Laguna...

Opened in 1990 and designed by Joseph Lee, the Laguna Golf Course makes full use of the wet, marshy ground near the sea.  It is the most recent of the Vilamoura courses, comprising three loops of nine holes, (north, South and East) for a total of 27 holes.

The layout is very different from the two other Vilamoura courses.  Here the golfer can drive off more confidently, because of the greater width of the fairways.  On the North Course strategically placed bunkers are the main difficulty, while on the South and East courses water is a nearly permanent obstacle, not to mention the bunkers (88 out of a total of 27 holes).

Lee may have designed a course that is visually intimidating, but as it is not very long, the golfer may complete it without great difficulty.  The result is that the satisfaction for the golfer, after finishing his game, is even greater.

There are several ways to play this course, as one soon discovers at hole number 5 on the East Course, which is 315 metres for a Par 4, with a lake covering the right-handed dogleg.  Here the player's options for the first shot range from a driver to a number five iron.  The player must reflect that by choosing a wood the second shot will be significantly shorter.  But this also brings the water into play, so highly increasing the risks.

• Driving range
• Putting green
• Chipping and bunker practice area
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Golf shop