Aloha
Andalucia » Añoreta
A parkland course, and the first foray into golf design by José
María Cañizares, Añoreta is only the second to be built east of
Málaga at the resort town of Rincón de la Victoria. It offers a
good challenge and is improving with age, something which
summer golfers will welcome as the trees nature and the shady
areas offer relief from the heat. Water is a major feature, used
at eleven holes and unforgettable at the 17th where the green
is surrounded on three sides. Most fairways are ample, as are
the greens and tees. The 3rd and 7th holes are difficult but
spectacular and while the monster 3rd (528 m) offers wonderful
sea views from the tee you may not thank Mr. Cañizares if you
drive into the water hazard. The par four 8th, with a dogleg to
the right is, at 420 metres, full of trouble. Watch out for the lake
situated to the right of the fairway
Andalucia » Artola
Designed by Jorge Rein this nine hole pitch and putt provides
hotel guests or visiting golfers an ideal form of relaxation during
long summer evenings. With short, flat fairways and oval greens
Artola offers the fully fledge golfer, with an hour to spare,
a reasonably priced practice facility. For learners it provides
an opportunity to get the feel of a golf course and become
acquainted with the finer point of chipping and putting without
the daunting prospect of 18 holes amongst more practiced golfers.
14
Andalucia » Aloha
Designed by Javier Arana this 18-hole course is one of the best
known on the Costa del Sol. It has benefitted from improvements
over recent years. Fairways have been replanted and the
clubhouse and changing rooms have been refurbished to include
a sauna. Aloha is a private club which welcomes visitors, although
members do have priority. Aloha also has a 9-hole par3 course, 2
putting greens and a practise area. The varied vegetation makes
each hole different to play and as a rule if you hit straight and
manage to stay on the ample fairways you´ll be safe. The large,
often difficult greens however keep you on your toes, none more
so than the heavily guarded 10th, a par five whose bordering lakes
make it memorable for its natural beauty. Situated in Marbella´s
Golf Valley Aloha is one of the coast´s most popular and
respected courses.
Andalucia » Guadalhorce
Guadalhorce is a Spanish - Finnish venture. The Kosti Kuronen
designed course is a green oasis which provides a welcome escape
from the Málaga city bustle and it has made a name for itself as
one of the most hospitable clubs on the coast. The front nine
holes have a European feel and have been adapted to the mainly
flat terrain. However, the rough is difficult and watch out for rolling
banks and tricky greens. Considerable earthworks on the back nine
have produced a more American style layout, with lakes, tropical
vegetation and raised greens which are generally very large. Fairways are
wide giving long hitters the chance to stretch themselves.