Going for Golf

Quinta da Marinha

The Quinta da Marinha golf course is one of the area’s best-established and Trent Jones Sr has sprinkled a fair share of his magic dust here. The course plays through serene pine woodland and rewards strategic play over power but you still need a driver in the bag for several holes. Significant upgrading work a few years ago has lengthened the course, improved the playing surfaces and given it some teeth. These are exposed early with two long and narrow par-fives of around 550 yards, each coming in the first three holes. Thereafter, the course settles down into a nice rhythm with a blend of playable mid-range par-threes and plenty of subtle dog-legged par-fours and fives. There are some great ocean views – in particular the par-three 14th – and you’ll do well to keep the ball dry on the par-five 10th.

The adjacent five-star hotel is a popular option for guests and there are many other facilities on the estate including tennis, horse-riding and a racquet centre.