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Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course: Walkthrough

Discover the Challenges of the Championship Course

1st Hole (par 4)

Tee: Your drive will need to avoid the bunker on the right-hand side.

2. Shot : A mid-iron second shot to the green.

3. Shot: Avoid the bunker at the right-hand side.

Green: Stay away from the right-hand bunker and you're on to a winner.

 

2nd Hole (Par 4)

Tee: This hole requires an accurate drive with a slight fade... taking care to avoid the bunkers to the left.

2 Shot: If your drive is long you can try a mid-iron to the green, otherwise a short shot to the creek is recommended.

3. Shot: PW / SW to the green.

Green: Watch out for the creek in front of the green.

 

3rd Hole (Par 4)

Tee: Take a 3-wood and then a short iron to the narrow green which has bunkers ahead.

Green: The narrow green is well protected by bunkers.

 

4th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: An accurate straight drive avoiding the right bunker will enable you to attack the green with a mid-iron.

2. Shot: Select a mid-iron to attack the green.

Green: Short and well protected by bunkers on both sides.

 

5th Hole (Par 5)

Tee: A precise and straight drive is required. If you want, attack the green with the second shot.

2. Shot: From here, a long drive to the green may be attempted. Another option is a mid-iron to the right of the green, then PW/ SW to the green.

Green: Large water hazard in front, with a slope leading towards the lake.

 

6th Hole (Par 3)

Tee: A good tee shot is required to reach the green which is protected by 3 bunkers - front, left and right.

Green: Well protected by 3 bunkers.

 

7th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: Short hole with a creek 200m from the tee means a hearty drive off the tee is required.

2. Shot: The safe option is to take a mid-iron to the area before the water... then irons 8, 9 & PW to the green, which is surrounded by bunkers in front and on the right.

 

8th Hole (Par 3)

Tee: A large green that is not too difficult and protected by 2 bunkers ahead and on the right. Requires a long or mid-iron.

Green: Large and not too difficult, but protected by bunkers.

 

9th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: Requires an accurate drive with a slight fade.

2. Shot: The second shot should be with a long iron / Fairway Wood to the narrow, long and well protected green.

Green: Narrow, long and well protected on the left and right two-tier green.

 

10th Hole (Par 5)

Tee: Dog leg to the right, requires an accurate drive and a slight fade.

2. Shot: Requires a Fairway Wood to cross the creek that bisects the Fairway.

3. Shot: 9 -iron or PW / SW to the green.

Green: Small and well protected by bunkers all around.

 

11th Hole (Par 5)

Tee: Dog leg to the left. Drive the ball to the right to pass the large tree and huge bunker at the left side with your second shot.

2. Shot: Fairway Wood to the left of the tree and the huge bunker.

3. Shot: Requires a 9 -iron or PW / SW to the green.

Green: Long and narrow green, protected by bunkers to the left and right.

 

12th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: The most difficult hole of the course, requiring a straight drive to avoid the bunker left of the fairway.

2. Shot: Pinpoint accuracy is required to carry the ball 60 metres over the water in front of the green.

3. Shot: Should your drive fall short, a short-iron to the area in front of the lake is recommended, followed by a 9-iron or PW/ SW to the green

Green: Watch out for the bunkers and the slope that heads towards the water.

 

13th Hole (Par 3)

Tee: One of the most demanding holes of the course. It requires a long-iron and a well struck shot slightly to the centre-left of the green to avoid the lake.

 

14th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: this hole requires a drive to the left of the water, encroaching along the right-hand side and taking care to avoid the out of bounds to the left.

2. Shot: The second shot requires a mid-iron to the green which is guarded by two bunkers to the left and right.

Green: Small, elevated and well protected by bunkers.

 

15th Hole (Par 4)

Tee: A good strike with a 3-wood or 4-iron is required here.

2. Shot: 9-iron or PW/ SW

Green: Very well protected by several bunkers in front and to both sides.

 

16th Hole (Par 3)

Tee: This hole requires a tee shot to thread through the small gap between the creek on the left and out of bounds just 10 metres from the green. Should be played slightly to the right.

Water Hazard: Crossing the Fairway. Attention... out of bounds at the left-hand side

Green: Protected by bunkers in front and with a slope towards the water.

 

17th Hole (Par 5)

Tee: A drive from the tee leads over a creek 180 metres away.

2. Shot: Requires a Fairway Wood, then a PW / SW to reach the substantial green.

Green: Protected by two bunkers on the left-hand side.

 

18th Hole (Par 5)

Tee: The final hole requires a good drive to avoid the bunker on the right 200 metres away. Be careful of the creek that crosses the Fairway 250 metres from the tee.

2. Shot: Requires a Fairway Wood to the green, which is well guarded by bunkers to the left and right.

Green: A mid-iron to the area just before the bunkers... then attack the green with a PW /SW.

 

Exterior View of Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Exterior View of Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course: Walkthrough

Known as one of the most challenging – and satisfying – courses in the whole of Portugal, this marquee course is as unforgiving as it is beautiful. Flanked by streams, ditches and water hazards, the course is maintained to the highest standard… and boasts an extensive array of subtle slopes, elevated greens and breathtaking scenery.

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Greenery on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Greenery on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course: History

Designed and completed in 1966 by the great Sir Henry Cotton, the course stands as a shining example to golfing architecture and one man's passion for the great game of golf. Whether the former championship golfer had any inkling of the mark he was laying down when he first began implementing his vision upon the Algarve paddy fields from which his course sprung, we don't know... what we do know is the staggering extent of the legacy that he created.

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Water on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Water on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course: Rules & Specifications

The rules followed on the Sir Henry Thomas Cotton Championship Course are those of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews... and there are a variety of different tee positions to reflect your ability. However, whatever your level, this is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable courses you will ever play.

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Reflections on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Reflections on the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course

Known as one of the most challenging – and satisfying – courses in the whole of Portugal, this marquee course is as unforgiving as it is beautiful. Flanked by streams, ditches and water hazards, the course is maintained to the highest standard… and boasts an extensive array of subtle slopes, elevated greens and breathtaking scenery.

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Sunset at the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Sunset at the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Resort Course

A great combination course that provides 9 holes of solid, but gentle, practice for beginners… as well as 18 holes of challenging golf for the more seasoned player. With 18 well thought out holes, this course follows the principles laid down by the father of Portuguese golf, Sir Henry Cotton: the perfect course for golfers of every level and ability.

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Hole 5 on the Academy Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort
Hole 5 on the Academy Course at Penina Hotel and Golf Resort

Academy Course

Weaving its way through the fairways of the Championship Course, this executive 9-hole course has been specifically designed for the intermediate golfer. Great for all-round holiday golf and a very enjoyable round. With reasonable short greens, accuracy off the tee, along with approach shots, provide all players a chance to practice their short game with aplomb.

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