There are golf courses that feel like they've been part of the landscape forever, and then there are ones like Dunas at Terras da Comporta, a new course, yes, but with a soul that feels deeply rooted in the land. I played Dunas for the first time in 2023, just a short time prior to its official opening, and even then it was clear: this is something special, something destined to become one of Europe’s true modern classics.

Designed by David McLay Kidd, the man behind Bandon Dunes and Machrihanish Dunes, Dunas is his first course designed in mainland Europe - and what a debut it is. Set along the untouched coastline of the Alentejo region on the southern tip of the Troia Peninsula, around 90 minutes south of Lisbon & only 100 minutes north of Albufeira. Incorporating his design philosophy of ‘less is more’, the site is pure golfing canvas: sandy soil, low coastal vegetation, umbrella pines, and gentle dunes that ebb and flow like the Atlantic Ocean just out of sight.

What will undoubtably strike you from the outset was just how natural it all feels. This isn’t a course imposed on the landscape; it’s one unearthed from it. Fairways ripple with movement, bunkers and native areas look like they've always belonged, and there’s a rugged beauty that gives it an edge. Often compared to Pinehurst no.2, high praise indeed, but you can absolutely see why. This is a thoughtful and intelligently designed course that has a very keen eye on sustainability, this really is ‘Golf immersed in nature’.

The opening stretch gives you a taste of what’s to come—generous-looking landing areas that tighten up quickly, smart bunkering, and greens that demand imagination. The par 4 3rd is a highlight early on, a sweeping dogleg left with a blind-ish second if you’re not brave enough off the tee. Then comes a string of holes through the dunes that wouldn’t look out of place in the Highlands of Scotland - raw, elemental, and exhilarating.

By the time you hit the back nine, you’ve likely used every club in the bag. The short par-3 13th is pure drama—a tabletop green that plays into the wind and looks both inviting and terrifying in equal measure. Then there’s the 16th, a long par 4 that bends left around a ridge, testing both your nerve and your yardage. The closing stretch is superb—thoughtfully routed and perfectly paced, capped off with an 18th that’s more about strategy than brute strength. Finish with a par and you’ll walk off satisfied, finish with a bogey and you’ll still be smiling.

Facilities-wise, Terras da Comporta is still growing into itself. The clubhouse is sleek and stylish, with all the modern touches you’d expect, but it’s the course that steals the show. And rightly so. The development here is ambitious—another course, Torre, is on the way, and if it matches Dunas for quality, this could become Portugal’s most exciting golfing destination.

What makes Dunas so memorable isn’t just the design—it’s the feeling it leaves you with. This is a course that rewards shot-making and strategic thinking. It doesn’t beat you up, but it definitely asks questions. It’s firm and fast, beautifully conditioned, and utterly engaging from start to finish. You will be greeted with a warm welcome and leave knowing you have experienced something truly special.

So, if you’re looking to explore beyond the Algarve and discover the next big thing in European golf, make your way to Comporta. Dunas isn’t just a great new course—it’s a reminder of why we love this game in the first place.

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