Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Having just returned from 2 weeks in the Algarve where I played 5 courses I have to recommend these courses, they are both excellent. At present Gramacho is in the better condition and my second favourite course I played (CS Morgado being the first) with Vale da Pinta not far behind.
The courses are both interesting and challenging to play and if you don't enjoy either of these layouts you need to check your pulse!
The summer special rate of 90 euros for a 2 ball with a buggy is far better value than most courses in the UK of this quality, though I advise playing in the morning to avoid the full heat of the day. Also take plenty of water!
The greens were slick, up around 10 (Gramacho), 8.5 (Vale da Pinta) on the Stimpmeter we were informed by the pro-shop. They rolled perfectly and were a dream to putt on. Sadly like all Portuguese golf courses there were a lot of pitch marks to repair, a tragedy on such beautiful turf, a crime committed by far too many golfers it seems.
Vale da Pinta now has it's own new clubhouse so the facilities here are much improved.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Nice to play in sunshine, there are some really spectacular holes here and I really enjoyed it, I just wish I had taken mu own clubs, and maybe I would have done this justice

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Excellent courses and great club facilties . Bit expensive. Hire clubs were not up to much

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

1st time played here, lack of shade when hot and sunny, good challenging course though, one of the better value for money courses

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

PLayed it twice now, one of the best value for money courses in the algarve.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Having played some overrated and somewhat disappointing courses in Portugal we finally arrived at Silves. Driving in the course doesn't look much more than a pricey parkland affair and the clubhouse is tiny (although I think they're building a new one) with limited food and drink.
The course, however, is excellent and just what you would expect from an expensive foreign course - flat, fast greens, a variety of signature holes and lush beautifully tended fairways. A couple of the par 5s are simply stunning, teeing off to fairways from high in the mountains. It's not too difficult but not a walk in the park either.
Due to its location a little inland it also seems that Silves has escaped the curse of being overplayed, these really were the best greens I've ever putted on.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

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.


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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

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.


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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Silvas is a serene spot, but the course is anything but the proverbial walk in the park.
The 18 hole course has a fine collection of par 3s, and the four par 5s are extraordinary. As for two-shot, holes, there is great variety, ranging from the short and arrow-straight, but formidable opening hole to the long spectacularly curving 13th, blending harmoniously into its immediate surroundings.
Target Golf reigns supreme. Adrive at the opening hole has to flirt with two lateral water hazards on both flanks.
Silvas encourages and rewards attacking play, it has a natural beauty and an elegant design.
Most holes offer a spectacular mountain and valley view, overlooking palm trees and olive groves. You may even pick a few oranges or even fig along the way to the next tee.
Severe bunkering is enough defence against the big guns. Enchancing playability, fairness and strategy, the course is very pleasant to play. It establishes a balance to most of the international new courses, which are artificially stressed and stretched by the obsession of modern designers of adding more and more distance to each and every hole, at all cost

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

The 18th is the longest I have ever played - to me a par 6 . Played the course twice - suggest you play during the cooler parts of the day. For my first trip to the Algarve was suitably impressed. The prices jump significantly come teh 1st September for the main season but do ask if they will give you the August special if the seasonhas just started.
The icing on the cake was when my 17 year old daughter scored a hole in one on the 5th - well done Kellie!!

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Played a twilight round for under 100 euros for a 2 ball with a buggy. Not that busy which made the round very enjoyable
Similiar to Vale da Pinta you need to be accurate with tee shots and keep away from teh bunkers

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

I can only agree with the previous reviews a fantastic course which apart from the 18th is not the longest but the lay of the land the use of strategically placed bunkers make it a challenge for all levels. The 5th provides an interseting par 3 downhill and on a good day no more than half a sand wedge, but dissapointed to see a thinned SW role all the way to within inches to win our nearest the pin comp!!! Tips if planning a vist practice your sand shots or take a bucket and spade !

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

fantastic course. no need for driver as reasonably short holes but still very challenging

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This was originally 18 greens with shared fairways, but a further 9 holes have been added. 9 holes still have either 2 seperate greens. or double greens, which gives a huge choice of pin positions!

