Dan2501
Tour Winner
Just been away for 2 weeks to Spain, and whilst there played a whole host of excellent courses. I played all of the Nicklaus IRM courses, Roda Golf, Las Colinas, Hacienda Del Alamo, Altorreal, but the one that stood out the most, was the incredible Las Ramblas.
There's not a great deal of information online about Las Ramblas, but after reading some positive reviews online I decided to book it in for the final round of our 2 week break. The course, not far from Alicante, and set in amongst the Spanish hills is not particularly easy to find. We ended up almost missing our tee time due to the ever inconsistent Spanish road signs, but once there, you couldn't help but be impressed. The course was fully booked all day, with a queue on the first tee, and having played it, I can now see why.
The first tee gives you a perfect indication of what's to come. The tees are elevated, and when up there, you have a huge drop below you, an extremely tight fairway with trees on both sides, and a long dogleg-right par 4 to contend with. It's an incredibly challenging first hole, as you have to commit to your line, and then strike your shot well enough in order to avoid the danger on both sides.
After tackling the par 4 and very long par 5 that follow, you're then greeted by the daunting par 5 4th. The challenge starts from the tee, a blind tee-shot up-hill, trees on the left, scrubland on the right, it's not a particularly easy tee-shot. If you make it out with a good tee shot, you've overcome the easiest part of the hole. The hole is split into 3 parts. 1 part being the initial 280-300 yard fairway, there is then a gigantic ravine, which has a tiny landing area within it, it which is designed for you to lay up, before taking on the green, which sits back at the top of the other side of the ravine.
It's the most daunting hole I've ever played, but, I came out of it well. I decided I'd lay my second shot up with a wedge as close to the edge of the ravine as possible. From here, I was left with 190 yards to carry the ravine, and make it onto the green. Pulled the Hybrid out of my bag, landed it on the green for 3, and 2-putted for an incredibly pleasing par. I was lucky though, the 3 other members of our party walked away with a 7, an 8 and a n/r. It's the greatest golf hole I've played though, supremely challenging, but so rewarding if you plot your way around it well.
The rest of the course follows a similar pattern, blind tee-shots, tight tree-lined fairways, huge drop-off cliffs if you miss right or left, water in play on 6 or 7 holes and challenging, tough but short par 3's, and quick greens. If you're ever in the Murcia/Alicante region of Spain, you have to hunt down Las Ramblas and give it a go. Probably the most challenging golf course I've played, but also the most fun. Anyone else given it a go?
Last edited:
