La Cala North (Campo America)

The warm, stiff Andalucian breeze was playing havoc with all four golfers at La Cala North (Campo America). The wind seemed to suck the ball high into the air and then spit it out irreverently in all sorts of weird and wonderful directions. But there was not a Wayne Rooney-style tantrum in sight! This is La Cala and very few, if any, golfers lose their cool here. La Cala is about just being there, savouring the moment, taking in that fantastic mountain retreat far from the madding crowds. This tucked-away paradise is 10 minutes from the tourist trap of Marbella, but it may as well be in another world.

Click here to find out where La Cala ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Golf Resorts Europe

Although any golfer could enjoy Cabell Robinson's 1992 rollercoaster, La Cala North (Campo America) is a seriously hard golf course with tight drives and shallow greens. Penalty for a missed drive is usually a lost ball. The spectacular backdrop of the Mijas mountains is no aid to concentration. But if you can forget your score, this is a seriously exciting place to play golf.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Golfing Heaven 10 December 2008

  By Jack Hedley

  I lost track of the number of times my group, as they arrived at a tee, said "have you seen this hole?". A fantastic first and last hole plus many others on the way round. The facilities are superb including the 19th hole! Everything is run very efficiently - I'm going back for the third year running and it can't come soon enough!

• 3 out of 5 Golfers paradise 05 November 2008

  By Wiltshire Claret

  A good course but very standard, the first hole was spectacular but there were no others after that. Great views and scenery, a little off the beaten track but all the time I thought it was a 'manufactured'golf centre. I would not play this course again.

• 3 out of 5 Golfers paradise 05 November 2008

  By Wiltshire Claret

  A good course but very standard, the first hole was spectacular but there were no others after that. Great views and scenery, a little off the beaten track but all the time I thought it was a 'manufactured'golf centre. I would not play this course again.

• 5 out of 5 Has to be played 01 June 2008

  By R0bertsonS

  The most liked of the three La Cala resort courses. I must admit I like them all. The America course is has got to be played if you are out there, if just for the long sweeping par 5 ninth, with an elevated green and trouble all around it. Great course, great experience.

• 4 out of 5 Great golf course; shame about the welcome! 22 September 2007

  By db3745

  Having read some reviews from both users and local experts, we expected La Cala to be difficult, and the North course - Campo America - to be the least attractive proposition in terms of playability. However, we needn't have worried. Off 12 and 15 we thoroughly enjoyed our round, and found it much less difficult than expected. It is true however that the first 3 holes are quite easy and being flat don't prepare you at all for the challenge ahead. The 6th is index 1, and probably the signature hole, a par 5 uphill, a diagonal drive with death on the right hand side making you guess how far right you dare go. Though we both saw our first balls disappear into what is currently a building site, it is nevertheless a great hole. All aspects of the course are top class - greens, tees, fairways, and yes the views are exceptional. The rates are no higher than other decent courses around, but this is different class to say Mijas Los Olivos and El Chapparal which we also played last week. The only criticism I had was before we teed off, when the practice green had not been swept of dew by 9.30, so was a waste of time. I would return here like a shot in spite of the couldn't care less attitude of the front-line English staff, i.e. buggy supervisor and head professional who got us off to a real bad start. Starter was only a little better. Can it be so hard to find people who know how to welcome customers?

• 4.5 out of 5 La Cala's finest 21 July 2007

  By JonHutch

  It's some accolade to say that America is the best of the 3 La Cala courses. Tight and tough, with some stunning holes, particularly the Par 3 16th and Par 5 18th. Everything about the La Cala set up feels classy and Campo America is the jewel in the La Cala crown. Play it.