Marbella Golf and Country Club has begun an innovative project in the Costa del Sol. They have redesigned the golf course created by Robert Trent Jones Senior to be more competitive and up-to-date, but have also changed the management to be more modern and transparent.

David Steele and Craig Cooke are the people managing this change, whose main ambition is to demonstrate that a project with the tradition and history in golf in Andalusia and Spain as the Marbella Golf and Country Club has, can be renewed at all levels. They want to be aligned with the new trends in the society, and they are convinced that the use of the new technologies and Internet will help them to achieve their new goals.

Their first objective is to develop a service offer that meets the current needs and interests of its clients in Spain and beyond.

On http://www.marbellagolf.com they have understood that there is only one way to achieve it; listen to their customers, and not just the golfers, but all those who want to enjoy the magnificent facilities that Marbella Golf offers. For this purpose, they have created on their website a brief survey (http://www.marbellagolf.com/participate), and there will be a prize draw for a free Annual Green fee among those who with their opinions help them to develop a range of services more tailored to the golfers’ needs.

Among the next steps to be undertaken, and that include the use of social networks, to be closer to their customers, surveys and monthly draws of green fees and golf equipment, is the launching of a new web site in January 2010, on which they’ll communicate the name of the lucky winner of this annual subscription to play free golf for a year.

For further details, please contact Marbella Golf Club info@marbellagolf.com

Designed by Bernhard Von Limburger and P. Krings, Atalaya Golf and Country Club is the official headquarters of the European PGA located in the Estepona region of Costa del Sol. Inaugurated in 1968, the golf club is now one of the earliest courses in the region, and being a quite flat one; it is enjoyable for all levels of players.

The entire golf course is divided into two different parts with two 18-holes par 72 courses: the Old Course, designed by Bernard v Limberger i.e. a championship course and the other 18 hole new course designed by Paul Krings. The new course was opened much later in 1991 but soon became popular among amateurs and also can be a genuine test for professionals.

On the contrary, the old one is a classically designed with superb fairways, well-placed bunkers and elevated greens. Lined with eucalyptus, olive and pine trees, the course might prove to be a difficult one for some international pros and hence requires accurate tee shots.

Old & New courses

The Old Course starts with an easy opening hole downhill slight dog leg left, but avoid hitting too much to the left. A par 3 second and third hole require utmost accuracy to pass those deep bunkers. Well bunkered right, and green slopes left to right the par 5 hole no. 5 and par 3 hole no. 7 are needed to be negotiated properly.

Furthermore, the 14th a dog leg left invites towards a slightly elevated green and a bunker right of the green, while the 17th hole- a genuine par 5 is, too, to test your golfing skills in the presence of a large cross bunker and long green.

Then again, the New Course starts with a par 4 opening hole with straight uphill, where the bunker doesn’t come into play. The 4th hole (par 3) demands a shot slightly right, while the greens of 5th hole (par 4) are protected by three bunkers. The hole-13 requires very precise shot as its green is protected by trees on the right and left.

Hole no. 14 – a par 5, and hole no. 16 – a par 3 and the second last are also needed to be dealt with precision and delicate concentration. Due to its topographical variation, and diversity of its tees and courses, the new course is also suitable for all levels of players.

Facilities & Services

Apart from these two magnificent 18-holes golf courses, Atalaya offers one of the largest driving ranges in Spain, clubhouse, restaurant, bar, Proshop, trolley hire, Club rental, parking lot and an international golfing academy.

The Bar and Clubhouse, built in traditional Andalusian style, offer fabulous views of the Mediterranean, Marbella, and the southern tip of Spain Gilbert, where you can rest and relax after a long and tiring golfing session. The restaurant inside the club serves some of the best traditional and international cuisines.

At the International Golf Academy, you will have a great chance to furnish your golfing skills with guidance from some of the PGA-E registered professionals. Golfing lessons are also available for all levels for group and private as well. The caddy masters of the club can arrange special instruction classes according to your needs, but that might demand extra fee.

Voted “Golf Club Of The Year 2008″, the Los Naranjos Golf Club is one of the oldest and largest golf course situated in a 15-minute drive from Puerto Banus in “Golf Valley” Nueva Andalucía on the west side of Marbella. The course is also considered as one of the best designs of architect Robert Trent Jones Snr. A classic Jones design constitutes well placed bunkers, water cascades and long undulated greens.

Established in 1977, the 6457-meter long course has just undergone some kind of renovation with additional greens and automated irrigation system. Over the years, it has been famed itself as one of those few championship golf courses in Spain for its first-rate facilities.

Moreover, the maintenance of the original and natural atmosphere has further added weight to its uniqueness and popularity. As per the words of the club owner Lennart Hall: “Los Naranjos is unique and special in the way it makes you feel at home, always extending a friendly welcome to each and everyone .“

Starting with a short opening hole with an elevated green alongside a large bunker on the right hand side of fairway, the 18-hole course is not that easy for all golf enthusiasts for its unusual, rather two different characteristics. While the second hole is a long one of par 5, the 10th hole guides you through a narrow entrance with bunkers on left and right.

The good mixture of holes brings a very massive ordeal even for a professional golfer. For example, the 9th hole which nicknamed “The Challenge” can be quite confusing for some in the midst of the huge bunker on the left side of the fairway, along with green slopes and a bank drawing inward at the back.

