A COOL NINE HOLES

Get your summer golf fix at Vale de Milho Golf

A short and challenging nine-hole course is about as much as most holiday golfers can manage during the day in the middle of summer. Vale de Milho, a very attractive 9 hole course with the ambiance of a full sized course, east of Carvoeiro, is such a place. Ideal for inexperienced players as well as more advanced golfers wanting to practice their short game, the wellmaintained par-3 layout was designed by Dave Thomas, the former Ryder Cup player. At just 926 metres long, many golfers find it surprisingly challenging as the distance and difficulties posed by each hole varies considerably; the shortest is 60 metres, the longest 164 metres. The course has 9 holes but there are 18 tees, so a full 18 holes can be played. Stunning sea views from some of the holes add to the charm. A round can be comfortably played in an hour and a half, before or after the sun gets too high during the midsummer months, when a normal 18 hole course can be seriously hard work. Everything is very relaxed at Vale do Milho. You don’t need a handicap, all the necessary golf equipment is available for hire and the green fees are very reasonable. Lessons are available and teaching facilities include a four-bay driving range and an area for pitching, chipping, sand play and putting.