Owner: Praia Del Rei

Architect: Cynthia Dye

Par: 72

Holes: 18

Region: Lisbon, Portugal

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As you arrive at this stunning location around an hours drive north of Portugal's capital city, Lisbon, you immediately know you are in for an incredible round of golf. As you near the course the road gives way to stunning sand dunes and clifftops that break into the Atlantic Ocean. A buggy is a must here unless you are a mountain goat and the first few holes encircle the first, and largest, of 3 lakes. You couldn't really call the course a traditional links course although holes 6 through 8 and 10 through 12 are as close as you can get without being on the beach itself and the wind can cause all kinds of challenges for those who are not used to links golf play.

If you keep it straight and low in the wind the front 9 can leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling and the scenery is stunning. The back 9 plays away from the beach and can give your drives a real helping hand, which comes as a blessing on the long 13th, the back 9 also offers an extra hazard of brush between the tee and fairway so you need to make sure you're hitting the target as if you find yourself in the light sand and dense gorse bushes, finding your ball will be the least of your worries.

The course itself is in pristine condition and the incredible clubhouse, pro-shop and bar-restaurant are a wonder to behold, with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Beaches and back 9 we feel it is probably one of the best contemporary clubhouses in Portugal. The West Cliff golf course is part of the Praia D'El Rey group and in the area of several courses and hotels of varying standards that will make a golf break to this particular part of Portugal one you will never forget and will return to time and time again.

We cannot recommend this course enough it is a challenge even for the best golfer, surrounded by incredible natural beauty, located in an area of the silver coast that has multiple courses and close enough to Lisbon City Centre to either base yourself there and drive the hour to the course or combine a city break with an overnight stay and two rounds of golf at West Cliff and Praia D'El Rey.