The Perfect Round of Golf

Murcia Holiday resorts and houses.

2008-05-08T06:55:00.002+02:00

Murcia had been known more as the backwater of Spain for many years. And in the process had missed out on the property market boom and also as golf holiday resort destination, like the other places of Spain.

Nevertheless, things seem to be moving ahead in Murcia, it is becoming a well-liked place for people who want to make a home in Spain. Property investors are also showing a lot of interest in this region.

Murcia is on the way to becoming a very hot golf holiday destination of Europe, it is attracting people who want to buy a property with beautifully designed golf courses in their neighborhood.

There has been a constant increase in the number of visitors coming to Murcia.

Exceptional golf courses and resorts are one of the biggest reasons for this.

The La Manga resort has a world class golf course designed by Robert Putnam and Arnold Palmer. It also includes a hotel, apartments and villas.

La Manga Club, which is the oldest residential golf course in Spain still, has the status of being a world class golf resort. There are golf courses at Altorreal and Torrepacheco which are also very popular among golfers.

Regards,
Zengolfer

Blog Catalog

Murcia Spain a Growing Golfing Region

2008-05-07T06:50:00.001+02:00

It is no surprise that with its fantastic climate and areas such as the Costa del Sol that boast of having one of the highest concentrations of world class golf courses in the world, Spain has been a very well-liked golf holiday destination for quite some time now. Cheap flights, plenty of hotels, villas, apartments and delicious food have made Spain a much liked golf holiday destination. It is not only that, there are quite a few golfers who have invested in property here to sharpen their golfing skills.

Murcia, which stands on the bank of the river Segura, has been expressed as one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The place is greatly influenced by Moorish architecture. It is around 882 square kilometer, with a population of 1.3 million people, out of which a third live in and around the city of Murcia only. Murcia offers celebrations and carnivals all year round, and this is one place where you can do a lot.

Fascinating shopping and diverse cuisine are the two ways in which you can get to know the city and Region much better.

Golf is another.

Over the next few days The Perfect Round of Golf will be having a look at this Region and the courses you can play.

Regards,
Zengolfer

Blog Catalog

Calanova Golf Course guide

2008-05-05T13:05:00.002+02:00

Calanova Golf Course is a course close to the La Cala village and designed and built in the hills and valleys of the area. It is a course that can be enjoyed by all levels and is tricky on a windy day.

The front 9 of Calanova Golf Course

Hole 1: Par 5 dogleg to the left where the tee shot is over a lake. The best line is middle to left but beware out of bounds on the left side. There are fairway bunker on the right and the green slopes away at the back.

Hole 2: Sharp dog leg to the right but don’t play to close to the right side otherwise you will be blind to the green. Bunkers are along the left side. The green has one bunker protecting.

Hole 3: A dogleg to the left and a short hole. You need to play short of a barranca and then hit a short iron or chip to a tricky green that slopes away to the right and the back.

Hole 4: A sharp dogleg to the right with a big slope down to a small green well protected with bunkers. A big hitter can reach the green but will have a very tricky chip if not staying on the green.

Hole 5: This hole curves to the left and often has the wind against. There are a couple of bunkers on the right of the fairway and the right of the green.

Hole 6: 163 meter par 3 downhill and over a lake and a bunker. There is also a bunker on the right catching any pulled shots.

Hole 7: the fairway is narrow with rough all down the right and out of bounds on the left. The green has two levels and a bunker on the left.

Hole 8: 146 meter par 3 downhill again and a bunker on the right stopping balls from disappearing down a slope.

Hole 9: A par 5 that curves to the right. Safest shot is middle to left. The right has large bunkers and the left has a slope with rough. The green is small with two levels and a bunker at the back right.

Please visit Calanova Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Costa del Sol Golfing Holiday.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Cabopino Golf Course Guide

2008-04-24T07:51:00.002+02:00

Cabopino Golf Course is a course with some interesting holes using the hilly land of this area just outside the Port of Cabopino. There are some great views of the mountains and also out across the Mediterranean Sea.

The front 9 of Cabopino Golf Course

Hole 1: You don’t need too long a drive or you will start on the downhill slope to the green. There is a bunker on the left of the fairway and two bunkers protecting a small green.

Hole 2: A narrow fairway to another small and narrow green. Middle to left for the drive and again a driver is not needed.

Hole 3: The green is way down and has one bunker in front. There is bush and rough ground in front of the tee to the left and right. The green can be reached in one shot but there are slopes and rough ground all around if you miss…

Hole 4: A short hall that doglegs to the right. Slopes and a bunker make the approach to the green tricky. Again the green is small and undulates.

Hole 5: A long par 4 with a very narrow fairway. Out of bounds is to the left and trees are along the right. There is a slope down to the green on the left and most balls hit that way will role onto the green. A bunker protects the right hand side.

Hole 6: A short dogleg to the right where the corner can be cut even though it is an uphill hole, leaving a chip to the green. The green is small and undulating.

Hole 7: Straight forward 152 m par 3 with a small putting area and a bunker in front.

Hole 8: Sharp dogleg to the right where the corner can be played over for a chip to the green.

Hole 9: Straight uphill hole with a fairway bunker on the right. Tee shot down the middle and then to the middle of the green as it is protected all around.

Please visit Cabopino Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Costa del Sol Golfing Holiday.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Santa Maria Golf Course Guide

2008-04-23T14:44:00.002+02:00

Santa Maria Golf Course is a very popular course due to its location and fantastic views of the course and surrounding landscape, and also because it can be enjoyed by golfers of all levels.

The front 9 of Santa Maria Golf Course.

Hole 1: The tee shot is over a lake and the right hand side is a gully with a river. Straight down the middle and then to the flat green which has three bunkers protecting it.

