Laguna Golf Course Algarve: Essential Characteristics

Vilamoura is a popular golf destination in the Algarve. It is just a short distance from the region’s capital and airport in Faro with direct flights from many regional airports throughout Europe. Within Vilamoura one of its top courses is Oceanico Laguna. It is a low-lying course on the coast and quite a contrast from many others; it has plenty of water hazards that are its main protection because there are few trees. In total water comes into play on 11 of its 18 holes.

It would be wrong to underestimate the impact that the wind can have in such an exposed environment. The course opens with a fairly gentle Par 5 before a well-protected if fairly short Par 3. Water then comes into play on the next three holes:

• 3rd is a dog leg right Par 4.
• 4th is a long Par 3.
• 5th is a short Par 4.

In each case the water is on the right.

There follows two relatively short Par 4s before water returns on the Par 5 8th and the Stroke Index 2 Par 4 that closes the front nine; out of bounds on the left, water on the right and bunkers surrounding the green.

The back nine begins with a fairly simple Par 5 but the Par 4 11th involves sand both off the tee and around the green. Water returns in earnest, a long Par 3 12th with a carry over water. The 13th is Stroke Index 1, a long Par 4 with water to the right of the green. The 14th is a dog leg Par 4 with bunkers to catch those drives that run out of fairway and plenty of problems, sand and water to catch the approach shot.

The 15th has water on left and right, a Par 5 requiring good course management before a more gentle Par 4 16th. The 17th is a Par 3 of medium length where the water is on the left while the closing hole has a few trees on the right off the tee but its main protection is sand around the green.

Laguna has been amended over the years, first being designed as part of 27 holes which was born as Vilamoura III in 1990. It is now 18 holes, Par 72 and almost 7000 yards off the white tees. Quite a challenge but one which golfers will find enjoyable.