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Golf on the Costal Del Sol, Spain
By Grahame Simpson

The Costa del Sol, Spain is often called the Costa del Golf as it offers over 40 courses and the number continues to grow. There is a wide choice of style of golf course from coastal links, with the most southerly in Europe being Alcaidesa, woodland and sparse hillside courses.

Opened in 1992, Alcaidesa is a links course, something of a rarity in Spain. It is also the southern most links course in the whole of Europe. Most of the 18 holes border the beach and the greens and fairways are particularly lush and green, fed by moist Atlantic breezes from the West. So Alcaidesa is not only one of the most picturesque courses along the coast, it is also an ideal golf destination during the hotter months when the brisk sea breeze provides welcome refreshments.

First timers could find Alcaidesa challenging: the first hole, for example, requires a blind drive to a coastal fairway that dog-legs to the green. Then on the second…a terrific 175m Par 3, all downhill with quite a few water hazards and bunkers.

The wide open fairways make the course appear deceptively easy at first sight, but there’s plenty of low lying gorse and seaside vegetation lurking in wait for your brand new golf ball. That’s why straight. Accurate hitters will thrive here, while wayward shots could land you in trouble. Links courses also suit low hitters as the wind is less likely to capture your ball in flight and carry it off course.

Calanova Golf, La Cala is perfectly positioned in the hills of La Cala and is a noteworthy addition to the handful of courses making up the La Cala/Mijas areas new «Golf Valley«.

There are half a dozen courses and two luxury hotels in this 5,600 acre green zone, with six more courses to come. It is a golf haven that will soon have the highest concentration of golf courses anywhere on the Costa del Sol, an ideal location just a short drive from Malaga airport, ten minutes from Marbella and next to La Cala village which was once a small fishing village and though it retains much of its Spanish character, it is now a busy holiday destination.

Calanova uses its natural surroundings and has come up with a course that medium and low handicap players will find is a pleasure, yet challenging, to play. Strategically placed bunkers and lakes populate the course and it’s hard to believe this green and tranquil sanctuary is just five minutes from the busy village of La Cala.

Calanova is a diverse 72 par course, with par4 holes from 225 to 405 meters; their are six holes with doglegs to the left, five with doglegs to the right and seven straight holes four of them sloping downhill.

For more information on these two different Costa del Sol courses visit www.sungolfer.com/Costa_del_Sol/Golf_Courses.html

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