Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

Set among steep mountains, the impeccable fairways of Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club merge with the spectacular surrounding scenery, affording the golfers exceptional views over the Mediterranean. Opened in 1991, Los Arqueros is a challenging par-71, 18-hole course designed by the Spanish Severiano Ballesteros. Considered one of the best players in the world, Seve has used his know-how and prestige to create some 30 golf courses all over the world.

The underlying idea in the design of Los Arqueros was to create a course which followed the lie of the land and blended harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Seve took this philosophy to heart when designing the course, and each hole has its own particular personality. The result is a challenging course for the experienced player and a genuine test for those who are new to the game.

Los Arqueros Golf, a challenging 18 hole, par 71, inaugurated in 1991, has been designed by a man who is not only one of the world’s top professional golfers, but also a native of the country, Severiano Ballesteros. He has shared his knowledge and put his name into the creation of almost 30 golf courses throughout the world.

The design thinking behind Los Arqueros Golf was to lay out a course which closely followed the contours of the land and was in harmony with the natural setting. It is an idea, which Seve exploited to the maximum when designing the front and back nine holes, each with its own distinct personality. The result is a course which presents a challenge for the experienced golfer and is a real test of skills for beginners.

The course requires accurate play, especially in some tight tee shots where you may have to forego distance in your drive and opt instead for shorter irons or woods which ensure that the ball reaches the fairway. Hole 8 is especially tricky, as it is a long par 5, with a tight dogleg towards the right which slopes sharply downhill to the green, and a hazardous out-of-bounds area finishing in a stream at the entrance to the green. Watch out too for the 13th hole, with its high tee requiring an accurate and hard-hitting drive to a downhill area guarded by bunkers, and where only careful play will ensure that you save the par. The 3rd hole is also excellent, with a lake to the left of the fairway and a scattering of wide bunkers on the right - but it requires more attention than expected to finish successfully.

However, the most difficult hole is the 6th, as it is not only the longest, but the tee-off shot is the decisive one. Therefore, this is a demanding course which requires a calculated game, and where you cannot afford to take many risks if you want to make your handicap.