Hole 2: This is a downhill par 5 with a tight tee shot due to the row of trees on the right side. The fairway narrows further 100 m before the green which is left of the raised 2nd tee.

Hole 3: Up hill tee shot with the fairway falling away to the left. The green has two bunkers in front and one at the back.

Hole 4: 250 meter par 4 uphill with out of bounds on the right and river gully along the left. The fairway starts tight but opens out and the second shot should be a chip.

Hole 5: Out of bounds on the right and open but some trees on the left. Straight forward hole with the green slightly elevated.

Hole 6: Again slightly up hill with a wide fairway. Middle to right side of the tee is the safest and best position to play to the green.

Hole 7: A long par 3 where you play over a gully to a small green with a couple of bunkers protecting.

Hole 8: A dogleg right par 5 where the corner can be cut however, there are two bunkers after that which need to be carried. It is safest to play up the middle with an easy second shot and then a short iron to the green. There is a lake on the right side of the fairway 100 meters before the undulating green.

Hole 9: Tee shot over the lake and up hill to the green there is a gully on the left to stay away from.

Please visit Santa Maria Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Costa del Sol Golfing Holiday.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Costa de Luz Video.

2008-04-22T13:34:00.002+02:00

Just been added to the videos is a recent compilation from Costa de la Luz.

Some fantastic course to play and enjoy in a quieter region of Spain.

There are 5 courses near the Portugal boarder; so many golfer sfly into Faro airport and then drive down.

Great weather for golf nearly all the year.

Enjoy your Golf

Zengolfer

Golfing weather?

2008-04-18T07:30:00.002+02:00

Well i was wrong about the weather.

Rain again.

Had planed to play today with an old professional friend of mine and get back on track to get this handicap lower.

Plans on hold.

The Costa is busy with golfers and their will be a lot of re arranging of tee times and money back from some of the courses.

Looking at the forecast the weekend won`t help.

Maybe i will have to go to one of the courses that has a simulator and i can have a round at St Andrews while the wind blows and it rains sideways.

Outside.

Speak soon
Zengolfer

Santa Clara Course Guide

2008-04-16T06:45:00.002+02:00

Santa Clara Golf Course

The Front 9 Holes of Santa Clara Golf Course

Hole 1: This is a nice start with a straight hole. Tee shot down the middle then short iron to the green. Behind the green is rough hilly area.

Hole 2: Par 3 which has a river running down the left side and the green is protected by two bunkers on the left and rough and trees on the right.

Hole 3: This is a short par 4 which is a slight dog leg to the right. To be safe play straight of the tee and then pitch over the bunkers and rough in front of the green.

Hole 4: The river runs down the right side and there are trees and shrubs on the left. The fairway is quiet tight. Tee shot down the middle then on to the narrow green which is protected by a bunker on the left.

Hole 5: There are a line of trees that you can play to the left or right of both is fairway; it is better on the left for a direct line to the green with a short iron or less. The green is narrow at the back and has a bunker on the right.

Hole 6: Par 3 hole where the narrow green has bunkers protecting on the left.

Hole 7: The fairway is wide and up hill, where the middle is best. The second shot will be played on an up slope and the green has two bunkers in front.

Hole 8: This is a dogleg to the right par 5 where there is a large area for the tee shot to land. The hole slopes form right to left and most balls hit to the right of the fairway will roll down. The green has bunkers around the left side and the slope on the right. A beautiful hole to play with a fantastic view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Hole 9: A dogleg to the left where the tee shot should be as left as possible without going into the line of trees. There a couple of trees before the green on the right, a couple of trees around the green making the approach tricky and a bunker on the front right.

Please visit Santa Clara Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Costa del Sol Golfing Holiday.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

The Weather is great.

2008-04-15T09:09:00.002+02:00

Every year golfers around the world book golfing holidays for many different reasons.

To have a break.

Get away from weather or wife.

Lots of drinks with their mates.

And Golf.

And even though everyone has a different idea about a golfing holiday they all want to play well!

Most important thing is the weather and here on the Costa del Sol last week the weather was terrible.

The Good news is that will be the end of the winter weather and it will be sun all the way through to November now.

I am Confident.

But don`t take my word for it.

Costa del Sol Golf where the sun shines nearly all year.

Enjoy your Golf
Zengolfer

At Last on the Course

2008-04-14T07:32:00.004+02:00

The weather has not been at its best this last week with rain every day up till Friday. However, the weekend has been glorious and i think that will stay.

After a busy few months i managed to get out on the course. Actually courses i should say.

El Chaparral Golf Course. and Santa Maria Golf Course.

I am hoping to start at the practice range soon with my professional pal on hand to get me back on track, but, i don`t think it will be for another couple of months before i am playing regularly and often.

Just too busy. Family. Work. Plans.

So what was i doing!

Taking pictures.

It has long been my plan to start getting a photo collection together of some of these courses especially since there are over 40 on my doorstep. So with a new camera i went off and had a practice.

Didn`t go great as i am trying to learn the settings but it should get better.

Will keep you posted.

Enjoy Your Golf
Zengolfer

Buenavista Golf Course Tenerife

2008-04-10T09:14:00.002+02:00

Buenavista Golf Course is a beautiful course sometimes called the Pebble Beach of Tenerife. It is situated in the North East of the Tenerife Island next to the Teno Mountain range. Buenavista Golf has been designed by Seve Ballesteros on the cliffs of this stunning natural area protected rural park, and the mountains behind.

This Tenerife course was opened in 2003 and offers a breath taking layout along the rugged coastline of Isla Baja where several of the greens are on the cliffs edge giving the impression they are suspended in air.

The course has been designed to challenge golfers and to be enjoyed by all golfers. Tenerife has the perfect golfing climate all year round with an average temperature of 23 degrees and very little rainfall.

