I played both courses a few years ago having won a competition as a member of team titleist. The royal is the better of the 2, the 16th is the most iconic holes in mainland Europe.

There are plenty of courses vlogs on YouTube.

With regards travelling with clubs there are a few videos on YouTube with tips.

The best tip is if you have a iPhone get an AirTag to track your clubs while they are in transit.

Valentines do lobo is a great starting point in Portugal two courses good courses if you Stay on site pretty well hassle free as courtesy bus all on site. Buy a reasonable size travel bag and pack stuff around your clubs even take the head off and wraps them in towels or put them in your shoes in the top of your bag. A club protector or a broom to take and hits at the top of the bag. Buggies normally come as the package few bars at night cheeky pup Danos close by.
We do a comp in January there have done it for 4 years and will probably do it again next year. There are better courses but the money goes up and the lesser courses are spread out.

Hi there.

I’m going on my second trip to Portugal this year in April.

I’m heading to Vilamoura for the second time but staying in a different hotel than I did last time.

We booked with My Golf Breaks for a second time as they were so good for everything we needed.

We flew with EasyJet to Faro and it’s a real short flight which is a result.

Golf bags cost £45 and £45 back I believe, and then got transferred to the Hotel from the airport.

We got transfers from the hotel to the courses but you have to book your transfers with the hotel and can go as early as you like but have to choose a time you want to get collected.

Never played the courses you are going to but we are off to the Dom Pedro estate we’re the old course is and the Victoria which are just next level.

The pro shops can be expensive and also the buggy’s can also be quiet a pinch at £50/60. You can rent push trolleys but I think it’s around £10/15 as well.

The food and beer isn’t to badly priced think we paid around £15/20 for a meal and beer around the Marina which is stunning at night and day.

Keep off the Superbok beer 3/4 of them and it’s game over hahahaha

You won’t regret your trip and I reckon your be rebooking the minute you get back.

Have a great time.

Played them, and others in Portugal, 2 years ago. Both are great, I would definitely get buggies, there's some hilly parts and parts with a bit of a walk between tee's but not as bad as some courses over there.

With clubs, I always put a broom handle/extendable paint roller shaft in the driver slot, just something longer than all your clubs to take any impact as they are thrown around by the luggage guys. Then I always wrap my beach towel around the whole lot and then put my rain cover on - Keeps it all snug and protected. Done 5 or 6 trips with no issues at all.

If you are staying in Vale Do Lobo there are some nice places to eat. The golf clubhouse is pretty nice, and I'd recommend Sandbanks Beach Restaurant down on the beach front, very good food and great views.

Not sure what type of trip your going on, if its a bit of a lads lads lads one, then Ubers are cheap to near by places - Vilamoura is a bit more lively but more 'english', be sure to visit Cats if you want a good laugh ;)

Enjoy your trip!

Nice courses a sun mountain easy glider is a great travel bag i would also get a buggy

I'm a bit late to the party but get a travel bag with padding in the top. Also as others have advised put your golf towels around the top of the bag for extra protection. We've been playing golf in Spain and Portugal every year for the last 14 years and always found this works. However, we played in Vilamoura a few years ago and turned up at the Old Course (definitely worth a visit) and my mate took his driver out his bag at the driving range only to pull out the head and a quarter of the shaft, so these things do happen! Click Golf do a travel protector that does the same job as the broom handle. Any doubts check your clubs before you leave Faro as once you've left the airline won't accept responsibility as my mate found out.

Shuttles are a god send in Vilamoura. There's a good Thai restaurant behind the Marina in Vilamoura if you venture that way. Old Course, San Lorenzo, VDL Royal and Quinta do Lago North and South my favourite golf courses locally though all the others playable too. If you fancy something a bit special sort a trip to Monte Rei. About a 50 minute journey to Portugal's #1 golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Stunning course and great customer service.

Portugal’s an amazing golf venues. Not played Vale De Lobo, spent more time at La Quinta and Dom Pedro Estates which are amazing..
Adding Ombria to the list this year. Heard great thing about it…
With regards to Travel Bags. I use the Titleist Premium (older version, as in my option has better protection), I still remove heads, buy cheap iron covers, Wrap in a towel and tape it all up to stop them clanging about. Also pack lost of clothes around the clubs. Even pack them in the club shaft but via the side access panel… just adds a layer of protection IMO..
Good luck. You’ll love it and like someone above said. You’ll be booking next years trip by the time you land back in the UK…

Seriously need a Portugal Trip to get away from this rain!

I’ve never played in Portugal but as others have said, get a good travel bag and wrap back towels around the club heads.
I saw a video recently that also suggested taking the heads off your woods/hybrids and wrapping them separately. Just remember what your settings were first