Spanish Courses

I don't know Calanova and Los Arqueros, but I'd say both Cabopoino and Alhaurin are lower quality courses and I have a feeling the other two are as well.

Thanks Eddie. I do know that Alhaurin is a Seve designed course, and from what I've been able to gather, it's a fairly good course. I fear you maybe right about the other three though.

alhaurin is an absolute joke of a golf course, almost unplayable, i think seve was trying to prove some sort of point when he designed it, i've never met anybody who has a good word for it.

all four are at the cheaper end of the market, and as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

having said that the spaniards have ripped the arse out of green fees this year.

imo the best value at the moment is almenara, they seem to be holding the green fees this year, whereas most of the other half decent ones are 100 euros plus.

Played Cabopino last year. Wouldn't play it again if they came to fetch me in a private jet - absolute joke of a course.
No white tees, waiting for ages on tees , ridiculous configuration - all 16 of our party were gutted. Finished up walking off it was that bad. Some cracking courses on the Sol - this ain't one of them !

Some cracking info chaps. Anyone able to give me a list of a few worthwhile courses? Obviously not looking to pay stupid money, but happy to pay a reasonable fee for a reasonable course. All info much appreciated...

Just pony up the cash and do Valderrama Or Catalunya

We live but once

Couldn't agree more! Unfortunately others in the group aren't so inclined to spend.

Anyone know much about the following courses?

La Cala America, Marbella Golf & CC, Santa Maria & Santa Clara

la cala isn't too bad, bit "fairway or death",lot's of lateral ravines etc, but you can get some half decent deals.

looking at your list i imagine you're staying at the malaga end, if i was organizing one up there i'd go to torrequabrada [best course by miles at that end], maybe la cala, and rio real,i believe they are still half reasonably priced.

if you'r going down near peurto banus la quinta, the marbella club, and almenara are probably the best value.

Have played La Cala America and Asia (buggies essential!) and also Santa Maria and Santa Clara . You'll be ok with those  - no problem.

Alhaurin is used by my friends and I as an adjective meaning "you need to be extremely brave or foolhardy".

Unless you are single digit handicapper be prepared to lose a dozen balls on this course. Drives right down the centre disappear never to be found. Real joke of a course. Front 9 is much worse than the back 9 but they are completely different - like 2 9 hole courses glued together. A buggy is a prerequisite for the course btw.

La Cala North is better than South but both are decent courses (were at least when I played years back).

agree with others  , la quintas  fine la cala nice toraquebradda  best of the the lots(if in good nick) played in great nick but another year they somehow waterlogged the course and spoile it.

Cheers guys, all views very much appreciated!

Looks like it'll be okay after all.

Had anyone played El Prat just outside Barcelona? Any good?

Ronsk not sure where you got the quote from but if it wasnt from us ( Glencor Golf ) drop me an Email and we will try to beat it for you. The courses you have been quoted are all reasonable - Alhaurin being a course you will either love or hate but I would advise you to buy a bag of balls from the many people selling them on the way there !! I assume that you have been quoted those courses as they all include buggies in the green fees. Drop me a line at info@glencorgolf.com

I have emailed Pedror.

Ronsk - if you're in that area, you must play Monte Mayor. It's further up into the mountains, about 15 mins past Marbella Club, which is also excellent.

The course is up in the mountians, superb setting. Hard course as sloping fairways everywhere, but play it and enjoy the surroundings.

Marbella Club good but expensive, Los Arqueros good value, very tight, but not as nice as the other two mentioned.

Played loads in that area, Los Flamingos very good, and further along the coast Almenara is also excellent.

I think any decent course in Spain / Portugal will cost a few quid now.

The courses i've just mentioned are suited if you're staying Marbella / Peurto Banus / Estpeona area's.

Plus you've got the new course near Estepona where they play the matchplay that McDowell won recently.

Didn't rate Sotogrande, Sergio's club as a junior - average at best.

Didn't rate Sotogrande, Sergio's club as a junior - average at best.^^^^^

Tell me that you are kidding!...its a great course...

And the matchplay G-Mac won was in Bulgaria!....

Lol, I loved Alhaurin

monte mayor is now closed - which is a shame as it was the best course i played in spain and most interesting i ever played......

alhurain is a joke - v poor and as you say i think its the best of your 4 - i havent played the other 3 - la cala is ok but imo mijas is as good as any of the cheaper ones and doesnt cost the earth and is well tailored to holiday groups of uk - fast - golfers as they have marshals that keep the pace of play and teh courses are nice..... marbella is probably my fav of the other ones mentioned and torrequbrada is good too

When did Monte Mayor close?! Haven't played it for about 4 years. Everytime we played it though all the plots were still for sale, perhaps that had an impact.

Re the matchplay, you're right Bulgaria it was! I meant La Finca Cortesin where it was for the last couple of years, supposed to be excellent, and not far from Estepona.

Sotogrande - didn't like it, just my view. The rest of the group weren't too fussed either.

Also didn't rate Atalaya Park, or Rio Real.

La Qunita and Los Noranjos also good.

Good luck with the selections.

montemayor was an absolute joke of a golf course, i've shed no tears since it closed, sotogrande is a magnificent golf couse, bit on the expensive side now, cortesin is a great new course, but the prices have rocketed the last year or so, [i believe it's about 170 with a buggy now].

alhaurin is not a golf course, give it a wide berth.

Val, San Roque, Sototgrande...............cant go wrong

Montemayor was kind of a joke true but an experience every golfer should have (playing and getting there) - very beautiful as well. The greens were like velvet when I played and that was metal spike days - I lost a pile of balls and still loved it has must have holed 3 thirty footers in the round.

Guess it wasn't the smartest place to build a golf course.

Always enjoyed playing El Chaparral, lots of memorable holes and speedy greens. Buggy a must
Fees seem reasonable at 70 euros as well

Always enjoyed playing El Chaparral, lots of memorable holes and speedy greens. Buggy a must
Fees seem reasonable at 70 euros as well

played valle romano yesterday, was in excellent condition, thoroughly enjoyed it, tough greens. agree Almenara is excellent, if you go further towards gibraltar Alcaidesa and san roque have good courses but san roque in particular is quite expensive.