Rod Bastard, course designer and professional player with extensive experience as a golf course manager, has mentally created what he considers to be the ideal Andalusian course combining the 18 holes he likes best. He explains in this article the configuration process of this virtual and fantastic Andalusian course.
In recent editions we have been touring some of the best holes in Andalucía and highlighting the designer’s intent and the challenges for the player. This got me thinking about what a golf course made up of a combination of the best holes on each course would look like.
Simply picking the top holes would be easy, so I went a step further and limited myself to the order of the holes, meaning I had to pick the best first hole, the best second hole and so on for the 18 holes. Then I also wanted to try to balance it out for par and first and second nines.
The interesting thing about this is that some hole numbers gave me multiple choices while others only had one clear choice. There were also courses that could easily present themselves multiple times. All I can say is that this is truly a world class 18 holes from a playing and design standpoint. The green fee and condition were secondary to the hole design. We have included a simulated scorecard here so you can record the holes you played and what you scored on them. I challenge you to play all 18 and see how you do.
The 18 holes I have chosen for this ideal course are as follows:
HOLE 1: Par 4 of 358 meters RCG Las Brisas
Fantastic opening hole, enough width off the tee to start with the remaining space, but the second shot downhill to the green challenges you as it is protected in front and left by water. The shape of the green makes ‘up and down’ impossible on the right side as well. Stronger hitters may be thinking of a birdie, but most will be happy with a bogey here.
HOLE 2: Par 4 403 meters San Roque Old COURSE
Dogleg soft from right to left, the tee shot requires you to approach the left side of the fairway so you can go to the green in two. The hole is usually played with an easterly wind, so the second shot is long and is further complicated by a lake to the right of the green.
HOLE 3: Par 3 of 154 meters RC Sevilla Golf
Beautiful downhill par 3 where everything is laid out in front of you. Short and long water, the green runs diagonally from the front left to the back right, making club selection a challenge. Only a mid iron, but it can ruin the card quickly.
HOLE 4: Par 5 of 516 meters Real Club Valderrama
Truly an impressive hole from the elevated tee shot to the three-tiered green that is protected by a spectacular waterfall on the right. The best players – not humans – can get there in two, but for most, the third wedge shot is more than enough of a challenge.
HOLE 5: Par 4 of 358 meters Novo Sancti Petri MAR
Relatively wide tee shot to get you going, but you have to choose your club well to allow you to bridge the fairway tree, but not overdo it to end up in the lake. The green is protected by water on three sides, making the short iron approach a test of distance control. Any score is possible here.
HOLE 6: Par 5 of 489 meters El Higueral
Generous tee shot, unless you want to try your luck, as it narrows radically. One of the most spectacular second shots on the coast, downhill to a green that penetrates a beautiful lake. Even the third shot is not easy to play on a green that has an unusual front to back shape.
HOLE 7: Par 4 of 381 meters RCG Sotogrande
One of the best holes in the world. Dogleg left with a landing area that slopes with the hole. The green is very long and narrow protected by a lake on the right and bunkers on the left. Accuracy is required to reach this green with the second shot. Show respect.
HOLE 8: Par 4 of 433 meters La Reserva club Sotogrande
This is a beastly hole, long with the entire right side flanked by a lake. The braver you are, the more likely you are to make it in two, but it’s a long shot. Quality hole, but there is no shame in playing it as a par 5.
HOLE 9: Par 3 of 199 meters Marbella Club Golf Resort
Standing on the tee you see the entire green, but also the meandering creek that runs under the green to the small lake in front on the left. A large tree also intrudes into your view to add complications to the challenge. Finally, assessing the wind here can be disconcerting. Good luck.
HOLE 10: Par 4 of 267 meters Estepona Golf
A par 4 delight that rewards risk. The downhill tee shot means most players can get tripped up on the green, but it is well protected by water and bunkers on all sides. It’s always fun to try, but maybe not smart. Options and scores can range from 2 to high single digits.
HOLE 11: Par 3 of 182 meters La Quinta – A + C
Spectacular and intimidating are words that come to mind. It is a long hole with a lake that wraps around the front and sides of the green and requires a precision long iron or wood to reach safely. Even then the job is not done, as the green has considerable slope. I would advise aiming for bogey and moving on: I just don’t know how to guarantee that.
HOLE 12: Par 5 of 543 meters RCG Sotogrande
What a backdrop: a big, wide fairway to tempt you to smash your drive, but options abound. Are you brave enough to hit it to the green over the big lake or will you be smart and play left leaving a wedge? Coming up short is no good, but if you get away from the back, you’d better be good and play a high, soft pitch with a tricky lie. A delicious hole.
H
OYO 13: Par 4 of 383 meters Finca Cortesín
The tee shot requires placement on the fairway that descends from right to left from the bunkers to the hazard. The green is nestled in terrain protected by a creek in front and a beautiful tree. There is room on the green. A great par 4.
HOLE 14: Par 4 of 392 meters RC Sevilla Golf
First class hole from start to finish. Tee shot played to a fairway framed by tall trees leading to an intimidating second shot. The green is shaped around a lake on the left but cleverly designed so you can play right and let the ball roll to the bottom left.
HOLE 15: Par 4 of 409 meters Río Real
Clearly a wonderful dogleg left classic. No water, no tricks, just tall trees requiring a controlled and accurate shot off the tee if there are no trees waiting. The long second shot plays to a large green, but making par here is not easy. This hole proves that the old school design is still valid.
HOLE 16: Par 3 of 150 meters Santana Golf
What a hole: not too long but challenging and requires a medium iron to do well. The green is long and not very wide, so the tee line is key. The green is undulating to add interest. Like all par 3’s, it needs respect and, if you tee off with a par, run to the next tee.
HOLE 17: Par 5 of 490 meters Real Club Valderrama
What a hole, we’ve all seen it. Fast green preceded by a lake. A challenge from the first to the last shot, Miguel Angel Jimenez made here a 2 (albatross) and Tiger’s putt took his ball to the lake from the green, so there is not much more to say. Spectacular, intimidating and wonderful.
HOLE 18: Par 4 of 395 meters Real Club Sevilla Golf
What a finishing hole for a course! Imagine you’re leading a tournament and need a par. You thread your tee shot into the fairway between the lakes on the left and the long, large bunker on the right. However, the job is not complete: second shot to a slightly elevated green protected by water in front and to the left. Enjoy finally kicking while listening to the water cascading down the waterfall as people watch from the clubhouse terrace. What a way to end your round!
There you have my 18 holes, will you play them? Do you agree that this list has some of the most amazing golf holes you have ever played? Good luck and enjoy every step of the way.
Leave a Reply