Costa del Sol Courses
Eastern Costa del Sol
Parador Inaugurated in 1925 by the Spanish
Royal family, Parador is the Costa del Sol's oldest course. Located close
to Malaga, it's very popular with UK golfers due to its interesting mixture
of parkland and links style holes (some of which feature seawater lagoons)
and its fast greens. Created by Tom Simpson, who also designed Muirfield and
Turnberry, Parador has hosted several international events, including the
prestigious Turespana Masters in 1999 (won by Miguel Angel Jimenez). It's
easy to walk and is suitable for all levels of golfer, though some holes present
a real challenge - especially when the wind blows.
Designer: Tom Simpson
Par: 72
Length: 6824 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Sept 08: November, February - May, September (high season) £43; December - January, June - August (low season) £35
Torrequebrada This Pepe Gancedo masterpiece
is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful courses on the Costa del
Sol. Now back on the 'must play' list, Torrequebrada is a real test from beginning
to end. A previous host of the Spanish Open and the home base of Spanish Ryder
Cup star Miguel Angel Jimenez, its steep terrain, water and sand hazards make
it a great technical challenge - perhaps too difficult for high handicappers.
There are no less than eight doglegs and accuracy off the tee is of paramount
importance. It may be short, but it certainly isn't easy!
Designer: Pepe Gancedo
Par: 72
Length: 6409 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: £56
Mijas Los Lagos Probably the two most popular
courses on the eastern coast are found at Mijas. Los Lagos has generous, mildly
undulating fairways but also plenty of water and sand hazards, making it a
stern test of skill. The majority of the slick greens are elevated and protected
by bunkers. The highlight is undoubtedly the 5th, which sweeps in a seemingly
endless curve around a boundary wall and over a huge fairway bunker to leave
a narrow path to the green with out of bounds on the left and a deep lake
to the right. A Trent Jones classic.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr
Fairways: Penncross
Par: 71
Length: 6942 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, March - April, October (high season) £49, December - 28 February, May, September (medium season) £44, June - August (low season) £31
Mijas Los Olivos Probably the two most popular courses on the
eastern coast are found at Mijas. Los Olivos has steadily improved since its
opening in 1984 and now offers one of the most enjoyable games in the area,
with five par 5s and five par 3s providing lots of variety. Though slightly
shorter than the neighbouring Los Lagos, the course is no less attractive
or challenging. The undulating fairways are lined with olive trees and the
fast greens are well protected by some large, twisting bunkers. Definitely
worth a visit.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr/Cabell Robinson
Par: 72
Length: 6448 yards
Alhaurin Alhaurin Golf Club took a while to get
going but has settled in and is now popular with visitors and residents alike.
Designed by Seve Ballesteros, the course's hilly mountain terrain would provide
a stiff test for even the great man himself! The wild growing rough is the
main danger here, while the strategically placed bunkers and water hazards
are reminiscent of American-style courses. With majestic views of mountains
to the north and of Africa and the Mediterranean to the south, this is a fine
course in a lovely natural setting.
Designer: Seve Ballesteros
Par: 72
Length: 6843 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - May 08: 1 - 15 November, 15 February - May (high season) £36; 16 November - 14 February (low season) £28
Lauro Golf Club Lauro Golf is a relatively flat, parkland style
course played around a magnificently restored country farmhouse. Once the
scene of the vengeful killing of 'contrabandistas', it now serves a somewhat
more peaceful purpose as the clubhouse. An inland course 300m above sea level,
this Falco Nordi design provides a delightful test of golf among pine, cork,
olive and citrus trees. A spectacular third loop of 9 holes now offers stunning
mountain and valley views.
Designer: Mark Falco Nordi
Par: 70
Green fees Nov 07 - May 08: £34
La Cala North Guests at the La Cala Resort
benefit from free golf and special offers on the hotel's two magnificent championship
courses. Set in a spectacular, hilly landscape, both courses offer an exciting
challenge in stunning surroundings, with lush fairways, elevated greens and
carefully positioned water hazards. The North course is probably the more
testing as it's longer and covers most of the tougher terrain. It begins from
a dramatically raised tee and some of the holes, especially 15 and 16, offer
truly breathtaking views over the resort and out as far as the sea. The undulating
ground means club selection and course management are crucial. Buggies recommended.