Buenavista has some great holes; the following is information and playing tips for some of them.

Hole 3 is a sharp dog leg to the left where to long a drive will find the bunkers just off the fairway. The green is protected by two large bunkers in front and another left side bunker.

Hole 5 has a tight fairway and you don’t want to be anywhere other than the middle. There is a lake to the right and left before you reach the green and bunkers protecting the sides and back.

Hole 9 needs to be looked at and thought about. Club selection and direction are important due to fairway bunkers on the right and left side before the fairway turns to the left. The best approach to the green is from the right side but stay on the fairway. The green has a bunker in front and two lakes to the left.

Hole 15 is a long par 3 where the green is on the edge of the cliff. The wind can make club selection tricky, but don’t go over.

Hole 16 runs parallel with the coast and offers some magnificent views. It is a doge leg to the left, where you don’t want to drive to long or you will find the tree. The green is quite small and has a bunker in front on the right.

Hole 18 is a beautiful finishing hole par 5 with a very difficult approach to the green. You want to keep the drive as close to the left as possible as there are bunkers on the right and this is the easier approach shot. In front of the green is water, either a river or a lake depending on your approach.

Buenavista Golf Course has a clubhouse where you can enjoy the bar and restaurant from the different terraces offering stunning views of the course and the Atlantic Ocean.

Enjoy Buenavista
Zengolfer

Los Naranjos Golf Course Guide.

2008-04-06T07:13:00.004+02:00

Los Naranjos Golf Course is another course which has a name describing the course. The course of oranges is set in an old orange grove in a beautiful area of the Costa del Sol.

The front 9 of Los Naranjos Golf Course

Hole 1: This opening hole is a dog leg to the right. Tee shot should be to middle and left for the best line to the green. The green is elevated and has bunkers on the front right.

Hole 2: A long par 5 (517 meters) that is straight. There is a bunker on the right side of the fairway and again the green is elevated.

Hole 3: Straight hole with the green up hill and well protected by bunkers.

Hole 4: 168 meters par 3 where the green has a river in front and bunkers left, right and behind.

Hole 5: A river runs along the left side and then in front of the green on this par 5 hole. Hit the tee shot middle to right and if long enough the green can be reached in two.

Hole 6: A tricky hole where the tee shot is all important on a tight fairway. There is a river running in front of the green.

Hole 7: The right side has four bunkers and then out of bounds so play to the left. The green is slightly up hill and is well protected by bunkers.

Hole 8: 180 meter par 3 where the large green has slopes in many directions and bunkers left and right.

Hole 9: A dog leg to the left where a huge bunker protects the left side. This hole can play long but it is a hard corner to cut. The green has three bunkers and slopes towards the front.

Please visit Los Naranjos Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Costa del Sol Golfing Holiday.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Rio Real Golf Course Guide.

2008-04-03T20:31:00.003+02:00

Rio Real Golf Course is one of the most popular courses on the Costa. The River Real meanders through out the course thus giving the name to this beautiful course.

The front 9 of Rio Real Golf Course

Hole 1: A straight hole to start and not to long at 312 meters. The green has a bunker left and right.

Hole 2: Another straight hole however the second shot needs to be accurate as there are three bunkers surrounding the green.

Hole 3: A short par 3 with the river in front and two bunkers either side of the green.

Hole 4: Slight dog leg to the left so middle to left is the path for the tee shots again the green is well protected by sand before the real sand and sea start.

Hole 5: The river is on the right side and the view to the green is obscured by the hill up to it.

Hole 6: The river runs to the left and out of bounds is to the right of this par 3.

Hole 7: This is a par 5 up hill. The fairway is generous and the green has two bunkers protected a tricky putting green.

Hole 8: A dogleg to the left where the tee shot should be middle to left. There are two bunkers on the right side and trees all down this side.

Hole 9: A straight forward par 4 hole where an accurate approach shot is needed as again the green has three protecting bunkers.

Please visit Rio Real Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Golf Holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Finca Cortesin Golf Course Guide.

2008-03-31T08:28:00.004+02:00

Finca Cortesin Golf Course is one of the newer courses on the Costa del Sol situated in the hills and coutryside outside of Marbella. It has some of the best holes on the Coast and fantastic views to enjoy as well.

The front 9 of Finca Cortesin Golf Course

Hole 1: Tee shot is best to the middle of the wide fairway which does have bunkers on the left and right. The green is quite large, protected on the left by a bunker and on the right by a slope.

Hole 2: 175 meter par 3 with a well protected green which has many contours to its surface. This is a tricky par 3.

Hole 3: A beautiful par 5 which for a long hitter can be reached in two. The tee shot to a wide fairway should be to the left if you want to play your second shot over the lake to the green. Or you play your second shot up the left side away from the lake. There are no bunkers around this green and the views are fantastic.

Hole 4: 256 meters to the green but a huge lake to play over. Take less club and play up the fairway to the right avoiding the one fairway bunker and then onto the green. The green has the water to the left and a bunker to the right.

Hole 5: A straight par 5 with the fairway becoming tighter as you approach the green. The green is narrow and well protected by some great bunkers making reaching in two very tricky.

Hole 6: 178 meters par 3 with deep bunkers protecting a large green.

Hole 7: It is a long hole and a difficult par 4. Again the fairway is generous with bunkers left and right. The second shot will be a long iron or wood to a large sloping green with bunkers front right and right.

Hole 8: A dog leg to the right and a par 5. There are bunkers all up the right side before the turn. Select your second shot carefully as the approach to the green has bunkers left and right making the fairway narrow. It is a large green with one bunker and a lot of rough.

Hole 9: A short par 4 with a generous fairway with bunkers down the left and one in the middle. The green is small and a good second shot is needed to avoid any trick chips.

