Golf on the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca has become one of the favourite golf destinations for the lovers of this sport.
The exceptional weather of the region offers nearly 365 days of sunshine, and an annual average temperature of 18°C makes the province ideal for golf.
Golfers can choose from a wide range of courses complete with all services and facilities from as far North as the cultural city of Valencia to the popular courses around Alicante and further down to Torrevieja.
The attractive beaches of the Costa Blanca, rich history, traditions, popular festivals and stunning mountains give its visitors a memorable visit for the complete and ideal golf holiday.
Remember that during July and August, is extremely hot, so consider the golf tee times that you request very carefully. Don’t get dehydrated and take plenty of liquids with you so you, maybe even putting a freezer block in my bag may help!
Oliva Nova Golf Club
Campo de Golf Oliva Nova
Location: The road N 332, south of Oliva
Tel : 962855975
Fax: 962855975
Number of holes: 18
www.olivanova.com/
Designed and built by Seve Ballesteros, the Oliva Nova Golf Club course extends to around 50 hectares.
It is a par 72 links course of 6,350 m with a slope of 120, the main characteristic of which is that 15 of its 18 holes include water obstacles. The only holes that have no water obstacles are numbers 2, 13 and 14.
This is a technical course over gently undulating ground. It is easy to walk, and adheres to the traditional formula of four par 3s, four par 5s and ten par 4s, where good strokes are rewarded and bad ones are not, and, as Seve himself says:
“This course offers great possibilities to all golfers, as it has short, medium and long holes, and fairways with left and right doglegs. I think it poses a challenge to any golfer.” The amen corner of the course is atthe 13th, 14th and 15th holes, where strategy and the wind are determining factors.
To date, the course has hosted various official competitions, including tournaments for Spanish professional players. It was on this course that the Peugeot Golf Tour began. So far, the best score has been that of Miguel Ángel Jiménez in January 1999 with 63 strokes, 9 under par.
La Sella Golf Club – Denia
Club de Golf La Sella
Location: Residencial La Sella, close to Denia
Tel : 966454252
Fax: 966454201
Number of holes: 18
From fellow Spanish world class golfer Jose Maria Olazabal comes the next 18 hole golf course. Designed in 1990, it offers a demanding 18 hole golf course and a driving range with over 20 bays. You find it around the village Jesus Pobre near Denia. Leave at exit 62 of the autopista AP7 and head in direction towards Denia and take a right to La Xara and Jesus Poble. It is one of those clubs that should not be missed.
The 18 holed La Sella Golf Club is surrounded by a Mediterranean ecosystem of woods and mountains and is flanked by the impressive Montgó Natural Park. From every corner of the course you can see different species of olive trees, orange trees and almond trees, which makes this course, along with the pleasant climate, a golfer’s paradise.
Jávea Golf
Club de Golf Jávea
Location: The road Jávea-Benitachell, close to Jávea
Tel : 965792584
Fax: 966460554
Number of holes: 9
www.clubdegolfjavea.com
Located close to Javea, this is an ideal course for the summer heat as walking around the flat terrain, planted attractively with Mediterranean flora, requires minimal effort. Surrounded by pinewoods it is sheltered from the winter wind by Cape San Antonio and so has a wonderful climate in the winter months.
Being one of the smaller 9 hole golf courses, it might be just the right kind of variety you are looking for, when you think you have played “them all”. The two additional putting greens and the twenty bay driving range offer enough room to practice your golf swing.
A 9-hole course, it has been designed to challenge with 34 bunkers strategically placed along its length. The 5th hole at 475 metres is the longest to contend with, the 6th hole, a par 4, requires a precise drive to get around the difficult aspect, whilst the 7th at 140 metres is the shortest.
Ifach Golf – Calpe
Club de Golf Ifach
Location: Urbanización San Jaime, the road Moraira-Calpe
Tel : 966497114
Number of holes: 9
For those of you who spend their holidays or live in Calpe, Moraira, Teulada or Benissa, the golf club Ifach would be a good place to start golfing at the Costa Blanca.
Situated in Moraira and forming part of a country estate this golf course has spectacular views of the Rock of Ifach itself. Designed to be short and difficult, Javier Arana ensured there are plenty of obstacles that take advantage of the terrain along with narrow fairways and well placed bunkers. He also made sure that players would have to use the full range of their clubs and exercise control in the short game.
