First impressions?
You drive in through a forest that suddenly opens up and – boom – ocean view. Fairways roll like dunes, which makes sense, cause, well, dunes. There’s this constant contrast between raw nature and neat design. The course is clean, slick, but never sterile. You can smell the sea and feel the breeze (okay, wind – let’s be honest).

It’s a links-style layout but with a Portuguese twist. Think: dry grass, coastal cliffs, bunkers with attitude, and that golden sunlight that hits different after 4pm. It looks peaceful. It’s not.

And the 16th hole?
Yea. That one. You step up and just kinda… pause. It’s stunning. Tee box feels like it’s dangling over the edge of the world. You’ve got ocean to your left, wind in your ears, and a fairway that leans like it doesn’t really want to help you out. But when you catch a clean shot – oof. Feels like flying.

Some holes play inland, through forested bits that give you a tiny break from the wind, and then BAM – another cliffside beauty to humble you again. It’s a rollercoaster of ego checks and "wow" moments.

A few gripes tho:
It’s a bit pricey. Like, you’ll notice. Green fees + caddie + maybe a buggy if it’s too hot = oof. But hey, you’re paying for the view, the drama, and the bragging rights. Also, if you're a bit off your game, it’ll hurt – accuracy here matters. Spray your shots and you’re either in the sand, the bushes, or basically halfway to Lisbon.

Vibe check:
Chill. Staff are cool, not pretentious. Everyone smiles like they’ve seen this view a million times but still love it. Clubhouse? Modern, minimalist, with good food and strong espresso (you’ll need one before the back nine). Locals mix with visitors, and no one cares what your handicap is – unless you start bragging. Don’t.