Palheiro - Madeira & Porto Santo - Portugal
29 Rua do Balancal,
9060-414 Funchal,
Madeira,
Portugal
+351 (0) 291 790 126
3 km W of Funchal
Welcome - contact in advance
Eduardo Miguel Andrade Gouveia
Edgar Rodrigues
Madeira – “the pearl of the north Atlantic” – is a popular holiday choice for many and visiting golfers make full use of the two top golf complexes on the island; the 27-hole Santo da Serra layout that Robert Trent Jones designed and the wonderful 18-hole course here at Palheiro, where the tree-lined fairways are routed in a figure of eight from an impressive clubhouse that overlooks the layout. Laid out by Cabell Robinson, the course is set within a beautiful 200-year old property that sits a few miles to the east of Funchal, overlooking the sparkling waters of the bay and the distant uninhabited Desertas Islands. Holes wind through pine forest and around botanical gardens in the Palheiro Estate where frequent changes in elevation offer great ocean views. Four of the five par five holes are played on the back nine so it’s not surprising to learn that the inward half plays more than 700 yards longer than the front nine. The 140-yard 13th is the only one of the five par threes that plays uphill and it heralds a tricky run for home that ends with a pair of stout par fours and a downhill par five at the 18th. |
Reviews for Palheiro
Played the course several times whilst staying at the adjacent Casa Velha da Palheiro. The golf package is a really good option, giving unlimited access and an easy hop onto the course at the tea room half way house. We were there in July and the course was quiet, so never any problems in getting on.
Quite a hilly layout (not a surprise in Madeira!) with fantastic views out to the Atlantic and down to Funchal. In July the fairways were extremely dry, so lots of roll and some ‘interesting’ bounces. The front 9 is by far the shorter; tight in some places with 3 par 3s. The back 9 lengthens, balancing up with more par 5s but several are reachable in 2, particularly with the super dry fairways. A number of shots are blind, and the slopes often result in it being extremely challenging to keep the ball on the fairway. However the rough isn’t too punitive and losing balls isn’t a big problem. There’s a good variety of holes with some interesting shot selections to be made.
Course condition was a little bit scrappy when we were there, partly down to the really dry weather. Maintenance focus was clearly on the greens, which were all in very good nick. Quite fast and true. Bunkers were a bit short on sand and often very hard packed. Lots of stones in them too, so my sand wedge was left with multiple scars! A decent selection of tee boxes, with a reasonable advantage and good bail out areas off the reds. For relatively low handicaps I’d strongly recommend playing off the whites. A much better challenge. When we played one hole (16th) was playing short as some netting was being installed to protect some adjacent properties. Also a new driving range and practice facility was being constructed. This looks like covering a big area, so should be good when it’s done.
All in all quite an enjoyable course, made better by the hole in 1 I got on the 11th!
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from Alan Gibb
This was my first experience of golf on the island of Madeira, and it was most certainly an unforgettable one. The rolling hills surrounding Funchal offer spectacular scenes as you battle the slopes of Palheiro Golf Club.
We teed off at the crack of dawn, and even with the 30 degree midday temperatures, we had to wrap up as the sea breeze hit hard and the dew was still fresh on the fairways to give us a brisk welcome. It's a constant battle with club selection here with the wind coming in hard and severe elevation changes on every hole - a real test of golfing ability!
The highlights of the round for me came for me during the front 9 on holes 3 and 6. The 3rd is a severely downhill par 3 offering a panoramic view over the city played 180 yards from the Whites but only needed a 9 iron - truly one to take in. The 6th is a long but reachable par 5 with a green that's heavily guarded with bunkers. It was a tester that rewarded those who went after it.
The course was a joy to play - admittedly, conditions could be better, and if you can only play one round, be sure to try Santo de Serra, but it was a really enjoyable round. I'd definitely recommend stopping by here if you get the chance to play twice on your break!
** A note on the club - if you are staying in a hotel in Funchal, the chances are you can get a hefty discount from them, so be sure to book before playing!
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from Marcus Bacon
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from charles williams
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from Richard Sims
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from Patrick Skakel
Respond to above review
Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful
See other reviews from Keith Baxter