This course is laid through the pine tree forest of the area and is set back from the tourist beach area. The outward nine holes wander through the holiday villas that line the fairways. The well-positioned bunkers make the course very enjoyable to the players, testing their choice of clubs and their accuracy. The Par-4 on the fourth hole is difficult to achieve with water waiting for the erring shot. The Par-3 on the eighth of 149 metres is tricky than it first appears. The back nine-holes have a more open feel but the slightly altered fifteenth will cause a problem to meet the Par-4 it requires.

Originally designed by Frank Pennink and remodelled by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, Pinhal has an exciting mixture of British and American style holes. The front 9 meanders through an exclusive residential complex, while the back 9 is built on more open and undulating land with occasional glimpses of the sea. The fairways are lined with pine trees and the greens are tight and fast, so accuracy is the key to success here. Like all the Vilamoura courses, Pinhal is a superb challenge and is well worth a visit.

Designer: Frank Pennink/Robert Trent Jones Jnr
Fairways: Bermuda Tifton 419 and lollium mix
Greens: Penncross bent
Par: 72
Length: 6842 yards