Designer: Cabell B. Robinson
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Penncross
Par: 72
Length: 7113 yards
Green fees (all courses) Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 25 November, 26 February - 1 April, 16 April - 20 May, October (high season) £49; 26 November - 4 February, 25 June - 2 September (medium season) £34; 5 - 25 February, 2 - 15 April, 21 May - 24 June, 3 - 30 September (low season) £41
Preferential green fees for La Cala Resort guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 26 November, 26 Febraury - 1 April, 16 April - 20 May, October: 1 Green Fee £38, 27 November - 4 February, 25 June - 2 September: 1 Green Fee £29; 5 - 25 February, 2 - 15 April, 21 May - 3 June, 17 - 30 September: 1 Green Fee £31; 4 - 24 June, 3 - 16 September: 1 Green Fee £32
La Cala South Guests at the La Cala Resort benefit from free golf
and special offers on the hotel's two magnificent championship courses. Designed
by Cabell Robinson and set in a spectacular, hilly landscape, both courses
offer an exciting challenge in stunning surroundings, with lush fairways,
elevated greens and carefully positioned water hazards. Despite being the
slightly less difficult of the two, the South course still demands real accuracy
- although the fairways are wide and the greens are large, the sloping terrain
and thick rough can severely punish wayward shots. An excellent test. Buggies
recommended.
Designer: Cabell B. Robinson
Fairways: Bermuda
Greens: Penncross
Par: 72
Length: 7113 yards
Green fees (all courses) Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 25 November, 26 February - 1 April, 16 April - 20 May, October (high season) £49; 26 November - 4 February, 25 June - 2 September (medium season) £34; 5 - 25 February, 2 - 15 April, 21 May - 24 June, 3 - 30 September (low season) £41
Preferential green fees for La Cala Resort guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 26 November, 26 Febraury - 1 April, 16 April - 20 May, October: 1 Green Fee £38, 27 November - 4 February, 25 June - 2 September: 1 Green Fee £29; 5 - 25 February, 2 - 15 April, 21 May - 3 June, 17 - 30 September: 1 Green Fee £31; 4 - 24 June, 3 - 16 September: 1 Green Fee £32
Central Costa del Sol
Cabopino Golf
Cabopino is situated between Malaga
and Fuengirola, close to Calahonda, and offers some beautiful sea views. Opened
in 2001, it has quickly become one of the most popular courses in the area.
The design is reminiscent of Vilamoura's Old Course, with pine tree lined
fairways and an emphasis on accuracy rather than length. The 3rd hole, a driveable
par 4 off a dramatically elevated tee, is especially memorable. Short but
sweet, Cabopino is well worth a visit. Buggies are compulsory.
Designer: Juan Ligues
Par: 71
Length: 5687 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 15 November, 20 February - May 16 September - October (high season) £38; 16 November - 19 February, June - 15 September (low season) £30
Santa Maria Santa Maria's layout has recently
been transformed to create one of the best and most popular courses on the
Costa del Sol. Running through two valleys with great views of the Mediterranean
Sea, the course makes the most of its undulating terrain to provide a good
test of golf, with well-placed bunkers designed to make you really think about
your shots. We particularly like the 14th, which sets off from an elevated
tee past a lake towards a green flanked by a waterfall. Buggies recommended.
Designer: Antonio Garcia Garrido
Par: 70
Length: 6371 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - May 08: November, February- May (high season) £49; December-January (low season) £43
Santa Clara
Santa Clara was opened in 2001
after having a full year to settle and, for a new course, it has a surprisingly
finished look. The layout is superb. After a relatively flat and friendly
start, the course rises over hills and then runs along the valley floor, with
a liberal sprinkling of water and well placed bunkers. Don't miss it. Visiting
golfers are met in the car park with a buggy and a friendly welcome from the
only entirely female team of caddy masters on the coast.
Designer: Enrique Canales
Par: 71
Length: 6115 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - 15 January 08: 1 - 29 November £67; 30 November - 15 January £55
Rio Real Five minutes drive from Marbella, Rio
Real is one of the most popular courses on the coast and it's easy to see
why. The course is very picturesque, winding down towards the sea through
mature trees (which offer plenty of shade) and vegetation. The perfectly manicured
fairways make several crossings of the Real River, and you'll have to putt
well on the fast greens. Rio Real is a pretty long course but don't let that
put you off - it's flat, easy to walk and the open fairways will encourage
you to really go for it with your driver.
Designer: Javier Arana
Par: 72
Length: 6702 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - May 08: £51
Los Naranjos Apparently a favourite of
Sean Connery, this Trent Jones creation is very popular with visiting golfers
due to its level terrain and its sheer playability (no matter what your handicap
is). The front 9's broad, sweeping fairways wind through pretty orange groves,
while the back 9 offers more variety, with water coming into play. Los Naranjos
is always in superb condition - each morning a team of 20 staff prepare the
course for play. This is as good a course as any on the Costa del Sol and
is highly recommended.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr
Par: 72
Length: 7080 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: £53* (*€2 federation charge to be paid directly to golf club)
La Quinta La Quinta offers 27 of the most popular holes on the
Costa del Sol. The beautiful landscape and near perfect on-course conditions
make playing here a real delight. The course is hilly and is one of the most
technically demanding in the area, with narrow, sloping fairways, plenty of
hazards to negotiate and fast greens that are tricky to read. We particularly
like the 18th hole, a challenging short par 4 with a lake protecting the green.
