This is not going to be easy -- it's something like the father with 4 beautiful daughters, who is asked, which is his favorite? It's an impossible question to answer. The problem is quite the same on The Algarve -- you have over 30 courses to choose from and there isn't a mediocre one among them. In fact they are all very good and those that aren't, are either excellent or simply, out of this world.

Welcome to The Algarve, a golfing heaven like no other. In the space of little more than 40 years, this sun-blessed stretch of picture perfect coastline has positioned itself as one of the truly important international centers of The Royal & Ancient game. The world's most respected golf architects have fallen over each other in their eagerness to ensure they leave their signature on at least one course in the amazing collection of design masterpieces that are showcased here. Deciding which to play and which to miss, is not an easy task.

There is of course, no definitive answer of which must be played and certainly none that should be avoided - no matter which 5 or 6 layouts you might choose, there is some consolation in knowing whatever your selection, you will never be wrong.

If this is your very first visit to The Algarve, it's a good idea is to base yourself in the Central Algarve, where you will have half of all of the region's courses within a brief, 20 minute drive of your hotel with most even closer. If you are tempted to explore more of this intriguing coastline, the Eastern Algarve and the Spanish border are less than an hour's drive away. Here you will find another half dozen top quality courses including Seve Ballesteros' amazing new design at Quinta do Vale and an equally impressive layout at Castro Marim.

In the opposite direction, Europe's westernmost point at Cape St. Vincent, is only a little more than an hour's drive and along the way you will be passing a further dozen examples of The Algarve's golfing wealth. Especially noteworthy and well worth playing is Sir Henry Cotton's masterly design at Penina, the very first course on The Algarve that started the golf boom when it first opened in 1966. Just like a fine Portuguese wine, this grand-daddy of Algarve golf only gets better with age.

Back in the Central Algarve, you will find an endless array of quality hotels to choose as your base and there's something to fit every budget. They range from the plushest of luxury palaces, to smart first class properties, to more modest but thoroughly charming, local guesthouse accommodations. Remember, with our strong dollar buying 20% more today than a year ago, you can probably afford to spoil yourself, even if it's just a tad and there's no better place to splurge on vacation than on your hotel accommodations.

If you are planning on spending as much time as possible playing golf and prefer a hotel or resort with its own course or in some cases, more than one course, there is a good selection to choose from.

The resort of Vilamoura with five, championship layouts calling out to be played, also offers a selection of no less than ten, 4 and 5 star hotels, all with easy access to the courses, including two of Portugal's top ranked tracks.

The Oceanico Victoria is from the drafting board of our own Arnold Palmer and considered his best design ever. The course is the current host to the European Tour's prestigious, Portugal Masters Tournament, which takes place in October. The Victoria is long and tough, so be prepared. The noted British architect, Frank Pennink was responsible for the design of The Oceanico Old Course, which opened in 1969 and has been a frequent host to another European Tour event, The Portuguese Open. This is a firm favorite with regular visitors to The Algarve and for good reason, it's a classic, filled with character and personality and it's a testy challenge.

Just outside of the Vilamoura Estate is the Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort, an elegant 5 star hotel with a state of the art, health and beauty spa and 27 holes of championship golf designed by another noted English golf architect, Donald Steel. This distinctly British layout, with its perfectly natural flow is approachable by all levels of players, despite its somewhat frightening, opening holes. Keep your head, stick to the prescribed path of rather narrow fairways and success will be yours.

The Sheraton Algarve is a spectacularly designed hotel, taken straight from The Arabian Nights, enjoying a stunning, cliff-top location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The accompanying Pine Cliffs Course may only offer nine holes, but don't scoff -- this could well qualify as one of the world's most testing nine holes ever designed, this time by the highly respected, Martin Hawtree - It's an exhilarating experience no golfer, regardless of skill level, should miss.

There is another plush, 5 star resort hotel nearby at Quinta do Lago, with three, full 18 hole championship layouts. The well established Quinta do Lago North Course, a long hitter's delight and Quinta do Lago South Course, which has hosted The Portuguese Open on a record breaking 8 occasions. Both long acclaimed as leaders on the honors list of Portugal's superior layouts, they have recently been joined by the sparkling new Laranjal Course. I take it on the good authority of a personal friend, who has been appointed as manager of the course that Laranjal could well prove to be the best of all three layouts -- only time will tell. And the full listing of hotel courses in the Central Algarve is still not complete.

The 5 star, Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel & Golf Resort is the proud owner of yet another piece of golf artistry, San Lorenzo, unquestionably one of Portugal's top courses for both its design and setting. Showcasing American designer, Joseph Lee's imagination and creativity, this is a course packed with variety and never ending challenges to test even the most accomplished players. Best left to the low handicappers, for those who dare, a memorable round is all but guaranteed.

Stay at anyone of these decidedly deluxe properties, all of which are extremely golfer friendly, and filled with the warm, genuine hospitality, unique to the Portuguese and all of the other Central Algarve courses will only be a chip-shot away. That includes all of the courses mentioned, plus the two "poster-boy' layouts at Vale do Lobo, The Ocean Course and The Royal Course. On The Algarve, top-drawer golf is quite literally a never-ending banquet and it's everywhere.

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©2009 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.