Penha Longa is a beautiful modern layout designed by Kyle Phillips while still working for the firm of Robert Trent Jones II, and set upon the site of a former monastery which was converted into a 5-star resort/hotel/golf development. The layout here is pretty dramatic, with some exciting slopes and the front nine even touching an ancient aqueduct at the back of the par five 6th.

In truth the land here is probably a little steep for golf, with some of the uphill holes feeling quite forced, but Phillips did well on the lower ground and does get credit for building a reasonably diverse group of holes. There is one exception, the 12th which is so close to the associating housing estate that a big ugly net had to be erected to prevent stray balls damaging property. Elsewhere the golf is pretty good, the 11th is a fine mid-length four that swings around a nasty ravine, while the 14th bends the other way and similarly rewards an aggressive and accurate tee shot. The pond par three 15th is also well done, while on the front nine the bunkering on the 4th and the aqueduct par five standout as particularly memorable.

Penha Longa is a charming golf course, close to Lisbon and near the coastline it's well worth a look for visitors to this gorgeous part of Europe.