Salgados Golf Course

The first thing you’ll notice about Salgados is how flat it is. There are no steep hills or contours to tire those weary legs. It’s perfectly possible to walk, although buggy hire is ridiculously cheap, often costing an additional €5 per person.

But just because Salgados is flat, don’t for a minute think that this course is boring. The lagoons and doglegs will make you stop and think about every shot. Get greedy or sloppy with your shots, and you’ll be punished with dropped shots galore.

The fairways are lined with palm trees, but they shouldn’t trouble you as much as the water does.

The lagoons are home to many protected species. For any twitchers out there, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some species that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, including some that are on the verge of extinction.

The pick of the holes is probably the par-3 3rd hole. You’re greeted with a narrow fairway with water on both sides. A word of advice: go straight to stand any chance of making the green in regulation.

Other holes worthy of mention are 6, 7, 8 and 15. They all have their challenges and give you different shot options depending on how brave you feel.

Salgados isn’t particularly long at 6168 yards from the yellow tees and a par 72. The reds measure 5152 yards, and men require a handicap of 28 and ladies a handicap of 36 to play here.

Salgados represents a true challenge and something a little different from other golf courses in the Algarve. It’s pretty good value, too, with a round of golf, including a buggy starting at €86 per person. It’s worthy of adding to any visit to the region.