West Cliffs Golf Links

West Cliffs Golf Links- hole 8 

 Designed by Cynthia Dye, West Cliffs Golf Links opened for play in 2007.

The course is part of a larger development that will ultimately include housing and a 5 star hotel.

With Royal Obidos, and Praia D'el Rey in the immeddiate vicinity, this area just an hour north of Lisbon is becoming a golfing mecca.

 

West Cliffs is sited in one of the most attractive golfing sites I have encountered. It has sea views from most, if not all holes- as well as holes though sand dunes, others through pine trees- and all surrounded by lush colourful ground cover, umbrella pines, exposed sand & rocks. It’s a heady combination!

 

Apart from the par 5’s which are strong but fair, the course can be incredibly tight in places

The starter will encourage you to play off shorter tees than you might normally experience- the tees are numbered in reference to the length they play- 5500 metres becomes 55.

Sounds short, right?

I would normally play off 6000+, but 55 was the ideal tee for me. The carries off longer tees can sometimes be challenging but it is the accuracy rather than length that is the major issue..

However the real key is that greens are smallish and very well protected- you really need to be hitting a short iron approach, or be very accurate with your longer clubs

If you can adjust to playing the shorter course you will most likely have an entertaining round...

But even when you hit greens making putts is no given- the greens are busy!

 

Notable holes include:

 

- hole 7, a joy ride of a par 5 through and over ground covers and sand dunes

 

 

- hole 8, a short strategic par 4 in a stunning location by the sea (see pic top of page)

- hole 9, another stunning short par 4 that requires accuracy and a steely nerve

 

West Cliffs Golf Links- hole 9 approach

 

- hole 10, a lovely par 4 with ocean backdrop

- hole 14, a different kind of par 4 with OOB directly in front of the green

- hole 16, an absolutely unique par 3

 

 

- hole 18, an epic closing par 5 with sea backdrop, and water challenging the approach

 

West Cliffs Golf Link hole 18

 

West Cliffs Golf Links is a refreshingly modern links course unlike anything I have seen.

The sandy seaside setting is gorgeous. My only reservation about the course is that perhaps the greens and approach shots are perhaps just too demanding- hence the need to play off shorter tees.

That aside I think it is brilliant, and worth repeat plays.

 

We rate West Cliffs Golf Links as a "Travelling Golfer must play!"