Batalha Golf Club

Deze keer de B en A course gespeeld. Deze zijn makkelijker dan de C. Met mooie vergezichten naar de oceaan. Het begint al met hole 1 van B. Je speelt vanaf het startershuisje richting de oceaan. Fairways van B en A zijn lekker breed en greens zijn super. We spelen er snel weer.

We hebben alleen de c-lus gelopen dat is geweldig om te spelen. Moeilijke holes waar je tactisch je ballen moet spelen. Probleem was wel dat er geen harken liggen in elke bunker (helaas heb ik er een paar bezocht) en bestaat uit zwart vulkanisch zand. Voelt stevig aan. Handig is wel om een caddie boekje te vragen, want op de borden staan geen layouts van de hole. Fairways en greens zijn prachtig onderhouden. Binnenkort weer spelen. Kijk er naar uit.

First let me explain that I am Dutch and we don’t just superlative words as much as Americans but this course is going to be the exception on the rule.. in one word; crazy impressive. Sometimes we had the feeling we were playing golf in a tropical rainforest as were other moments we had to tee off in a botanical valley. We played loop A+B and each hole is impressive but B6 is from another level. So beautiful! Tip; for all Dutch and others living in flat countries book a buggy. The differences in height and the slopes are very intensive to walk. Keep remembering yourselves you are walking on small volcanos. The golf course has a great deal for 18holes, buggy and a rental golfclubs. I think it was 150euros and please do a minimum of the 18 holes because it is worth every penny of your money. I will add some pictures but keep in mind they will do no justice to the scenery. Tip: Plan lunch between the 18 holes. Lunch is cheap and very good. Again locals come here to eat only too. The hospitality is great and very cooperative in thinking along for you to have the best experience possible. Tip2: Plan a whole day there.. Take your time and enjoy every minute at Batalha Golf course because I don’t think it will get any better from here.

Our cruise ship spent a day in Ponta Delgado and I wanted to play golf in the Azores. Batalha is closer than Furnas so I chose this course, which has three nines: A is scenic, B is moderate, and C is challenging. I played C then A. The course defeated me — it’s in meters and long — but offered challenging holes with spectacular views. The course was in good shape and the hospitality was overflowing. The rental clubs — Titleists— were a bit used but ok. Definitely get a buggy — the place is hilly!

Super friendly reception by caddie master. Showed us around the very nice clubhouse (we had a nice lunch at the turn) Warm up at the driving range and the green. So all facilities great to excellent. But we came to play golf, well that was quite disappointing. B-course was closed for maintenance; so we played A-lunch and then C. To be honest; A and C should have been closed for maintenance as well. The course looked awfull, but they can't fully control mother nature. So I consider that bad luck/timing on my side.

Really disappointing was the complete lack of hole descriptions. Even the caddy booklet doesn't indicate the bunkers around the greens.