A course with a good reputation that was remodeled in 1993. It has hosted the Spanish PGA and the Andalucian PGA championships and is the only true links course on the Costa Del Sol. Fairways have been improved and widened and the greens leveled off with the result that the layout is now enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark with spectacular views over the Mediterranean to Gibraltar this is a worth a visit.
San Roque - 7084 yards
par 72
Dave
Thomas has produced a course here of outstanding design and offers a tough
challenge. The course offers spectacular mountain views to the north and the
occasional glimpse of Gibraltar. Two differing nines attractively landscaped
with some extremely memorable treelined holes. Has been used for European
Tour Qualifying on a number of occasions and is considered one of the most
exacting tests. Facilities include one of the longest practice grounds in
Spain complete with trees, greens and bunkers.
Almenara - 6785 yards
par 72
Situated on the Sotogrande Estate close to Valderrama this course has spectacular
views with the Almenara Hills forming a superb backdrop. With a reputation
for being in immaculate condition, set amongst pine and cork trees it offers
a true test of golf and considered by many to be Dave Thomas' best design.
La Duquesa - 6687 yards
- par 72
Designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1985 and set into a hilly landscape with
views over Gibraltar and to Africa. This is a demanding course that tests
every part of the game including concentration with the spectacular scenery
to tempt you. Some great holes that use changes in elevation to great effect.
Estepona - 6601 yards
- par 72
A thinking mans course that uses the natural contours of the area, water and
some dangerous rough to offer a tough challenge. Not long with some tight
fairways and well designed greens it makes for a pleasant round and is always
in good condition. Certainly a course to consider playing.
Sotogrande - 6857 yards
- par 72
Rated
as one of the best courses in Europe. One of the original Costa Del Sol courses
built in 1964 and designed by Robert Trent Jones. Water comes into play throughout
the back nine whilst meandering through mature oak, pine and eucalyptus trees.
One of the best kept courses and a superb experience to play.
Montemayor - 6152 yards
- par 71
Set in the mountains, this course has an extremely high reputation and offers
a great golfing experience. A superb design by Pepe Gancedo using the natural
landscape, with ravines and a river to catch the wayward. It also offers some
of the best scenery in the area with coastal views. A well maintained course
that is not for the fainthearted. Buggies are included in the green fee.
El Paraiso - 6728 yards
- par 71
One of the oldest and most popular courses on the Costa Del Sol opened in
1974. A Gary Player design that offers wide lush fairways with the difficulty
arising in the water hazards. Streams and lakes make for some accurate approach
play on this well maintained undulating course. Well worth a visit.
Atalaya (Old) - 6740
yards - par 72
A good parkland course lined with mature pine trees. A reputation for it's
condition with wide fairways that make for an enjoyable round of golf. Opened
in 1966 this is a popular course tests approach play with some elevated quick
greens.
Valderrama - 6857 yards
par 71
Host
to the 1997 Ryder Cup and many other tour events. Rated as the best course
in Europe with a reputation for it's immaculate condition, design and frighteningly
fast greens. Tree lined fairways make this one of the toughest courses in
the area and also one of the most scenic. A truly superb course that deserves
it's No.1 ranking.
Atalaya (New) - 5855
yards - par 72
Slightly more hilly than the old course offering some spectacular views. A
much shorter course with wide fairways and large greens designed for the less
experienced players. However it still makes for enjoyable golf if not over
demanding.
Los Arqueros - 6653
yards par 72
Designed by Seve Ballesteros with a choice of tees making the course suitable
for all levels of golfers. A fairly hilly course that is well kept and one
of the most improved in recent years. A great location just 15 minutes from
Marbella. A course that is well worth a visit.