Please visit Finca Cortesin Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Golf Holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Alhaurin Golf Course Guide

2008-03-30T09:49:00.003+02:00

Alhaurin Golf Course is a 20 minute drive from Fuengirola to the olive growing mountainous countryside where Seve Ballesteros has designed this challangeing course with views for miles from some of the holes.

The front 9 of Alhaurin Golf Course

Hole 1: A par 5 dog leg to the right with rough trees and bushes down the right side. Play the tee shot left to middle. The green has slope away to the right and a bunker on the left.

Hole 2: Tee shot to the left and short of the huge drop down to the green which has bunkers all around.

Hole 3: Par 3 160 meters where the green is narrow and the land falls away after the bunker on the right.

Hole 4: Play the tee shot to the right of the left fairway bunker a driver isn’t needed. The hole is a dog leg to the right and the corner can be played over for a smaller chip shot. The green has two bunkers left and right.

Hole 5: Short par 3 with the green sloping to the front and a bunker.

Hole 6: The tee shot is down, down, down to the fairway which dog legs to the right. The rest of the fairway slopes away to the left so keep the ball to the right side. Trees bushes and rough are all down the right. Bunkers are up the left side and of the small green.

Hole 7: Straight hole with a larger green which has bunkers right and back.

Hole 8: Another hole where you start on one level then drop away. Don’t go long down the slope as it will roll away of the mountain. Aim for the marker and stay at the top for the best second shot to the green with two bunkers on the left.

Hole 9: Slight dog leg to the left, so, tee shot middle to right, avoiding the tree in the middle of the fairway. The green is bunker protected to the right and back.

Please visit Alhaurin Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Golf Holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Santana Golf Course Guide.

2008-03-24T09:09:00.009+01:00

Santana Golf Course is a beautiful course set in an area outside La Cala where you will see no houses or roads during your round.

The front 9 of Santana Golf Course

Hole 1: Straight forward hole to start with. Slightly up hill par 4 where a tee shot down the middle is fine. There are a couple of bunkers protecting the Green.

Hole 2: Par 3 160 meters with bunkers and some water protecting the green

Hole 3: The tee is elevated and the fairway slopes slightly right to left. There is a fairway bunker to avoid from tee off and the green is undulating.

Hole 4: A beautiful par 5 hole where the layout of the hole makes for some interesting golf shots. Fairway bunkers, stream before you reach the green and bunkers around the green.

Hole 5: It is best to play straight and short of the bunkers before the green. The green is protected by two more bunkers and is tiered making club selection important and putting tricky.

Hole 6: It is a dogleg to the left where a good tee shot can carry the mound and cut the corner leaving a easier chip to the green. Bunkers protect the fairway and green and the green is contoured.

Hole 7: 192 meters par 3 has the river (sometimes dry bed) to the right side and a bunker by the green.

Hole 8: This is the longest hole at Santana. Par 5 602 meters slight dogleg to the right. Tee shot and second shot are in the perfect position middle to left of the fairway. The green has three bunkers protecting it.

Hole 9: This is a par 4 uphill where middle of the fairway is perfect.

Please visit Santana Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Golf Holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

El Chaparral Golf Course Guide

2008-03-22T12:20:00.007+01:00

El Chaparral Golf Course is a beautiful course with a great layout that challenges all golfers.

El Chaparral Golf Course front 9 holes.

Hole 1: You drive over a barranca (dry ravine) to middle to right of the fairway. The hole is all uphill with slopes either side of the green however the rough is long and the ball will not always roll down. The green has a couple of levels.

Hole 2: This is a par 3 where again you drive over a long barranca and the green has two bunkers protecting it.

Hole 3: This is an interesting hole where big hitters can play over a mound on the left to give a chance of reaching in two, whereas the safe play is middle to left. There is a river about 100 meters before the green. The green is long and narrow and slopes away to the left.

Hole 4: A slightly uphill par 3 which always needs a club more than its distance.

Hole 5: A hole that is straight but due to trees and the undulations of the fairway it seems to meander. The green is small and long is out of bounds. Short and you will roll down a slope.

Hole 6: A par 5 where a drive down the middle is where you want to be. The green is at the bottom of a slope and is a blind shot. There is heavy rough all down the right and a dry river and gully to the left.

Hole7: Another Par 5 which can be reached in two. However the position is down the middle then over a corner of trees and bunkers to cut the dogleg right and a chance for a birdie. Or safely play the second shot straight and chip up hill onto the green in three.

Hole 8: A lovely hole that doglegs to the right. From the back tees it is hard to cut the corner as trees are all down the right. Don’t drive to big otherwise you will go past the fairway and into the trees and shrubs on the other side. The green has a slope running down to it on the left and falls away on the right.

Hole 9: Straight down the middle for this hole. There are a couple of dips in the fairway and the green is protected by bunkers.

Please visit El Chaparral Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

Let Sungolfer help with Your Golf Holiday on the Costa del Sol.

Regards,

The Perfect Round of Golf.

Sorry it has been so Long

2008-03-22T11:06:00.004+01:00

It has been a long time since this blog has been updated and i am very sorry for that.it has been one of those chain of events that has led to 3 months of inactivity.

It started with an enjoyable planed holiday and then well one thing after another.

Anyway the holiday was good.The Costa del Sol is starting to get busier with golfers and will stay busy for the next couple of months.

Will keep you updated again on what is going on.

Plus we will have a couple of other writers offering stories, thoughts and general information.

General golfing information and when i get out on the course how my golf is going.

Have a good night and i will update tomorrow.

Regards,
Zengolfer

Blog Catalog

Tenerife Golf

2007-12-14T16:33:00.002+01:00

Tenerife is becoming more and more popular with golfers looking for great courses, weather and scenery. Tenerife is an ideal golfing destination with a great all year round climate for golfers with temperatures averaging 23 degrees, ranging from 18 to 24 degrees, very little annual rain fall.

