YOUR GOLF TRIP | THE WEEKENDER
The West doesn’t have the postcard looks of the South and
North courses so it does see less golfers than its sisters, this
shows a little in its presentation but this is still a great course
and with a green fee of just €55.00 it’s quietly one of the
best courses in the region.
La Manga Club’s South course has been touched by the
genius of both Seve and Arnie. It is the best known of the
resorts trio and the famous image of the hotel is where you’ll
find the 1st tee. A hole typical of the ensuing challenge, it
all looks fairly beatable with room for error on the left, but
lurking beyond the small fairway crest is a large lake which
intrudes into the fairway at a length where many a tee shot
can role out too.
On the South course this is a common trait, water hazards at
places where you would rather they wouldn’t be, this design
makes for a well thought out round of golf. It’s a beautiful
start to a round of golf as well. stand at any point on the first
few holes its already apparent at what terrific condition the
course is in, its manicured tee boxes, are complemented by
a neatness to the paths, shrubs, borders and beds, all of this
framed by an Arizona-like mountain behind.
The 6th is signature hole of the front nine, a superb downhill
driving hole before having to lay-up between the bunkering
and a well-positioned lake, attack the hole and you’ll have
to contend with an angled green guarded by front side
bunkers. The back nine begins with a tremendous view of
the mountains as you negotiate a sharp dog-leg that runs
along one of the clubs crown jewels – the David Leadbetter
Academy, a 270 degree driving range and golf school that
runs down to the resorts historic club