La Manga South Golf Club

La Manga’s South course has been touched by both Seve and Arnie. It is the best known of La Manga’s trio and begins right next to the hotel with a hole typical of the ensuing challenge, the 1st looking fairly routine with room for error on the left. But lurking behind reeds on the right is a large lake which eats into the fairway at just the length most of us will land our tee shots.

This is a common theme – water pops up at just the moments you would really rather it didn’t. It’s a pretty start though, with the approach framed by the Arizona-like mountain behind.

Turning round, you play a lovely par 3 towards the bungalows set into the hill behind: again it has bite, playing alongside the lake to a shallow green with bunkers at the front.

Already it is noticeable just what terrific condition the course is in, with the tees especially impeccable and complemented by a neatness to the paths, shrubs, borders and beds.

The 6th is the highlight of the front nine, a splendid downhill driving hole before a lay-up between bunker and lake leaving a wedge over a dry ditch – known as a ‘barranca’, and which are very common here – to a green set up and at angle with two bunkers on sentry duty.

The back nine begins with a tremendous view of the mountains as you negotiate a sharp dog-leg that runs along the side of the sparkling new David Leadbetter Academy.

It is followed by a par 4 over a huge lake with the national flags atop tall poles fluttering in the background concerning you about the strength and direction of the wind. Turning round, you then play a splendid short hole that sits on the edge of the lake which, if you find the evil little bunker on the left of the green, will loom very large in your thinking as you try to escape.

As you walk to the 13th tee you take in a glorious view of the peninsula town of La Manga itself. The 14th is dominated by a gigantic bunker snaking up the inside of the dog-leg and then this 7,148-yard course concludes with a splendid par 3 that has a lake all the way down the right, then a super par 5 where most will lay up short of the barranca, then fire over a beautiful bed of shrubs between an avenue of trees to a tiered green overlooked by palms and the hotel.

The South is excellent resort golf with lots of hitting required but also lots of room. Walking in the footsteps of Arnie and Seve, it has stood the test of time well.

While you’re visiting, why not play a round at La Manga North and La Manga West courses too? 

Opened in 1971, La Manga Golf Club's longest golf course was remodelled by Arnold Palmer in 1992 and refurbished in 2004. This is a golf course which rewards power, with plenty of par-5s and long par-3s. The South golf course has staged both men's and women's Spanish PGA Championships and was the home of the European Tour Q-School for several years.

• 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

• 4 out of 5 Great Championship Course 12 December 2010

  By gdubya

  Stayed here for three nights through your golf travel for £219 b&b + 3 rounds and found it to be fantastic value. Although the longer of the 3 courses it was somewhat forgiving and apart from losing a couple of balls found it very enjoyable. I was considerably hungover but found the flat layout easy on the feet and energy levels. The greens, huge as they were are true and in excellent condition. Overall a fantastic course.

• 4 out of 5 great course 07 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  good value for money