Guadalmina
Andalucia » Guadalmina Norte
Guadalmina now has a total of 45 golf holes: two 18 hole courses
- Guadalmina Norte and Guadalmina Sur - and a new nine hole
pitch and putt, and under its new ownership it´s looking better
all the time. Considered less difficult than the South Course, the
North was designed by Folco Nardi and opened in 1975. Forming
two loops of nine holes it starts and ends at the clubhouse. The
terrain is more undulating, there are fewer trees, and there is more
water which comes into play in the form of lakes at the 7th and
11th holes, and a stream which bisects the course north to south.
The 10th descends in a broad swoop to a well bunkered green
near the main road, and the short 11th calls for a drive over a small
lake. At the par four 17th the river comes into play.
Andalucia » Mijas (Los Olivos)
In many ways Los Olivos represents the antithesis of its neighbour,
Los Lagos. Also a Robert Trent Jones design it is younger (1983)
and shorter than its sister course but also there is less water here,
the fairways are more narrow, there are more trees and it is more
undulating. Greens are smaller and many are elevated. The par
three 3rd is the most spectacular hole with magnificent panoramic
views from the raised tees. The small green, tucked away below and
protected by three bunkers, demands cool nerve and accurate tee
shot. Generally the course favours the precision golfer rather than the big
hitter. Mijas Golf is a hospitable club with a pay-as-you-play policy.
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Andalucia » Guadalmina Sur
Guadalmina South is considered the most difficult of the club’s
45 holes and opened in 1959. Designed by Javier Arana it is the
Costa del Sol’s second oldest course and is characterised by wide
fairways, free of rough, which wind between mature shade-giving
trees. The raised greens are an encouragement to attack the pin.
Henry Cotton named the long 6th hole ‘Tipperary’ - It’s a long way
to go!. The 10th and 11th are next to the sea. At the latter savour
the calm before the storm of the 12th: to the left is a river and
to the right a private garden therefore a good, straight 150 metre
drive is required. At the 14th a bunker waits to catch anything that
falls short and from the tee tunnel vision is an advantage in order
to successfully drive between two stands of tall pine.
Andalucia » Mijas (Los Lagos)
Mijas is probably one of the busiest and most popular golf
complex on the Costa del Sol. The Los Lagos course was
originally built in 1976, but having been closed for most of 2012, it
recently reopened. Much investment has gone into a remodelling
an already popular course to improve a players golfing experience,
and some aesthetic changes such as planting of more trees and
more evident use of water features. One of the most important
changes are the larger greens – 18 completely remodelled greens
that are built to USGA specifications. At the same time, all the
teeboxes have also been extended. A completely new irrigation
and drainage system has been installed all around the course, to
permit play all year round.