Discover a golfer’s paradise with beautiful courses and mouthwatering food in the Algarve

AS a seasonal golfer, my clubs tend to take refuge in the loft come winter.

But this year, determined to get a few last sunkissed rounds in, I headed for the warmer climes of the Algarve.

After a short 20-minute transfer from Faro Airport, I headed straight to the first tee of Laranjal golf course, within the Quinta do Lago resort.

It’s one of three courses on the site – and boy is it beautiful. The famous Laranjal orange trees line the beautiful, manicured fairway.

The other courses are the North and the South – which hosted the Portuguese Open back in 2001.

Sadly, my European Tour ambitions took a knock as I sliced my first shot right onto the 18th.

The fact that I was playing with a young lad from Holland who was due to turn pro next year didn’t help.

Never mind – they say your worst day of golf is better than a good day at the office and that’s particularly true if you’re in the Algarve.

I headed off the green to the superb accommodation, hoping a good night’s sleep would bring me out of the rough.

Our base was Martinhal Quinta, an exclusive collection of townhouses and villas, just 10 minutes’ drive from the course.

We stayed in a huge luxury pad, complete with a gorgeous garden and private pool. There’s also a restaurant and endless shuttle services to the nearby beach, lake and beyond.

Quinta do Lago’s world-renowned golf courses are matched by outstanding practice facilities, with a state-of-the-art TaylorMade Performance Centre.

It’s not just about the golf, though. The local food and, of course, the renowned Portuguese wines are to die for. The Bovino Steakhouse, which imports its beef from Ireland and hangs it in salted cellars to help the ageing process, is highly recommended.

So too is Casa Velha, which offered an eight-course gastronomical education.

And the stunning views over the golf courses and the lake enhanced the experience wonderfully.

The rack of lamb was superb and melted in the mouth. Just what was needed to recharge the batteries after a morning on the fairway.

Thankfully, after three days of struggles on the fairways, we managed to find some time to hit the beach.

The lovely golden sands stretch along the coast to Vale do Lobo and the sandstone cliffs provide a beautiful backdrop.

Brilliant for sunbathing, this little beach is great for adrenaline-fuelled watersports too. And the beach bar has its perks for the peckish, serving up fresh fish caught in the waters right in front of you.

Test your sea legs by taking a boat trip or, if you’re feeling flush, even charter a yacht.

We opted for the cheaper option, hiring quad bikes and hitting the Portuguese hillsides.

Our guide Nuno knew the area like the back of his hand and was able to show us some hidden gems.

The entire resort is built on the Natural Park of Ria Formosa – regarded as one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. Migrating birds such as flamingos make it a haven for twitchers, while within the shallow waters lies the world’s largest population of seahorses.

But if the serene sanctuary all gets a bit too much and you crave a return to civilisation, you can always jump in a taxi to Faro.

Many visitors only pass through this underrated city, which is a real pity because it has a more authentic Portuguese feel to it than other towns in the Algarve.

A meander round the attractive marina, well-maintained parks and plazas, and historic old town full of pedestrian lanes and outdoor cafes really was a treat.

With such great golf and weather only a three-hour flight away, it would be wrong not to come back once my golf game has improved.

Next time, I’m hoping for that hole in one!

Golf packages at the Martinhal, including three nights accommodation and three rounds of golf, start from €403 per person.

Offer valid until December 28, 2016, and from January 1 to March 31, 2017. For more information, visit www.quintadolago.com

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