Course Summary

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Home to the renowned Almenara School of Excellence. The Almenara School of Excellence boasts the most modern golf practice facilities in Southern Spain.

With a simultaneous practice capacity of 90 players, 3 normal size practice holes, separate approach and putting areas, and a video studio for swing analysis, this is a highly sought-after centre.

Consists of three 9 hole courses which can be played in any combination to make up 18.

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Anoreta Golf Course is a parkland course, designed by Jose Maria Canizares. His design offers the golfer a good challenge.

Water is a major hazard and is featured at eleven of the holes. The fairways are tight and lined with semi mature trees.

One can appreciate with great sea views from this course from several of the holes.

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Alcaidesa is a links course originally designed by Peter Allis and Clive Clark, situated only 8 miles from Gibraltar, close to the world famous Valderrama Golf Course. 

It has spectacular views of the Mediterranean Coast as far as Gibraltar. On a clear day it is possible to see the coast of North Africa range across the straits of Gibraltar. Views from the 13th hole are absolutely stunning.

The layout of the course is often compared to a Scottish links course. Naturally the climate is far from that of Scotland.

Alcaidesa Links Golf Club, is considered by most golfers as the  best links course in Spain.

Alcaidesa has hosted three Spanish Professional Golfing Association competitions since opening in the summer of 1992.

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Alhaurin is located in the mountains behind Mijas. It has a magnificent setting with spectacular views but demands a great deal of accuracy. Golfers often hold a "sweepstake" on who will lose the most balls.

A serious attempt has been made in recent years, involving a significant investment, in order make the original 1993 Seve Ballesteros design more suitable to golfers of all standards.

Also incorporated within the grounds is a terrific par 3 children's course.

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Atalaya is a pleasant, relatively flat, parkland course well protected by numerous bunkers. Wide fairways and elevated greens, well protected by bunkers are incorporated in the layout.

Although experts may find the challenge a little limited, the average club golfer will certainly find it quite enough to handle as the greens are sharply contoured and quick.

Without attaining the standard of some of the other courses in the region, Atalaya has enough going for it to warrant a visit - as its enduring popularity since 1968 will testify.

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Baviera Golf is located below the foothills of the Sierra de la Almijara, 30 minutes east of Malaga. It opened for play in 2002. Golfers will enjoy both mountain and sea views whilst playing this course. Designed by twice World Championship winner and four time Ryder Cup member, JosŽ Maria Ca–izares, Baviera features wide undulating fairways and large, fast greens with various slopes. The course is of moderate difficulty and features several water hazards.

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A stunning, relatively new, Juan Ligues Crevs designed course nestling amongst umbrella pines in the hills above Marbella's beautifully quaint little marina of Cabopino.

Heralded as a course for "Using All the clubs in your bag", Cabopino offers a stiff challenge for high handicappers. Those who boast a low handicap will have to take calculated risks to get good results.

It is also a relatively short course, but very tight in places.

The signature hole is probably the 3rd (288m par 4 hcp 5). It is quite breath taking, with the tee box cut into the cliff face, the fairway is almost 200m below with an elevated green protected by a large front bunker. This hole is defiantly driveable from this elevation and you should make birdie with ease.

Hole 5 (378m par 4) is the most difficult hole on the course and justifies its stroke index 1. The fairway is very narrow with lateral water from tee to green on the right and out of bounds on the left. Play this hole safe, keep the driver in the bag, play two mid-irons and a wedge and you will save par.

Remember this course is relatively young - the fairways and greens are quite hard and not receptive to a high ball. Take one club less and let the ball roll onto the greens. The course is based on a "pay and play" concept and is a must for any visiting golfer.

The location and the design make it one of the most spectacular courses on the Costa. Each hole is completely different and offers their own individual challenges, given a couple of years for the fairways and greens to soften and this course will stand with the best.

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Ideal holiday course situated in a valley surrounded by hills and an abundance of vegetation. The fast greens and palm-tree lined fairways were Designed by Gary Player as long ago as 1974.

Member's club where visitors are welcomed. El Paraiso Golf Club is an attractive course which is being constantly improved.

The course itself it is easy to walk but most prefer the comfort of buggies. Well suited to all handicaps, the secret is to drive the ball well. Although it is not a particularly tight course a good drive will always leave you with easy access to the green and a chance at a birdie.

