Monte Rei Golf Course

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club sits in the foothills of the Eastern Algarve, on a private estate of around 1,000 acres of unspoilt countryside. The Serra do Caldeirão mountains rise to the north and the Atlantic lies to the south, and the course is the centrepiece of a wider resort with accommodation, restaurants and residential properties.

The course

The North Course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, a par 72 measuring 7,182 yards. Wide, forgiving fairways thread through mature trees and valleys, so each hole poses a different challenge while the views stay open. The club describes it as suited to players of all abilities and handicaps. It has recently been renewed in collaboration with Nicklaus Design: greens and bunkers restored, teeing areas expanded, practice facilities improved, landscaping refreshed, new training technology added and course maintenance made more sustainable. A course map on the website breaks down each hole with video of the terrain.

A golfer's day

The visit is carefully organised. On arrival at the clubhouse, staff valet park your car and take your clubs to the staging area. You are shown the locker rooms, restaurants and practice areas, then escorted by buggy to the driving range, short game areas and putting green. Shortly before your round you are taken to the first tee with a brief history of the course and a few playing tips. Tee times are spaced 12 minutes apart to keep the pace relaxed, and a mobile buggy bar brings hot and cold drinks and snacks out on the course. Afterwards you can unwind in the clubhouse while your clubs are cleaned and returned to your car.

Lessons and tournaments

The golf academy runs a light tuition programme with the club's PGA professionals, aimed at complete beginners as well as existing golfers who want to sharpen their game. The club also hosts tournaments on the course.

Practical points

Rounds can be booked directly through the club's website, and the reservations team can be reached by email with any questions. Faro airport is about 52km away and Seville around 100km, with the Spanish border close by. A concierge team can arrange activities on the resort and in the surrounding area, including trips to Tavira and Seville.