Royal Obidos

Royal Óbidos is an 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, who did not live to see it fully completed. Conceived as a heathland-style course, it combines wide fairways, gentle undulations, and a natural integration with the coastal landscape of western Portugal, in the Lisbon and Cascais region.

The layout unfolds between the Óbidos lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Six holes face directly toward the lagoon, while twelve others are oriented toward the open sea. This duality sets the rhythm of the round: more sheltered areas alternate with holes exposed to the Atlantic wind, which is often a decisive factor in club selection and strategy from the tee.

Hole 3 is the most recognizable image of the course. It is a par 3 that demands precision from the tee to an island green, with water and the lagoon as a backdrop. It is not a long hole, but it is technical: any misdirection is immediately penalized.

Royal Óbidos offers a varied layout, with moderate elevation changes and well-guarded greens. From several points on the course, the landscape accompanies the play without distracting from it. It is a design that invites careful shot planning, with the strategic signature characteristic of Ballesteros and an environment that adds character to each round.