The SIG Column – Golfing In The Costa Del Sol

“Golf is a good walk spoiled” – Mark Twain

Spoiled?! He was obviously walking in the wrong places.

In a year that has seen the Olympic Games dominate everything from column inches to commuter chatter, golf is the next sport with the chance to embrace the Olympic spirit when it joins the Olympic roster in Rio 2016. So if you fancy a trip to Brazil in the coming years, one way to get on the plane (although probably a longshot) could be to dust off those clubs at the back of the garage and get some practice in.

But then, why limit your practice to the local pitch and putt? Let the golf spoil your walk, as our friend Mr Twain suggests, rather than the Great British weather. 

While there are, of course, a wide range of courses in Britain with a wealth of history, tradition and beauty, it’s the continent that is profiting from the ever-popular ‘golf weekends’ – combining golf with sunshine, fine dining, culture, and maybe a glass or two of local Rioja. 

One such example of this is the spectacular four-star NH Hotel Almenara resort at Sotogrande-Cadiz, which I was lucky enough to pay a visit to earlier this year, located in the sun-kissed corner of the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain.

Home of three nine-hole courses and just a 10 minute drive from the fearsome La Reserva course – deemed fit to rival nearby Valderrama, a former venue of the Ryder Cup – with locals confident that it will itself soon play host to international competition.

A relatively new course, designed by American Cabell Robinson, it opened in 2004 as part of the legacy left behind by the likes of Ballesteros and Olazabal and co. It’s also ranked the fifth best course in Spain and 55th best in Europe.

At 7,400 metres, it’s long. Very long. So if you’ve been taking tips from Bubba recently it’ll stand you in good stead. As a friendly word of advice, also note ‘metres’ not ‘yards’. You’re on the continent now, and it’s useful to remember that before an entire round of coming up short on your irons…

Next word of warning, it’s not all about length on this course. Put the pink driver away and have a practice on the putting green because these dancefloors are a little more polished than you may be used to at your local club. Le Reserva’s greens are rated at a speed of 11 and, to put that in perspective, the speeds at Augusta National are rated between 12-14 for the Masters. A slight miscalculation and you could find yourself putting yourself off the green…and no one wants to see a four-putt.

At 160 euros, a round of golf isn’t cheap at La Reserva, but it’s well worth the investment, with the course offering a challenge for the scratch player while still presenting opportunities for the amateur golfer to make that magic shot. At times, it’ll make you feel like Tiger circa 2000, at other times, you’ll feel like Tiger circa 2010. 

While La Reserva is the star, the supporting cast should not be ignored. The 27-holes on the doorstep of Hotel Almerara offer equally-pacey greens and endless tranquility in between. 

With Los Alcornoques, Los Pinos and Los Lagos to choose from, the course – designed, no less, by former Ryder Cup winner Dave Thomas – is surrounded by pine and cork trees with two lakes running through the heart of it with enviable views of the occupying mountains and the Mediterranean to enjoy.

Of course, this is also a holiday, so to unwind after a ‘tough day’ on the fairway (hopefully), the hotel offers a state-of-the-art Elysium spa, tailored to help combat the stresses and strains of an arduous afternoon hacking your way through the sunshine.

There are two world-class restaurants on hand: the Gaia, which offers guests extravagant local gourmet cuisine at a reasonable 40 euros, and the Veinteenocho, with 15 euros securing you the post-round essentials (a club sandwich and a pint of Estrella).

A personal highlight of mine was the local tapas tour in the adjacent town of San Roque, and is a great way of getting a tour of the charming town while sampling a variety of dishes. Taking in six bars for just 18 euros, it is an absolute must, with the village nestled nicely on the backdrop of the bordering Gibaltar and Morocco.

Finally, if you want something a little different, the town also possesses an ancient bullring and one of the world’s only CB radio museums, for all you CB radio fans…

Spoil the walk with the golf, not the weather, by Sport Industry Group’s Jason White.

Travel: Monarch fly direct to Malaga from Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick and Luton from £62.50 return. For more information, go to: monarch.co.uk.

Accommodation: A night’s B&B at the NH Almenara starts from 70 euros. Go to: nh-hotels.com.