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Introduction to The Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is the perfect golfing location with over 40 golf courses to choose from and offering some of the best weather in Europe throughout the year.
The area offers many varied facilities for the perfect golf holiday from Fuengirola in the East with its abundance of British pubs and enough night life to stop anybody being bored. To the West is the sophisticated resorts of Puerto Banus and Marbella offering plenty of nightlife, bars, restaurants and the well known Marbella Casino. |
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Lauro
An inland parkland-style course on flat terrain 300m above sea level, Lauro is in a rural area only 12km from Malaga airport, and is a delightful course set among pine, cork, olive and citrus trees. The course is fairly flat and forgiving, but there are nine lakes and numerous trees to catch errant shots. Great views and a beautiful old converted farmhouse as clubhouse. A spectacular third loop of nine holes now offers magnificent mountain and valley views.
Torrequebrada
Since it first opened in 1976 Torrequebrada has been recognised as one of the most beautiful courses on the Costa del Sol. Very convenient location in Benalmadena and immensely popular. Tight but not unfairly so, you need to beware the prevailing wind, trees, bunkers and water, and the fairways are undulating almost to the point of being hilly. The greens are superb!
Alhaurin
Located in the mountains behind Mijas, Alhaurin enjoys a magnificent setting with spectacular views. A tough course to play but one that golfers want to return to a second time. Alhaurin is situated between Mijas and Coin. |
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Mijas - La
Cala
La Cala Resort in Mijas is an exclusive
residential and recreational estate located
between Marbella and Fuengirola and only 30
minutes from Malaga Airport. With 60 holes of
golf, La Cala is officially recognised as the
largest golf complex in Spain.
The principal
facilities include a luxury hotel, impressive
clubhouse and three 18-hole golf courses, Campo
America, Campo Asia and Campo Europa. It is also
the location of the only David Leadbetter Golf
Academy in the country as well as a testing
par-3 layout.
All three La Cala
courses were designed by the renowned course
architect, Cabell B. Robinson who was previously
employed as Robert Trent Jones’ designer in
Europe. Cabell stresses the difference between
the courses: “The three courses in La Cala
Resort are all very different in character. The
river Ojen features strongly in Campo Europa –
the others are in the hills. They are three good
challenges and none is over long. Yet they are
all very different in character. It gives a
great option to golfers to have three 18-hole
courses to choose from |
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Santana
One of the newest courses on the Costa del Sol. Constructed on an Avocado plantation, there have been just enough of the trees removed to shape the holes superbly whilst still retaining the feel that the golf course has been here for years. Deceptively generous fairways and excellent putting surfaces are guarded by cleverly positioned bunkers, the result is a stunning course to be enjoyed by all. Conveniently located near Mijas.
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Miraflores
Located in the hills above Mijas Costa, near Fuengirola, Miraflores offers breathtaking views down to the sea. The course has a number of elevated greens, water hazards and other such challenges. Opened in 1990, Miraflores is at the less expensive end of the market, and is great for easing yourself into the swing of things, although the 570 metre 12th with a lake in the middle of the fairway may pose one or two problems.
Cabopino
Opened in April 2001, and a short but tight course on undulating terrain. Cabopino nestles amongst umbrella pines in the hills above the quaint little marina bearing the same name. Some of the tee shots entice you into cutting doglegs or taking other risks that can easily spoil your score. There are many very interesting holes and some spectacular views. Buggies are included here.
Santa Maria
One of the most popular and requested courses in the area, Santa Maria is located very close to Marbella, and has been renovated to become an absolute gem. The course ventures out over undulating land into the foothills of the mountains, providing spectacular views. Although the course is not long, the narrow fairways place a premium on accuracy. Superb value for money and should be high on everyone’s list.
Marbella GC
This is a long golf course with opening holes crossed by ravines, which require accurate and brave tee shots. The views from many holes, especially the 12th, are breathtaking. A fair test of golf for all golfers, with an excellent central location.
Santa Clara
Opened in 2001, Santa Clara occupies a very convenient location off the main coast road near Marbella. After a relatively easy opening few holes, the course becomes undulating and tight with water and bunkers coming very much into play. Golfers are met in the car park with a buggy!
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Rio Real
One of the areas oldest courses, Rio Real opened in 1965. It is one of the coasts most requested courses, due to its invariably superb condition, good value, and convenient location just east of Marbella off the main coastal road. The terrain is gently undulating making it an easy walking course but interesting at the same time. Wide fairways, which make several crossings of the Real River, and fast greens are also popular amongst the many who return here year after year.
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Los Naranjos
Long terraced tees and large greens amidst fragrant orange trees are the main characteristics of the well-maintained golf course at Los Naranjos. Maximum use has been made of the orange trees from which the course gets its name.
La Quinta
Consists of 3 x 9 hole loops. The original A and B nines are very enjoyable courses – no frills, just well designed and well maintained golf holes. The newer C course leads you to the foot of the hills and mountains and has several water hazards. With a convenient position just inland from Puerto Banus, this is a deservedly popular course at value for money prices. |
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Guadalmina North Course & South Course
The North course weaves through the Guadalmina estate, just a few miles west of Puerto Banus and Marbella. A fairly straight forward enjoyable course but with numerous lakes, streams, fountains, and the river Rio Guadalmina to focus the mind. The south course re-opened October 2002 after extensive improvement works. The 10th and 11th are right by the beach at the side of the hotel - indeed the par 3 11th plays parallel to the beach and a stray shot to the left could find a very large sand or even water hazard! |
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Los Arqueros
An exciting course winding through two valleys that offer impressive views down to the coast. The course appeals to players prepared to make bold shots, a stiff test, even for professionals. The course is undergoing many improvements under its new owners, and the spectacular views ensure that Los Arqueros is much requested.
