La Torre Golf

Six par threes give La Torre Golf much of its character, and they quickly show why a par 68 measuring 5,909 yards from the white tees should not be treated lightly. Nicklaus Design has set broad fairways against substantial bunkering and lakes, with fast greens shaped like turtlebacks. A shot that lands on the wrong portion can readily feed away from the putting surface towards sand or water, so distance control matters as much as finding the fairway. Five tee choices on every hole make it straightforward to set up a round for the group, but the course consistently rewards disciplined approach play.

The third is an early example, an uphill par three of 179 yards from the yellow tees, where a heavily bunkered green asks for a committed strike. At the 11th, playing 186 yards from the same tees and rated stroke index 4, water waits right while out of bounds presses from the left. The 17th continues the theme with lateral water, bunkers and out of bounds down the left side. Buggies can be taken onto the fairways, apart from on par threes where they stay on the paths, making the course comfortable to get around in the Murcia warmth. The layout has also staged the Spanish Senior Professionals Championship, evidence of the precision its defences demand.

Set within La Torre Golf Resort at Roldán, the course makes a useful base for a short break built around regular rounds. Murcia Corvera Airport is about 21 minutes away by road, while Alicante Airport is around 64 minutes away. Los Alcázares beach is a 19 minute drive for an evening by the Mar Menor, and Murcia city is about 25 minutes from the resort.