La Manga Golf Club, Spain

La Manga Golf Club is the the most well known golf club in the Murcia region in Spain, the resort offers three 18-hole championship courses designed over different terrain in varied but always beautiful and tranquil surroundings; in addition they also have a Pitch & Putt Course (Par 47) designed by Seve Ballesteros.

With almost 40 years of history La Manga Golf Club has hosted many top-level international golf tournaments and tour qualifying schools including five Spanish Opens; the European Ladies Team Championship; Spanish PGA, Seniors’, Ladies’ and Junior Championships; Ladies European Tour Q-School; and the World Corporate Golf Challenge, as well as countless corporate, celebrity and charity golf events.

La Manga Club South Course

Designed by Robert D. Putman & Arnold Palmer this Par 73 golf course is the Championship layout at La Manga Club and probably one of the fairest tests of golf one can find. At 6,499 meters from the White Tees, whilst being accepted as a top-caliber championship course, also provides a thorough test both for the scratch player and right across the handicap range.

Located in the centre of the valley, with wide palm-fringed fairways and water hazards that come into play on 15 of the 18 holes, the South Course holds few hidden dangers.

The many strategically positioned water hazards and bunkers will certainly punish any wayward shots. The front nine are particularly tough, with two par 3’s over 200 meters and some daunting par 4’s which will demand accurate driving between lakes and bunkers, requiring long irons or fairway woods to the green. The back nine, although shorter, has a number of intriguing dog-leg holes. Special attention should be given to both the 11th and 12th holes, which demand precise club selection to greens across water.

La Manga Club North Course

La Manga North Course is an undulating Par 71 course sprawling between palm trees, lakes and ‘barrancas’. These natural storm gullies feature on all three golf courses and add an extra dimension to the game.

Slightly shorter than the South, this Robert D. Putman design with tighter fairways and larger greens, the North Course offers a different, yet no less challenging, round of golf. A feature of the greens, all built to USGA specification, is the amount of movement incorporated in them, none more so than the short Par 3, 2nd, which has three distinct plateau – a great test of putting. Relying on precision rather than length, an added challenge is provided by the wide variety of water hazards and ‘barrancas’ that snake their way through the course.

This gem is sure to provide a stern test of shot making from golfers of all standards. A deft touch is also required on greens.

La Manga Club West Course

Set amid serene pine woodlands the La Manga West Course, designed by Dave Thomas, closely follows the natural contours of the undulating land. Its distinct character makes it a good alternative to the other, more classical championship courses.

It is a deceiving course, with frequent changes in elevation with which to contend. The tight front nine demands accurate driving to avoid the ‘barrancas’ (natural storm gullies) while the back nine, up amongst the hills, is more open but nonetheless challenging.

The West is many golfers’ favorite, both because of its unique setting and outstanding views and because of the challenge offered by its narrow fairways, frequent blind shots and the gullies which snake through this Par 72 golf course. The breathtaking views, undulating fairways and fast greens make this course particularly exciting to play. Unlike a lot of courses, having played here, golfers feel that every facet of their game has been tested to the full. Especially on the Par 3 holes, which are a collection of probably the best short holes to be found anywhere on one golf course. Accuracy and good golf course management as opposed to length are very much a premium.