Atalaya Old Course & New Course
Atalaya old was built in traditional style and is a pleasant, flat parkland course with many bunkers, wide fairways and elevated fast greens. Not too demanding for experts, but an enjoyable and well designed layout. Situated between Marbella and Estepona, the course offers wonderful panoramic views of the area and fantastic practice facilities. The Atalaya new course is not as long as the old course. The first few holes put you at ease with wide flat fairways, but the course then shows its aggression by rising into the foothills and winding inland towards Ronda. Popular with all standards of player.
El Paraiso
Good holiday course in a valley overlooked by the Hotel El Paraiso. The course features fast greens and palm tree lined fairways. The challenge comes from several water hazards lining and crossing the fairways at inconvenient places. The course offers reasonable rates and a friendly atmosphere, combined with traditional British style that has made it extremely popular.
Flamingos
The first of three planned courses at Los Flamingos, in one of the most beautiful areas of Benahavis. From each of its 18 holes, players enjoy breathtaking views of the sea, Africa and Gibraltar. You have to negotiate fairways lined by a variety different types of trees and the river passing through the course into a lake.
Montemayor
One of the most spectacular courses in Spain. This is target golf at its most severe with fairways bordered and crossed by rocks, gorges and all sorts of trouble. The most outstanding feature of the Monte Mayor golf course is its spectacular scenery as the course sits high up in the mountains of Benahavis. It has a total of six bridges connecting the tees with the fairways, and these with greens. It is recommended to try Monte Mayor, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t play to your handicap - you certainly won’t be alone. The buggy is included in the green fee (for even numbers).
Estepona
Estepona GC is a reasonably short, popular holiday course, offering great value for money. Built on rolling terrain with narrow fairways, the premium here is very much on accuracy. Off the fairways you will find wild flora and fauna much in evidence, which create problems especially when the wind blows from the sea. Its natural landscape is framed by the Sierra Bermeja mountains and there are excellent sea views.
La Duquesa
This demanding course of abundant vegetation, difficult rough and large greenside bunkers is one of Costa del Sol’s most varied and demanding golf courses. It requires straight drives and accurate irons. Its wide fairways make it a reasonable challenge for golfers of all standards but watch out for the 8th, which although only 129 metres long has a vertical drop of 30 metres straight down. Spectacular views of the Mediterranean.
La Canada
La Canada, the first municipally owned golf club on the Costa del Sol, is a long course, which is an excellent low cost alternative to the pricier courses in the vicinity. The locals get preference so visitors need to book in advance, however it is well worth the effort.
La Reserva
Sotogrande golf just got better with the opening of La Reserva. At 6721 metres it’s the longest course on the coast but thankfully there are five tee positions ensuring the course is playable for everyone. As you wander through the indigenous cork trees and cast your view across to the glistening Mediterranean and the distant Rock of Gibraltar you’re sure to wonder if there is a better place to golf. First class location, first class condition and first class facilities.
Valderrama
Home to the Volvo Masters (1988-96), the Ryder Cup (1997) and the World Golf Championships (1999-2002), Valderrama has justifiably been voted as number 1 in Europe. This is an oasis of calm on the often frenetic coast set amongst cork trees on terrain that could have been created for a golf course. Valderrama is underplayed with tee times restricted for outsiders to between 12:00 and 14:00, and is therefore always in great condition. If you can justify paying the green fee, play it - you’ll remember it forever.
Sotogrande
Sotogrande was founded in 1964 and regularly features among Europe’s top ten courses, unfortunately the course is becoming more and more private each year, but it is always worth requesting the diminishing tee times for green fee players. Several varieties of trees and water hazards focus the mind, as there is very little rough to define the fairways.
Almenara
Almenara opened in 2001 and consists of 27 superb holes on hilly terrain in the Sotogrande estate. The wide fairways are surrounded by cork oak trees, wild pines and several streams as well as a natural lake creating a very beautiful course, and one that is enjoyed by all who play it.
All 9-hole loops are magnificent and testing without being too difficult. At the end, you can have a drink on the terrace and enjoy the stunning views over the course and out to sea. Superb practice facilities and Golf Academy on site – buggies recommended.
San Roque New & San Roque Old
San Roque old is a superbly challenging course which is lush and gently undulating with large greens and narrow fairways that meander through forest and groves, and numerous water hazards. There are excellent practice facilities – this is a must for all serious golfers when at the western end of the Costa del Sol.
San Roque new is an interesting and welcome addition to the San Roque stable and without doubt a far tougher course than the original. As you stand on the tee on many of the holes it appears you may need to be walking single file, such is the narrowness of the fairways. Add to this a massive collection of punishing bunkers, the mature cork trees and a mass of wild flowers and you have a tough course.
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Registered Office
Fairway Golf Holidays Limited,
The Priory Business Centre, Syresham Gardens,
Haywards Heath, West Sussex. RH16 3LB. Registered in England No. 6657773.
Tel: 0845 293 7250. Fax: 0845 293 7260. Email: sales@fairwaygolfholidays.co.uk |
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