Enjoy golf in an enviable natural environment, with spectacular views of the mountains and the sea that allow you to see the Rock of Gibraltar and the coast of Morocco, and also play unhurried, relaxed, without the burden of other players who come on our heels, a privilege that is given, unfortunately, in very few courses …. All this and much more is what the Marbella Club Golf Resort offers.
The designer of the course, Dave Thomas, who passed away in 2013, was specially chosen by the Marbella Club to design the layout. As a player, he reached the play-offs of two Opens and was a regular member of the Ryder Cup team. His signature as a golf course designer and architect can be found on more than 100 courses around the world. Possibly his best known work is associated with the PGA National course and The Belfry. Dave Thomas was delighted to collaborate with the Marbella Club Hotel. “The opportunity to design and oversee the construction of this course, while maintaining the tradition and prestige of the Marbella Club, was totally irresistible. The course will be one of the finest golf courses in Marbella and Spain,” he said at the time.
The picturesque Hole 1 is the showpiece of the quality of the course design, with its beautifully contoured fairways, immaculate greens, marks the beginning of a memorable golf course. The 18 holes stretch over 6,000 yards with water hazards and demanding bunkers, a feature of the course designer, encouraging players to seek out the most advantageous shot. Bermuda 419 grass has been used on the fairways and tees, a combination of three grasses on the ante greens, and a new variety of American grass on the greens. The computer-controlled irrigation system, along with the latest advances in fairway shaping and design techniques, keep the course in impeccable condition all year round.
The first nine holes offer the unique experience of three consecutive par 5’s, which are not only a difficult test at the start of play, but provide some of the most beautiful views on the course. The 7th tee is also the highest point on the course and offers a panoramic view of the coastline, Gibraltar and even Africa. Stretching 6,000 meters, combining its length with the strategic placement of bunkers and water hazards and intriguing green designs, the par 73 course culminates in one of the most impressive finishing holes in Europe. One of several high tees, this par 5, whose green some professionals reach in two strokes, is a memorable finishing hole.
Clubhouse
Nestled in the mountains of Benahavís, about 20 minutes drive from the center of Marbella, at this course golfers receive the high quality treatment they would expect from a five-star golf resort. For example, the staff places the clubs in the buggies without the usual stress associated with more commercial clubs.
The clubhouse is an exquisite cottage with a thatched roof and privileged views of the golf course and the lake on hole 1.
On cooler days, the fireplace and rustic furniture evoke the atmosphere of a hunting lodge while maintaining the aristocratic traditions of the Marbella Club.
As for the store, it has a wide range of branded products of the highest quality. Nike, Bobby Jones, Callaway, Footjoy, Titleist, are some of the brands we work with, in addition to a careful selection of garments “The Marbella Club Golf Resort” with the unmistakable logo of the professionals of the Marbella Club Golf Club, with the original coat of arms of the Hohenlohe family.
“A great job.”
Course manager Rod Bastard is very proud of Dave Thomas’ design: “He did a great job here and, from a beautiful but complicated terrain, he produced a great course, very playable for any handicap and with spectacular views. All the balls bounce towards the fairways, all the greens receive well and the fairways are well isolated and surrounded by nature”.
Bastard highlights the 18th hole, of course, for its spectacular views over Gibraltar, and also highlights holes 7 and 13, also par 5s, “which give you options to play safe, calm, but also aggressive if you want to”, and hole 9, a downhill par 3 with a stream. “The truth is that the course has a lot of variety and is fun for the player,” he adds.
He also emphasizes the tranquility of the course. “Here you have the feeling of relaxation, comfort and that you are playing practically alone.”
The maximum number of players admitted per day is about 70, “when other courses are putting 180 or 200,” he emphasizes. “It’s nothing to do with departures every twelve minutes and sharing the field with 60 or 70 players: it’s a luxury,” he concludes.
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