Located among rolling, hilly terrain near the south-western tip of Portugal, this course has amazing views overlooking a fishing village. The resort’s facilities include a driving range, three putting greens, short game area, golf shop, restaurant, bar, tennis centre, bowling club, archery centre, pools, gym, sauna, health & beauty suite.

Founded in 1975, Palmares is best known for its breathtaking scenery. The majority of the holes are laid out on the gentle slopes above the extensive beach stretching from the Lagos marina to the mouth of the Alvor River. The front nine has a links feel about it, and is fairly tight, while the second nine is a hillside course, which is more open and plays easier.

Penina is considered to be Sir Henry Cotton’s masterpiece. It has staged the Portuguese Open eight times. It is the flattest course in Portugal, yet it is far from a straightforward task. The back nine is especially challenging, with four par 5s to contend with over the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th. The resort has two additional 9-hole courses.

Architect Ronald Fream has created wide, deep greens protected by 59 similarly sized bunkers at the Pinta course. The challenge is varied for different skill levels as there are five sets of tees for each of its holes. The Gramacho course has a nine hole layout, but uses 18 double tees and greens to create a new challenge.

With its open terrain and seaside location, Salgados is very much a traditional links course. With sand dunes on one side and marshland on the other, the course meanders through lagoons, canals and lakes. Water hazards on many of the holes call for nerves as much as accuracy.

Vilamoura is a golfing nation on its own these days, boasting almost 100 holes. The Old Course, formerly known as Vilamoura 1, a venue for a number of major championships in the past, was designed as a classic English course. The par 3 holes represent the toughest challenge on the course. The greens are small and there is no margin for error. The Pinhal course, formerly No 2, is 6,000 escudos cheaper than its big brother, but no less a track. The Laguna triple nine makes full use of the marshy ground near the sea. It comprises three loops of nine holes: North, South and East. The new Millennium Golf Course opened in May this year and an Arnold Palmer-designed layout is on schedule to open in 2001.

One of the most spectacular golf resorts in Europe, Vale do Lobo was originally designed by Sir Henry Cotton. Recently a new course has been built at Vale do Lobo and the complex now boasts two 18 hole courses. The Ocean Course has breathtaking views over the Atlantic. The new Royal course has championship tees and is a lot more difficult than the Ocean. The 7th, 9th and 16th are really challenging par threes. The golf buggies are equipped with global satellite positioning systems, so there’s no excuse for coming up short!

Quinta do Lago has been used seven times for the Portuguese Open. It favours the long hitter, but requires the player to pick a particular route to score well, especially over the back nine, which has some tight tree-lined fairways and narrow doglegs. Although a busy course, Quinta is an enjoyable experience and should not be missed off the list.

This course, which is part of the Quinta resort, has four great par 5 holes requiring power and accuracy. The par 3 holes are all influenced by the wind, and the 14th is outstanding. The par 4s are all doglegs except for holes 10 and 13. The lake on the 13th claims huge numbers of balls. The course favours natural drawers of the ball – so leave your slice at home.

Pinheiros Altos consists of two nines of contrasting character. The front nine covers a landscape of tall pines while the back nine is played on the gently moulded Gondra where lakes abound. The 620-yard 13th is a monster, while the 17th is the signature hole.

The stunning championship course at San Lorenzo combines testing golf and wonderful scenery. The course runs through pine trees, beaches and lagoons. For many years it has been voted the No 2 course in Europe. The course privileges the access to Le Meridien Dona Filipa residents and club members; other players can reserve a tee time the day before one wishes to play.

The first course to open east of Faro. Built from an original concept by Henry Cotton. The layout is undulating and there are stunning views of the countryside.

The 18 hole Atlantic course opened late last year and a second 18 is under construction.