Can anybody recommend a golf course (anywhere from Faro to Sagres) that allows you to play without a handicap card and also does club hire?

If there are some then details of rates, especially twilight hours, would be appreciated.

Go to the algarve golf link from the home page and look at bookings. There you will see the local courses (Penina & Vale do Milho) with prices that don't need h'cap certs. I know that Vd.M will hire clubs.

http://www.algarve-golf.co.uk/golfbook.html
has a listing with four courses card not required

Guest - do you want a course where handicap certificates are not required because -

a) - You are not actually very good / haven't been playing long or
b) - You play reasonably well but haven't jumped through all the daft hoops required to get a proper handicap card?

The answer to the best places to play will vary depending on the above.

Graham

PS to my knowledge all courses in the Algarve hire clubs.

I've played most of the courses in the area (from Salgados to Parque De Floresta) and have never been asked for my handicap certificate.
It may be their way of refusing people without offending, maybe.

Quote from comedienne Linda Smith on TV tonight:
"Golf is an abomination!
It gets people outside who should really stay inside"
Bit cruel that?

Hope you don't mind me butting in on this topic!

Myself and husband will be coming over at the end of May and would love to play a round or two. He's played a bit and I'm still at beginner stage. Would love to be better but I think that's going to take a while!

Where would you recommend for us?

Vale de Milho will be just the ticket for you, there is a link on this site, it does nice Sunday lunch as well (home made apple pie for pudding)

Guest,

We just returned from Algarve and played 5 different courses. All very nice. Richard at the Algarve-golf.co link selected and arranged all courses for the 7 of us. None asked for our handicaps except Boavista and they didn't seem to care what they were, just a routine thing to do. We have handicaps from 9 to 28. Don't sweat the handicap, never had to show a card or note from club.

Do be prepared to play rounds in about 4-4 1/2 hours. That seemed to be the pace of 4 of the 5 courses. Pinta; where the Ledbetter school is; took about 5 1/2 hours. Terribly slow and don't know why.

Gorr0

CM wrote:Vale de Milho will be just the ticket for you, there is a link on this site, it does nice Sunday lunch as well (home made apple pie for pudding)

Vale De Milho...are you kidding? Good for a knock around, but could hardly be considered a proper golf course. We were all beginners once and you don't improve until you play a grown up course.

Start with Gramacho then try Pinto.

Hey Uggie, with advice like that I can now see why it can take 5 1/2 hours round Pinto. Milho is difficult enough for a beginner

Amen to that

Thank you all very much for your help.

Don't worry. We wouldn't venture out onto a 'proper' golf course yet. We have played the 2 smaller courses at Penina (had lessons there) and even though a beginner and novice, are well aware of slow play. We ALWAYS waved through the players behind if we thought they were catching up. (I was desperate enough to do that as my drives are a bit hit and miss, with people watching they were more miss than normal )

I know I really need to get out and play and would love to have the time. I really would love to play better but as I have a horse, most of my time is spent looking after her.

Mac - I notice you live in Surrey - depending upon where you live, have you tried playing the par three nine hole at Foxhills - very good for beginners (and quite challenging for better players as well)

let me know if you want any info

Graham

Anonymous wrote:Hey Uggie, with advice like that I can now see why it can take 5 1/2 hours round Pinto. Milho is difficult enough for a beginner

Did I happen to mention I'm not going to be there in May?