Los Naranjos - 7102
yards par 72
Considered a Robert Trent Jones masterpiece. Set in the heart of Golf Valley
it has easy access and won't disappoint. Two contrasting nines make a very
interesting round. Broad undulating fairways with palms and sloping greens
on the front nine whilst the tougher back nine is flatter, through orange
groves with plenty of water hazards. Also, with well protected greens this
a course that has to be played
Rio Real - 6663
yards - par 72
An established course designed by Javier Arana in 1966. It provides a challenging
test to all levels of golfer. Set in a valley, it makes good use of the Real
River in fairly flat countryside sloping gently down to the sea. Well manicured
tree lined holes make this a course that is extremely enjoyable.
La Quinta - (27 holes)
3299 yards par 36, 3143 yards par 36, 3307 yards par 36
With
a choice of 3 nines is offers a variety of good golf. Always in superbly maintained
it has gained the reputation as one of the best complexes in the area. Situated
in Marbella's Golf Valley it is a relatively hilly course with narrow fairways
requiring accurate driving. Has everything required for golf including excellent
practice facilities.
Marbella Golf - 7169 yards - par 71
A Robert Trent Jones design with a very tough start. Opened in 1990, and recently
remodeled, it is a long course that tests even experienced players. It makes
use of a number of water hazards and large bunkers to protect the good greens.
There is also the odd ravine to catch the wayward shot. Highly recommended.
Santa Maria - 6184
yards par 70
With a reputation as being on of the best kept courses on the Costa Del Sol
it does not disappoint. Set in a valley it has a fairly open front nine whilst
the back nine offers a tougher test. Superb views of the sea with a nice clubhouse
and friendly atmosphere. Not overly long, but makes this up in quality and
is gaining a good reputation.
Mijas Golf - Los Lagos
7022 yards par 71, Los Olivos par 72
Two Robert Trent Jones creations that are quite contrasting. Los Lagos is
a relatively flat open course with 8 lakes to watch out for. The greens are
well protected by bunkers requiring accurate approach shots. Los Olivos is
shorter but narrower and requires precision play. It has small greens that
again are well protected by bunkers. A superb complex.
La Cala - South 6556
yards par 71, North 6776 yards par 73
A
superb golfing complex. Two championship standard course set in the mountains
await any golfer looking for a challenge. Landing areas need to be hit to
play the holes well to avoid the dangerous rough. Very clever landscaping
of the fairways and greens invites you to go for your shots and risk that
little bit of danger. With hotel and excellent practice facilities on site
it offers everything for a golfing holiday. One to recommend.
Torrequebrada - 6387
yards par 72
Probably the toughest course on the Costa Del Sol. Designed by Pepe Gancedo
it has a great location with views of the mountains and sea. Water hazards,
bunkers and difficult greens make this a difficult course even before the
wind starts to blow. This is a real test of golf and if played well offers
great satisfaction.
Lauro - 6568 yards
par 72
Set over 1000 feet above sea level it has panoramic views of the whole area.
The golf's not bad either. A quality design that meanders through fruit trees
with nine lakes to watch out for. Accuracy is the key to playing this course
well. The clubhouse is a restored 200 year old farmhouse.
Guadalhorce - 6836
yards par 72
A good course with two fairly contrasting nines. The front nine is gently
rolling parkland whilst the back nine has some elevated greens with water
to watch out for. A well maintained course that has a superb clubhouse and
atmosphere. Worth a visit.
Alhurain - 6843 yards
par 72
A
Seve design that makes the most of the terrain. Just North of Mijas with long
narrow fairways it tests all golfers driving. Superbly maintained greens await
at the end of the ribbon fairways which are guarded by well placed white sand
bunkers and some water. Looks fantastic with the back drop of the mountains
and semi wasteland. Another great course.
Parador - 6755 yards
par 72
One of the oldest courses on the Costa Del Sol built in 1925. It is part links,
part parkland that has wide fairways and established trees offering fair golf.
All of the trouble can be seen with no excuse for going into it. It has held
a number of big events and is well worth a visit.
Miraflores - 6198 yards
par 70
Located in the hills, it offers a good challenge to all golfers with some
challenging holes. Opened in 1990 with water featuring on many of the holes
and elevated greens. It has a good reputation and offers one of the longest
par five's in the Costa Del Sol in the 570m 12th.