Tenerife is known as ´the island of eternal spring ` due to its geographical location and the winds and sea temperatures surrounding the island.

Tenerife golf is becoming more popular with recent top quality course being designed. Built and opened. This also includes the amazing Tecina Golf Course on Gomera island just of Tenerife.

The Tenerife landscape is varied due to slight changes in climate caused by Mount Tiede and its slopes down to the Ocean. In winter you can enjoy the sunny weather of the beach while the two thousand high mount will have snow on top. Tenerife`s capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife enjoys good weather all year round but just a few kilometers away at Laguna it will be cold and possibly rain.

Real club de Tenerife is the original and oldest course on the island opening in 1932, in fact it is the second oldest in Spain. The rolling course is 600 metres above sea level with steep cliffs and has mount Tiede as its back drop. This course is always popular due its location and friendly clubhouse.

Recent golf courses opened on Tenerife Golf are Buenavista golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros situated on the north west of the island and Tecina golf course designed by Donald Steel situated on Gomera island a short ferry from Tenerife.

Buenavista golf course has been designed in a beautiful setting and designed to challenge with the back nine more challenging as many of the holes give the appearance of playing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Tecina Golf Course has many of the greens suspended in the air on the edge of the cliff face. Nearly all the holes are downhill with views of Mount Tiede on Tenerife, the Gomera landscape and of course the Atlantic Ocean.

Originally opened in 1987 is Golf de Sur which has 27 holes offering three different championship courses. As well as hosting golfing events the golf school is set up for the use of amateurs and professional who enjoy the facilities and the weather.

Tenerife is worth a visit for anyone who enjoys a holiday in beautiful place with friendly people and a high level of service, especially a golfing holiday where the above courses and others on the island can be enjoyed.

Enjoy Tenerife Golf
Zengolfer

Mijas Golf Course

2007-12-13T06:34:00.001+01:00

The number of course in the Mijas area has grown so fast in recent years that the area is now known collectively as ´golf valley`. Around half a dozen different courses within minutes of each other, stretch all the way from La Cala to the west, to Mijas Golf near Fuengirola.

Mijas Golf is one of the Costa del Sol’s longest established courses and remains a favorite. It’s really two courses , Los Lagos (opened in 1976) and Los Olivos (opened in 1984), designed by one of golf’s true greats, Robert Trent Jones Sr., who made his designs with a heartfelt philosophy, believing that “every hole should be a hard par and an easy bogey”. Both courses live up to it; each features strategically placed water and sand hazards, but at the same time offers the high handicapper lots of generous, gently undulating fairways and an overall impression of wide open space.

Trent Jones was one of the first course architects to use water as the ultimate hazard and he was a great champion of the concept ´heroic golf`, in which the player attempting a particularly difficult shot is faced with a clear risk/reward. In a career spanning seven decades, he designed courses all over the world from Spain to the States as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Los Lagos (the lakes) derives its name from the seven water hazards on the course. Set against the backdrop of the Sierra de Mijas Mountains, it spans over 150 acres, populated with perfumed jacaranda, exotic Araucalia Pines and an abundance of plants and trees.

The par 71 course measures a lengthy 6,367 meters so you need to hit long and accurately to avoid sprawling bunkers and the water hazards getting the better of you.

The older, whitewashed and pastel coloured Andalusian-style golf homes are mainly set back from the course and blend easily with their natural surroundings. Mijas golf enjoys a peaceful environment with a countryside feel, even though the courses are just minutes from the busy seaside town of Fuengirola. Pulling into the private road that cuts through the golf developments, the first hazard will probably be ducks – much to the delight of the toddlers who feed them at weekends – who force new arrivals to slow down and wait until they have waddled across the road. To the right it’s possible to spot one or two of the swans in the small pond at the side of the road, elegant and serene….until you try to approach them!

Los Olivos takes its name from Andalusia’s ancient olive trees. Trent Jones designed it quite differently to Los Lagos, with strategic narrow tree-lined fairways and elevated greens. It’s a course that suits the more advanced player as it requires precision.

Built by Cabell Robinson, Los Olivos offers a tighter challenge (5,840 m par 70). Robinson completely refurbished the course during 2000-2001, following Trent Jones`s original design concept. The main feature distinguishing it from Los Lagos is the abundance of trees; water doesn’t feature much here and the greens are smaller, undulating and well defined.

Mijas Golf has complete club facilities, including a relaxed restaurant and bar, a golf boutique, driving range, chipping green, putting green and professionals who are on hand to help you with your game.

Enjoy Mijas Golf
Zengolfer

Golf Algarve, Portugal

2007-12-11T12:26:00.000+01:00

The Algarve, Portugal is a wonderful place to play golf for many reasons. The challenging championship courses, with many designed by famous names of golf, are always well manicured and a joy to play. The fantastic weather nearly all year round makes the golf, beaches and night times so enjoyable.

And the various towns, villages and resorts with their history, food and wonderfully charming people.

Unlike many other Algarve resorts, Vilamoura is a purpose built, modern resort where everything has been designed with your pleasure in mind. Vilamoura offers something for everyone: a place for rest and relaxation but also for pursuing active pastimes and sports; a friendly and safe residential haven, but also a vibrant and exciting night-life centre. Vilamoura is especially popular with sports enthusiasts due to its excellent facilities. With a wide range of high standard accommodation on offer this is a place to suit any need.