Buggies recommended.
Designer: Manuel Pinero/Antonio Garcia Garrido
Par: 72
Length: 6377 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Sept 08: November, 15 February - 15 May (high season) £46*; December - 14 February, 16 May - 30 September £38 (*€2 federation charge to be paid directly to golf club)
Los Arqueros Los Arqueros is located on
the mountainous Ronda road and has some spectacular views. Designed by Seve
Ballesteros, its undulating terrain and mixture of narrow fairways, well-placed
hazards and small greens make it a stiff test even for professionals. Los
Arqueros should appeal to attacking players as its tight layout encourages
a bold approach. A stunning course and a great technical challenge - high
handicappers should probably steer clear though. Buggies recommended.
Designer: Seve Ballesteros
Par: 72
Length: 6461 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, 16 February - 14 May, 16 September - 31 October (high season) £36; Decmber - 15 February (low season) £31
Monte Mayor Situated high up in the mountains
of Benahavis, Monte Mayor is a very hilly course with dramatic elevation changes
and stunning views. The fairways meander through a mixture of thick, straggling
vegetation and rocky slopes. The uneven terrain and cunningly placed water
hazards make this a difficult (and even frustrating) course, especially in
windy conditions. Nevertheless, playing here is an enthralling challenge -
if you want a real test of skill, give it a try. Buggies are compulsory but
are included in the green fees.
Designer: Pepe Gancedo
Par: 70
Length: 6150 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 15 November, March - 28 May, 18 September - October (high season) £59; 16 November - 28 February, 29 May - 17 September (low season) £39
Atalaya Old Course The Atalaya Park hotel has two fine courses
where hotel guests benefit from great green fee reductions. The Old course
is a classically conceived parkland layout with wide fairways, strategically
positioned bunkers and large, fast greens. It's a pleasant place to play,
with eucalyptus and olive trees providing a nice backdrop and some shade from
the sun. Atalaya Old has been designed to be playable for all levels of golfer
and, while not one of the best or most challenging courses in the region,
is ideal for an enjoyable holiday round. Buggies recommended.
Designer: Bernhard von Limburger
Fairways: Bermuda
Par: 72
Length: 6703 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - April, October (high season) £52; December - January, May (medium season) £40; June - September (low season) £31
Preferential green fees for Atalaya Park hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: £25
Atalaya New Course The Atalaya Park hotel has two fine courses
where hotel guests benefit from great green fee reductions. The New course
is shorter and tighter than its neighbour but still offers an enjoyable game,
as well as some spectacular views of the Mediterranean and La Concha Mountain.
The par 3s are particularly memorable. Not one of the best courses on the
Costa del Sol, but perfect if you fancy something a bit less demanding.
Designer: Pam Krings
Fairways: Bermuda
Par: 71
Length: 5780 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - April, October (high season) £52; December - January, May (medium season) £40; June - September (low season) £31
Preferential green fees for Atalaya Park hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: £25
El Paraiso El Paraiso's friendly atmosphere
and traditional British style have made it very popular with UK golfers. Set
in the Paraiso valley, the course winds through hundreds of trees and crosses
several hidden streams. The lush fairways are wide but are bordered by heavy
rough, so accuracy off the tee is vital. The par 5 6th, where your drive must
avoid two carefully placed bunkers and your approach to a two-tiered green
must flirt with water, is regarded as the best on the course. El Paraiso is
Spain's first Gary Player designed course and offers a good challenge whatever
your standard.
Designer: Gary Player
Par: 71
Length: 6689 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - May 08: November, February - May (high season) £50; December - January (low season) £34
Western Costa del Sol
Estepona Golf Club Often unfairly overlooked,
Estepona is a scenic and challenging course that offers great value for money.
It's framed by the Sierra Bermeja Mountains and there are some lovely sea
views. The sloping fairways, which are lined with thick rough, provide a good
test of technique. The lengthy par 3s are especially demanding and the par
5 3rd is one of the longest holes in Spain - fortunately, it's downhill! This
course is something of a hidden gem and, with much lower green fees than most
other courses on the western coast, we think it's well worth a visit. Buggies
recommended.
