Introduction to Golf in Porto
Welcome to Porto, a vibrant city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and delectable cuisine. But did you know that Porto is also a haven for golf enthusiasts? That’s right! This coastal gem offers some of the finest golf courses in all of Portugal. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Porto has something to offer every golfer. So grab your clubs and get ready to tee off on an unforgettable golfing adventure in this picturesque destination. Let’s explore where to play golf in Porto and discover the beauty that awaits on each course!
Best golf courses in Porto
Estela Golf Club
Situated close to the lively seaside resort of Póvoa de Varzim and only 30 minutes driving distance from Porto, Estela Golf Club is a typical links course. Built over three kilometres of beautiful dunes, Estela Golf Club provides breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean. Several big lakes add to its beauty, which can become quite challenging when the wind is blowing. With narrow fairways in the landing areas, all pressure is placed in the tee shot. Inaccurate shots will be punished if they land in the sand dunes, and on almost every occasion a ball lands off the fairway there is little chance of reaching the green with a second shot. Just like in the traditional links courses, most shots at the greens are open, allowing the ball to enter them rolling. If you manage to get there without many detours, you will find firm and fast greens.
Some holes at Estela Golf Club have wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains behind. The round starts gently, but quickly becomes challenging. Hole 3, a par 4, is 411 metres long and is considered the most difficult on the course. After that comes hole 4, the best opportunity to achieve good results. On this par 3, you have to hit over a valley onto an elevated green. Holes 6 to 9 place the highest demands on very accurate tee shots. These holes in particular are crucial for a good score. The second nine holes may not be as difficult as the first nine, but are still filled with challenges. For instance, the 10th hole is a par 4, dogleg at the left, with 373 metres but with an elevated green and well protected by bunkers that make it longer and harder. The 13th hole, a par 5, must be played with the utmost respect. The fairway runs along the beach and turns suddenly to the left before descending to the green, and many players tend to take a short cut here and end up in the dunes. The last par 5, hole 15, is even more difficult to play, with winds that demand distance in the tee-shot and a great precision in the 2nd and 3rd shots.
Green fee
- Green-fee 9 H 45€
- Green-fee 18 H 80€
- Trolley 5€
- Tacos 1 Set 35€ Tacos 1/2 Set 25€
- Buggy 18 H 35€
- Buggy 9 H 25€
Schedule
Everyday, from 8h30 to 19h.
Amenities
- Reception: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h.
- Pro Shop: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h
- Driving Range: Yes
- Putting Green: Yes
- Locker Rooms: No
- Club House: with a restaurant and a snack bar
- Buggies: Without GPS
- Trolleys: Manual Golf Clubs
- Full Sets Golf Lessons: Yes
- Academy: Yes, for juniors up to 16 years old
Difficulty: very easy
Number of holes: 18
Par: 72
Type of terrain: links, flat.
Oporto Golf Club
Oporto Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Portugal. It begins with a par 4 against the famous nortada, the prevailing north wind, which makes it rather difficult. The approach to the green, which is narrow and doubletiered, turns this first hole into an excellent test for any player. Although holes 4 and l1 are the most difficult ones, we consider the par-4 7th and par-3 14th to be the best that can be designed in terms of golf. The 9th and 18th, normally offer good opportunities for birdies, making a pleasant finish to a competition. In a superb atmosphere which is possible only among the traditionally hospitable people from the North of Portugal, the Oporto Club offers excellent facilities in its clubhouse, with a restaurant that is a general favourite of its members for eating out.
Green Fee
- Green-fees weekdays – 55€
- Green-fees on weekends and holidays – 90€, allowed between 11h and 13h if there is no competition, therefore advance booking is required.
- Bag rental with irons – 30€
- Caddies – 25€
Schedule
It closes on Mondays.
Amenities
- Reception: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h.
- Pro Shop: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h
- Driving Range: Yes
- Putting Green: Yes
- Locker Rooms: No
- Club House: with a restaurant and a snack bar
- Buggies: Without GPS
- Trolleys: Manual Golf Clubs
- Full Sets Golf Lessons: Yes
- Academy: Yes, for juniors up to 18 years old
Difficulty: Hard.
Number of holes: 18.
Par: 71
Type of Terrain: Links, flat.
Miramar Golf Club
The existence of Miramar Golf Club is due to the initiative of Frank Gordon and the Portuguese Cláudio and Mário Martins. In 1931, they decided to create a golf club more open to the Portuguese, who in this way could have easier access to golf. It is a par 70 – 35 for each of the two nine-hole rounds and it has some holes that deserve a special reference. For example, the green of the 7th hole and hole number 9, a par 4 of exceptional class for its length, the difficulty of the out-of-bounds to the right, as well as a fast green defended by a bunker in front and another one behind. These are excellent holes, that any good player would appreciate playing.
Green Fee: 50-70€
Schedule
- Reception – every day from 8h30 to 19h30
- Caddy Master – every day from 8h30 to 20h
- Store – Tuesday to Sunday, from 10h to 17h
- Restaurant – Tuesday to Sunday: 8h30 to 20h
- Bar – every day from 8h30 to 20h
- Special dates: December 24th: open until 14h | December 25th (Christmas): closed | December 31st open until 14h | Easter Day open until noon.
Amenities
- Reception: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h
- Pro Shop: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h
- Driving Range: Yes
- Putting Green: Yes
- Locker Rooms: Yes
- Club House: With Restaurant and Snack bar
- Buggies: No
- Trolleys: Manual
- Golf Clubs: Full Set
- Golf Lessons: Resident professionals
- Academy: Yes
- Juniors: Up to 18 years old
Difficulty: medium
Number of holes: 18
Par: 70
Type of Terrain: links, flat
Amarante Golf Course
This golf course in Porto is located within the Quinta da Deveza, near Amarante, where tradition and magnificent landscapes and scenery abound, in particular, the River Tamega and the Marão mountains.
