Vilamoura Pinhal Golf Course

Pinhal is one of the five courses run by Vilamoura Golf, the group behind the Old Course, Laguna, Millennium and The Els Club. It is described as a classic design set among towering pine trees, and its fairways sit within easy reach of Faro Airport and about 2 kilometres from the coast.

The course and its setting

The pine woodland gives Pinhal its character and its name, setting it apart from the water-heavy layout at Laguna and the more modern Millennium. Around the courses you will find vineyards, villages and nature trails, so a round here combines easily with other outings in the area. Vilamoura Golf can suggest activities and places to visit nearby, from wine tasting to sightseeing and water sports.

Vilamoura Golf Academy

Pinhal is the base of the Vilamoura Golf Academy, which has more than 30 years of teaching tradition in Vilamoura and counts many of Portugal's leading professionals among its former students. PGA teaching professionals give individual lessons or small group classes of up to four people, using launch monitor and tracking technology such as TrackMan and Flightscope.

The academy offers club fitting using Titleist fitting technology, letting you try different combinations of drivers, irons and putters, as well as TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) fitness screenings with a certified instructor who suggests personalised drills. Regular programmes include adult improvement courses, short game and putting workshops, a Ladies Golf School, a couples experience mixing coaching and shared play, a two-day short game course in small groups, and an intensive week-long handicap certificate programme combining on-course practice with classroom sessions.

Juniors

Young players under 21 learn through games and activities rather than pure competition, with weekly after-school classes on various days, junior camps and clinics, and summer camps for ages 6 to 18. Juniors can use Golphin clubs, which are 22% lighter than standard junior equipment.

Practical points

Tee times are booked through the Vilamoura Golf reservations team by phone or email, and the course has its own direct line. The academy also arranges corporate lessons and golf outings. For a stay nearby, the Dom Pedro Portobelo apartments are about two minutes from Pinhal. The course suits golfers of every level, from first-timers taking lessons to experienced players wanting a traditional tree-lined round.