Description and images
Situated very close to the beautiful coastline of the Algarve and
with water as a constant presence, this course has three loops of
nine holes all of which are enduring challenge for any player.
Opened in 1990 and designed by Joseph Lee, the Laguna Golf Course
makes full use of the wet, marshy ground near the sea. It is the
most recent of the Vilamoura courses, comprising three loops of nine
holes, (north, South and East) for a total of 27 holes.
The layout is very different from the two other Vilamoura courses.
Here the golfer can drive off more confidently, because of the
greater width of the fairways. On the North Course strategically
placed bunkers are the main difficulty, while on the South and East
courses water is a nearly permanent obstacle, not to mention the
bunkers (88 out of a total of 27 holes).
Lee may have designed a course that is visually intimidating but as
it is not very long, the golfer may complete it without great
difficulty. The result is that the satisfaction for the golfer,
after finishing his game, is even greater.
There are several ways to play this course, as one soon discovers at
hole number 5 on the East Course, which is 315 metres for a Par 4,
with a lake covering the right-handed dogleg. Here the player's
options for the first shot range from a driver to a number five
iron. The player must reflect that by choosing a wood the second
shot will be significantly shorter. But this also brings the water
into play, so highly increasing the risks.

Text provided by the
Portuguese Tourist Office |
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