constant impression from the varying respondent's views. Here goes: seems that Cotton took out Moortown ( Leeds ) to the Algarve. A fine design especially after the upgrade. However, the course maintenance and management should take some lessons from the excellent service offered within the 5 star hotel. Too much irrigation on the green surrounds and fairways, even after heavy overnight rain. Bare and soggy lies on the fairways giving no run on drives and tight liis for 2nd shots. A good test of golf off the white tees but only fair when the course is in good nick. The short holes are magnificenly laid-out. Suits long-hitters with an eye for water hazards. Penina needs maintenance as good as its sister course at San Lorenzo. Those on package golf holidays would be well advised to shop around carefully. Hotel ignores quoted handicap restrictions for its own guests leading to slow play.

Just returned from a week playing the Championship golf couse Penina. The golfcouse is very good, although in my opinion owerrated. The holes was not changed from Friday to Sunday even with a lot of players on the course. Sunday the holes was badly worn. The Penina Hotel was supposed to be a 5 star hotel, it was difficult to find the 5 stars. The room was very small. I paid 300 EURO extra because I was alone, but got a small miserable room. Other members of the group ( 36 in the group) was also complaining about the rooms. The 19th hole was very expensive 13,5 Euro for a club sandwich and 4,50 for .5 liter of beer. The sevice was good. Breakfast was very good, and included in teh price. The restaurant was very expensive but the food was good. Renting a golf buggy cost 46 EURO and 30 balls on the driving range cost 8 EURO My suggestion is go to Sesimbras and play the 5 goldcouses around and save 50%.

Played penina May 05. Had a great day and enjoyed our round. The course is fairly forgiving with wide fairways. Its a long, flat course that meanders through the trees and has an old 'English' parkland feel to it. Although a good course none of us felt it exceptional. The condition of the course was excellent. Recommended....but not as interesting as some on the Algarve

Having just read the comments about Penina, I would suggest that playing the pricey (100 Euros per round) Championship course is possibly the wrong choice. My friends and I played the Resort course last week. (9 holes but 18 tees - giving a par of 71 and 6000 metres) Much better value for money and virtually empty.

Played "the jewel of the Algarve" in Jan this year, and although I can concur with some of what is said below I wasn't too disappointed. The fairways were slightly "ropey" but everything else was fine. Just one point. Why did they insist on viewing our handicap certs. then let the four ball off in front of us who obviously didn't have one between them. At least one of them had a par on the par 17 4th!!! makes for a very long and frustrating round. happens in Spain too unfortunately.

Can I echo the previous comments but firstly get the good bit out of the way. The hotel is located right on top of the course with a bag drop below,the pool is great but not heated and the food served is ok but pricey. Stay here and you have to get a cab or have a car,nothing is close by,and the hotel itself although comfortable is not what its cracked up to be or what it actually thinks it is. The course is just ok,nothing is remarkable or outstanding,no great holes,and equally no great value in my book. By all means play it,get topped up by the inflated green fee and of course get overcharged as usual in Portugal for the buggies,can anyone explain why here,Val do Lobo etc charge upwards of £40.00 for the hire,maybe an idea for Stelios "easybuggy"damn should have kept that idea to myself

Penina was a disappointment and failed to live up to my expectations. Although the course itself was in good condition and has a number of challenging holes, the whole Penina experience does not represent good value for money when compared to other courses in the area. For a course of such standing, reputation and price, the attention to detail should better. Penina let's itself down in a number of ways - it's difficult to book tee times if you are not a hotel resident, pace of play is slow as there are no course marshalls, no course planners were available, the halfway hut was permanently closed, there are no water fountains on the course and the food buggy only sold Toblerones (not much use on a warm November day). In summary, they seem happy to take your money and survive on their reputation. The place has a rather tired air about it which is a shame as it could be so much better.

WE LEFT THIS COURSE UNTILL OUR LAST GAME OF THE TRIP BECAUSE WE HAD BEEN INFORMED IT WAS THE JEWEL OF ALGARVE GOLF,HOW DISAPPOINTING.WE ARRIVED AT 11:45 ON FRIDAY 10/9/04 FOR 12:40 TEE OFF TIME.ON CHECKING IN AT THE PRO SHOP WE WERE TOLD THEY HAD NO BUGGIES OR ELECTRIC TROLLEYS AVAILABLE.ARRIVING ON THE FIRST TEE WE KNEW WE WERE IN FOR A VERY LONG ROUND OF GOLF.THERE WAS A CORPERATE GROUP IN FRONT OF US,IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT ONE OR TWO OF THEM HAD NEVER HELD A GOLF CLUB LET ALONE HIT A GOLF BALL.ANYWAY WE EVENTUALLY TEED OFF AND AS SOON AS WE FINISHED THE FIRST, I KNEW WE HAD WASTED GOOD MONEY PLAYING THIS COURSE THE FAIRWAYS AND GREENS WERE VERY ROUGH.AFTER 5 & 3/4 HOUR ROUND OF GOLF I WAS PLEASED TO LEAVE,I CERTAINLY WON'T PLAY THIS COURSE AGAIN

Played Penina three times in Feb 2004 as part of a society. I liked the course, and whilst staying at the hotel enjoyed reduced fees. There are a good variety of holes, and it is in good condition. The Hotel is a little dated, but is clean and tidy. Worth a visit if you have not been there before.

I agree with some of the others here who aren't sure what all the fuss is about here. Considering how expensive it was (about £55-60) it wasn't particularly inspiring. It was in good condition though, but I would expect that being in the Algarve. For the money I would much rather play Palmares (10km down the road) and have a nice lunch afterwards.

Poor value for money ! My main gripe was that you didn't get much change from £50 and were forced to play off the ladies tees (ie. the yellows were so far forward). I know they want to keep you moving in order to avoid a five hour round, but the challenge factor just wasn't there and i came away feeling as though i hadn't really played the course as it had been designed !!

We played the championship coarse (june 2001) it was in suberb condition, so lush and differant from the other coarses we visited(pinta&palmares). A true test off the white tees for any one,but a plesure to play.we reconmend this venue for anyone golfing in the Algarve.Only gripe was the beer/lager a bit steep in price after the round. As arnie said (we,ll be BACK).

Played the Championship course in April 2001 - Absolutely superb condition, one of the finest I've ever played abroad. Very similar in style to Loch Lomond in Scotland but much cheaper! If you are travelling to Portugal, YOU MUST PLAY HERE.

This is some course. It is a change from your normal Algarve course. The fairways are good and sometime forgiving. The green take a little time to work out. Enjoyed the course for the week and will most certainly be going back.

This is some course. It is a change from your normal Algarve course. The fairways are good and sometime forgiving. The greens take a little time to work out. Enjoyed the course for the week and will most certainly be going back.

Just finished a 4 1/2 hour two ball! Very overrated in my view. Very lush and probably too lush. You get absolutely no run on the fairways and the conditions led to a lot of fat shots. The clubhouse is well appointed and the staff reasonably friendly. I know that this is the course to play in the area but it doesn't measure up to other PGA tour courses I've played. No course rangers were in evidence to keep play moving. Compared to Pinta it's not great value either.