Designed to be self sufficient the resort is able to cater for everyday needs and is bursting with sporting and leisure facilities for all members of the family. The Marina is huge and home to some very glamorous boats which can be admired from the waterfront, which is great for wandering around day or night. Either side of the marina are sandy beaches with several cafes and bars. A number of boats run excursions along the coast towards Lagos and beyond and if you’re interested big game fishing is also on the cards. There is also a Casino, where those after a flutter can play American roulette, French roulette, Portuguese dice, Black Jack or slot machines. There are also nightly cabaret shows, a nightclub and a cinema. For those looking to relax and enjoy the local landscapes Falésia is ideal for a day on the beach with its unusual red coloured cliffs as a backdrop. Also close at hand is Olhos de Água, surrounded on three sides by pine-clad cliffs.

Vilamoura is a special place, a unique leisure and recreation resort where the pace of life is so easy it feels like summer all year round making it a very popular destination for families seeking stress-free fun. You are guaranteed to be revitalized by the lifestyle and convenience of this special place.

Great Location Algarve.
Zengolfer

Dona Julia Golf Course

2007-12-06T11:38:00.001+01:00

Set on a beautiful wide open stretch of countryside with uncrowded beaches and sweeping views of the coast between Marbella and Sotogrande, Dona Julia Golf Course is one of the most ambitious golf and leisure developments on the Costa del Sol.

The opening of the Dona Julia Golf Clubhouse in december 2005 marked a first for the Casares area, which had never before had its own golf club.

The club, which takes its name from the original Finca Dona Julia where it is located, looks set to become one of the most prestigious courses west of Marbella; good news for an area that has, until recently, remained under developed on the golfing front.

Dona Julia Golf Course will eventually feature three golf courses, plus a tempting list of leisure amenities built by the Evemarina Group, thw developers believe Dona Julia will be one of the top golfing destinations in Europe.

The first of the three 18 hole courses is now open for play. Designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido, this provisionally par 71 and 6021 metres long course features two distinct layouts, so there is plenty of variety, whatever your handicap. Once completed, the course will be 72 par and 6100m long.

The first 9 holes are longer (and trickier), winding between indigenous trees, lakes and rivers. The second nine lie on flatter ground on the lower end of the course, close to the beach and are less challenging. Wherever possible, natures landscaping has been left in place, while the courses irrigation system, using a network of four lakes, is designed to save water.

One of the most outstanding features of the Dona Julia golf course is the spacious feel of the greens, some as large as 1,000m2, which are sown with the same special grass, Agrostis Stolonifera, as are the greens at Valderrama course, home of the Volvo Masters and the Ryder Cup. As well as the wonderful views, refreshing sea breezes and lovely, open feel of the course Dona Julia Golf will have a driving range, a practice area, a seperate 9 hole/par 3 course and an international Golf Academy where you can soon fine tune your technique with the help of the experts. You`ll also find a pro shop located within the modern, glass fronted club house.

Just 150 metres from the beach, Dona Julia Golf course is just minutes from Casares Pueblo, one of the most enchanting white villages in the area, especially popular with visitors looking for an authentic taste of southern Spain.

Enjoy Dona Julia
Zengolfer

Alcaidesa Golf Course

2007-12-05T10:06:00.001+01:00

Bathed in sunshine and cooled by a constant breeze, Alcaidesa Golf Course is the beautiful baby of ex Ryder Cup duo Peter Allis and Clive Clark.

With its location on the coast and landmark lighthouse, Alcaidesa Golf Course is often compared to Scotland`s Turnberry, while American visitors say it reminds them of their West coast course, Pebble Beach.

Opened in 1992, Alcaidesa Golf Course is a links course, something of a rarity in Spain. It is also the southern most links course in the whole of Europe. Most of the 18 holes border the beach and the greens and fairways are particularly lush and green, fed by moist Atlantic breezes from the West. So Alcaidesa is not only one of the most picturesque courses along the coast, it is also an ideal golf destination during the hotter months when the brisk sea breeze provides welcome refreshments.

First timers could find Alcaidesa golf course challenging: the first hole, for example, requires a blind drive to a coastal fairway that dog-legs to the green. Then on the second…a terrific 175m Par 3, all downhill with quite a few water hazards and bunkers.

The wide open fairways make the course appear deceptively easy at first sight, but there’s plenty of low lying gorse and seaside vegetation lurking in wait for your brand new golf ball. That’s why straight. Accurate hitters will thrive here, while wayward shots could land you in trouble. Links courses also suit low hitters as the wind is less likely to capture your ball in flight and carry it off course.

Back in 1997, while Valderrama golf course was hosting the Ryder Cup, its neighbour, Alcaidesa golf course , was busy delighting the crowds during the Junior Ryder Cup. It was Europe v USA (the Americans triumphed), and many of the talented young players from that match have gone on to make it as top professionals.

Alcaidesa Golf Course stands out as much for its gentle beauty as its championship caliber, so if a patch of gorse or a maverick gust of wind manages to blot your scorecard, take a breather and look out to sea. Out there in the distance is the mesmerizing shadow of Morocco, hovering on the horizon. It’s amazing to think that the colourful sights and spicy smells of Tangier are only a 14 km ferry ride away, a whole other world so near yet so different, just across the water.

Even closer is that enormous chunk of limestone, symbol of all things British, dominating the coastline: Gibraltar. It’s imposing craggy peaks are clearly visible against the azure waters of the Straits.

Alcaidesa Golf Course could well be the only golf course in the world located where three seas converge: the Mediterranean, the straights of Gibraltar and to the west, off the coast of Tarifa, the Atlantic. A lovely Moorish style town with Caribbean type beaches famous for their turquoise waters and white frothy waves, Tarifa attracts surfers from all over the world in summer. Soak up some of its laid back atmosphere, hippy chic boutiques and unspoilt scenery during a day out, It is, however, almost deserted in winter, with many businesses closing down in the off season.

Alcaidesa Golf’s facilities include a comfortable clubhouse with restaurant, bar and terrace with great views. There’s also a practice area, putting and chipping greens and a well stocked pro shop with clubs to hire.

