With only a few small exceptions, the fairways were in wonderful condition .... not something most other courses in the area can boast of. The ladies tee boxes were also in good shape - so nice to be able to stand flat and not look down on hole after brown hole. Starting early, we finished play in just over 3 hours. It was a pleasure.

We wanted so hard to love the course, but the lack of maintenance made it difficult. The greens were in good shape, as were some of the fairways. But the course needs serious TLC to regain the top status amongst Algarve courses. Driving the buggy on many of the charming paths was bumpy indeed.

We quite liked the course - whose two halves had very different characters - lots of water on the first and ups and downs on the second. The course condition was in good condition and the pace of play was good. The staff were very friendly too. Its probably a 3 and a half, but for what we paid it was quite good.

The course is in decent shape. The greens and bunkers were just fine, while the fairways were a little dry. It is challenging but still playable for we normal golfers. The starter was super helpful and sought us out on the range to suggest we start early.

We like the course but the signs of lack of maintenance are everywhere. The greens were decent. We started early and the pace of play was good.

Never know whether to rate 3 or 4. Theres nothing to complain about other than the dryish fairways. Its a very playable course and is one of 3 Dom Pedro courses we play on every visit to the Algarve (with Old Course and Victoria).

We played Faldo after a 5 year break, remembering it as a top, challenging course. Unfortunately, the course conditions were just okay and the pace was quite slow (5.5 hours).

Lovely fairways. Had the feeling some of the tee boxes had been redone. All in all in much better shape than last year. The bunkers were okay, but the rakes are not good quality. As we started early, we finished the round in 4 hours and never had to wait.

Still a favourite, but the pace of play left lots to be desired. The course is well maintained. It plays much better with the new layout, but we had to start on hole 10 which makes less sense.

Start early and youll have an enjoyable round. All the QdL courses are well maintained. The greens were faster than the South course, which was a surprise.

Its a course we enjoy, as its not particularly difficult and since flat, is good for walking. As with so many courses at the moment, its often hard as a rock around the greens, with mostly decent fairways and greens. Courses are fully booked and it shows.

Its a wonderful course but a little tired. What used to be really special now shows signs less than perfect maintenance. Still, nothing to complain about on most fairways and greens - tee boxes also okay.

Our favourite course in the area. The conditions remain very good. The staff is professional. Its challenging, but very playable. Very busy, which as a two ball requires patience.

Enjoyed playing this well maintained course. Start early and you can finish in 4 to 4.25 hours - which is saying something since others we talked to, who started later, had 5 hours. That is NOT a pleasure and for the price not acceptable.

Generally a nice course, although off the fairway at times tended to be hard as a rock. If one hits the ball straight, then playing your handicap shouldnt be too hard. The green were well maintained, with a lot fewer pitch marks than on some other courses. The tee boxes were substandard (especially for the ladies) but playable. The pace of play was okay, allowing us to finish in just over 4 hours. The staff at the reception were super friendly and efficient.

We unfortunately were given a start time in the middle of a members tournament which meant lots of waiting. At 4.5 hours it was okay. The course is in decent shape, except for lots of pitch marks. Its somewhere between a 3 and 4 - the relatively slow pace of play always makes it less fun.

Although not in the superlative condition of a few years ago, still a favourite course - providing variety and some scenic holes. Its a pity that so many players hit the green leaving pitch marks which mar the greens. We routinely repaired 3 to 4 marks in addition to our own!!! This isnt the fault of the course, but perhaps small signs with reminders placed next to a few greens might help those who have forgotten how to be responsible golfers. Playing an early bird round in a hair over 3 hours was pure pleasure. Staff was friendly.

Our second round this month confirmed the quality of the course. The new layout, with switch of the first and second 9 holes, really makes sense. Course conditions were very good. The greens were somewhat slower than in previous years, but remain true. For our long-hitting friends it represents the necessary challenge, while the gold and silver tee boxes are playable for we mortals.

The course deserves a 4 star rating due to a few of the very scenic holes which add to the hobby golfers experience. The fairway conditions are considerably better than 2-3 years ago when the course had suffered from overplay and seemingly lower maintenance. There are a few pretty challenging holes but not enough to make frustrating.

This was the first year since the redoing of the course where we played well. The greens being slightly slower, and no longer the slithery surfaces which made our approaches so difficult, cut strokes from our scores - making it more fun. This doesnt mean that the course is no longer challenging! We just wish we had had time to play it a few more times during this visit.

