West Cliffs Golf Course – Portugal

West Cliffs - 10th hole

West Cliffs was one of my most anticipated courses that I had the privilege to play on the Silver Coast last week.  It is currently ranked #2 in Portugal by Leading Courses as well as many other international golf publications.  This course was designed by Cynthia Dye, the niece of legendary architect Pete Dye. If she is any like this course, I would say she is feisty, mischievous with a great sense of humour but takes you a little time to get to know her.

To start with most holes have forced carries over no-man's land and the ginormous greens have crazy undulations. This course is not for the faint at heart so expect to lose a few balls along the way.  I would highly suggest that you check your ego at the door and play from a more forward tee block to get the most enjoyment out of your round.

Remember it’s not always about your score, it is the comradery and the experience that makes a round so memorable.  And what an experience it was.

The 5th is one my most memorable holes, a very short par-3 but the green is extremely punishing. (I four putted it from the front edge)

The 6th has one of the highest vantage points with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and course directly in front of you. This long par-5 requires a drive over a valley and still avoid the two large bunkers on the left.

#9 is a reachable risk/reward par-4 however you must contend with a large pond all the way down the one side on this dogleg left. The smart play is to layup to the left leaving you with a short approach to the putting surface.

I found the back nine to have more spectacular views of the ocean, but the 16th and 17th are probably my least favourite holes. 16 is a very short uphill par-3 over a mound to a semi-blind green. Don’t be left or you will find yourself trying to escape a difficult deep bunker. #17 is an extreme dogleg right that must clear the corner to have any chance of seeing the putting surface. Anything short and you are left with a blind approach over a hill.  A big score can be had as I can attest to.

The toughest hole on the course, and my personal favourite, is the 18th with the best views of the clubhouse and oceanfront. You tee off from the top of what could be a ski hill on this a double dogleg. You must trust your tee shot to carry over the mound on the left if you want to attempt this par-4 in two. Otherwise hit a utility club to the right and layup to the left of the huge pond to get the best angle on a green that juts out onto a peninsula.  An up and down for par is a good score otherwise big numbers can be had if you try to attack this green.

Overall, I’d say the course was in excellence condition considering we were playing in mid-November. The jagged edged bunkers are surrounded by fescue so you would rather be hitting out of the consistent sand. The rough was short but the dense prickly gorse is almost impossible to find your ball and even harder to hit out of.  The greens are enormous and somewhat resemble a roller-coaster ride. I will guarantee you at least three 3-putts. There are plenty of uneven lies and elevation changes so you need to use a power cart here or maybe an ATV would be better suited.

This a must play golf course if you are under a 20 handicap or just like to be punished now and then.