Golf in Marbella

disland

Im going to Marbella for a week in July. I see there are 18 golf courses in the region of Marbella. While I would love to attempt to fit the 18 in I am limited to about 3 of them!

Has anybody golfed in Marbella and have any recommendations?

irishpartyboy

I've played a few around there, here's my thoughts:

Santana (best course around in my opinion, great test)
Santa Clara (met Jimenez doing some practice there, excellent facilities)
Santa Maria (not bad)
Almenara Golf (not bad)

Avoid:
Rio Real (packed, poor condition, distinctly average)
Monte Mayor (too hilly, trick golf, you'd need boxes of balls)
Mijas Golf (too packed, worn)

San Roque OLD is supposed to be good.

scout353

Have to agreed there IPB

Santana is the best around the area. Also like La Cala and Almenara!

A lot of courses around the place are narrow and poorly designed!

Atalaya Old Course is excellent but avoid the new Course like the plague!

scholes19

played santa maria and santa clara in marbella last november!

-i found santa maria quite testing, didnt have a buggy and found that the hills and heat were quite testing! course was in good nick, greens were splendid, nice clubhouse aswel

-played santa clara the following day and found it less testing in terms of the couse design and the fact that we rented buggies made it somewhat more pleasant! excellent facilities in santa clara, including a beautiful clubhouse, and a large practise area!

On a whole i found santa clara more enjoyable, partly because of the buggies and i played better, would advise checking both out. Heading back in december and may try one of them again, somewhat difficiult to choose! Maybe santa clara just edges it!;)
any recommendations on other courses around the marbella area???

jaykay74

I've played the Marbella Club. Nice course, long, greens well kept and fairly quiet. Its expensive though so better to get someone else to pay for it