West Cliffs
“The Algarve has long been Portugal’s go-to golf destination but golfers are increasingly turning their attention to the country’s capital. ”
I absolutely love Lisbon! There’s so much going on in this city that I grab every chance I get to visit. My latest ploy if travelling beyond is to fly into Lisbon (from Madeira where I live) a day early, grab a meal in Beira Alto or Alfama, stay overnight, and travel with ease and a well satisfied belly the next day.
The view of São Jorge Castle from Hotel do Chiado
SILVER COAST
An hour north of the capital is the village of Óbidos with a fistful of excellent links courses close at hand. The two outstanding examples are Praia D’El Rey and West Cliffs. Let’s start with the latter.
West Cliffs is the newest course in this area. Designed by Cynthia Dye (Pete’s niece) and draped across a rolling stretch of linksland, West Cliffs is a much more complex design than any of its near neighbours which largely works well. But there’s a caveat…
I played West Cliffs back in 2018 not long after it opened and was hugely impressed. So a second visit was eagerly anticipated! It’s not an easy track by any means but the secret to West Cliffs is course management.
Off the tee, good golfers - let me rephrase that… big hitters risk disappearing into the thick, herbal hazards on an abundance of tricky doglegs. One of our group had the misfortune of playing off scratch and was not having a good time. A 3-wood or even long irons are often a better bet off the tees. Having said that, it can be deceptive. Holes like the 10th offer a lot more room than you see.
The greens, by the way, are often raised, soft and slow (when we played) but if they were any quicker, they would be well-nigh impossible.
There’s plenty to think about on almost every hole at West Cliffs and I’ve never seen a course that benefits more from sticking to the Strokesaver. At the same time, it’s one of the most visually appealing courses in Europe. We’re talking arching, inventive fairways and perfectly presented greens blended into a natural links landscape.
The overriding impression is how empathetically this course has been placed through the indigenous terrain. It’s simply divine and if you play it sensibly, it will be the highlight of your trip!
Nearby is Royal Óbidos Golf Club, designed by Seve not long before he died over much hillier terrain than the coastal courses. Lengthy and more open with a few tricky water hazards, it could well be worth adding to your trip.
Green fees (both courses)
2022: From €54 per person
2023: From €62.40 per person
Stay-and-play packages
2022:
Four nights’ BB hotel accommodation and three rounds of golf (on any course) from €419.30pp
Seven nights’ BB hotel accommodation and five rounds of golf (on any course) from €690.50pp
2023
Four nights’ BB hotel accommodation and three rounds of golf (on any course) from €364pp
Seven nights’ BB hotel accommodation and five rounds of golf (on any course) from €598pp
To book, go to www.praia-del-rey.com / www.westcliffs.com (all prices based on two people sharing a twin/double room)
