Costa Del Sol Courses

thewobbler

Heading to Costa Del Sol in March with a small group. We're staying in Mijas Costa.

I've been doing a bit of digging around for nice courses for medium handicappers, something challenging without causing nervous disorders. The package I'm settled on at the minute is Alhaurin, Santana and Los Naranjos.

Has anyone played these courses and if so, would you return? Or any high recommendations as alternatives?

Valderamma and Sotogrande are out; I'm not interested in working weekends to pay for this trip!

I've been there a few times and have played Los Olivos (straightforward, boring), La Cala America (fun), La Cala Asia (one of the worst days of my golfing life, but is seemed a nice track) and El Chapparal (more a theme park than a golf course).

I'd go back to the La Cala tracks, but not the other pair.

PRAF

I played some golf in the Costa Del Sol in June. Played two courses:

La Quinta - really enjoyed this course. Some tough holes, lots of elevation changes, a good few water hazards on the course. The greens were good, clubhouse / restaurant was good too. Overall, no complaints and I highly recommend it. It recently hosted a Ladies European Tour event so is a very good standard.

Los Naranjos - only played here because we couldn't get another round in La Quinta (big competition on) to be honest. Could only play 12 holes. Not as good as La Quinta but still really enjoyed it.

Both courses were picked out by some friends of mine who regularly play golf in that area (one of whom is a PGA pro in Ireland).

Hope that helps

AldilaMan

Check this out if you're going to the Costa. http://www.sunsetbeachclub.com/files/golf%20flyer_euro_amended%20March2011.pdf

I've been going to the Costa for a good few years and this is a very good deal includes accomodation, breakfast, car hire, golf and buggies. Supplements to play Reo Real, Torrequebrada and Santana of €11, €16 and €19 respectively and all three are well worth playing.

Alhaurin wouldn't do it for me but then again El Chaparell works for me but not for you. I've given up the notion of playing "challenging" courses on the costa in favour of recreational type courses which suit hung over players better.

tamloc

http://www.santaclaragolfmarbella.com/ Class spot.

rafared

Played La Cala, El Chapperal, Santa Clara and Monte Mayor.

Monte Mayor was the best I thought but way up in the mountains so a bit of a trek, 30 mins from La Cala or thereabouts but worth it I though.
I liked the La Cala courses, El Chapperal was a bit fiddly, tight and short.
Santa Clara was the easiest of the 4, fairly open and suited to higher Hcaps maybe, but enjoyable with a lovely clubhouse.
Like all courses though its a matter of opinion and that can be greatly influenced by how you are playing at the time.:D

AldilaMan

rafared wrote: »

Played La Cala, El Chapperal, Santa Clara and Monte Mayor.

Monte Mayor was the best I thought but way up in the mountains so a bit of a trek, 30 mins from La Cala or thereabouts but worth it I though.
I liked the La Cala courses, El Chapperal was a bit fiddly, tight and short.
Santa Clara was the easiest of the 4, fairly open and suited to higher Hcaps maybe, but enjoyable with a lovely clubhouse.
Like all courses though its a matter of opinion and that can be greatly influenced by how you are playing at the time.:D

Jesus you must be a straight hitter to like Monte Mayor. I agree it's a beautiful track but it's not for the faint hearted.

Dormy

Have played lots of courses on the costa and I must say I would not be rushing back to Alhaurin. Ball swallower and unfair in places particularly on a 1st visit. Los Naranjos is nice enough and fairly straightforward. Santana is an excellent track and always on my list when i go over.

A lot depends on your budget but I would highly recommend Torrequebrada, San Roque Old course(pricey), San Roque New Course(excellent value), La Reserva or for a real treat Finca Cortesin.
Rio Real isn't bad either but a little samey over the closing stretch. All the the La Cala courses are a bit of crack where buggies are essential.
Enjoy

nocal

Word on the Costa is that Santana is currently in poor nick - it did not summer well. It is anyones guess if it will recover well over the winter - apparently once the temperature drops below 12 then the growth stops.

edit: spelling/typo

thewobbler

Sounds like Alhaurin might be a miss. El Chapparal put me distinctly off Spanish style 'hit the verge or lose it in the canyon' golf.