If you are scoring well in the first half, it’s not that simple to continue playing with the same pace. It would be quite fascinating to find that even as the first nine holes are a bit straight forward the latter half is challenging while playing through several orange groves, lakes, mounds, tunnel, and palms trees.

Designed with diverse terrains with strategically placed bunkers and lakes, Los Naranjos Golf club asks golfers to conduct a great mind work from shot to shot i.e. pretty fascinating, and drives you to manage your score according to your skills of play.

Facilities
Out of the golfing course, you can easily find a range of other facilities and services and one of those listed is the Club house which is open from early morning till midnight. Inside the club house, you can have a wonderful time while enjoying delicious Spanish cuisines at a restaurant or a massage or gym session at the fitness centre.

As part of a professional golfing venue, Los Naranjos offers service for corporate events and golf tournaments with guidance for individual golfers as well as groups. In addition, the Pro shop inside the golf club has the best stock of all latest golfing equipments and a lot of other items at competitive prices.

Address
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Apdo. 64, 29660 Nueva Andalucia
Marbella, Spain
Web: www.losnaranjos.com

Spain, especially Marbella, with all its natural surroundings and amenities offers an amazing outing for golf enthusiasts of all ages. Situated in the heart of Golf Valley with awe-inspiring views of the Marbella coastline, La Quinta Golf Course is one of those elegantly designed courses that pledge a comfortable stay and a great golfing experience.

Designed by Manuel Pinero and Antonio Garcia Garrido, the golf course is the right place to get some golfing lessons for all levels. Since its inauguration in 1989, the La Quinta Golf Course has been placed amongst the most preferred destinations among golfers who come here to enjoy their holidays amidst a rustic and pleasant atmosphere.

Manuel Pinero is a professional Spanish golfer and a three times winner of the World Cup Championships. Representing Spain in a two man team, he won the 1976 and 1982 World Cup team titles, while in the latter year he also grabbed the individual title.

There are in fact three courses in the club with nine holes each which offers an option to the participants to make a combination of their own choice considering their playing abilities to play an 18-hole game.

In the course A San Pedro, there are open fairways and short yardage, while course B Ronda has a bit more difficult greens with narrow fairways. This leads to the Ronda Mountains and so the name of the course. Although the course C or Guadaiza considered easier than B, the presence of slopes and few dog legs demands extra care for good shot selection.

In addition, the Guadaiza course’s specialty is its three successive par 5 holes, four par 4s and two par 3s. Furthermore, the panoramic views of the Sierra Blanca mountain range would be fairly pleasing while playing your favourite game of golf.

La Quinta Golf Academy

Taking into account the complexity of the game, there are different courses designed for all levels of players. La Quinta Golf Academy offers weekend coaching, hourly lessons, intensive and advanced golf courses throughout the year. The academy has also designed special courses for children, beginners and groups of friends. Individual classes can also be arranged in direct talk with the club management to master any specific skills like slice, draw, hook or push.

Facilities

The recently renovated Club House is the place where you can enjoy a variety of cuisine at the restaurant inside, along with a range of other facilities which include: a gym, La Quinta spa, kids club, and a Pro shop from where you can get everything you need to play golf. However, one of the most important attractions of this club is the number of events or tournaments which are on all throughout the year of varied interest.

Address

Crta. de Ronda
Nueva Andalucia
29660
web: www.laquintagolf.com

Opened in 2000, the 9 hole par-3 Greenlife Golf Course is situated just 11 kilometres from the city centre and is now one of the most visited golfing destinations in Marbella, Spain. The obvious reason for its popularity is the exhilarating natural beauty amid those long stretched lining of palm and oak trees along with exciting golfing facilities and services.

The fairways run through a good distance, where the average length of the holes ranges from 89 to 169 meters, leaves a clear idea of its preference among amateur as well experienced professional golfers, who want to try their skills under different circumstances. The hole number 4, 5 and 9 are considered to be the critical most.

For visitors, who are on their vacation trip for a quality time with family, out of a small session of golf, there is an array of non-golfing activities for a memorable stay. The restaurant inside the Greenlife Club offers delicious traditional Andalucían as well as cuisines of everybody’s interest.

Situated within the Club house, “Restaurante El Lago” gives you a taste of all intriguing modern and local flavours with a perfect ambiance, set up exquisitely in a tranquil backdrop of blue lakes and green golf course. No wonder, such gracefulness further adds to the overall popularity of the golf course.

Accommodation

Your golfing holidays can really be exciting if you opt for a Greenlife Golf apartment situated right inside the golf course. There are 12 Studious, 3 one-bedroom Halls, and 2 Suits exclusively built for holiday rentals. Residents can enjoy swimming and can have the luxury of fitness centre inside the course, or play tennis at the lawns without any additional charge.

Golf Academy

In addition to the long list of services, Greenlife Golf Club also offers special golfing lessons that can be once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for you in company with those experienced PGA professionals. With all latest technologies in swing and video analysis, the entire training facilities would certainly be helpful to take your golf skills to the next level.

Fitness Centre

The Clubhouse inside the Golf course houses a well-equipped fitness centre and sauna with stunning views of lakes inside the course. Visitors can take pleasure of a comprehensive spa treatment while specialists will guide and assist them in treatment selection.

For all accommodation, membership, golf, fitness, tennis and green fees please follow the given contact details:

Greenlife Golf
Urb. Elviria Hills, Avda. de las Cumbres s/n,
29604 Marbella,
Málaga, Spain
Phone: +34 952 839142
Web: www.greenlife-golf.com