Professional Advice On How To Handle The Vale do Lobo Ocean Golf Course

Vale do Lobo in Algarve is the abode for two of the most challenging courses on the European Continent. One of the two, the Course presents the golfers with amazing scenic views of the crystalline waters of the Atlantic. It was Sir Henry Cotton who originally conceptualized the courses and Rocky Roquemore, the architect from America, re-developed to make the courses exciting and challenging for players of all skill levels.

The Vale do Lobo Ocean Golf Course was actually two 9-hole courses that was developed in 1968 and 1972, and later combined to one in the year 1995. The challenge the course poses is twofold; the sandy fairways and beach holes will test the mettle of even the most experienced golfers and the awesome landscape and ocean view will distract your attention. To make life easier on this course, here is some professional advice.

Hole-1 to Hole-3

The first is a toughie. Focus your tee shot on the left half of the fairway. From there the grass slopes to the green; use it and make the second stroke a low runner to the right.
In the second, target the gap between the pines, a little left of center. Look out for the bounds and make sure your approach shot gets the ball deep into the green. Try not to be short.
At the third hole, stay to the right of the center of the fairway, but not too much to catch the bunker. While targeting the green, the wiser option would be to lay-up and not risking a shot over the lake.

Hole-4 to Hole-6

The fourth is a par-4 which moves to the left then to the right making it a tricky hole to handle. Hold up with the approach shot to the green or you’ll have to negotiate a difficult downhill bunker shot.
The fifth is a par-3 with the green nestled by bunkers on the left and back, and the lake on the right. Your best bet is to approach the green from the southeast.
The next hole is a par-5, the right side is out of bounds because of the water hazard, so keep it to the left and if conditions are favorable get to the green in 2.

Hole-7 to Hole-9

The seventh may look easy, but I tell you, it’s no walk over. To hit the green a good swing is a must, as the landscape is leaning from right to left.
In the eight, keep the ball to the left. If you’re good at long distance hits, try to reach the green in 2. Otherwise, aim for the bunker and use a short pitch to reach the green.
The ninth is a par-4 with a water hazard on the right of the fairway.

Hole-10 to Hole-12

The tenth is a par-5 with a stream at the end of the fairway. If you’re a big hitter, strike the ball over the stream or else lay up.
The par-4 eleventh has a blind tee and the green has an amazing breach view background.
The twelfth too has an uphill blind tee shot. Hit the ball over the hill and then lob onto the uphill green.

Hole-13 to Hole-15

Next is the uphill thirteenth with an intimidating green. There are many bunkers protecting the green.
Pros prefer playing on the left half of the fairway on the fourteenth hole. To land on the green on the second shot use a low or mid iron.
The fifteenth is a par-3 with the green surrounded on all sides by out of bounds, sandy waste, and bunkers. Avoid going short on this hole.

Hole-16 to Hole-18

In the sixteenth, off the tee keep the ball right of center. The natural slope of the landscape will bring the ball to the mid fairway. Target the bottom of the slope with the second shot.
On the seventeenth the large green is protected by many bunkers at the front, so try not to be short.
The final hole is a par-5 with a narrow fairway. Stay to the left and be careful of the deep bunker that’s to the left of the green.

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