If I was booking for myself, Finca would be on the list. But I'm trying to keep the price down.

Anyone played Parador?

super saints

No golf holiday in the costa del sol Is complete without trying The 92 Club, granted the holes are not hughly challenging but there are some fantastic and lovely views. Everything is so well manicured and trimmed and quite reasonable considering the quality. I have an average sized handicap myself and it was great to be in good position's to get birdies.

Freemount09

I've played Los Naranjos, with about 14 others of mixed skill & ability (9 - 20 handicaps)

I don't have other courses to compare it to over there but we all had a great day and enjoyed the round.

I found the course very nice in great nick and with good greens. But then when your out on a golf course with good friends in 22 degrees life is good !!

nanook

Santana gets a vote from me. Torreqabrada, pardon the spelling is a tough challenge especially the back 9.

Played parador but did not like it as I was off the plane and went straight to play so a bit of tiredness does not let nano ok play well

For op, you are staying in mijas, there are 2 cracking courses there, supposedly, and next time the golf trip comes to the costa it is on the cards.

super saints wrote: »

No golf holiday in the costa del sol Is complete without trying The 92 Club, granted the holes are not hughly challenging but there are some fantastic and lovely views. Everything is so well manicured and trimmed and quite reasonable considering the quality. I have an average sized handicap myself and it was great to be in good position's to get birdies.

Never liked a course with a ATM at the entrance. Try explaining the additional charges to the wife.

rafared

AldilaMan wrote: »

Jesus you must be a straight hitter to like Monte Mayor. I agree it's a beautiful track but it's not for the faint hearted.

Yeah its a tough track but I thought it was a super course. Id agree its probably more suited to the low Hcaps or straight hitters at least. Thankfullly Im both (tongue firmly in cheek):D

AldilaMan

thewobbler wrote: »

Sounds like Alhaurin might be a miss. El Chapparal put me distinctly off Spanish style 'hit the verge or lose it in the canyon' golf.

If I was booking for myself, Finca would be on the list. But I'm trying to keep the price down.

Anyone played Parador?

Yes I played it but I wouldn't again. El Paraiso was enjoyable as far as I can remember priced at about €60 pp incl buggys. Another very good track imo is Atalaya Old. It can be pricey to book direct but I went through an agent and got it for €60 pp incl buggys. Wayne Chandler Elite Golf Services was excellent - 0034 952464614 http://www.elitegolfservices.com/

DoctaDee

thewobbler wrote: »

Sounds like Alhaurin might be a miss. El Chapparal put me distinctly off Spanish style 'hit the verge or lose it in the canyon' golf.

If I was booking for myself, Finca would be on the list. But I'm trying to keep the price down.

Anyone played Parador?

El Parador is handy for one thing ... it's literally at the back of the airport and serves as a nice warmer upper for your trip on day one. A few nice holes IIRC around 7 - 10 where there's a links feel to the place.

As other have said - Santana, Rio Real, Finca Cortesin & Torrequebrada are good tests of golf

DC1976

Rio real is a nice track and prob one of the better value courses. Toraqbrada is a rip off i thought, very slow as they pack people out. Took over 6 hours in buggies, madness. Mijas has several courses that are quite good, wide open and not too challenging. Good for all handicaps. Parador near the airport is good, Los flamengos is good, closer to Marbella. La Cala and La quinta are good but hilly. Santa Clara is ok.

DC1976

Oh and club 92 is amazing Always in good condition !!

DoctaDee

DC1976 wrote: »

Rio real is a nice track and prob one of the better value courses..........