Enjoy Alcaidesa
Zengolfer

Alhaurin Golf Course

2007-12-04T09:28:00.001+01:00

Visitors to the Costa del Sol look for serenity, stunning landscapes, exercise, golf, a friendly atmosphere, service and quality; and the Alhaurin Golf Course and Hotel Resort provides them all.

This beautiful golf resort overlooks the Sierra de Mijas hills and the Mediterranean. Just 15 to 20 minutes drive from the Mijas coast and 25 minutes from Marbella a complete contrast to this quiet area.

At Alhaurin Golf Course the 18 hole course is designed for golfers enjoyment, encouraging them to use all the clubs in the bag and ensuring that every hole is different and well maintained. The surrounding vegetation is typical Mediterranean woodland: pine, oak, cypress and orange trees, for example and a variety of herb plants like thyme and rosemary.

One of the strengths, and best kept secrets, of Alhaurin Golf Course is the stunning 9 hole Par 3 course around the driving range, chipping and putting greens, where golfers can really improve their game, practicing in peace with complete concentration. The clubhouse has a lovely sun-drenched terrace, restaurant, café, pro-shop, showers and changing rooms.

The four star hotel is ideal for a relaxing, enjoyable holiday. The 38 rooms afford every comfort and the La Ventilla restaurant offers the best cuisine typical of the area.

Quality service is the hallmark of Alhaurin Golf and whether you are golfing or staying at the resort the prices are very reasonable. For golfers the principle is to play but at the right price!

Enjoy Alhaurin
Zengolfer

Santa Maria Golf Course

2007-12-01T07:05:00.000+01:00

Much more than a golf club, Santa Maria Golf Course is an impressive resort based around a charming 19th century Andalusian finca, now its clubhouse.

Once the owners of the finca would have woken to the sound of birdsong, rather than golf buggies abd shoes crunching across the drive, but, apart from some luxury developments in the hills, the views across to the La Mairena protected nature reserveare the same as they would have been in times gone by.

Regarded as one of the best courses on the Costa del Sol, the first nine holes were designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido in 1991, with a further nine designed by the clubs technical team added in 1996.

Nature plays a leading role at Santa Maria Golf Course. The course traces the contours of two valleys and the plentiful natural vegetation, streams and four lakes provide natural hazards. Spacious greens and elevated tees are the name of the game here along with the water hazards.

There`s water from the first hole, where you need to clear a lake with the tee shot, to the last – where the view from the tee can be a bit intimidating, with a tree lined water hazard in front of you and to your left.

Santa Maria Golf Course is proud of its reputation as a social golf club and positively encourages visitors.

The club´s restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner to anyone who wants to enjoy the green scenery, good food and tranquil atmosphere.

The original owners of the vast hectares of land around Santa Maria Golf Course sold part of it to developers some 15 years ago, but the idea was always to develop only high end homes, which would appeal to nature lovers looking to escape from Marbella (just five minutes away). Low density development was a priority, and the result is an exclusive choice of homes for those who want to be near the best beaches of Marbella, yet in the Heart of nature.

Play Santa Maria
Zengolfer

Marbella CC Golf Course

2007-11-30T06:05:00.000+01:00

Marbella town is a close as you can get to the distinguished Marbella Golf Country Club. Driving up the palm-lined avenue, past the main gates, it’s easy to see why at Marbella CC Golf Course the emphasis is on ´Country Club` as much as golf.

Rimmed with short palm trees, even the car park is smart, with huge cream canvass sun shades installed overhead to protect windscreens from over heating in the midday sun.

Marbella CC Golf Course is a Robert Trent Jones masterpiece. 18 glorious green holes, a par 72 course stretching 6,000 meters. Many holes have views of the Mediterranean, but each of the numerous lakes and bunkers on this scenic course can be a force to be reckoned with.

The second hole, a par 5 requires a very decent drive. It’s a dogleg left but once you pass the cork trees on the left corner, the hole opens up to a long green. At the fifth hole, a good straight drive is again in order here – and more important than length on this narrow downhill par 4. Water seems to be everywhere at the fifteenth, a lake on your right, stream on your left, before you reach the undulating green. Bunkers are the main protagonists at the seventeenth par 5, where you will need to keep your shots to the right to avoid getting in the sand.

According to the club, Marbella CC Golf Course is one of the finest championship courses in Europe and was designed as a course to suit both amateurs and professional. Regardless of which category you fall into it offers players the opportunity to enjoy one of the largest green areas left along Marbella`s 26 kilometer coast. It’s a sea of green, verdant fairways and velvety greens, almost adjacent to its Eliviria neighbour, Santa Maria Golf Course – a vast UNESCO biosphere that has been carefully developed to respect nature.

In the clubhouse the staff members discreetly busy themselves in the bar and restaurant, somehow miraculously there when you want them, out of sight when you don’t. In fact the large clubhouse has a rather ´old school atmosphere, reminiscent of an aristocratic luxury country house hotel. Antique furniture and paintings adorn the hallways and huge wooden doors open into huge reception rooms. A row of enormous, floor to ceiling arched windows provide fabulous views of the green landscape towards the sea.

Play Marbella CC
Zengolfer

Estepona Golf Course

2007-11-28T22:44:00.000+01:00

The friendly yet "private" feel of the Estepona Golf Club is undoubtedly a testament to the vision of its original founder, the late David Leader, a journalist whose successful career in publishing enabled him to fulfill a life ling dream of owning his own golf club.

Leader made this club a sought after destination for visiting pay as you play golfers. His friendly open door policy has established [Estepona Golf Course]=bold as one of the most popular courses on the Costa del Sol. The club is family run and employs the kind of staff that makes everyone feel like welcome friends. Just one reason why players return time and time again over the years.