An ideal length in the summer heat, 2 rounds can also be accomplished easily. The 60 par, 9 hole course is made up of 6 par 3s and 3 par 4s. Players short on time but who relish a challenge will find this course to be deceptively tricky.
As a 9 hole golf course, it offers a spectacular view over the coastline to the Penon de lfach in Calpe ( a huge impressive rock at the bay). With one putting green, it is one of the smaller courses around. Make sure you give it a try when you are around the area. You find the golf club at the round from Moraira to Calpe after about three km at the Urbanization of San Jaime.
El Saler Golf – Valencia
Campo de Golf El Saler
Location: South of El Saler
Tel : 961611186
Fax: 961627016
Number of holes: 18
Voted the 2nd best golf course in Europe by Golf World, the El Saler course is located close to the Mediterranean, 20 km from Valencia amongst the pine forests of the Albufera National Park.
Designed by Javier Arana, this 18-hole, 72 par course has held a number of Spanish Opens and is ranked No.29 in the world. So what can it offer?
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, with the last 6 arranged in a link style through dunes and along the scenic coastline where there is a punishing rough.
The most difficult hole on the course is the 6th. A par 4 at 404 metres it doglegs to the left and requires the utmost effort to reach the green in two swings
The major difficulties and the length of the course all demand concentration and skill. The level of the game has to be kept high as the slightest mistake at the trickier holes may make it impossible to get back on track. With patience and attention – the player may leave the victor.
Open all year this course has a handicap restriction of 36. Golf classes are available in English, French and Spanish and there is also a driving range (40 bays), a putting green, two chipping areas and two practice bunkers.
Gandia Golf Club
Calle Camoni Viejo Grao de Gandia s/n
46730 Gandía – Valencia
Tel. 962873208
Fax 962961384
This 6 hole golf course near Gandia is perfect for beginners and players with little time who want a quick game of golf.
The course is right on the coast, the Fairways are short and there are no trees or water-hazards. There is also an excellent Driving Range to practise your swing.
Altea Golf Club
Club de Golf Don Cayo
Urb. Sierra de Altea Golf
Altea la Vieja.
Tel. 965 848 046
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Bernia mountains, this 9-hole course is close to the pretty coastal resort of Altea with its historic old town clustered around the white-washed church. Opened in 1974, this fabulous little course was designed by the architects Pedro Barber and Gregorio Sands and is surrounded by carob, pine and olive trees. The club offers hire of buggy, bags and clubs and has a school and small driving range…
With a round of 3,078 metres from the white tees, extremely difficult holes – such as the 5th, a 580-metre par-5, or the 6th, a slightly uphill 227-metre par-3 – alternate with recovery holes which also require accuracy if you want to land the ball on the fairway.
The 5th, a 580 metre par 5, is a particularly difficult hole, as is the uphill 227 metre par 3 6th hole. Both of these alternate with recovery holes requiring precision to land the ball on the fairway. The 3rd hole is kinder and offers lovely sea views whilst from the 7th players can just make out the Marina Baixa and the mountains surrounding it.
Players tend to prefer the 3rd, with its views of the sea, and the 7th rom where you can make out the mountains surrounding the Marina Baixa.
Benidorm Golf Club
Real de Faula,
Av. Eduardo Zaplana Hernández-Soro Partida del Moralet
Benidorm
Tel. 966 813 013
Two 18-hole courses located on the Terra Mitica park. The championship Levante course is par 72 and and 6626 metres while the Poniente course is par 62 and 3858. Both courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus. The 300 meters driving range can host up to 60 players. It has various practice areas like putting green, approach green, bunkers.
Nicklauss design of these US-style championship courses offers wide fairways, beautifully constructed greens and a measure of trickiness that keeps the most experienced player occupied.
Las Ramblas Golf Course – Alicante
Club De Golf Las Ramblas De Orihuela
Crta Alicante-Cartagena Km 50
03189 Urb Villarmartin, Orihuela, Alicante
Tel : (96) 532 20 11 Fax : (96) 676 51 58
“Las Ramblas, the incredible water hazards – the Ramblas – which make this (golf) course different from others in the area” FORE! magazine (Jan 2000 issue)
“Las Ramblas. Take plenty of balls. You’ll need them.
The Club de Golf Las Ramblas de Orihuela is another 18 hole course in the Villamartin area of the Orihuela Costa. Here you will find an 18 Hole, Par 72 course at 5770 metres. There are Professional / Men / Ladies Tees plus a driving range.
There are incredible water hazards – the ramblas – which makes this golf course different from others in the area. Take plenty of balls, you will need them. There are outstanding undulating course in a dramatic, contrasting landscape.