There are little brooks dotted around to catch you out as well as the small lakes that are strategically placed particularly unhelpful if you lose accuracy from the tee.

The yardage to the green is defined by small bushes off the fairway at 200m, 150m and 100m. Check these out on the first hole. The course is Par71 and offers a good mix of short and long par 4’s, par 5’s that can be reached in 2 as well as par 3’s of varying distances. The par 3’s are particularly agreeable. This all adds up to a course that gives you a chance to play good golf in enjoyable surroundings. El Paraiso welcomes visitors but tee times must be booked in advance.

This is a mature course that is being continuously improved and offers very good value for money in an attractive setting.

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A family owned golf course Described by the Daily Express as "a masterpiece".

David Leader's dream to open his own golf course came true in 1989, his son Rory now runs the business leaving David to play and relive his dream every day.

Offering a warm welcome to visiting golfers, the course is hilly in places with some challenging holes especially when the wind whips up.

In contrast with larger, more manicured courses, the natural appearance is maintained with wild flora and fauna still much in evidence just off the fairways.

The signature hole is the third, a very long par 5 known as "The Ski Slope", though the difficulties lie more in club selection when assessing ground relief. Greens are of good quality, well-designed and interesting to play.

Estepona offers great value for money and should certainly be considered in any golfer's itinerary.

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Flamingos golf club can boast "breath-taking views" of the Mediterranean, Africa and Gibraltar.

Bordered by the "Arroyo del Taraje" stream this course challenges the most cavalier of golfers.

Designer Antonio Garcia Garrido has taken into consideration each and every metre of the 5,907 metre course, where cypress, orange, olive and pine trees amongst others are used to give each hole its unique identity.

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North Course (America) 5782m, Par 73, 18 Holes, 1991

In the words of architect Cabell B.Robinson, La Cala North is situated 'on the limits of where it is possible to successfully build a course.' But, what a job he has done with this hilly terrain!

The North course begins with what must be the highest raised tee in existence and finishes with a 'ski slope', dogleg par 5 to a narrow green. In between there are some classic holes that will punish the unwary but are never unfair. The optical illusions created by the general relief of the course call for careful club selection before every shot, presenting a challenge any good golfer will relish.

South Course  (Asia) 5412m, Par 72, 18 Holes, 1991

La Cala South Course opened in 1990 and thus far has managed to avoid the massive developments.

Its undulating, spectacular terrain provides various degrees of difficulty. The 10th is considered La Cala's toughest par 5. At the par 3 11th hole the tee shot must cross a ravine and the second shot must clear water.

Campo Europa 5705m, Par 71, 18 Holes, 2005

Opened in April 05, this is the third course presented by the La Cala Golf Resort. A great deal of effort went into preserving the surrounding trees and countryside as much as possible along the 6050m length of the course. Indeed many more trees were planted along the course during its construction.

This course is probably the most challenging of the three on offer at La Cala. And is probably not the top choice for those of you looking for a forgiving round of golf.  It can provide a fair challenge for even the more experienced players.

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La Cañada is a fitting tribute to the people of Guadiaro who became golf addicts overnight with the emergence of Sotogrande.

The full length Trent Jones course is located in the hills adjacent to Valderrama and is open to the same winds. The long first hole sets the tone for a tough round of golf and the 4th is a trek into the unknown with no view of the green until the third shot.

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La Duquesa Golf Course is a typical Trent Jones layout demanding concentration and straight driving.

Winding around El Hacho beacon hill overlooking the Mediterranean to Africa, there are some stunning views to feast your eyes on.

At the spectacular 17th, just 129 metres from tee to green but 30 metres straight down, you should beware of the wind especially if the it is blowing from the west.

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27 holes - Par 108; A = 9 Holes - par 36 - 2775m, B = 9 holes - par 36 - 2692m, C = 9 Holes - par 36 - 2995m

A challenging course at the top of Marbella's golf valley. La Quinta demands stamina and accuracy from its elevated tees.

As many of the other course along the coast La Quinta offers some spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Inaugurated in 1989. The 27-hole course was designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido and the ex Ryder Cup player Manuel Pinero. The design incorporates large water hazards and deep bunkers, which are strategically placed for any wayward approach shots.

