3 reasons to book a golf holiday to La Manga Club

The South of Spain is no secret when it comes to golf tourism. Stretching from the border with Portugal in the south-west, through the Costa Del Sol and Almeria before reaching the Murcia region in the south-east. There is something for everyone with fantastic golf everywhere you look. Sat in the south-east corner of the country is one of the big names in Spanish golf, La Manga Club!

La Manga Club has been a household name in the leisure market since it opened in 1972 and recently cemented its reputation in the golfing world when it was voted “Europe’s Leading Sports Resort in 2019. So, whether you’re a seasoned golf traveller or new to it, we take a deep-dive into why should you consider La Manga Club for your next sun-kissed golf holiday.

La Manga Club was the first resort in Spain to open with two courses and they have since added a third course, as well as extensive facilities to complete the resort. Having three courses on-site is a rare USP in Europe and plays a huge part in what makes La Manga Club such a great option for the golfing enthusiast.

So, what can you expect from each course?

North Course

Comfortably the easiest of the courses, this is a perfect course to ease your way into a trip. Fairly wide fairways and large greens without huge undulations allows you to attack the course and post a score.

South Course

The South is the longest of the three courses and has previously hosted the Spanish Open, so is not for the faint-hearted. It is longer and with more hazards than the North Course, but still very playable off the correct tees.

The course comes into its own on the back nine with some very memorable holes; the 14th with one of the biggest bunkers I’ve ever seen up the right-hand side of the fairway; the 17th a brilliant par 3 that would not look out of place in Florida, and like all good courses (in my opinion), a risk/reward par 5 to finish. Take it on or lay up?

West Course

A totally different test of golf. Sitting five minutes west of the resort, this course sees you wind through steep undulations and pines. Colin Montgomery famously used this course to practice his driving on the way to his eight Order of Merit titles and it's easy to see why. Visually this is possibly the most attractive of the La Manga Club courses, but putting a score together can be really tough.

Additional facilities

Alongside three great courses, La Manga Club also has a superb academy to hone your game. Whether you prefer to drill balls on the range or develop those “Spanish hands”, you can spend hours here looking for that “secret move”. The venue is perfectly suited to those who love to practice or PGA pros bringing coaching groups.

If your primary focus is not golf, then don’t worry as there are loads of other reasons to visit La Manga Club!

The Murcia region is a genuine year-round destination blessed with an incredible climate. The annual average temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and I personally have experienced “shorts and t-shirt weather” in December. In fact, choose carefully when to go as the summer months can be stifling, March – May or September – November would be my recommendation.

Murcia is best served by arranging flights into Corvera Airport, but Alicante and Almeria airports can also be used if you spot a bargain. Regular and well-priced flights to all three work well with short weekend breaks.

Also worth mentioning is the city of Murcia, which is only 45 minutes away from the resort. It is not a well-known Spanish city but it offers some striking architecture, great tapas and extremely lively nightlife. For somewhere closer, the harbour town of Cabo de Palos is just a 10-minute taxi and has a good selection of local restaurants.

Coming in at 560 hectares (larger than Monaco!!!) and with the intention of creating a landmark leisure destination, there is always going to be plenty to do on-site and La Manga Club doesn’t let you down.

Variety and choice play a huge part in the pull of this resort.

All golfed out but love sport? No problem at all. Tennis is almost as big as golf at La Manga Club with clay courts, hard courts and padel all available. La Manga Club has also hosted many of the biggest professional sports teams in the world so the overall fitness facilities are exceptional and who knows you might bump into one of your heroes. If you decide that you are in need of something a little more relaxing, then spend some time relaxing in the five-star Hotel Principe Felipe.

Once you have finished for the day it's time to enjoy the hospitality.

Starting in the clubhouse (37 Sports & spike bar) which has been vastly improved in recent years. There isn’t much better than sitting on the balcony post-round discussing the days' events. You then have a choice of restaurants with Amapola offering fresh Mediterranean cuisine and Asia providing something completely different. You then have the choice of retiring to the Piano bar for a cocktail or enjoying one of the privately-owned bars nearby.

So, who does La Manga Club suit... ?

I would say anyone looking for a stress-free “one-stop shop” (including large groups to remove transportation headaches), those new to golf travel looking for a great starting point, or families as there genuinely is something to keep everyone happy.