Designed by Jose Luis Lopez and opened in 1989, this 18 hole course is on the inland side of the main coast road at 150km between Marbella and La Duquesa (just minutes from Estepona town).

With the Sierra Bermeja mountain range behind it, the course overlooks the coast and many of the holes have great views of the Mediterranean. Designed in harmony with natural surroundings, the course has an abundance of greenery including palms, eucalyptus and ancient olive trees. Players also enjoy the resident wildlife, particularly on the second half of the course.

It is probably worth hiring one of the 40 new golf carts to get around the course as it is quite hilly. Greens are ample and the fairways tend to be wide, but the course isn’t as easy as expected. Jose Luis Lopez has created a layout that is well balanced: it’s challenging, with plenty of water hazards, but not so challenging that it detracts from the pleasure of playing a round here. Holiday visitors, as well as regular or advanced golfers, enjoy playing here.

One of the outstanding holes is the par 5 third. Called `the ski run`, it slopes down over the multiple terraced fairway to the green below. A few holes feature quite marked differences in height, something to be aware of. Overall, though, it’s a fair course that strikes a good balance of holes of varying distances, with the longer par fives being reachable in two by long hitters.

Estepona Golf Course has built up a loyal following over the years and many first time visitors have been referred by friends. The staff work hard to maintain the club’s family friendly reputation and Estepona Golf Course seasonal newsletter is full of updates, pro tips, special offers and news about course upgrades.

After a round, head for the clubhouse bar and restaurant and enjoy the sea and mountain views whilst re-living a few of the holes. It is a very relaxing clubhouse to spend time enjoying and has a fantastic menu.

Play Estepona
Zengolfer

Cabopino Golf Course

2007-11-27T20:34:00.000+01:00

Cabopino Golf Course is a couple of kilometers from the coastline and is quiet an undulating course peppered with small trees and pine trees with smooth open fairways. Parts of the course are surrounded by attractive Villas and a few high-end residential developments but its easy to miss the club completely when taking the ´Cabopino` exit off the main coast road.

Cabopino Golf Course has a charming leisure port a miniature horse shoe-shaped harbour where small and medium size yachts can be safely moored in front of the waterfront restaurants.

Cabopino Golf Course is suitable for most players but it does requires precision, some of the fairways such as the 5th are pretty tight.

Designed by Spaniard Juan Ligues, it is a relatively short course, where you won`t be making much use of your driver. Cabopino golf course is a challenging but fair 18 hole par 71 course that offers some variety and some wonderful sea views.

The 320 m 3rd hole is exhilarating. A raised tee looks out to a wide landing area and the approach to the raised green is characteristically short; it´s not the only hole where the views of the Mediterranean provide a beautiful distraction

Cabopino has a charming leisure port a miniature horse shoe-shaped harbour where small and medium size yachts can be safely moored in front of the waterfront restaurants.

This is just the spot to watch the passers-by as the sun goes down and linger until night falls to enjoy a fantastic dinner in one of the restaurants and some drinks in the bars after.

Play Cabopino
Zengolfer

Calanova Golf Course

2007-11-26T16:12:00.000+01:00

Calanova Golf Course, La Cala is perfectly positioned in the hills of La Cala and is a noteworthy addition to the handful of courses making up the La Cala/Mijas areas new ´Golf Valley´.

There are half a dozen courses and two luxury hotels in this 5,600 acre green zone, with six more courses to come. It is a golf haven that will soon have the highest concentration of golf courses anywhere on the Costa del Sol, an ideal location just a short drive from Malaga airport, ten minutes from Marbella and next to La Cala village which was once a small fishing village and though it retains much of its Spanish character, it is now a busy holiday destination.

Calanova´s 18 holes were designed by Aymerich Golf Managemant, Europe´s leading golf course development and management company.

Aymerich has made the most of Calanova´s natural surroundings and has come up with a course that medium and low handicap players will find is a pleasure, yet challenging, to play. Strategically placed bunkers and lakes populate the course and it´s hard to believe this green and tranquil sanctuary is just five minutes from the busy village of La Cala.

Calanova Golf Course is a diverse 72 par course, with par4 holes from 225 to 405 metres; their are six holes with doglegs to the left, five with doglegs to the right and seven straight holes four of them sloping downhill.

Aymerich Golf Management seems to have designed a course that is very well integrated in the natural surroundings and offers some degree of risk. But weekend golfers take note, there are no tortuous holes, the sort that make you want to call it a day and head straight for the clubhouse for a drink!

Play Calanova
Zengolfer

Intro...

2007-11-26T15:40:00.000+01:00

I have started this blog a couple of times before and both times i wasn't happy with the direction, had little to add, little time to add or I wasn't sure as to what I wanted to achieve.

Well here we go again.

This Blog is going to be about:

My Game.

Courses to play.

Different golfing regions.

Scorecards ( I will explain later )

My Game

When i tried to start this blog about 4 months ago i was just returning to golf after about 22 years away. By returning i mean to the playing side.

I thought it would be interesting to write about how i was doing, what was going wrong, handicap targets etc and the Golf Courses that i play on.

Then due to working to hard i didn't get to play so i just wrote about Golf courses and so the blog seemed to change.

Now i am going to write about all areas.

Courses to play.

Living in Spain on the Costa del Sol is a great place to play golf and luckily i have many opportunities to play the over 40 courses here. I will share articles thoughts and tips for as many of the courses as i can.

Different golfing regions.

The Costa del Sol is not the only golfing region in Spain although it is the most popular and busy. Over time i will write about other areas as well giving and the great courses you can play.

Scorecards

( I will explain later )

So i hope i can keep going with the golf. Keep going with the stories, thoughts and articles. And keep everything in order so you can read it, enjoy it and learn...

Regards
Zengolfer