A technical course that reflects designer Manuel Piñero's own playing characteristics in that it rewards accuracy rather than long hitting.

A variety of hazards come into play from elevated tees with trees, water, sand and streams to negotiate before approaching a good proportion of raised greens. Not too difficult to walk.

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Great natural beauty and panoramic views surround Lauro Golf Course at an altitude of over 300 feet on flat terrain. This Falco Nardi designed course provides a delightful test of golf among pine, cork, olive and citrus trees.

Opened in 1992, the course is mature with some of the best greens on the coast. The clubhouse is a restored 18th century farmhouse once the scene of the vengeful killing of contrabandists.

Its parkland layout has been carefully levelled with many of the fairways cut between lines of olive trees. A challenging course with a number of formidable water hazards with deceptive holes. In particular the 4th, where a steep slope up to the green makes the pin seem closer than it really is.

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An exciting course winding through two valleys that offer impressive views down to the coast.

Designed by Ballesteros in 1991, the course appeals to attacking players prepared to make bold shots. Not very long, but sometimes tight with hazards constantly in play, which may lead to over caution.

Since its purchase by the Taylor Woodrow construction group, heavy investment has been made to improve course conditioning and remove the unfair punishment of slightly miss-hit shots.

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Long terraced tees and large greens amidst fragrant orange trees are characteristic of the well maintained golf course at Los Naranjos.

Los Naranjos is run on the philosophy that "golf means more than just sport." The new Andalusian style clubhouse bears this out emphasising a total golfing experience.

Maximum use has been made of orange trees from which the course gets its name. Maintenance is a priority: each morning a team of 20 staff prepare the course for members and guests, one of whom is often Sean Connery.

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Once very private but now open to visitors, Marbella Golf and country club offers a rather challenging but enjoyable golf course.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones it is a long golf course with some pretty frightening opening holes. The 1st poses a deceptive, uphill challenge culminating in the requirement for an accurately struck shot onto a well protected, raised green. The 4th hole, a par 3, is just tee and green, while everything in between is "lost ball" territory. The 12th is a sheer pleasure with memorable sea views, and the double 9th and 18th right outside the clubhouse is delightful.

Lightning fast greens and water hazards mingled with an abundance of bunkers ensure that greens are afforded the maximum protection.

Accurate tee shots are imperative as tee to fairway obstacles such as ravines and gullies are regularly obscured from the tee box. If you can't see your ball from the tee then you'll be best advised to fire a provisional.

This is a course which should definitely be considered for ones golfing itinerary.

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Mijas Golf boasts two terrific designs laid out by Robert Trent Jones. Los Lagos, the original course built in the mid-1970s, is a flat, long championship course with waterhazards and large greens. Enjoyable for long hitters but also accommodating to those with a slice. Wide fairways with little rough means Mijas has become the most successful commercial course on the Costa del Golf. Has two excellent 18-hole courses, both designed by Robert Trent-Jones Snr. Los Lagos is the older of the two courses, and was opened in 1976. The two courses feature wide fairways and large greens. Mijas is one of the coast's busiest golf clubs, please book to avoid disappointment.

Los Olivos

Los Olivos recently underwent extensive renovation work to bring the course back to its prime after 18 years of heavy usage. Improvements include new irrigation systems, refurbished tees and a redefinition of greens to USGA standards meant that the homeward loop of Los Olivos was closed until the end of 2001.

Greens are now smaller than previously with many being elevated. The par 3  14th is the most spectacular hole with magnificent panoramic views from the raised tees.

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Miraflores Golf Academy is situated in the heart of the Costa del Sol.  The Academy and Driving Range is floodlit and covered and is considered one of the best in Spain.

Reasonable priced but gives one a slightly claustrophobic feeling due to the close proximity of construction work.

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During the first decade of its existence, Monte Mayor gained a certain notoriety for the difficult access along a mountain track. The club can now be reached via a new asphalted road which makes transportation to and from the course a much more pleasurable experience.

A spectacular golf course set in an area of outstanding natural beauty 1,200 feet above the Costa del Sol. Not for the faint hearted. But if you are looking for a challenging course in complete peace and quiet, this is the one for you.

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