The setting that nearly two-thirds of the course enjoys is that of mature pine forest and botanical woodland. There are remarkable arboreal specimens, shrubs and flowers that are testimony to the 100 years spent by the family of the Quinta Palheiro developing its gardens.

The air quality is excellent – as one would expect of any Atlantic island location.

Palheiro golf is designed as a continuous 18-hole par-72 course with the somewhat unexpected and unusual 5 par-3’s  - lending itself to a more entertaining tour over the customary 4 par-3’s that most golf courses employ. There are 5 par-5’s, the longest measuring 529 metres, and of the par-4s the last two are the longest followed by a par-5 finish.

Players benefit from numerous tees on each hole and ample fairway widths.

Bogey golf or even par golf is quite attainable by the average player

The way the fairways are contoured and the excellent bunker positions require accurate tee shot placement to set up the best approach to the greens. Water hazards, such as ornamental lakes, add further demand on the player’s precision to approach the greens.