This is a truly mountainous course as it is 600 meters above sea level. It has four water hazards and covers an area of 40 hectares. The first hole slopes deeply downwards and is 495 meters long and the last, on the contrary, rather shorter with 447 meters, slopes fairly steeply upwards. Hole 12 is 445 meters long and a good strong shot is necessary to get over the lake on the right hand side and attention should be paid to the left, because of the fencing that marks the out of bounds area. The green is defended by four bunkers. The course cannot be classified as difficult although it does have excellent and fast greens, the majority of which are short in length.
Green Fee: 70€
Schedule
- Monday | Closed
- Tuesday | 9h to 18h
- Wednesday to Friday | 9h to 19h
- Saturday and Sunday | 8h to 18h
Amenities
- Reception: from 8h to 18h
- Pro Shop: from 8h to 18h
- Driving Range: Yes
- Putting Green: Yes
- Locker Rooms: No
- Club House: With Restaurant and Snack bar
- Buggies: Without GPS
- Trolleys: Manual
- Golf Clubs: Full Set
- Golf Lessons: Resident professionals
- Academy: Yes
- Juniors: Up to 16 years old
Difficulty: medium
Number of holes: 18
Par: 68
Type of Terrain: hilly
Vidago Palace Golf Course
Vidago Golf Course, in the north of Portugal, is located a one hour drive from Porto, near the Spanish border.
The magnificent Vidago Palace Golf Course was originally built by Mackenzie Ross in 1936 as a nine-hole golf course, and it has been redesigned by Cameron & Powell as an 18-hole course. The expanded course meets USGA specifications and has been transformed into an international championship course of par-72 standard.
The Vidago Golf Course expands from a magnificent park with centenary trees through the Oura Valley, allowing great scenic views over the surrounding nature.
The course features elevated tees and greens and there are strategic bunker positions that require a keen eye to identify and assess slopes. As a result, the Vidago Palace Golf Course is a pure joy and challenge even for particularly skilled players.
The first holes are played in a wooded and relatively flat valley bottom. The following holes are in an open, spacious area with stunning panoramic and awe-inspiring views of the hilltops and villages in the distance. Every single one of the 18 holes presents a challenge and each of the last nine holes is clearly different from the last hole played. Passionate golfers will enjoy putting their skills to the test and using their entire tee-off repertoire.
Green Fee
- Traditional golf
18 holes – 30€ | Juniors – 10€
9 holes – 20€ | Juniors – 7.50€ - Pitch & Putt
- 18 holes – 15€ | Juniors – 7.50€
- 9 holes – 10€ | Juniors – 5€
- Rental of a bag with a set of irons: 15€
- Trolley rental: 2.50€
- The buggy prices vary according to many variables, so it’s better to check the price online.
Schedule
Everyday from 9h to 19h30 (and the club house closes on Monday).
Amenities
- Reception: Everyday from 7h45 to 20h
- Pro Shop: Everyday from 7h45 to 18hh
- Driving Range: Yes
- Putting Green: Yes
- Locker Rooms: Yes
- Club House: With Restaurant and Snack bar
- Buggies: Without GPS
- Trolleys: Pull Trolleys & Electrical
- Golf Clubs: Callaway
- Golf Lessons: Resident professionals
- Academy: Yes
- Juniors: Up to 18 years old
Difficulty: very hard
Number of holes: 18
Par: 72
Type of Terrain: slightly hilly
Quinta do Fojo
The Quinta do Fojo Golf Course is an extensive complex, surrounded by lakes and historical buildings. The convenient location, just across the river from Porto, makes this 6-hole course particularly interesting for those who want to play golf on weekdays and especially want to improve their short game. However, this course is also interesting for visitors who want to see Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quinta do Fojo is the answer to the question “Where to play golf in Porto?”, beginners level.
Green Fee
06 holes – 7€
12 holes – 12€
18 holes – 17€
Driving range tokens – 2.50€
Individual classes: 21€ / 30 minutes
Pack 5 classes (30 minutes): 95€
Schedule
- Monday to Friday: 9h – 20h
- Saturday and Sunday: 8h – 19h
- Holidays: 9h – 19h
Amenities
Driving Range · Putting Green · Pro Shop · Golf Academy · Bunker & Chipping Area · Restaurant & Bar.
Difficulty: very easy
Number of holes: 18
Par: 60
Type of Terrain
Tips for Playing Golf in Porto
1. Plan ahead: Make sure to book your tee times well in advance, especially during peak seasons. This will ensure that you have a spot on the course and can play at your preferred time.
2. Check the weather: Porto is known for its unpredictable weather, so it’s important to keep an eye on the forecast before heading out to play golf. Dress accordingly and be prepared for changes in conditions.
3. Familiarize yourself with the local rules: Each golf course may have its own set of rules and regulations, so take some time to familiarize yourself with them before playing. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or penalties during your round.
4. Bring sunscreen and water: The sun can be strong in Porto, even on cloudy days. It’s important to protect your skin by applying sunscreen regularly throughout your game, as well as staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
6. Enjoy the scenery: One of the best things about playing golf in Porto is being surrounded by beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the coast or countryside. Take a moment to appreciate the surroundings and make the most of this unique experience.
Remember these tips when playing golf in Porto to enhance your overall experience on these fantastic courses!