A classic course in good condition. Fairways and greens are fine, but approach areas near the greens are rock hard ... my pet peeve. As long as courses get no rest, cant see that this will change. Bunkers were well groomed. Players had repaired their pitch marks - bravo. Despite the few complaints its a very enjoyable course,

This classic course is the pearl of the Dom Pedro courses (Victoria is the championship course). We played it 5 times this year due to the non-opening of the other Dom Pedro courses, which allowed us to fine tune our strategy. Not that that made the course an easy play, but it did eliminate excuses for not playing well. The course is in good condition and the range is so improved from the Oceanico days. We did lose a couple of balls when hitting the trees LOL.

Rated it a 5 taken in context of the area - it probably wouldnt be a 5 if compared to Pebble Beach. The course has benefitted from the improvements made since the takeover by Dom Pedro. The fairways were mostly nice and cushy (not much roll though). The greens were still lightly sanded, but seemed fine. Good pace of play even considering that it was the best booked course weve played on this trip.

Pinheiross conditions have improved slightly since our last round 2 years ago. We paid a reasonable price and were pleased to not have any waiting time. Due to the continuing Corona slowdown the pace of play was quick and there was no waiting.

This course has benefitted from the corona rest, recovering from the really overplayed condition of 2019. The staff were friendly compared to earlier years as well. The greens were in good condition and fairly easy to read. Its back on our to play regularly list.

Lovely lush fairways on most holes. Greens in good condition, slightly slow which made them easier for us. Nothing really negative to say.

A lovely course with very nice fairways for the most part. The greens were in good shape, although slower than we remembered from earlier years. The holes down near the ocean are super scenic.

On the plus side, there are 3 9 hole courses to choose from. You can also chose from normal, twilight or early bird bookings. In addition, range balls are included in the green fee. The range itself offers a short game area that is large enough. The course is in good condition, with the occasional divot hole on the fairway or hard area around the green (found on almost all courses in the region). The greens are fine.

Love the early bird play on this course. Finishing 18 holes in less than 4 hours (walking) without any stress or waiting is a pleasure. The course is in fair to good condition and the greens in good to excellent condition. There are some interesting holes to keep things from getting boring. There are 3 different 9 holes, of which we played the pines and olives. The driving range would be the best in the area if they would replace the carpet covering - it tends to be too hard. There is a short game area which is large enough.

On the positive side, very friendly reception and helpful starter. The course lies fully in nature with views unobstructed by real estate development. Unfortunately, while the fairways are easily playable and the greens in decent condition, the course cant really be considered in good condition. In addition, the pace of play was slow to say the least. The first 9 went okay, but holes 10 to 12 took almost one hour to play. That and the extremely strong winds led to to stop after 12 holes. A pity, as the course layout was interesting and the conditions playable.

Of all the courses we have played in the Algarve (at least 12), the VdL courses and the Royal in particular have the best fairways. It is such a pleasure to be able to hit a ball from grass and not stubble or cut-to-the-level-of baldness so-called fairways. The greens are immaculate, although not lightning fast (which we dont need anyway). There were a few hard areas around the greens, but not nearly as many as on every other course in the region. The course has many great holes and only a couple which seem squeezed into the landscape.

The course is in decent condition (some of the fairways on the Pines 9 holes are a little ratty, but not terrible). The greens are in good shape and puttable. Finishing with a par 3 is not usual. The course offers early bird tee times, which mean faster play (not to mention lower prices).

More like a 3.5 to 4. Good value for money. Greens were in very good condition, while the fairways were occasionally a bit ratty. Winter rules were posted, which was helpful. An enjoyable round and not too crowded so no waiting.

The course is in excellent condition, with the nicest fairways (mostly) in the area. We really enjoy this course except perhaps for hole 17. Playing the early bird slots are best, as there is generally no waiting and we can finish the course in 3 hours.

Nice course to play, with ocean views on several holes. Layout on the first 9 compact at times - we heard fore a lot. Fairways were in pretty good shape. Greens were in good condition, but the areas just outside the greens alternated between clumps of long grass and rock hard dry spots. This is not terrible, but could be better. With the course fully booked, we had 5 hours to finish.

Along with San Lorenzo, this course has benefitted from the corona rest. The fairways were no longer brownish and thin of grass. Lovely to play without any pressure from behind. Greens were fine - nothing to complain about. Our buggy was rather old.