Review of the Orizonte golf course collection
The Orizonte Golf collection of courses is a brilliant group of courses in the Lisbon region in Portugal. This week’s blog is a guide to these Orizonte courses and will show you why, on your next trip to the Lisbon area, these courses are a must-play on your itinerary.
Aroeira Pines Classic
The first Golf course on our list is the Aroeira Pines Classic, considered one of Europe’s finest. The course travels through a pine forest along undulating fairways and prides itself on the array of different holes that you will come face to face with. This course is a tricky one due to its setting with the many pine trees often obstructing the path of play but a noticeable fact about this course is that there are no bunkers on the fairways trying to catch errant balls.
The 11th hole is one of the shining stars of the course as you have to avoid water which cuts into the left of the green on your approach shot before tackling the stretch of fairway (avoiding the pines) to the green. You then have to avoid the same water hazard in the fun par-3 14th hole too. This is another superb course by Orizonte golf and this unique array of holes can provide you with an unforgettable round of golf.
Aroeira Challenge
Next up is the (younger) sibling of Aroeira Pines Classic – Aroeira Challenge. This course was built to European Tour recommendations to potentially host some major tournaments. This course has a superb layout like its sister course and you have to navigate carefully through heavily wooded and gently undulating terrain to reach the well-guarded greens. The holes are long here and cleverly shaped using the natural landscape and bunkers.
A stand out hole is the par 5 4th hole where a large stand of pine trees about 100 yards short of the green need to be overcome in order to reach the centre of the green. This course also has a spectacular few finishing holes which will make you wish that the round wasn’t ending. The 18th hole is a par 5 with water up the right of the fairway and stretching into the left of the finishing green. Don’t come to Aroeira and only play the first course – this is also a spectacular course and one which you will come to love.
The Sesimbra Hotel & Spa also provides stays for both Aroeria golf courses. This modern 4* beachfront hotel contains excellent rooms and facilities. All rooms are modern and stylishly furnished, with breathtaking sea views, good amenities, and direct access to Sesimbra’s beach, making them easy to walk to the town’s restaurants and bars. A state-of-the-art Spa awaits you after your round of golf.
Aroeira Lisbon Hotel
The fantastic Aroeira Lisbon Hotel includes both Aroeira golf courses. This 4* semi all-inclusive resort is located in a prime position in one of Lisbon’s most sought-after locations. The hotel is located in Almada, only 25 minutes from the centre of Lisbon, a city well worthy of exploration on your non-golfing days. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and a charming outdoor setting with an inviting swimming pool. For non-golfers and golfers, the hotel boasts massage facilities – the perfect way to relax.
Ribagolfe Lakes
Ribagolfe Lakes is another great Orizonte course, this is a magnificent course and the Ribagolfe complex is arguably one of the best on the Iberian Peninsula and is definitely the best value. Although the course measures 7,370 yards from the back tees, the course is very playable for those with slightly higher handicaps from the front tees. Water hazards come into play a few times throughout the back nine of the course.
Each of the holes is memorable in its own way and its landscape is simply stunning – a must-play. One of the best, and the shortest hole on the course is the par 3 15th hole where water sits to the left of a raised green that’s surrounded by bunkers making it tricky to even get your ball onto the green without it being caught! Although the Ribagolfe complex is not in the best location accessibility wise it is definitely recommended that you play at least one round here and you won’t regret it.
Ribagolfe Oaks
Ribagolfe Oaks is the sister course and makes up the other 18-holes of Ribagolfe’s 36-hole complex. This course is also routed through stands of cork oak and has beautiful surroundings. This is a shorter course, with more open fairways which lead to large greens, and water hazards are less prominent on this course. Where water does come into play it really completes the holes.
The best is the long par 5 13th hole where the same stream slices through the fairway into a small lake that is set to the right of the hole. The 3rd hole is definitely one to look out for as it is a long par 3 where trees block part of the route to the green on the right-hand side of the fairway which means that you need a lot of concentration to keep your shots on course! This is a superb course and a perfect partner for Ribagolfe Lakes – these two courses are certainly not to be missed out on.
We hope that this week’s blog opened your eyes to the great courses that you should have on your list to play when you are next taking a golf holiday to the Lisbon area!
Want more information on Lisbon? Check out our Escape to the Lisbon Golf Coast blog!
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