La Duquesa Golf & Country Club is located in the Manilva District in Málaga (Municipio Costasoleño de Manilva, Málaga), just 45 minutes away from Málagaa´s Airport (Autovia E15 exit) and only 20 minutes away from Gibraltar´s Airport.
Coming from Málaga, you should take the AP 7 highway up to the 153 exit, near Estepona; then continue trough Autovía A7 towards Algeciras until you reach Manilva, km. 143 (You will find clear directing signs).
Annual Closure
No
Facilities
• Putting & pitching greens, 20-bay driving range
• Saunas, Turkish baths, Jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool, tennis, meeting rooms
18 holes and entertaining fairways will allow you to enjoy rounds of golf reserved for players who enjoy the sun and Mediterranean breezes. Spectacular tees from which you can see the African continent and neighbouring Marbella...
Teeing off from the 17th hole will convince you that there are very few courses in which nature and design merge so beautifully. We had nothing to do with nature, and as for the design we were fortunate to have Robert Trent Jones, who blended these two elements in such a superb manner.
Exc from club's website
Course
Reviews
This is most definitely a tale of 2 nines. The front nine is sadly reminiscent of a few courses down here in that the golf course provides a nice view for the ever present real estate. The hand of reknowned architect Robert Trent Jones is not overly visible on this front nine, but thats not to say it doesn't come with its challenges. Elevation changes and raised greens are a predominent feature here and make club selection difficult, especially for those of us from the UK who don't ever need to factor in the few extra yards you get in hot weather!
There are tight drives on most holes on the front nine as the real estate lies only a few yerds from the edge of the fairways, the holes are not overly long from the yellow tees and a carefully placed fairway wood will still leave most with a short iron to the green. Particular stand out holes on the front nine include the par 3 5th. A well struck long to mid iron to a very narrow green entrance, with bunkers and steep run off area to the right. Anything on the green here is good and two putts for par is a good score. The par 4 8th is another good hole. An elevated tee to a generous fairway with a gentle dog leg to the right. The green is raised above the fairway by around 25 ft and has bunkers short. Club selection is difficult and the swirling wind in this corner leaves little margin for error.
The back nine feels altogether different, and whilst there is some real estate, this does not stand out quite so much and is often set far enough from the fairway as not to provide a very un-natural hazard. The 10th is a very strong and difficult par 5. A powerful tee shot needs to placed down the right side to offer a view of the green, however if there is any wind against this will only offer you a chance to pick a good layup spot as the green will be out of reach from anybody but the longest hitters. This set against a back drop of trees and heavy flora and fauna so 3rd shots should not be too aggresive. The 11th is a wonderful mid length par 3, played from a very high tee across bushes and rocks, the drop in elevation and the cabbage between you and the green making club selection again very difficult. This tee reminds you why a buggy here is essential for all but the fittest people. Not normally one to use a buggy and very much liking the carrying of my bag, even i was grateful for the rest.
As you move further into the hills, the holes all appear to play slightly uphill but are not too taxing. Those facing the sea offer stunning views and allow a cool breeze to freshen you up. The work of trent jones is more eveident here, large gaping bunkers and interestingly shaped greens provide for stadium type golf with gentle mounds alongside the undulating fairways.
All of this builds you up for a testing but most pleasurable finale. The 17th tee is the highest point on the course, and between you and the green little more than 130 yards away, is a drop of more than 50ft. The view here is simply breathtaking, a point not lost on the club and there is a small bench dedicated to a former member where its worht taking a moment to enjoy the scenary. The green itself is a small target nestled in with deep bunkers to the right of the 18th fairway. Hitting the green is no easy feat, and if onboard in regulation a fast and breaking putt is by no means a guarantee of par.
The home hole provide another stearn test for a par 5. In the modern game it is refreshing to have challenging long holes, where birdie is not a foregone conclusion and this again is no exception. Dequesa does its par 5's well. An elevated tee shot should be aimed down the middle and if at all possible a little draw will help to keep it on the short stuff and on more level ground. The longer hitters can get here in two, but anything short and right will be punished by a water hazard that goes close to the front right edge of the green. The smart play is a mid iron short and left of the hazard, allowing a wedge to the green over land and not water.
The last 9 holes more than make up for the front nine and makes this an enjoyable and worthwhile course to play. The clubhouse is spacious if a little dated but has all the facilities you could wish for and visiting golfers are made to feel very welcome, you are encouraged to make use of the showers, steam room and sauna. The practice facilities are good too, a short driving range and excellent chipping and putting greens allow one to get used to the pace of the greens. After the round a large terrace outside the golf side of the hotel is a perfect place for a cold beer under the shade of a tree.
Value For Money: Fair
Mark: 7 Andrew Oliver August 8, 2011
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