Why you should play. It is an outstanding, undulating course in a dramatic, contrasting landscape. One minute you are trying to steer clear of trees and shrubbery and the next you are battling to avoid barren rock outcrops. Be warned it is a battle you might well lose. But you will love trying.
Best bit. The challenge of propelling your ball over a series of gorges and ravines. The first – a 341-metre sharp dogleg right of a par four-sets the tone. You can either gamble and drive over a rocky hillock or play safe by taking an iron , aiming for an area straight ahead but leaving a lengthy second shot. Decisions, decisions… and Las Ramblas is full of them.” Today’s Golfer magazine, January 2001.
Real Club de Colf Campoamor
Telephone; 0034 965 320 410 Fax; 0034 965 320 506
Located 10 km from Torrevieja, the Royal Campoamor Golf Club opened in 1989 and was designed by Carmelo Gracias Caselles. It is longer than the other courses in the area, 6203 metres long with a par of 72. There are three 18 hole courses within 500 metres distance of Real Club de Golf Campoamor stands out. The Real Club de Colf Campoamor is built in 2 valleys, lush fairways and fast greens, with palm, pine and orange trees and is surrounded by beautiful pine woods and orange trees and overlooking the coast from Torrevieja to La Manga del Mar Menor.
The present facilities of the Real Club de Golf Campoamor will be shortly replaced by an ambitious project including the construction of a new Club House in the highest point of the estate. It will have cafeteria, bar and restaurant, large and luxurious social lounges, terraces, changing rooms, shops, club room, storage room, offices, parking, swimming pools, children’s playground with babysitting, sport centre, and facilities for tennis, paddle and horse riding.
Golf La Finca
La Finca Golf Course (Algorfa)
Telephone; 0034 966 729 010 Fax; 0034 966 729 011
Relatively young in years(2002) but already developed enough to test the best golfers while still being eminently playable for the beginner. The course is long and there is plenty of water, so a good supply of golf balls and probably a buggy is recommended. Lakes and natural running water abound as do the wildlife and add to this the backdrop of the Mount escotera and you have a must play golf course for the golf minded traveller. Superb greens (very tricky and fast) and bermuda grass fairways combine to a fantastic course.
The nearly 6500 yard course has been designed for tournaments. The natural setting not only provides majestic views of lakes, trees and mountains but it also challenges and makes the game more exciting, including have to hit a ball on an island green on the fifth. Visit many of the other neighbouring golf courses when you have completed a round at La Finca.
Location of course
Situated north of San Miguel on the CV95 towards Los Montesinos roundabout. Turn left and then next right – follow signs for Algorfa – follow the road along until you see the entrance to the golf course on the left, opposite a new urbanisation.
Club de Golf de Bonalba
Partida de Bonalba, s/n
03110 Mutxamel
+34 965 955 955
Between Busot and Bonalba. Bonalba golf is an 18 hole golf course is located in among a lovely landscape. The golf course itself is 6367 meters long and allows a breathtaking view over the Mediterranean Sea.
Alicante Golf
Avda. Locutor Vicente Hipólito, 37
La Condomina
03540 Playa San Juan Alicante
+34 965 152 043
It was been designed by Severiano Ballesteros in 1998. Located at the beach of San Juan a northern suburb of Alicante.
Club de Golf Villamartin,
Ctra. Alicante-Cartagena, km 50
03189 Orihuela
(Alicante)
Spain
Tel: 96 676 5127
Fax: 96 676 5170 / 5158
The Club de Golf Villamartin is an 18 hole course in the Villamartin area of the Orihuela Costa. It was first built in 1972, and was the host for the European Tour 1994. Here you will find an 18 Hole, Par 72 course at 6037 metres. There are Professional / Men / Ladies Tees plus a driving range. During February to March and October to November, you may find it hard to find a free start time as it’s a very popular course. 18 holes must be completed in 4 hours 20 minutes maximum.
La Marquesa Golf Club
Cuidad Quesada II
03170 Rojales
Alicante
Tel: +34 96 671 42 58
Fax: +34 96 671 42 67
La Marquesa Golf & Country Club, located on the north side of Cuidad Quesada, has a wonderful natural setting along the bottom of 3 valleys over looked by residential property. The Club house is central to the valleys and provides a main focal point.
Designed for elite competition, the 18 hole course is divided into three sections, with water coming into play on the 4th, 9th and 17th holes.