Machico Course

The Machico Course at Golf Club Santo da Serra is a standout for its dramatic coastal scenery and challenging layout. This course features some of the most iconic holes on the island, including the 3rd and 4th, which are perched over 2,200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views of Machico Bay. Having hosted the Madeira Islands Open on the European Tour, the Machico Course combines a demanding golf experience with the beauty of Madeira’s rugged coastline, making it a must-play for enthusiasts visiting the island.

Hole	Par	Yards	Meters
1	4	398	364
2	4	441	403
3	5	521	476
4	3	202	185
5	4	412	377
6	4	364	333
7	5	538	492
8	3	168	154
9	4	385	352
Out	36	3429	3136

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Course Info

Opened:

1991

Course Designer:

Robert Trent Jones Snr

Special Features:

The course descends 300m from top to bottom

General Playability:

Can be tricky judging the distance because of the altitude and wind.

Undulating/flat:

Very hilly course at 700m

Tree lined/exposed:

Most of the trees are quite a long way from fairways

Many/few water hazards:

There are quite a few water hazards but not too close to play.

Greens

Type of grass:

Penncross / Poa

Height of cut:

3.75 mm

Speed/stimp reading:

9.6

Fairways

Type of grass:

Penneagle / Poa

Height of cut:

10 mm

General width and contouring:

Generous fairways 25m –
35m

Tees

Type of grass:

Penneagle / Poa

Height of cut:

9 mm

Collars

Type of grass:

Penneagle / Poa

Height of cut:

9 mm

Rough

Type of grass:

Reygrass / Poa

Height of cut:

Semi-rough: 32 mm

Intermediate: n/a

Rough: 75-90 mm

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Play

Machico Course Map

Hole Descriptions

Hole 1

White Tees – 364 m; Par 4; S/I 8

Yellow Tees – 314 m; Par 4; S/I 8

Red Tees – 285 m; Par 4; S/I 8

Black Tees – 285 m; Par 4; S/I 8

“Dogleg” to the left with a tee shot usually aimed at a wide landing area, followed by a mid to short iron shot to a well-defined green.

Hole 2

White Tees – 403 m; Par 4; S/I 7

Yellow Tees – 375 m; Par 4; S/I 7

Red Tees – 318 m; Par 4; S/I 7

Black Tees – 314 m; Par 4; S/I 7

Exciting tee shot over a ravine. The landing area is guarded by a large bunker on the right. A straight second shot is needed to reach this large and challenging green, which requires careful reading.

Hole 3

White Tees – 476 m; Par 5; S/I 6

Yellow Tees – 451 m; Par 5; S/I 6

Red Tees – 395 m; Par 5; S/I 6

Black Tees – 370 m; Par 5; S/I 6

Excellent dogleg to the left, with a ravine running along the entire left side. Both the tee shot and the second shot need to be well-placed to set up a third shot to the green, which requires careful reading.

Hole 4

White Tees – 185 m; Par 3; S/I 5

Yellow Tees – 163 m; Par 3; S/I 5

Red Tees – 155 m; Par 3; S/I 5

Black Tees – 149 m; Par 3; S/I 5

Spectacular Par 3, played over a ravine with a long to mid-iron shot to a shallow green well-defended by bunkers in front and behind. In addition to being technically challenging, it offers a breathtaking view.

Hole 5

White Tees – 377 m; Par 4; S/I 2

Yellow Tees – 356 m; Par 4; S/I 2

Red Tees – 340 m; Par 4; S/I 2

Black Tees – 328 m; Par 4; S/I 2

A long hole with a wide landing area. The second shot is aimed at a green with two large front bunkers, making it very challenging to approach the elevated green.

Hole 6

White Tees – 333 m; Par 4; S/I 1

Yellow Tees – 310 m; Par 4; S/I 1

Red Tees – 290 m; Par 4; S/I 1

Black Tees – 249 m; Par 4; S/I 1

Sharp dogleg to the left, requiring precise placement off the tee due to the narrow fairway. The second shot is made with a mid to short iron to a green that is not very deep but wide, protected by a large bunker on the right side.

Hole 7

White Tees – 492 m; Par 5; S/I 3
Yellow Tees – 474 m; Par 5; S/I 3
Red Tees – 445 m; Par 5; S/I 3
Black Tees – 410 m; Par 5; S/I 3

Another excellent Par 5, slightly uphill with a large fairway bunker on the right. This hole also features a large and elevated green well-protected by front bunkers.

Hole 8

White Tees – 154 m; Par 3; S/I 9
Yellow Tees – 134 m; Par 3; S/I 9
Red Tees – 99 m; Par 3; S/I 9
Black Tees – 84 m; Par 3; S/I 9

A Par 3 that many players consider easy, but it’s not. The green is surrounded by bunkers, very long and narrow, also requiring careful reading.

Hole 9

White Tees – 352 m; Par 4; S/I 4
Yellow Tees – 313 m; Par 4; S/I 4
Red Tees – 286 m; Par 4; S/I 4
Black Tees – 235 m; Par 4; S/I 4

Long, slightly uphill, and with an elevated green, it requires a good drive and a strong second shot. The green is two-tiered and protected by three front bunkers.