Holes




Hole 1Par 4 385378357323 See video of the hole

Right-hand dog-leg defined by side water on the left and a bunker. A line of trees defines the fairway to the right. Green defended by two bunkers, one to the front left and the other behind.

An open stroke is needed from the tee, either with a 3 wood avoiding the bunker on the left or with the driver trying to gain distance for the second. Second stroke with a medium iron to a green with two platforms. The safest bet is to play a light draw as the right-hand side is easier to recover if we fail.

Hole 2Par 3 141132121110 See video of the hole

A short hole defended by three bunkers, one at the front and two at the side. Behind there is a small ridge that stops overshooting.

We have to be very precise in calculating the distances, as the green has three very well-defined platforms, and we have to be in the right place to get a good result. This green receives from back to front.

Hole 3Par 5 488482418414 See video of the hole

A hole defended on the right by a lake running practically its entire length. Bunker 100 metres from the green to the right and another three protecting it: one at the front, one at the side and another behind.

A good reference is essential from the tee as the first stroke is blind and has to be sent towards the centre left of the fairway. If we get the right distance, we have the option of reaching the green in two strokes. Otherwise we will have to use an intermediate iron to avoid the bunker on the right and have a short stroke to the green.

Hole 4Par 4 381369304295 See video of the hole

A straight hole with a slightly raised tee, defended by two bunkers at the end of the drive and out of bounds along the whole of the right. On the green we find three bunkers at the rear and front left. Green with two platforms, the first quite large and the second much narrower and with a difficult access.

Depending on the wind, we can try to overfly the bunker on the left with the driver, or play conservatively leaving a longer second stroke but avoiding the fairway bunkers. The second stroke always has to look for the centre of the green, but we must check where the flag stands to have a better chance of a birdie.

Hole 5Par 4 282276264255 See video of the hole

One of the shortest holes on the course but requiring greater concentration. A blind downward hole with out of bounds on the right; the references from the tee are very important. Green surrounded by 5 bunkers at the front and out of bounds behind.

Two very clear options: either to play to the higher platform with a long iron, leaving a downward stroke of around 80 metres, or to risk a driver or 3 wood to try to reach the green in one and have a chance for an eagle. If we do this, we must remember the out of bounds to the left of the green.

Hole 6Par 4 321313295287 See video of the hole

A downhill hole with several platforms and a slight dog-leg to the right, a bunker on the left of the fairway and a stream in front of the green, which has two platforms and a bunker to the right.

Two options: to play an iron to the top platform and leave a stroke of 100 metres or to try to reach the green with the driver, which is more risky due to the length of the stroke and the stream.

Hole 7Par 5 511505470455 See video of the hole

A long hole with a dog-leg to the left, a lake to the right of the fairway and 2 bunkers at the end of the drive. Out of bounds to the left, along with olive trees hindering the second stroke. Green with 2 platforms, surrounded by 3 strategically placed bunkers.

For strong hitters, it is not difficult to overfly the bunker to the left and reach the green in 2 strokes. The second option is to play straight and take a short third stroke to try to steal one stroke from the course. The green has 2 platforms, so depending on the placement of the flag, it is important to be on the right platform to have a chance to putt for a birdie.

Hole 8Par 4 320310270265 See video of the hole

A slight dog-leg to the left with two bunkers awaiting the drive to the right of the fairway. The slightly rising green is defended by 2 bunkers on both sides.

The safest bet is to play one stroke of around 200 m to the left of the fairway and then to use a wedge to the green, avoiding the bunkers on the right that can spoil the chance of a birdie.

Hole 9Par 3 209200163153 See video of the hole

Long and difficult par 3 with a green well-defended by 3 bunkers and out of bounds to the right. Green with two well-defined platforms.

A high stroke from the tee with a slight draw to enter via the safe part. Little more can be said about this magnificent hole, where we need one of the best strokes of the day to have a chance of a birdie.

Hole 10Par 5 495486451429 See video of the hole

A hole defended by 3 lakes, 2 on the left-hand side and the other 100 metres before the green, which is protected by 2 side bunkers, reaching its platforms. The right of the hole from the tee is out of bounds.

