n spain, the Marbella area is one that has the most golf courses. Here are three more essential than others.
Right out of the airport in Malaga, on the road along the coast, you can not miss the golf courses that are linked together. A first on the right, which spreads green fairways and white sand bunkers in the middle of barren mountains, a second on the left, closer to the sea ... And so on the 100 kilometers of coastline ranging from Malaga in Gibraltar. Thus the Costa del Sol has become, in just thirty years, a paradise of swing. I must say that this part of Spain, ultratouristique, has all the ingredients of a successful golfing holiday: a great climate - 321 days of sunshine a year - and most beautiful route density (70) from all over Europe Mainland.Better still, all these plots are signed big names - Robert Trent Jones, Dave Thomas, Gary Player, Cabell Robinson ... and Severiano Ballesteros, the hero of the nation, whose picture adorns the walls of many clubhouses, such as those in Valderrama Sotogrande Finca Cortesin ... Three clubs to discover all costs.
The myth Valderrama
The name alone is a dream ... It is to date the only continental European golf to receive the Ryder Cup - until the 2018 national Golf. It was in 1996 that day, and a legend was born, almost 25 years later, she is still deserved. For a visit here is an unforgettable moment.
To enter this sanctuary, he must show their credentials to the grid and justify booking a departure (between 12 and 14 hours only for the exterior). Within the walls of this private golf course, and even if part of the clubhouse housed in an old Andalusian farmhouse is for members only, we keep reliving the beautiful story of this place, which was also the scene of the Volvo Masters - the "final" European Tour - from 1988 to 2008. autographed photos of the greatest champions line the walls: Tiger Woods (who disputed his first Ryder Cup in 1997), Seve Ballesteros (honorary member of the club), Bernard Langer ( holder of the course record, 62) ...
I must say that Valderrama was destined to play in the big leagues. Opened in 1974 and originally called Las Aves, this golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones was taken in 1985 by Don Jaime Ortiz Patiño and completely remodeled by the architect at the request of the new owner. Visionary, Ortiz Patiño promises to make the Augusta National of the European continent. Mission accomplished. On the course, the feeling of perfection is omnipresent, the 5000 cork oaks that line the fairways are plush, cut to the millimeter, and although the club - now owned by its 400 members - no longer receives pros tournaments maintenance is incredible with pre-clipped greens as well as a green ... And the greens necessarily hyperroulants. Far from being an unplayable course, like some "monsters", this track also has the advantage of being accessible to all. It is not too long, varied, playful but hides his game: the ball can easily slip into one of 92 bunkers if the green on the wrong side is attacked, the 3-putts are easy when the slopes are misinterpreted and cork oaks cleverly placed require rigor and precision. But the game here is still a pure delight. On some holes, seen and reviewed on TV, it's like being in a dream. As at 17 when we remember the crowd invading the area around the green after Tiger Woods has put his ball in the water, at the same time offering the 1997 Ryder Cup to the European team.
From 300 € green fee, www.valderrama.com
The Sotogrande mind
Within easy drive from Marbella, this golf course has the little extra something "private" traditional clubs: a felted licked a trail, a four-star service, gourmet table ... This is probably what attracts cocktail golf-trotting, Monday to Friday only ... The course is reserved for its 2,800 members - 27 different nationalities - the weekend. Opened in 1964, its layout also has a rather attractive feature: it is the directorial debut of Robert Trent Jones in Europe. According to the architect - in his book The Magnificent Challenge - it would even be one of the best tracks of his career (over 500 lots in the world). Mesmerizing, this course is also the extraordinary garden in which it spreads among cork oaks, pines and palm trees, wide fairways, good greens, where no twig sticking out. Technically, slightly elevated greens and gentle breeze blowing almost constantly (the sea is less than 150 meters) may be some surprises, like the holes 12, 13 and 14, along with many water hazards. Some critics miss the presence of numerous villas bordering fairways but they do not in any way interfere with the play. Rather. Some of them are so lavish that they are also part of the show. Before celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, the Real Golf Club in Sotogrande will offer a facelift: modernization of drainage, recasting several greens and bunkers, planting "bermuda grass" on its fairways and bent grass on the greens - "ultimate" turf ... To return to the standards that have made the reputation of the club. To be continued ...
1 60 € green fee, www.golfsotogrande.com
Succession Finca Cortesin
Alongside these two essential Finca Cortesin has become the new flagship of the Costa del Sol.Just opened, he received the World Championships match play in 2009, 2011 and 2012 The challenge of the architect Cabell Robinson involved planting 18 holes on a plot of 70 hectares very steep. To achieve this, thousands of cubic meters of earth were moved and the result is spectacular. On the hills, a mile from the coast, the views are spectacular with panoramas of the Mediterranean on half of the holes. Along 6800 meters back tees, the course is a challenge that needs to be relieved. Although the fairways are wide enough, you have to be precise in his faceoffs as a thick bush, right and left, often expected stray balls. Side greens, they are huge, and defended by 112 ultraroulants jagged bunkers - a trademark of the architect. Fortunately, thanks to its five tees, this course can be played by all with pleasure. Once again, we must welcome five-star resort impeccable course maintenance and service: drop bag, driving in grass with balls, carts (highly recommended due to the distance between the holes) with GPS, tees, towel, water and fresh fruit, cleaning clubs after the game ...
€ 170 green fee, www.fincacortesin.com
Flying to Malaga
With private Spanish company Air Europa with three daily flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
From 175 € round trip, www.aireuropa.com
Reside at Finca Cortesin, Hotel, Golf & Spa, the hotel's most prominent in the region. Voted best hotel in Spain nonurban by Conde Nast Traveler, it houses its 67 suites in an Andalusian-style building, facing a lush garden of 23,000 m². Its decor is sublime with successions of patios, stone floors from old abbeys ... Its more a swimming pool overlooking the sea, a private beach, a gourmet kitchen, a renowned spa for its indoor 25m pool and cabin
Snow, unique in Spain. From € 2,730 for two nights with 4 green fees at Valderrama and La Reserva Finca Cortesin. Tel. : 00 34922937800.
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