The beautiful 6,175 m long Royal Golf Course has championship tees, and is a lot harder than the Ocean Course. This is because of its more disrupted terrain, the amount of water and sand obstacles and it is generally longer holes. Though the genuine architecture and style is designed by Cotton, Rocky Roquemore’s design trademarks are visible along the course. The U.S. architect, very popular recently in Portugal, has been accountable for the development and widening of the yellow course.

The very high point of the Royal Golf Course is actually its popular Par 3, one of the most photographed in the world because of its unique conditions. To play this hole from the championship tee, you need a 218 meters stroke over three spectacular cliffs to achieve the green after crossing a lake. Water is also a part of the game in holes 6, 16 and 17.

The opening holes are a soft introduction for some testing later ones. The par-4 sixth, for instance, at 395 m, has water around the left of the green and bunkers from the right. A great drive to a narrow landing area surely needs a bold way of the protected green. The 3-par ninth (155 meters) includes a near island green. Nevertheless, Roquemore has set the trees in the wide arc upfront of the picturesque lake, making club selection much challenging. Alternatively, for those who prefer a far more delicate approach, a secure passage exists to the right.

The 11th, a Par 5 of 485 meters is a good test. It is essential to get a good drive away because the second shot will be to some narrow landing area between a lake as well as the steep bank. Only from this level is it possible to anticipate a much more convenient approach to a green protected to its left as well as in front by water.

The 16th (the older seventh of the yellow course) is the spectacular par-3 of 205 meters across the Red Cliffs for which Vale do Lobo is famous. The view from each of the tees are out along the length of the coastline westwards. And so to the last hole, having a fairway sloping off towards the right, you should drive towards left. Though the fairway is lined on each side with pines which are constricting from the mind’s eye. At 330 meters, this closing hole is not particularly long, but the green has raised banking to left and the ground falls steeply away towards right. The approach shot should be fully commited and positioned very well if you have the satisfaction from the ball remaining firmly on the green.

Learn more about Royal Golf Course that is certainly another amazing demonstration of Algarve Golf Courses.