Mijas Golf

Los Lagos

“Every hole should be a hard par and an easy bogey” – that’s what the late Robert Trent Jones Senior, golf course architect par excellence, believed. And kept this in mind when designing one of the Costa del Sol’s finest golf courses; Mijas Golf. Trent Jones’ hallmarks can be seen throughout the resort – from the strategically-placed water and sand to the ample but gently undulating fairways and wide open spaces. This is a very popular golfing complex with two superb courses; Los Lagos and Los Olivos.

The eldest of the two courses is Los Lagos, which dates back to 1976 and is one of the longest on the coast. It is characterised by wide fairways, large raised greens and a generous sprinkling of bunkers; lakes also feature prominently on eight of the holes. It has a very ‘open’ feel as trees are sparse and there is only a little rough. No hole so characterises this course as much the 5th – some 617 yards (564 metres), curving around a boundary wall and over a full 100 yards (91,44 metres) of fairway bunker, it approaches the green through a narrowing funnel with out of bounds to the left and a large lake to the right.

Los Olivos

Los Olivos was designed by Trent Jones and built by Cabell Robinson. This par-70 course opened in 1984 to offer a tighter challenge than that of Los Lagos. Measuring 6386 yards (5840 metres), its main feature is the abundance of trees – hence the name – and its smaller size, as well as fewer water hazards. The greens are smaller, undulating and well-defended. The Club House, an old Andalucian cortijo (farmhouse), boasts a restaurant with terraces on which to enjoy the almost year-round sunshine. HANDY HINTS:

• Signature Holes: The 2nd is a long par-4 for high handicappers – it’s perhaps best to play as a par-5, but be aware of the bunker on the right. It is a long second shot to the green – make sure you keep to the right.

• The 8th might be the most difficult par-3 on the course but the par-3, 14th. Isn’t too far behind. All the problems here are on the left side of the green. A safe shot needs to be short or to the right of the green.

Facilities

Electric trolleys, buggies, driving range, golf lessons, clubhouse and restaurant.

Requirements

Handicap Limit: Men 28, ladies 36 – soft spikes only.