It rained from 10 o'clock one night straight thru to 9 the following morning, Rio Real needless to say was closed for our 11.30 tee time .. but they opened at 13.00, there was a literal army of workers out on the course pumping water, drainin bunkers squeedying greens ... hats off to them

AldilaMan

DoctaDee wrote: »

It rained from 10 o'clock one night straight thru to 9 the following morning, Rio Real needless to say was closed for our 11.30 tee time .. but they opened at 13.00, there was a literal army of workers out on the course pumping water, drainin bunkers squeedying greens ... hats off to them

My one gripe about Rio Real is that you have to stick to the buggy paths at all times (no 90 degree rule in place). This can make for a very long walk from such wide fairways with 3 clubs in your hand and then discover that none of the 3 is the right one !!:mad:

thewobbler

That gets on my nerves too. Some holes in Spain need fixed buggy routes as Irishmen with a few beers in them might nosedive off a cliff. But most fixed path courses need to apply a bit more sense in places.

Think we're sticking with the original line-up. Alhaurin will probably break my heart but as it's only a few miles from my mate's house, it's going to need recce-ed sometime. Only 4 months and 3 weeks to go!

Dormy

Rio Real is fairly flat. 1 stiff climb (10th I think). Easy to walk. Santana is paths only for buggies also. Easy walk as well though. Stories of it being in bad shape are not true I'm told?? Dont quote me!!
Buggies on path only is a nightmare in my view. Would much rather walk.

Parador is ok if you dont mind the constant sound of airplanes overhead.
Mijas courses are ordinary in my view.
Santa Clara is user friendly, fair and a nice enough course.
Santa Maria not too bad but last time we were there tees were pushed almost up to the ladies teebox so was playing very short. Lots of confidence boosting high scores that day!!

El Paraiso is one we played a few years back. Nice track. Fair and reasonably flat also if I recall correctly.

DoctaDee

AldilaMan wrote: »

My one gripe about Rio Real is that you have to stick to the buggy paths at all times (no 90 degree rule in place). This can make for a very long walk from such wide fairways with 3 clubs in your hand and then discover that none of the 3 is the right one !!:mad:

LOL.. yeah I hear ya .. same happened to us in Santana. The buggy paths were nearly all down the right side of the fairways and as a drawer of the ball I was inevitably down the left, with the wide fairways I thought they should've laid on a shuttle bus to take me to the ball !

thewobbler

Just back.

It was unusually overcast for the first day and part of the second, but it made for nice golf weather. No need for talc or towels.

Alhaurin was, as expected, a bit of a theme park. This meant a series of stunning vistas and an unusual challenge (almost every green on the course is raised). It was enjoyable, but not in a normal golfing sense, it's too different. A couple of holes (6 and 12) are as bad as I've played, with landing areas smaller than my head and no clear line of sight either. Seve must have been having a wee joke to himself while carving those out.A handful of very nice holes, and average to good greens. It's good value, but not one for the shortlist.

Santana was a complete contrast. A superb layout, with everything in front of you, and lost balls down to you and not the course. In very good condition, with excellent par 5s and some very clever holes. Brilliant fairways. I'd walk it when I return. Clubhouse staff were as good as I've met abroad.

Los Naranjos, being in Marbella, was a bit snootier, but it was a very enjoyable, immaculately maintained 18. The front nine is all rises and falls (the 6th is a melter), while back nine flattens out and is very scoreable upon. A very pleasant course.

golondrinas

Update- Monte Mayor gone. Alhaurin in examinership. Mijas (Los Lagos ) undergoing refurb.ie closed for next six months.:(

gotapaininmy

very late to this thread but was out there in feb and played Valle Romano, La Cala (America), Rio Real and Finca Cortesin.

Valle Romano was great value and a decent track save for one or two silly holes. Greens were unbelievaby quick.

La Cala was ok, probably my least favourite of the four. The course rangers need some charm lessons.

Rio Real was in great condition and really enjoyed it, need to be straight.

Finca Cortesin was by far and away the best and even though it cost 110 I still think it was terrific value for the way we were treated and what we got for the money (GPS Buggies, range balls, water and fruit all included). Pay 110 in Ireland and you'll be given a scorecard and sent on your way! I do think this course is only for low handicappers, it is very difficult and punishes any bad shot but having said that it is a super course.