San Lorenzo Golf Club

Played San Lorenzo twice on a recent tour to the Quinta Do Lago area. The course presents a fair challenge, demanding you to think through your shot placement and not just reach for the driver. The first five holes, although not long, require careful course management. The sixth, a beautiful par 3, followed by the challinging 7th with its demanding drive will provide you with a sense as to why this course is much loved in the area. The back nine is similiarly demanding. The twelth in particular requires a very accurate tee shot. San Lorenzo is not an easy course - and compared to some of the others in the region is less forgiving of an errant tee shot. The final 3 holes are a great mix with the signature 18th again demanding a thoughtful tee shot and some nerve and committment to hit the green and avoid the water. The only slight downside were the midges. May be it was the time of year but getting attacked by them did dampen our enjoyment. Also be aware that this course does sit under the flightpath to Faro - so whilst beautiful is not exactly peaceful.

Stayed at Penina and got residents rate of 45 pounds for this course. Much prettier than Penina with 9 or 10 stand out holes. Magnificent golf course with views and scenery that would be difficult to beat. Rounds are slow and changing facilities dont match the course but a must play if you are in the area.

Visit Jan 2006: Superb layout, well-maintained. Lovely greens and fairways, though the latter give tight lies. Not quite championship standard as its sister course at Penina. Lovely views from the elevated postion, esp. of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. Play can be slow as strict handicap restrictions are ignored for Le Meriden hotel guests. Took us 5hrs 50 mins. A must for at least one round during an Algarve visit. Carry some drinks and a watch.

I play this course approx 4 times a year, last in mid december 2005. This is a must play for all. If you are longish and straight from the tee it holds no fear. Never packed generally (the price puts off the stag parties)and an absolute pleasure and views a plenty.

Having played the course over 20 times, i can recommend it to all players whatever their handicap. I great test of golf. Well worth the money, and if i could pick one course to play for the rest of my life then this would be it !!

Played in August 03. Bland opening hole but beyond that, well about as good as it gets if you ask me. Expensive but worth it.

WOW!!! This course is fabulous! At 140€ (about £100) a round it is not cheap but it is still worth every penny! The course is set in a nature reserve and it pays to walk it rather than get a buggy just to enjoy the surroundings. This course sucks you in to thinking you are playing well and then, Wham!!!, your card is wrecked! Water everywhere on some holes which are really tough. You MUST play this course if you can. You need to phone the club maximum 24H in advance to book a tee time as, unless you're staying at the Meridien hotel, you can't book tee-times in advance.

An absolute stunner. Superb layout and in great condition. Expensive (£100 with buggy) but worth it for the experiance. The 6th was my favourite but there are so many to chose from. Good luck with the 18th !!

Didn't live up to it's reputation for me ! Sure it's a nice course but No.5 in Europe, come on Golf World ?? Over-rated, over-priced and don't forget to take your insect repellent or you'll get eaten alive !!! I played with a couple of English del-boy members who could't play, had no idea when it came to etiquette, but who had plenty of dosh (enough said about the membership policy).

I played the course 6 times in 6 days, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The course is not a killer, and apart from the water (of which there is plenty) you will not spend all day searching for any wayward drives. One of the most beautiful courses you'll ever find it is kept in excellent condition. Even after heavy rain (yes even on the Algarve) the course was very playable. The fairways are excellent the greens very true and not excessively fast. Only slight disappointment was the speed of play on one day, and the clubhouse changing facilities which are poor. Food and drink is excellent. I play off of 26, and returned rounds of 104, 105, 100, 107, 95, 101. Most memorable holes, 6, 7, 8, 17 & 18 all absolutely fabulous.

I have played this course for a week in each of the last six years. Always immaculate it is every bit as good as its reputation. The ball sits on the fairways and begs to be hit. Each hole is secluded from the next as the course winds its way through sumptuos villas. A cool breeze particulary out by the Ria Formosa estuary makes for pleasant golf although it is a terrifying drive from the back of the sixth hole tee. Agreat experience.

What a course! A must for any golfer in the area. Every hole has something special, whether it is the ocean views from 6 and 7, the sloping right to left fairway on 12 with trees on the left or the long par five 15 - uphill all the way. And 17, 18 must be one of the best endings to a round. Enjoyed the course even more the 2nd time. Jan 2001.