1
Par 4
335
315
272
272
260
Index 10
35
227 211 168 168 157 206 190 147 147 136
41
87
91
279 263 220 220 209
108 131 166
Penha Longa’s distinctive styling is all on view at this short but clever opening hole. Best to play with caution and aim right of the fairway bunker rather than go for the carry. Then choose your club carefully as the green is large and sloping, making two putting from long range difficult.
2
Par 4
362
326
326
316
306
Index 8
26
260 228 229 219 208
67 88 103
229 198 198 188 177
117
189
Again, position is more important than length off this tee. The main problems lie on the green which is split from front to back by a raised spine. You can use the slopes to your advantage to work the ball close, but being on the wrong side of it makes three putting a possibility.
3
Par 4
324
303
276
256
233
Index 16 29
218 198 172 153 132
59
98
244 224 198 179 158
80
125 142
There are a few rewards for bravery here. Simply take a long iron or fairway wood and fire it downhill short right of the bunkers. Because the green is well above you, take more club than normal and favour the left side. Missing right leaves you very little chance of making par.
4
Par 4
397
376
357
347
337
Index 2
40
249 227 209 198 189
66 85
125 128 154
225
223 207 183 172 163
Your first real chance of giving it a rip with a driver. Favour the left side as there is big trouble off the right and it also opens up the line to this enormous green. Bear in mind that 40 metres long your approach to this green can vary by as much as four clubs.
5
Par 3
191
166
142
137
123
Index 14
211 186 162 157 143
40
171 146 122 117 103
Not a tee to be on if you suffer from vertigo as the hole dramatically drops 25 metres, but at least it plays much shorter than the distance suggests (probably two clubs less). Another long green, where being slightly short of the hole is an advantage.
6
Par 5
455
435
413
413
393
Index 18 30
x 59
104
170
210 160 x
213 x
267 253 230 230 209
221 207 184 184 164
A birdie chance, but danger lurks by the green as a lake edges in tightly up the left. Those firing from long range might also fall foul of the remains of the centuries old aqueduct that runs close to the right side of the wickedly tilting green. Might be best to go for an easy three shotter.
7
Par 3
182
169
150
150
148
Index 4
195 182 163 163 161 67
26
169 156 137 137 135
Because the worst trouble is on the right with water hugging the edge of the green, it is wise not to shoot up the left side, especially as the huge slopes feed the ball back to the centre. Avoid going long too as you will have an incredibly difficult chip back down to the green.
8
Par 5
524
479
461
461
423
Index 6
28
283 238 220 220 183
70 x 110
287 241 222 222 187 254 208 188 188 153
139
202 232 162 x
220 150 x
Most will have to play this uphill par-5 as a three shotter, laying their second short or right of the cross bunkers about 70 metres out, before pitching up to the trickly elevated green. Good golfers should be aware of the green contours if you are to hit your approach close.
9
Par 4
374
347
325
325
304
Index 12
257 225 207 207 190
27
85
78 101
118
152
252 223 203 203 186
A downhill drive which the big hitters can attack over the right side bunkers leaving only a short iron in to the flattest green on the course. However, judging the approach is not easy, since the green sits above you and a bunker 20 metres short is deceptive to the eye.
10 Par 4
382
367
359
350
342
Index 9
34
249 232 226 218 210
201 185 177 169 163
60 98 107
157
A simple enough hole if you avoid the fairway bunkers on the left, although you have to be very accurate with your approach since the green is narrow and slopes in from both sides. A straight shot will be rewarded but missing the green means you will need a deft touch to chip and putt.
11 Par 4
355
355
314
305
288
Index 3
274 274 233 224 207
23 38 83 116
245 245 205 196 180
A stunning driving hole where the perfect tee shot is to fire at the two bunkers up the left and let the natural lie of the land bring the ball back into the centre. The green falls from back to front so try to be below the hole for an easier uphill putt.
12 Par 5
453
423
405
405
400
Index 17
29 30 x
301 273 254 147 136
266 235 215 215 198
143 152 180
229 202 x
210 182 x
232 201 181 181 168
It takes big hits to get home in two especially as you have to fly the ball all the way to the green over a deep bunker. More likely that you are going in with a short iron third when it is crucial to find the same level as the flag if you’re to have a simple two putt.
13 Par 4
322
310
286
276
251
Index 13
234 219 198 187 171
23
90
231 215 194 183 168
66 89 99 OB
143
Short but a strategic gem. The braver player will be rewarded by taking on the cavernous bunker in the corner of the dog-leg; otherwise it is a defensive iron short of all the trouble and a longer second up to the small well-guarded green.
14 Par 4
381
365
337
315
272
Index 5
300 275 253 225 199
34
42
226 200 177 153 121
125 155 177
What line you take on your drive, depends on your ability, confidence and power. The stronger, better player can aim over the two bunkers in the lee of the sweeping dog-leg left, but more cautious golfers should stay well right of them.
15
Par 3
180
171
145
135
120
Index 11 184 184 158 148 133 26
158 158 132 122 107
A tough hole into the prevailing wind where nothing but a good strike will do if you are to hit and hold the green. Beware the front of it though, because any ball pitching on the first quarter can die and trickle back towards the water.
16 Par 4
402
382
365
365
346
Index 1
265 247 231 231 212
283 264 249 249 228
20
71 107 127 139
239 220 205 205 186
The most demanding par-4 on the course, with a spectacular tee shot way down onto fairway dotted with bunkers. It then swings right and up to a green perched above a deep dip and another trap. Play at least two clubs more than the distance suggests. There are no prizes for being short.
17 Par 3
187
174
163
158
137
Index 7
202 189 178 173 152
29
173 160 149 144 123
Another dramatic drop down to the table-top green, where once again clubbing is vital. As a general rule it plays two clubs shorter than you think, and in any case, all the trouble is behind the green which falls away alarmingly towards the trees.
18 Par 5
507
481
428
428
409
Index 15 32 48 x 55
167 190 220 166 x
223
261 236 184 184 167
A nervy drive as trees on both sides make it look tighter than it is. If you strike it well you can get extra roll down a steep slope which puts the green in range for the longer hitters. A safe way in is to fire up the left so you can play up the length of the green for your third.