Pinheiros Altos Golf Course

What makes Pinheiros Altos Golf Course truly unique is its location bordering the Rio Formosa Natural Park, a haven for rare nesting and migrating birds.

Golfers can expect to see a wide array of bird species while enjoying their game, adding to the natural beauty of the course.

Course Design

The Pinheiros Altos Golf Course was designed by two of the most respected golf course architects in the world, Ronald Fream and George Santana da Silva.

Fream designed the original 18 holes, while da Silva was responsible for the additional 9 holes. Together, they have created a course that is both challenging and beautiful.

The course is presented in three contrasting nine-hole formats, each named after local flora. The Pines (Pinheiros), The Corks (Sobreiros), and The Olives (Oliveiras) each start and finish at the clubhouse and are a PAR 36.

The well-placed hazards add an extra challenge to the course, keeping golfers on their toes throughout their round.

The Pines Course

As you step onto the Pinheiros Altos Pines Course, it’s clear why it’s named after the umbrella pine-clad hillside it’s routed across.

The abundance of pine trees creates a unique atmosphere that sets this course apart from others in the region.

This nine-hole course combines four of the new holes opened in January 2007 with five of the original front nine, and one thousand additional pine trees were planted to create a seamless blend between the new and the old.

One of the highlights of this course is the wonderful par three 9th, which plays across a gully to a treacherous 2-tiered green.

Golfers will need to have their wits about them to navigate this challenging hole successfully.
But it’s not just the 9th hole that makes this course a must-play for any golfer visiting the area.

The narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating greens make for a challenging yet rewarding golfing experience.

The Corks Course

The Corks Course was designed by the highly regarded Portuguese architect George Santana da Silva, a disciple of Robert Trent Jones.

The Corks Course opened in 2007 and is the longest and most challenging of the three nine-hole courses at Pinheiros Altos.

What makes the Corks Course truly unique is how the new holes have been cleverly integrated into the same landscape that houses the original Pines Course.

The result is a seamless blend of the old and the new, creating a golfing experience that’s both challenging and visually stunning.

As you make your way around the Corks Course, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Ludo valley and the Goldra hills beyond. But be warned: the first tee shot is one of the most demanding, so take a moment to soak in the stunning surroundings before teeing off.

The course is regarded as the best of the three courses at Pinheiros Altos and will test every aspect of your game. From the strategically placed bunkers to the undulating greens, every shot requires precision and skill.

The Olives Course

The Olives Course was originally designed by Portuguese architect George Santana da Silva. This back nine is named after the surrounding olive trees and occupies a flatter, open parkland area bordering the Ria Formosa nature reserve.

The Olives Course underwent a makeover shortly after opening by Peter McEvoy and Howard Swan, resulting in a layout that features an island green on the second-to-last hole.

The eighth hole, in particular, has become the signature hole of Pinheiros Altos and a must-play for any golfer playing here.

But it’s not just the island green that makes the Olives Course special. The gentle rolling landscape and the way the holes meander between lakes make for a truly tranquil yet challenging golfing setting.

With much of the bird life associated with Pinheiros Altos visible on this section of the course, golfers can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings while playing a round.

As for the holes themselves, the Olives Course offers plenty of variety and challenge. The par-four 4th requires precise shots with water protecting the front of the green, while the fabulous par-five 8th turns right and up to a severely raised green. It’s no wonder this hole is considered the best on The Olives Course.

Course information

All course combinations at Pinheiros Altos are Par 72 and have four starting tees for each hole. The white and yellow tees represent the championship and medal tees respectively for the men, while the red and blue tees are for the ladies.

The Pines/Corks course boasts a competition yardage of 6779 yards, with the Yellow tees measuring 6354 yards and the Red tees at 5352 yards.

The Corks/Olives course has a competition yardage of 6412 yards, with the Yellow tees at 6285 yards and the Red tees measuring 5468 yards.

Finally, the Pines/Olives course has a championship yardage of 6374 yards, with the Yellow tees measuring 6171 yards and the Red tees at 5027 yards.

Pinheiros Altos Slope Rating

The Pines/Corks course has a competition slope rating of 135, with the Yellow tees at 131 and the Red tees at 121.

The Corks/Olives course has a competition slope rating of 137, with the Yellow tees at 133 and the Red tees at 126.

The Pines/Olives course has a competition slope rating of 139, with the Yellow tees at 135 and the Red tees at 127.

The Greens

The greens, sown with Pentcross Bent, are renowned for their firmness, speed and overall resilience. Combined with the Bermuda fairway grass, the result is a superb putting surface that rewards precise and strategic play.

One of the standout features of the greens at Pinheiros Altos is their size, which allows golfers plenty of space to land their shots.

Despite their size, the greens remain true and consistent, providing a fair test of golf for players of all skill levels.

Golfers can expect to encounter a variety of putting challenges on the greens, from subtle breaks and undulations to challenging pin positions that require a deft touch and careful consideration.

To conclude

In conclusion, the Pinheiros Altos Golf Course offers not only a challenging golfing experience but also the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. With its accessible location and stunning course design, it’s no wonder that this course is chosen by so many golfers visiting the Algarve.