The Millennium Course has a particularly open layout, although some holes (3rd to the 7th) wind between pine trees and are similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Old Course and Pinhal. The area is more wooded, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy, while the rest of the course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes.
With thousands of golfers travelling here every year to play these stunning courses, the arrival of the Millennium Course has made Vilamoura one of the main European golf destinations. Holes from the neighbouring Laguna course were used to form part of Millennium Golf. The well-established UK golf Architects Hawtree & Sons were contracted to plan this modification and design work which has culminated in the creation of the new, exciting 18-hole Millennium Golf Course.
Refurbishment to the existing nine holes commenced in May 1999 and included the complete rebuilding of the tees, greens and bunkers. Changes were made to the layout or structure of the old nine holes, but several new design features were incorporated with a view to simplifying the strategy of the course and in order to make it more golfer-friendly.
The course starts with a dog-leg right with pine trees to the right tempting long hitters to carry. However, there are strategically placed bunkers ready to catch a wayward shot and caution is advised. The par 3 6th is a visually delightful hole to play but watch out for the lake to the left. The par 4 7th is perhaps the most challenging hole in the front nine with trees and uneven ground creating confusion. An accurate drive will overcome these difficulties.
The back nine starts gently with a generous green and a rolling fairway. The par 5 11th has bunkers along the fairway to catch the unwary and the par 4 16th will tempt you to play to the right of the fairway, but watch out for the bunker. The 18th is now a par 5 and big hitters will be tempted to reach the green in two and finish on a high with an ‘eagle'.
What our customers say about Vilamoura Millennium
"Millennium was the best course we played. Staff were very, very helpful and the course was in in 1st class condition." Mr Lightfoot