Designer: Jose Luis Lopez
Par: 72
Length: 6600 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, February - May, 15 September - October (high season) £34; December - January (medium season) £31; June - 14 September (low season) £26
La Duquesa Laid out around the El Hacho hill
(which provides magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the Rock of Gibraltar),
La Duquesa is a Trent Jones classic and offers great value for money. It's
one of the most varied courses on the Costa del Sol and, mainly due to its
wide fairways, can be enjoyed by players of all standards. The course is typical
of its designer in that an abundance of shrewdly placed bunkers makes accuracy
more important than power. A really good course at a really good price. Buggies
recommended.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr
Par: 72
Length: 6717 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: £41
Sotogrande Opened in 1964, the exclusive Sotogrande
course was Robert Trent Jones Snr's first course in Europe and has matured
beautifully. It's rated No. 7 in Continental Europe by Golf World magazine
and it's easy to see why. The course has lots of trees, lots of bunkers and
lots of water and is lots of fun to play. Getting to grips with the huge,
severely undulating greens is a real challenge. Very expensive, but worth
every penny.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr
Fairways: Penncross
Par: 72
Length: 6846 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: January - October (high season) £111; November - December (low season) £106 (limited availability)
La Canada La Canada was born when the local
villagers decided that they wanted a golf course. They hacked out a mountainside
track, the municipality donated the land, Robert Trent Jones did the design
and La Canada was built as a 9-hole course. With the recent completion of
a new 9 holes by Dave Thomas, La Canada is now a thrilling blend of styles.
Thomas' front 9 features a lot of water, while the back 9 is typical Trent
Jones. Local players get preference so visitors have to book in advance. It's
well worth the effort and good value too.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr/Dave Thomas
Par: 71
Length: 6330 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: £36
Valderrama Valderrama more than justifies
its legendary reputation. Host to ten Volvo Masters events and, of course,
the 1997 Ryder Cup, this is probably the best course in all of Europe. Playing
here truly is a 'once in a lifetime' experience - which is perhaps just as
well when you consider how high the green fees are! It's an expensive, private
club with limited access for visitors (you can usually only tee off between
12pm and 2pm), but anyone who plays here will remember their round forever.
See if you can beat Darren Clarke's recent 11 on the controversial par 5 17th!
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Snr
Par: 71
Length: 7020 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Sep 08: Weekday £177; Weekend £191 (very limited availability)
Almenara Almenara is one of the most thrilling
courses on the Costa del Sol, with three sets of 9 holes that can be played
in various combinations. It has a spectacular layout built around a series
of vast lakes. Strenuous in parts, it delights at every turn and offers some
breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Dave Thomas has designed the new
9-hole loop, opened in 2001, in similar fashion to the existing back 9, with
lots of water, tight, undulating fairways, deep bunkers and scenic beauty.
Buggies recommended. Guests at the wonderful Almenara Golf Hotel benefit from
significantly reduced green fees.
Designer: Dave Thomas
Par: 72
Length: 6800 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: 1 - 15 November £52, 16 November - 31 December £41, January, July - August £43, February, June, September £47, March - May, October £54
Preferential green fees for Almenara hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: November - 27 July £29; 28 July - 25 August £36; 26 August - 31 October £29
Alcaidesa Alcaidesa is the closest thing
you'll find to a links course in the area. It has heather and gorse, fairways
that border the beach and the windy conditions you would associate with a
links. It also offers stunning views of the Rock of Gibraltar and the Atlas
Mountains of northern Morocco. Since opening in 1990 it has been considerably
modified and is now one of the region's most popular courses. A real test
of golf and perfect if you're looking for something a bit different from the
rest of the courses on the Costa del Sol.
Designer: Peter Allis/Clive Clark
Par: 73
Length: 6538 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November, 16 February - May, September - October (high season) £47; December - 5 February, June - August (low season) £38
San Roque Old Located in the foothills of
the Sierra Bermeja, San Roque's Old Course is one of the best in Spain and
is ranked 35th in Europe by Golf World magazine. The front 9 gives superb
mountain views, winding through a cork oak forest before heading back to the
clubhouse via the demanding and seemingly endless par 4 8th. The back 9 is
laid out across rolling hills and includes lots of shots across water that
will really test your judgement and your nerve. The closing holes incorporate
the resort's shimmering lakes to present a finish as beautiful as it is challenging.
Highly recommended. The only way to guarantee a game (and reduced green fees)
here is to stay at the lovely San Roque hotel.
Designer: Dave Thomas (bunkers redesigned by Seve Ballesteros)
Par: 72
Length: 7043 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: £103
Preferential green fees for San Roque Club hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: £43
San Roque New San Roque's second course, designed by legendary
American architect Perry Dye in collaboration with Seve Ballesteros, opened
in early 2004. It's a perfect compliment to its renowned neighbour, but also
a fine course in its own right. Built on undulating land, the layout affords
stunning panoramic views of the Guadalquiton River and the Mediterranean beyond.
Existing mature cork oak trees line the fairways and 240 new trees have been
planted. The only way to guarantee a game (and reduced green fees) here is
to stay at the lovely San Roque hotel.
Designer: Perry Dye/Seve Ballesteros
Par: 72
Length: 7246 yards
Green fees Nov 07 - Oct 08: November - 28 February, June - 15 September £55; March - May, 16 September - October £62
Preferential green fees for San Roque Club hotel guests Nov 07 - Oct 08: £32