Benamor Golf

The tenth sets the tone for the sharper side of Benamor Golf. This par three asks for a committed tee shot over water to a green with out of bounds running all the way down its left edge, a hole where a cautious swing can still leave little margin. At 6,019 yards and par 71, the course is not long by modern Algarve standards, but the changes in level through the Barrocal hills make club selection and positioning matter throughout the round. The opening par four offers a more forgiving start, turning gently right towards a green guarded by two bunkers, while the fifth, the stroke index one, is a long par five with mature trees crowding the left side of the fairway.

Two separate loops of nine return to the clubhouse, giving the day an easy rhythm and making Benamor particularly well suited to mixed groups. Cork, fig and almond trees frame much of the play, with views towards the Algarve mountains appearing beyond the fairways. Sir Henry Cotton’s original design opened in 2000, and the course still rewards the traditional approach of keeping the ball in play, reading the slopes and leaving sensible angles into the greens. Before teeing off, there is a 16 bay mat range with targets and distance markers, alongside a separate grass area. Chipping, pitching and bunker practice are covered too, with two putting greens, one beside the first tee and another between the clubhouse and range. Lessons with Miguel Ribeiro are available for golfers at any stage of their game.

After the round, the clubhouse has lockers and showers, plus a shop for hire equipment, buggies, trolleys and essentials. The bar and restaurant serves snacks, light meals, lunch and dinner, with an indoor dining room for up to 120 people and a terrace for a drink in the afternoon sun. A buggy bar also brings drinks and snacks onto the course during the day. Benamor sits at Quinta de Benamor in Conceição de Tavira, close to Tavira on the eastern Algarve, making it an easy course to pair with time in town between rounds.