South Course at La Manga Club

If you're after a proper test of your game, the South Course at La Manga Club will give you exactly that. Originally laid out by Robert Putman and later reworked by Arnold Palmer, this layout was completely refurbished in 2004 with new water hazards, extra tree planting and rebuilt greens that sharpened the challenge across all 18 holes.

The course plays wide off the tee, but don't let that fool you, it's one of those courses where you can stand on a tee, see plenty of fairway and still feel slightly on edge. Bunkers are positioned to catch anything loose, and water comes into play more often than you'd expect, particularly on the front nine. That stretch includes some genuinely demanding par-3s and a handful of par-4s where you'll need to thread your drive between lakes and sand to leave yourself a look at the green. Get it wrong and you're pitching out or taking a drop before you've warmed up.

You can get round with sensible course management, but there's no hiding place if you chase flags. Play to the right side of the fairway, respect the water lines and you'll give yourself chances. Get greedy and the South will happily take a couple of balls off you. The greens tend to run lively, with enough slope to punish lazy putts, so leaving the ball under the hole is rarely a bad plan. The bunkering forces you to think your way around rather than simply grip it and rip it.

Who is this for?
Mid-to-low handicappers who want a strategic, well-conditioned test in the Murcia sunshine. Groups looking for variety will appreciate having the South Course alongside the North and West layouts, all within easy reach of quality resort accommodation.

Who is it best for?
Players who enjoy target golf and don't mind working for their pars. If you like courses that make you think, plot your way around hazards and reward smart play over brute force, the South Course will suit you perfectly.