Amendoeira Faldo Course
Championship in Silves
The Faldo Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort occupies a distinctive position in the Algarve golfing landscape, located inland near the historic town of Silves rather than on the congested coastal strip. Designed by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo and opened in 2008, the course sits within a 260-hectare estate in the rolling hills of the Algarve interior, offering panoramic views towards the Serra de Monchique and, on clear days, the distant Atlantic coastline.
Faldo's design philosophy for Amendoeira drew on his experience as a tournament player who understood the importance of strategic options and risk-reward decisions. The course rewards players who think their way around the layout, with each hole offering multiple approaches depending on the golfer's ability and the day's conditions. Wide fairways provide generous landing areas off the tee, but the optimal positioning for approach shots requires more precision, creating a layered challenge that engages golfers of all standards.
The terrain at Amendoeira is markedly different from the flat coastal courses around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago. Rolling hills, natural rock outcrops, and groves of carob, olive, and almond trees create a Mediterranean landscape that feels more in keeping with the agricultural character of the Algarve interior. The course name itself references the amendoeira, the Portuguese word for almond tree, which flowers spectacularly in January and February, carpeting the hills in white and pink blossom.
The front nine features several holes that take advantage of the elevation changes, with tee shots played from elevated positions offering commanding views of the fairway below. The par five third is a magnificent downhill hole that sweeps through a natural valley, tempting longer hitters to take on the green in two but punishing any miss with deep bunkers and thick rough. The par three seventh, played from a high tee to a green set among the rocks, is one of the most photographed holes on the course.
The back nine is arguably the stronger half, with the stretch from the thirteenth to the sixteenth providing a genuine championship test. The fourteenth, a long par four playing into the prevailing wind, requires two powerful and accurate shots to find the green. The par five fifteenth offers a welcome birdie chance before the demanding sixteenth, where the approach must negotiate a complex of bunkers protecting a green with significant slope.
Amendoeira also features a second eighteen-hole course, the O'Connor Course, designed by the Irish golfer Christy O'Connor Junior, providing variety for those staying at the resort for extended periods. The resort facilities include a hotel, practice range, short game area, and academy, making it a self-contained golfing destination.
The inland location of Amendoeira means that temperatures can be several degrees warmer than the coast during summer, making early morning tee times advisable from June to September. Conversely, the winter months are particularly pleasant for golf here, with mild temperatures and the added attraction of the almond blossom season. Green fees are generally lower than the premium coastal courses, representing excellent value for a course of this quality and pedigree.
Faldo himself has spoken warmly of the Amendoeira project, describing it as one of his favourite design commissions. The course reflects his belief that golf should be challenging but enjoyable, with the natural landscape providing the primary source of interest rather than artificial features.
Highlights
- Nick Faldo design in the rolling hills of the Algarve interior near historic Silves
- Spectacular almond blossom displays in January and February across the course
- Strategic risk-reward holes with multiple approach options for all abilities
- Excellent value green fees compared to the premium coastal resort courses