Vilamoura (Millennium) - Algarve - Portugal

I played Millenium in March 2018. It has two distinct sections, holes 1-2 & 8-18 are on more open and relatively flat land, whilst holes 3-7 across the road follow the more typical Algarve style of design similar to that of Pinhal, routed through undulating terrain and narrowly framed by the pines. I found the thirteen holes on the main grounds to be good, yet somewhat average in the overall context of the quality of the courses at Vilamoura, apart maybe from the 18th. However, the five hole stretch across the road, as five hole stretches go, is arguably up there with the best of which you will find anywhere in the Algarve. These five holes alone make Millenium worth the visit alone, which is saying a lot I think.

The stretch in question consists of two par threes, two par fours and a par five, with stroke indexes ranging from 1 to 13, its variety therefore clearly adding to the appeal of this five hole mini-course. In different character to the rest of the course, each hole in this section is set more apart from the others, framed and enclosed by seemingly older and taller pines and some very nice properties on either sides. The par three 3rd is long, flat and parallel with the road, a nice introduction, then the 4th is where it really starts to impress, a sweeping uphill par five with tall trees encroaching ball flight at various points to influence shot choice. The 5th hole, the hardest on the course, is a tremendous downhill slight dogleg left par four, with a meandering fairway guarded by trees placing a premium on accuracy off the tee to find the right position to have a shot at the green. The par three 6th is another beauty, measuring to a maximum of 150 yards, the green is diagonally shaped at a right to left 45 degree angle from front to back and is protected by a similar shaped pond. The 7th is the final hole of this majestic mini-course and is sumptuous downhill par four, the drive in particular inviting a big hit but the tree-lines can again play havoc with your approach if you don't find the right spot on the fairway.

The remainder of the course seemed so bland to me in comparison that it is hardly worth discussing. Others may disagree, but this is my lasting memory of Millenium. The 18th is a good hole no doubt, a par five that twists to the right at the approach with a pond left of the green. Come to Millenium yes, but try asking if you can play a loop of holes 3-7 three times over!

To concur with other reviewers, this is perfectly acceptable entry level resort golf, but nothing to get excited about.

The holes through the umbrella pines look great - and dominate the marketing material for the course. However, most of the course is pretty open and bland, and is indistinguishable from Laguna.

Everyone is welcome here, so this is a good course for beginners. But the consequence of this is very slow rounds....

Interesting course but sadly in very poor condition, greens were the worst I have played on in some years, bumpy and full of disease which made putting an absolute lottery. Tees were in the main threadbare and bunkers variable. We were charged a full green fee and were refused a reduction when we complained about the course conditions.

The course is fine, yet unremarkable.It would suit if you were on a budget and/or in a mixed party with higher handicappers as is fairly open.It's a decent test but not tight, picturesque or varied as other courses in Vilamoura.Didn't play Lagune, but it's right next door and appeared similar, so would definitely play one or the other, but not both.

Played here and nearby Salgados on my visit a couple of years and was impressed. Very nice course which is very new with a good layout. There are some weak holes but there are some strong ones as well particularly on the front 9 where holes 3 to 8 are carved out through the lovely pine trees. The par 3 7th in particular is a beauty a lovely 120 yard 1 shotter downhill to a small sloping green fronted by a wonderful pond and water fountain. The 17th and 18th are also very good holes but this course is definitely a budget course which is still nice but their are far better courses in the area most of them being part of the Oceanico group so it depends how much you want to spend.

Played the millennium 3 weeks ago along with 19 other golfers, the 1st course in a tour of 5 courses around the vilamoura area. While its a perfectly playable course in a decent condition (excepting the slow greens) i found it a very unremarkable course devoid of much variation and excitement. Front nine consisted of one interesting hole the strong par4 7th but most holes were wide open short holes devoid of any challenges and risk taking. All par 3's required nothing more a pitching wedge or nine iron and i didn't feel challenged or wowed on any of them. If your'e in the area for a week and looking for a "budget" course i suggest the more interesting and under rated neighbour laguna course.

This course - it has to be said - was a bit of a disappointment. With the name 'Vilamoura' on its boards you'd expect it to be of some sort of quality but it wasn't. I would say around 6 of the holes, from about the 3rd to the 9th, were classy, the rest were very ordinary and open with little features to make them memorable. The fairways were dry and hard in many places, as if the fairway sprinklers were not in use. The greens on some of the holes were pretty scabby. Also the distances between the tees were a long walk on many occasions. The clubhouse itself was ok, but the outside seating was very sparse, and after a hot slog round this course, you don't want to sit 'indoors' Aircon or not. We had a slow round too because of some old duffers who had clearly escaped the marshalls so all in all it wasn't the greatest golfing experience in the world. Its a shame because its a track that does have some potential, and it does have some nice holes. But I won't be rushing back.

Vilamoura has a really nice feel to the place, five courses are open and the Millennium was the fourth. First couple of holes are new and look new; holes 3 through 7 are great through the umbrella pines and then 8 and 9 are on the same ground as the first two. It feels a little disjointed front nine with the middle five of these so much better. The back nine is pretty good with some nice holes but I had a feeling that the course just did not lift me enough to give it more than a 3-ball rating.

A very enjoyable round in hot conditions, though there are some longish walks from green to tee so a buggy is advisable even though the course is fairly flat. 3 4 5 6 and 7 especially are extremely picturesque as they wind through the umbrella pines and stunning new villas which are being built here. Well worth a visit if you're in the Vilamoura area.