Portugal
Batalha
Batalha Golf Course is just a 15 minute drive from the island's capital, Ponta Delgada, on the picturesque Azores island of Sao Miguel, and well worth a day of golf. The lush green of the fairways competes with the blue of the Atlantic, which peeks through trees time and time again. I really liked the course designed by Bob Cameron and Chris Power in 1986. And I haven't lost many golf balls either. Maybe that's why.
​
Furnas
Furnas is the second golf course on Sao Miguel and many say it is the better one. In any case, it is (in parts) the much older one. The original 9-hole Furnas golf course was completed in 1936 to a design by MacKenzie Ross, best known for his work on the reconstruction of the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. Unfortunately, Turnberry is out at the moment, but Furnas... I would play again.
​
Oitavos Dunes
This course, designed by Arthur Hills, is beautifully situated in the upscale community of Cascais. I'm not sure if I'd really see the links qualities it advertises in its own marketing, but the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains are truly beautiful, and some of the holes are simply very photogenic. For example the 8th. Well worth a round!
​
Palheiro
High above Funchal, the capital of Madeira, you will find the Palheiro golf course. Over 18 eclectic holes, it's a fun up and down here. From some of the fairways the view fades away to the blue of the endless Atlantic, while from other holes you can see the nearby mountains. All in all, a really great place, which is also run by a very friendly team. Give it a try. And bring your camera.
​
Penha Longa
The Atlantic Championship Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. is highly ranked both in Portugal and Continental Europe. And indeed it is a fine course with quite a few good holes and nice views of the surrounding landscape, the Estoril race track and the ocean in the distance. Its close proximity to Lisbon is a clear plus, and so it is the very good resort with its great choice of restaurants.It is not my favourite course in mainland Portugal, but well worth a visit.
​
Praia D'El Rey
Set along the shores of Portugal's Silver Coast you will find this very nice version of a classic resort golf course with lots of holiday homes left and right of the fairways. The track features both inland holes laid out beautifully thru the pine forest and completely open holes with stunning views of the ocean and the Berlengas islands in the distance. I am not the biggest fan of resort golf courses but liked Praia D'El Rey very much.
Santo da Serra
The Clube de Golf Santo da Serra is the younger one of the two courses on Madeira. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, the club is proud of 27 holes with the 9 holes of the Machico Course my clear favorite. The stretch from the second to the fourth is phenomenal. The club hosted the Eureopean Tour several times and this is what the great Seve thought about the place: "It was a great honour to play on the Madeira Island Open, the course is fantastic, the Clubhouse very beautiful, the food even better and the caring phenomenal." I couldn't agree more.
​
West Cliffs
Oh boy, what a stunner. The West Cliffs Golf Course designed by Pete Dye's niche Cynthia is the highest ranked track in Continental Europe I have played so far (#15 Golf World) and I would rank it as the best I have played as well. The layout, the views, the drives, the challenge... it is just outstanding. Any drawbacks? The greens are too difficult for resort golfers who will play the course just once or twice.
​
