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Espiche Golf

Opened in 2012 and designed by South African architect Peter Sauerman, Espiche Golf is an 18-hole, par 72 course built within a protected nature reserve five minutes from Lagos.

6,441 Yards

Par 72

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Key Information

Western Algarve Golf, Raw and Rewarding

Espiche Golf opened in 2012 with a clear brief: build a course that works with the land rather than against it. Peter Sauerman, the South African architect behind the design, took that seriously. The fairways wind between indigenous olive, fig, and almond trees, around natural lakes and streams, across rolling terrain that uses the natural contours of the site rather than manufactured ones. The result is a course that feels genuinely connected to the western Algarve countryside – something that is harder to find here than it should be.

The layout sits entirely within a protected nature reserve, and the environmental credentials are well-earned. Espiche was one of the first courses in Portugal designed from the outset as an eco-resort, preserving indigenous flora and fauna throughout the property. The Gecko Restaurant in the award-winning clubhouse handles post-round food and drinks well, with 360-degree views across the course and the surrounding Algarvian countryside.

at a glance

Lagos, Portugal

6,441 Yards

Par 72

Peter Sauerman Design

Deals

2027 Early Booking OfferTravel in 2027

Book by 30th September 2026
Price valid:3 Jan – 15 Feb 2027Departs:Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
3 Nights at NH Lagos Algarve Resort
Bed & Breakfast
2 rounds

2 Rounds on Espiche Golf with Buggies Included

Now From£249pp

Accommodation Options

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Discover Algarve

Key Information

Espiche is not a course that lets you switch off. Sauerman designed it as a shot-maker’s track, and that description holds up. The fairways are narrow in places, particularly on the longer par 4s and par 5s, and the indigenous scrub bordering them offers little mercy. Hit it offline on a windy afternoon and you will likely be dropping a ball rather than playing out. Here are some key facts about Espiche:

  • Opened in 2012
  • Course Rating – 70.2
  • Slope Rating – 126
  • Ideal playing windows – Spring & Autumn

 

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Tour Gallery

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Why Play at Espiche Golf?

What sets Espiche apart from the bulk of Algarve courses is the sense of place. This is not a manufactured resort layout dropped onto cleared land. The trees, the streams, the rolling terrain – all of it was there before the course was built, and Sauerman’s design respects that throughout. Playing here feels different to the wide-open, manicured layouts further east along the coast. It’s rawer, more natural, and more interesting for it.

The award-winning clubhouse, designed by architect Nadine Berger, is one of the best in Portugal. Two levels of terraces, a garden courtyard, and panoramic views from every angle. The Gecko Restaurant inside is a cut above the average post-round meal, with seasonal dishes built around local and Mediterranean ingredients. It’s worth arriving early and worth staying late.

Two honest notes. Buggies book up quickly during the busy season from April to October – reserving one in advance is advisable rather than assuming availability on the day. The course also gets busy at weekends, which can slow the pace. Mid-week rounds are noticeably smoother.

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