| In Spain's gorgeous Costa del Sol, no visitor lacks | | | | holes give incredible mountain views, while the |
| for things to do. And sure, beach, sun, water | | | | back nine lie across rolling hills. With tight and |
| sports, and sailing are all great, but there's nothing | | | | sloping fairways, this course demands a straight |
| quite as irresistible as the Costa del Sol's incredible | | | | and accurate drive-- those that aren't careful |
| golf courses. The Costa del Sol boasts more than | | | | easily fall prey to water hazards. |
| fifty golf courses, ranging from exclusive, | | | | The New Course: |
| world-class golf clubs to Mom-and-Pop | | | | San Roque's new 18-hole course, designed by |
| mini-courses. With this many to choose from, it's | | | | Perry Dye, was opened in 2003. Dotted with |
| hard to know which to visit first. Here we'll go | | | | vegetation (San Roque is famous for its cork |
| over the top six golf courses on Costa del Sol-- | | | | trees) and speckled throughout with water |
| and what makes these courses so special. | | | | hazards, San Roque's new course is full of hidden |
| 1. Valderrama Golf Course | | | | obstacles. This parkland layout course large |
| Many golf writers have described Valderrama as | | | | greens, wide fairways, and dangerous groups of |
| the best golf course in Europe. And while others | | | | bunkers. |
| may disagree, no one can argue that this isn't a | | | | 4. La Reserva |
| truly great course. What makes Valderrama, | | | | La Reserva, designed by Cabell B. Robinson, is a |
| designed by Robert Trent Jones, special is its | | | | young course. Only opened for the first time in |
| ability to test the skills of any golfer-- seasoned | | | | 2004, this first-rate course is already considered |
| professional and everyday amateur alike. To | | | | quite good enough to host a professional tour |
| achieve this, each hole has been built with a tee | | | | event. La Reserva is located inside two valleys, |
| for every level of player, from the Professional | | | | and is quite a long course-- almost 7,400 yards in |
| tee to the Ladies' Club tee. | | | | all. Despite its length, La Reserva's greens are |
| This is a course that requires a great amount of | | | | generally large and its fairways wide. There are |
| thought and precision for each shot, and isn't an | | | | water and bunker hazards at a number of holes, |
| easy course for any player. The course's | | | | and five tees are offered at each hole. All in all |
| signature hole, hole four (La Cascada) is a par 5 | | | | this is a difficult and entertaining course for any |
| with a two-tiered green and a pond to the right. | | | | level of player. |
| Another much talked-about hole is the 17th (Las | | | | 5. Finca Cortesin Golf Course |
| Gabiones)-- this difficult hole has been the setting | | | | Finca Cortesin, designed by Cabell Robinson, is a |
| for some pretty tense moments during some | | | | brand new 18-hole course. Though only opened in |
| World Championship events. | | | | 2007, this course is already showing incredible |
| 2. Sotogrande | | | | promise, and looks only to get better with time. |
| Sotogrande is another famous Spanish golf course | | | | The concept behind Finca Cortesin golf course, |
| designed by Robert Trent Jones. One of the best | | | | according to Robinson, is a course where there is |
| golf courses in Europe (and ranked as one of the | | | | no hole of "less than championship quality." The |
| top 100 in the world by GolfWeb), Sotogrande is | | | | layout of this course is spectacular, and there are |
| about three kilometers from neighboring course | | | | many holes worth a special mention. The star hole |
| Valderrama and is characterized by long views | | | | on the course, however, is probably hole 13, a par |
| out over the Mediterranean. The combination of | | | | four with a drive to the wide fairway across a |
| rich vegetation, such as pines, eucalyptus, and | | | | water hazard followed by another crossing of the |
| cork trees; and the water hazards formed by | | | | water. |
| large lakes, makes for a beautiful but very | | | | 6. Santana Golf |
| complicated round of golf. And the greens don't | | | | Santana is another 18-hole golf course designed |
| make it any easier... huge and undulating, | | | | by the prolific Cabell Robinson. Located on an old |
| Sotogrande's greens aren't easy on the scorecard. | | | | avocado farm, Santana is dotted with lush |
| In addition to the 18-hole championship course, | | | | avocado trees. The layout is quite flat and nicely |
| Sotogrande is also home to a 9-hole par three | | | | formed; the fairways are wide and the greens |
| course with views of the Guadiaro valley. | | | | generous. This is a strikingly beautiful course, and |
| 3. San Roque Golf Course | | | | each and every hole has its own personality. While |
| The Old Course: | | | | easily to walk and navigate, Santana is a difficult |
| San Roque's old course is really only old in relation | | | | course even for experienced golfers. The well |
| to its new course. Built in 1990, this 18-hole course | | | | laid-out greens, dangerous bunkers, and numerous |
| was designed by Dave Thomas and is considered | | | | water hazards will take any golfer through his or |
| to be one of the best in Europe. The nine front | | | | her paces. |