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

The course opened in 1992, and is my favourite of the 3 Pestana courses. The Clubhouse is far newer, having only been open for 2 years, and is really good.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This is the newest of the Pestana group's courses, having opened in 2006. As the greens were laid out 5 years before the course opened, these are good if a little firm. There is still work ongoing around the course (as at January '08), but this didn't interfere with the round.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This is in the Algarve and forms the trio of the Pestana group of Courses (Gramacho & Silves the other 2).
As you would expect from a course used for European qualifying, the Senior's Tour and has a David Leadbetter Academy attached, the greens are quick with subtle borrow's that will destroy your card, unless you are close to the pin you can expect to 3 putt, great fairways and use of bunkers.
Has one of the longest Par 5's in Europe (600 odd yds)
Fantastic views, plenty of water in play.
I play these 3 courses every year in feb wearing shorts. An absolute must to play.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This is in the Algarve and forms the trio of the Pestana group of Courses (Pinta & Silves the other 2).
As you would expect from a course used for european qualifying and the ladies tour, the greens are quick with subtle borrow's that will destroy your card, unless you are close to the pin you can expect to 3 putt, great fairways and use of bunkers
Fantastic views, plenty of water and i mean of the hazard type not the rainfall.
I play these 3 courses every year in feb wearing shorts. An absolute must to play.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

Nice course, a course for every ability.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This is a new course and adds to the Gramacho and Vale de Pinta course's that are under the umbrella of the Pestana Group's Golf courses in the Algarve.
As a new course (opened oct 2006) it will take a little while to bed down, but don't under estimate it, this course isn't for the faint hearted nice wide fairways but off of them and you are in trouble with a capital T.
Scenic elevated tee's will make you feel closer to the holes but proper club selection a must if you want to take this beauty on.
Greens are protected well with bunkers and on some holes water, plays longer than it is due the length being in metre's but that's not say high handicappers don't have a chance because they do.
This is a must play course if your in the Algarve and more than matches it's older sisters.


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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

The Pinta course is one of three courses run by the Pestana Group.
It has a Leadbetter Training Academy and is used as a qualifier for the Portuguese Open and the European Seniors Final.
There is quite a walk at times between the green's and tee's and some holes will play longer than they seem but all in all it's a great test for all abilities.
The Green's are fast with subtle borrows and well protected by bunkers.
It also has the longest par 5 in Europe (the 18th) with a bunker running down the left side around 100 yds long and OOB on the right, but once your halfway and at the dog leg it's a nice shot into the two tier green (gulp).
The Clubhouse is only 2 years old with a patio area overlooking the 1st tee and 3rd green, the staff are very friendly and accommodating.
Once you have played this course you will want to come back.


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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

This is a new course and adds to the Gramacho and Vale de Pinta course's that are under the umbrella of the Pestana Group's Golf courses in the Algarve.
As a new course (opened oct 2006) it will take a little while to bed down, but don't under estimate it, this course isn't for the faint hearted nice wide fairways but off of them and you are in trouble with a capital T.
Scenic elevated tee's will make you feel closer to the holes but proper club selection a must if you want to take this beauty on.
Greens are protected well with bunkers and on some holes water, plays longer than it is due the length being in metre's but that's not say high handicappers don't have a chance because they do.
This is a must play course if your in the Algarve and more than matches it's older sisters.

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Golf course review of Pestana Golf Resort - Vale da Pinta & Gramacho

The Pinta course is one of three courses run by the Pestana Group.
It has a Leadbetter Training Academy and is used as a qualifier for the Portuguese Open and the European Seniors Final.
There is quite a walk at times between the green's and tee's and some holes will play longer than they seem but all in all it's a great test for all abilities.
The Green's are fast with subtle borrows and well protected by bunkers.
It also has the longest par 5 in Europe (the 18th) with a bunker running down the left side around 100 yds long and OOB on the right, but once your halfway and at the dog leg it's a nice shot into the two tier green (gulp).
The Clubhouse is only 2 years old with a patio area overlooking the 1st tee and 3rd green, the staff are very friendly and accommodating.
Once you have played this course you will want to come back.

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