Two options from the tee: to take a chance or be conservative. With a good drive after the bunker, it is easy to overfly the lake awaiting the second stroke; the second option is to avoid the bunker to the right with the first stroke and then play a short medium iron to the water and a third approach stroke to have a chance of a birdie. Green with 2 platforms, receiving from back to front and left to right, which must be remembered for the third stroke.

Hole 11Par 4 326306282258 See video of the hole

A slightly rising hole, perfectly designed with 3 bunkers at the end of the drive, out of bounds to the right and the green surrounded by bunkers, receiving from back to front and with 2 heights.

The best option for this hole is to try to avoid the fairway bunkers with an iron or hybrid from the tee, and to ensure a slightly longer approach but always from the fairway. The other option is to risk with the driver from the tee, but with far fewer options of reaching the fairway with this club.

Hole 12Par 3 157144119106 See video of the hole

A short par 3, well-defended by two bunkers to the right and left of the green, which receives from back to front and right to left. Green with 2 heights and a slight climb, with the broader part at the back.

Play a club which reaches the middle of the green to have a chance of a birdie, aiming at where the flag is placed. The danger comes from the two bunkers that really get in the way at the front of the green.

Hole 13Par 5 486466432394 See video of the hole

A not very long par 5 of approximately 490 m, with a slightly raised tee, 3 bunkers to the left of the fairway by the lake, scrub to the right and another 2 bunkers surrounding the green.

The stroke from the tee is crucial, as the fairway is narrow and well-defined. The best option is to play a club to reach the fairway, a hybrid or 3 iron, and then a medium iron to leave a good distance to make the approach to the green with a chance of a birdie. If we start with the driver, the risky option, aim to the right as the ridges on this side of the fairway bring back strokes swinging to the right. Green with 2 platforms and slight slope.

Hole 14Par 4 418369329317 See video of the hole

A straight hole with marvellous views of the complex, very well-defined by the slope from the tee to the fairway, a lake to the right and the bunker at the end of the drive. There are another 2 bunkers surrounding the green. The whole of the left-hand side of the hole is water.

Precision from the tee is essential and the hole is complicated if we don’t reach the fairway. For long hitters, a good option is a 3 wood from the tee, trying to avoid the bunker to the left and leaving a stroke of around 150 m.

Hole 15Par 4 378361323318 See video of the hole

A downward hole with 2 bunkers to the right of the fairway and out of bounds on the same side. A difficult green with 3 platforms and perfectly defended by 3 bunkers.

A hole to let yourself go and a slope that will take the ball many metres. The driver is a good option for this hole, to leave a very short second stroke and attack the flag more confidently. The conservative option with a hybrid or long iron from the tee must seek a second stroke of around 110 metres, with a longer distance there is a large drop that makes the second stroke more difficult.

Hole 16Par 4 392382333304 See video of the hole

A slightly rising hole well-defended by 3 bunkers at the end of the drive, 2 to the left and another to the right, two lakes both to the left and the right of the fairway (which receives from left to right). The green is surrounded by 2 bunkers lying in prey for the second strokes. A long green with two platforms, the flag at the back right is a classic on the last tournament day.

A hole which requires great precision and distance from the tee to avoid an excessively long second stroke. On the stroke to green we must always focus on the left which is safer and simpler to recover if we fail.

Hole 17Par 3 150145135112 See video of the hole

A downhill par 3, with the green defended by 4 bunkers and 2 very well-defined platforms. The wind is very important in choosing the club.

Play with the right effect from the tee, with a draw when the flag is to the left or fade when it is on the right, entering the green via the trouble-free centre and having a clear chance of a birdie. To get the right club, remember the slope from tee to green.

Hole 18Par 4 430414351319 See video of the hole

The most emblematic hole on the Retamares course, long and defended by lakes both to the right and the left at the end of the drive, and a third to the left that affects our second stroke. This is the only hole on the course which has no sand trap, but it doesn’t need one and defends itself perfectly without it.

From the tee, play a driver with a slight effect to the left to gain some extra distance and leave us with a slightly shorter second stroke. A long iron or hybrid with the same effect is the perfect stroke to reach the green, as the support area of this hole is on the right, where recovery is possible. Any failure on the left is penalised.