El Valle Golf

The closing stretch at El Valle Golf brings water firmly into the round. A large lake runs alongside holes 13 and 14, then another comes into play again at 17 and 18, so a score is rarely secure until the last putt has dropped. This is an 18 hole, par 71 Nicklaus Design course measuring 6,765 yards from the white tees, built across rolling ground beneath striking limestone towers. The fairways sit vividly against the sandy, desert coloured landscape, while raised greens make the approach shot the defining part of many holes. There are 115 bunkers across the course, often set deep around the putting surfaces, and good distance control matters far more than simply reaching for driver. It is a course that rewards a considered tee shot, a sensible lay up when needed and a clean strike into the green.

Despite the testing design, El Valle remains playable for mixed groups because strategy can be adjusted from the tee. Stronger players can take on carries and angles, while those playing more cautiously can keep the ball in play and avoid the larger sand hazards. Buggies are permitted on the fairways, apart from on par 3s where they must remain on the paths, which is welcome in Murcia’s warm conditions. The course is open to the public and has previously staged the Spanish Professional Championship and a European Senior Tour event, a useful indication of the quality of its challenge.

Murcia Corvera Airport is around 19 minutes away by road, making El Valle a straightforward first or last round on a Murcia break. Murcia city is about 25 minutes away for an evening meal, while Los Alcázares and its beach are roughly 30 minutes from the course.