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The Costa del sol golf course guide is a “rough guide” and is purely the personal opinion of the author. Please take in to consideration that these comments are subjective, personal opinions and standards of golf differ. Please take this rough guide as exactly that.
Alcaidesa Links Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Alcaidesa golf course is a 18 hole, par 70 golf course. A buggy is needed - even for the fittest amongst us- and as you play consider taking an extra club up on par threes because of deceptive wind.
Alhaurin Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Alhaurin golf course is a 18+18+9, par 72
golf course which was designed by Severiano Ballesteros. Tight beyond belief, difficult beyond anything I have every seen before. The first hole is extremely difficult with a narrow fairway and rocks to the sides of the fairway, which send your ball bouncing high in to the sky, never to be seen again. As you progress the course gets tougher and if you are not really on top of your game you could easily become more and more disheartened as you progress around the course. I stopped counting shots after I lost my tenth golf ball! By the 18th I had suffered several episodes of golf rage and was close to a nervous breakdown. I've read course guides say that this course “compels golfers to concentrate on their game and choose with care which club they should use for every stroke.” Personally I would say this course is one of the toughest golf course on the Costa del Sol. This course is at best described as a challenge for an experienced player who is on top form, at worst its tight and downright cruel. Alhaurin golf course is generally cheaper to play than most other local golf courses. A buggy is essential as is an ample supply of golf balls.
Cabopino Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Cabopino golf course is a 18 hole par 71 golf course.
There is a driving range on the approach
road to the course, so if you arrive early you can loosen up your swing.
Alternatively you could take the approach Andy and I prefer, loosen up
with a San Miguel at the bar before you tee off. Cabopino golf has a pleasant clubhouse, with a pleasant sun terrace where you can sit, eat, drink and enjoy the views of the ocean. The staff in the bar and restaurant are friendly staff and they serve good quality food.
The greens are large and were of fantastic quality when we last visited. The third hole is the one most people enjoy the most and it’s not one you will forget, it’s a par 4 which drops dramatically from the tee to the green and has outstanding views. A buggy is advisable on this course, which is hilly.
Dama de Noche golf course is a 9 hole, Par 70 golf course. Dama de Noche golf course is a nine-hole course, which can be played as 18 holes. It is flat, wide and easy. It is ideal course for a high handicapper or anyone wanting a gentle stroll. All that changes a night though because the is course is flood lit and can be played at night. They say that the lighting system is designed to cast no shadows thus giving daylight quality and maximum visibility, does that apply in the rough as well I ask myself? You do have to make a reservation for night golf because they only put the lights on if there is sufficient demand but for total golfing addicts or insomniac this course offers considerable novelty value and it’s one to talk about in the clubhouse when you go home.
El Chaparral golf course is an 18 hole, par 73 course. El Chaparral is a club which closed several years ago for reasons that
I don't need to go into now. The course has now risen from the ashes and
is trying to build a reputation for itself. Purely for research purposes, I tested
out the clubhouse both before and after my round at El Chaparral and I
found the staff to be particularly welcoming and they really did
their best to make us feel at home. Flamingos Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Flamingos golf course is a 18-hole, par 72
course. A relatively new course but the work that
has gone into the course makes that incredible, it looks like its been
established for years. If you visit Flamingos make sure you take the time to explore the hotel after your round. It's well worth a look. Over all I would describe Flamingos as a cracking course which tends to be a little on the pricey side but if you want to treat yourself you will not be disappointed. A Masters or Championship course of the future I will wager.
Lauro Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Lauro golf course is an 18 hole par 72 golf
course. Beautiful parkland course surrounded by lots of Andalucian trees. It offers breathtaking views over the valley and Malaga bay. Nine lakes so there is something to think about but it is a relatively easy and relaxing course.
La Cala Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain.
At La Cala golf there are three spectacular 18 hole courses, which are nestled in the countryside about 15-20 minutes drive in land from La Cala town. La Cala golf is an enormous luxury golfing
resort, which is perfect for golfers who want quality golf at a sensible
price in an exclusive environment. All three courses have terrific obstacles & natural water hazards along with narrow fairways and large well-kept greens. Set amongst tranquil mountains, all three courses are long and sculptured into the natural contours of the countryside which means that you have think your way around La Cala golf and use the contours of the landscape to your advantage. All three courses hilly and a buggy is a must. The South is my favourite, it’s a little more forgiving than the North Course and the Europa. Try the Leadbetter Golf Academy located at La Cala Golf, it’s a little expensive and you will have to book in advance but the instructor’s improved my game, so they must be good! At the academy they also have an excellent grass driving range. La Noria. La Noria golf is a nine hole, par 33 course. This 9 hole course has been a long time in
the building and it is obviously eventually going to grow into a 18 holes
course but that will probably take some time. It's not every day that you want to play challenging golf and if that's the case then La Noria is worth thinking about. This course is perfect for a high handicapper, a novice golfer or simply for a warm up for a more serious round later on in your holiday. As nine hole courses go this is one of the better ones and for the price its worth bearing in mind.
Mijas Golf Courses, Costa del sol, Spain. Mijas golf has two 18 hole golf courses, par 71 & 72. Address: Urb. Mijas Golf, Mijas-Costa. Tel: +34
95 247 6843 If you hire a buggy they have satellite /
GPS tracking and mapping which gives you distances from where you park the
buggy to the green and to hazards. Watch out though, don’t make the same
mistake I made, the distances are in meters not yards, don’t forget to
add 10% to get yardages! All level of golfers will find that both
courses at Mijas golf are a fair and enjoyable test of golf. Being one of
the better-known clubs Mijas can get busy. A four and a half hour round is
not unusual because it is so popular but the surroundings are so pleasant
you hardly notice. I recommend both of the Mijas courses, play them and
you will see why.
