La Manga West Golf Club

You’ll find the La Manga West course is very different from its sisters, playing between pines rather than palms as it’s set in a huge protected forest. It begins as it means to go on, a 336-yard par 4 made tricky by a pond in front of a small green whose contours make chipping exacting. A cute par 3 over a ravine to a green enclosed by pines is then followed by a more open-feeling par 5 – although you still need to be accurate to avoid the trees and ditch on this acute dog-leg. 

Another beautiful short hole arrives at the 4th – played between two well-sculpted bunkers – and in fact there are no weak par 3s on the West. The West also encompasses impressive variety in terms of its challenge. The 6th and 8th are especially good driving holes, a par 5 and 4 that sweep to the left and right respectively and are beautifully defined by bunkering, pines and contouring. The 9th is another. And then there are holes such as the 12th – a very tight drive and an approach to a small, undulating, well-guarded green – which is easy to make a total mess of. The 15th, too, is ludicrously tight.

Then a different challenge appears on the 17th, a 90˚ dog-leg where the rare presence of a barranca, the first proper sight of water and a tiered green make this a stiff par 5. It feels a bit like the West is slightly less loved than its sisters – perhaps as a result of it receiving fewer golfers. This is relative of course, but LMC seem to recognise the need to encourage more to play it by reducing its green fee compared to its sisters – and €60 for residents is amazing value. That is a good thing, because you really ought not to come to Murcia and not play the West. It might quietly be the best course in the region.

Read our reviews of its sister courses too – La Manga North and La Manga South. 

Click here to find out where La Manga West ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Courses Europe

Opened in 1992, La Manga West Golf Club provides welcome variety to the La Manga complex. Designed by Dave Thomas, the golf course is routed through pine trees and is far more hilly than the other two. A tight twisting golf course with plenty of blind holes and barrancas (natural storm drains) to avoid, The West has quickly become a favourite among La Manga guests.

• 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 Simply Stunning 12 December 2010

  By gdubya

  Fantastic course, don't bother with the driver, causes more problems than enough if you aren't cock on. Great layout, tight and punishing, but overall brilliant test of golf.

• 4.5 out of 5 luv it 01 February 2007

  By Anonymous

  played it a couple of tyms now an its one of the most beautiful courses i played definitley worth playin

• 4 out of 5 Thinking mans course 01 February 2005

  By Anonymous

  Played the La Mnga complex last and am going back again this year.All the courses are good but the West course demands thought and accuracy (We liked it so much we are playing it twice this time)if you plan well the rewards are great.I loved this course so give it a try its worth it . Mitch