El Saler Golf Course, Spain

The El Saler Golf Course , located in Valencia, Spain, is considered as one of the top five courses in the country; designed by Spain’s most famous golf course architect, Javier Arana. The course is set in the El Saler Nature Reserve, on the shores of the Mediterranean sea in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. This Community is a leader with respect to economic development in Spain, and considers this course a source of pride.

The course layout is varied, ranging from the beach links reminiscent of the famous Scottish golf courses, to areas of typical Mediterranean forest. The par-72 course measures 6468 m, spread out over 18 holes. The large sand dunes together with the ever present wind will make your round of golf more thrilling. The course’s design took into account its integration in the protected landscape (with native plants such as the famous pale stonecrop plant, locally called “cat’s claw”).

The fairways are outstanding, ample but with few off limits, and well positioned bunkers keep players on their toes. The room for error is small. The first 12 holes take the player through pine groves, while designing the end holes Arana kept the links courses of Scotland in mind. Here the fairways are narrow with the greens sloping a little. The bunkers are also placed at strategic positions. The most difficult hole on the course is the 6th. A par 4 at 404 meters it doglegs to the left and requires the utmost effort to reach the green in two swings.