Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta

Rarely does a new course create as much excitement and anticipation as the new Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta. Opening in fall 2023, the early expectation is this could quickly become the new number-one golf course on mainland Europe. Designed by legendary golf architect David McLay-Kidd of Bandon Dunes, St Andrews Castle Course, and Machrihanish Dunes fame.

Originally started in 2007, the project was put on ice following the 2008 financial crisis, until around 5 years ago, when McLay-Kidd returned to this idyllic stretch of natural linksland to complete the full 18 with the support of new investors.

Blessed with over 200 acres of coastal dunes, running alongside Praia do Pego beach and the Atlantic Ocean, McLay-Kidd’s team implemented sustainable construction techniques to ensure the natural habitat remained a core feature of the new course.

Blending the existing white sands, bushland and pine forests with pristine, lush playing surfaces has created a unique and enticing identity for Dunas. The design, at one with the natural topography of the dunes, creates an effortless flow, with only gentle undulations following the contours of the land. It is also one of the few courses on mainland Europe with fescue grass, the same as you will find on links courses in the UK and Ireland.

The course is designed to be playable from the tee, with the sand wasteland a more forgiving penalty than thick rough or woodland, a very deliberate design feature of McLay-Kidd. However, that is not to say the layout isn’t testing, with cross and center-line bunkers cleverly positioned.

On almost every tee box, the teeing area flows from back to front without interruption, like a ribbon of grass moving down the hole which adds to the natural feel. Around the greens, the run-offs provide the choice of putting from a distance, playing a chip shot, or a bump and run.

One of the feature holes is the short par 3, 17th. While it’s only a pitching wedge in hand, leaving anything short or right of the green will require a tremendous recovery shot out of the bunker/waste area to make par.

The setup offers six tee’s, ranging from 4,200 to 7,200 yards, allowing for the course to be played and enjoyed by all standards. The scale of the site also permits large green complexes, creating varied pin locations, another key factor in successful scoring.

The course exudes quality from the moment you arrive. The practice area and driving range have the same look and feel as the holes on the golf course. The putting green is huge and offers every type of putt you will see during your round. The current setup also includes a pro shop, and a restaurant, with the full clubhouse due to follow in 2025. Being one of the first to experience Dunas will also mean you get to play the course in its truest form before any further development impedes the natural beauty and purity of the layout.

Work has also begun on a sister course, Torre, designed by European golf legend Sergio Garcia. Also scheduled to open in 2025, the two courses at Terras da Comporta are set to rival any duo on the continent.

Ideally located an hour south of Lisbon, Terras da Comporta is an unmissable stop on an Algarve to Lisbon tour.