MiraFlores Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Miraflores golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course. Address: Urb. Riviera del Sol, 29647
Mijas-Costa. Tel : (952) 83 36 47. It is one of the more forgiving courses on the Costa and a buggy is not essential. If you do try Miraflores golf course loosen up in advance of the first tee, the first hole is a tight and requires a straight shot or you could end up in the garden of one of the many villa's next to the fairway.
Monte Mayor Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Address: Ctra de Cadiz (N340), Km 165.6, La
Cancelada, San Pedro. Tel: +34 95 211 3088. If you play Monte Mayor golf course you are guaranteed a day to remember and you will want to go back as often as I do. Most of the year golf buggies are included in the green fee’s. If you visit in high season they may not be, in which case I strongly recommend that visit hire a buggy, you will need it. This is a very isolated golf course, in a location where you have to ask “Who thought of putting a golf course way up here?” The isolation adds to attraction of this incredible golf course but it means that it is difficult to find, so I strongly recommend that you drive to it for a “test run” the day before your golf. It is set in spectacular mountainous terrain where you will find peace and tranquility combined with natural beauty and unforgettable golf. A challenge but a fantastic golf course in surroundings that are literally unsurpassable. To sum up, if your game is on form do not miss this golf course, its brilliant.
Parador Malaga Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Parador golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf course. Apartado de Correos, 324 29080 Málaga. Tel. +34 952376677 Parador golf Course is famous because it hosted the Spanish Open's in 1992 and 1999. Personally I am not sure why they would host such a prestigious event at this course because it is literally at the end of the busy runway of Malaga International Airport and there is constant noise as planes take off and land right next to the course. I found this course boring, the greens were in a terrible condition and bunkers were in a state of total disrepair with bare soil and mud instead of sand. Famous it may be but I found it to be a total let down. In my opinion the best way to view this golf course is out of the airplane window as you land or from the main road as you drive past to one of the many more pleasant courses in Andalucia.
Rio Real Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain.
Rio Real golf course is an 18 hole, par 72 golf
course. The club house has a magnificent balcony / terrace restaurant where you can sit, watch fellow golfers playing out the 18th and reminisce on your “shot of the day.” The down side of Rio real golf course is the cost. A round of golf here tends to be expensive and the golf buggies, which I would recommend hiring due to the hilly location, are an expensive addition to this already high cost.
18 holes, par 71. Being
next to a busy main road you could easily assume that it would suffer from
traffic noise. For some inexplicable reason it doesn’t. As soon as you
tee off the course meanders away from the Coast following the gentle
contours of the land leading you into a natural and peaceful setting. The
course has several wide and relatively trouble free fairways where you can
open your shoulders and let the ball fly but that said there are holes
where course management is wise and where a little caution can pay
dividends. Santa
Clara is relatively flat and is suitable for walking. The course is a fair
test of golf and is similar in difficulty to many UK golf clubs, as
opposed to many of the Spanish golf courses, which can be cruel at times.
The course is perfect for an easy and relaxing round or for a golf
society. It has many similarities to Rio Real but it is slightly easier,
slightly flatter and has slightly less trouble.
The course is relatively new and consequently it is not as well
established as Rio Real. When
you arrive in the car park you will be met by an attendant on a buggy, who
takes you your bag to the magnificent clubhouse, even thought it is only
about forty yards from the car park. In the palatial clubhouse there
are excellent changing rooms, shower facilities and a restaurant that
serves a variety of quality food and drink. My
only reservation with this course is the green fee, which is very high
compared to other courses in the area. The choice is yours. San Roque Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. San Roque golf course is an 18 hole, par 72
golf course, which was designed by Dave Thomas. This course is ideal for both experts and those looking for a leisurely game. Superb practice facilities and wonderful manicured greens and idyllic fairways. A real treat.
Santa Maria Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Santa Maria golf course is an 18 hole, Par
72 golf course, which was designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido. Santa Maria golf course tends to be a little on the pricey side. I found the staff to be unhelpful and less friendly than most other golf courses in the area but if you let the golf course speak for itself you will enjoy a round here. If you want a buggy or a Powakaddy we strongly recommend that buggy pre-book it, they have a limited supply and they soon get taken.
Sotogrande golf course is an 18 hole (Par
72) with an additional nine holes. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones. European Tour pros battle here at the end of
the season to gain their cards for the forthcoming season so that's an
indication of the quality of this golf course. Torrequebrada Golf Course, Costa del sol, Spain. Torrequebrada golf has an 18 hole, par 72
course and addition nine holes, which were designed by Jose Gancedo. Every hole is a different
experience. Fantastic views of the Mediterranean and has the shortest par
3 on the coast. The 1979 Spanish Open was played here and you can see why
after you turn for home on the back nine. A large number of lakes and
strategically placed wide bunkers ensure that this course retains its
reputation as one of the most popular courses on the Costa. Welcoming and
luxurious clubhouse.
Valderama golf course is always in superb condition and enjoys worldwide fame, not least due to having had the privilege to have hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and the last two American Express World Championships. Extremely expensive but if you can play a round of golf here you are privileged!
There are new golf courses appearing all the time in Andalucia and the Costa del sol has understandably become known as the Costa del golf. As avid lovers of golf we are regularly visiting the area and we will try to play as many golf courses in Andalucia as we possibly can just so that we can keep this web page up to date (well that's the reason I give to my wife for playing so much golf anyway!) The Costa del Sol Golf
Guide
is purely the subjective and personal opinion of the author. This website is published by calahonda.org and is protected by copyright. Copyright © 2000. All rights reserved.
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