Salgados opened in 1995 and is situated in one of the best-known regions of the Algarve, between Albufeira and Armacao de Pera and is already one of the symbols of the Algarve golf. In fact, the proximity of the sea and the variety of lakes make this a very interesting test of golfing skills, different to other courses in the Algarve. The course is set on the flat lands behind the sandy beach of Praia de Gale.
The original project is by the Portuguese designer Pedro de Vasconcelos, with more recent contributions from other Portuguese architects. But the final layout has been heavily influenced by Robert Muir Graves.The 6,000 metre links, replete with water obstacles, is not very long, yet you will need all your skills to reach the greens. The accuracy of the drive is crucial for achieving good scores, thus making the course a pleasant experience, especially for technically-skilled players.
The eighteen holes are well balanced, as each half of the course has two Par 5 holes of around 500 metres and three Par 3 of more than 170 metres. Par for the course is 72. The par-5 sixth has a lake running the entire length of the right hand side. The fairway is generous enough off the tee, but there is a tendency to "think left" and you can overdo it. The hole is 515 meters. The green is offset to the right, protected by the water, and the fairway a good deal narrower. The approach is all carry, with a scant 20 meters or so in front of the two tiered green. Have a thought that it might be wiser to take the dry route round to the left.
The next is a testing par 4 of 415 meters. You are usually playing right into the wind and it is, technically, probably one of the best holes in Portugal. Of the par 3's, the twelfth is over water - 130 meters to a tricky two tiered green. It should not be difficult, but it can be intimidating.
The fourteenth and fifteenth are two par 5's where you can really open the shoulders. The fifteenth is 545 meters and you are teeing off over a tidal creek. With a line of ornamental bushes to the right, left looks the best line, but you do need to avoid the dune hummocks which divide this from the fairway of the previous hole.
Albufeira being 45 minutes from Faro offers a whole host of facilities from restaurants, shops and algarve car hire amongst Portugal property including algarve villas and beach apartments Pera.
