Almerimar Life Golf

The golf course stands out in Almerimar and is the focal point for a lot of people's social lives. It isn't a members course, and currently offers residents a voucher system. This however has been getting more and more expensive each year and is now closed to new people i.e. if you aren't already getting the vouchers tough!

Priority is given to guests of the hotel, and this causes quite a lot of complaints as the tour operators block book the tee times, but don't fill them.

There are a number of unofficial societies and groups of regular players that tend to be happy enough for you to join in. Of those that I know one group tend to play early on a Tuesday and Thursday morning, and the other group on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Some of these groups are very informal, while others are very formal and take it all very seriously. These groups tend to oragnise regular competitions and events, and hold BBQ's, quiz evenings etc.

Almerimar October 2008 Update

Having played the course recently I can say that it is in much better condition than it was in September:

Tees - pretty good 8/10
Fairways - generally good with short grass and only the 16th showing many bare patches 7/10
Rough - not tough enough! Serioulsy the firstt cut is very short and the second cut too variable to be fair 5/10
Greens - the srrrounds are better than they were, but still a number of bare patches 6/10
Bunkers - best I can say is that they haven't got any worse, but they really aren't good. To many weeds, bare patches and overall poor maintenance (as much by the golfers as the green staff) 4/10

The problem regards the top dressing of the greens remains and although they have worked hard and pretty much all of them are playable (think the 9th, 10th and 12th are by far the worst), overall they are very lush, slow and untrue.

Almerimar September 2008 Update

Talking to a number of golfers here in Almerimar it seems that the course development is ongoing, and generally heading in the right direction. The Greens appear to be pretty quick, but not cut regularly enough, and still suffer from un repaired pitch marks. Basically the course doesn't operate a minimum handicap policy so gets some pretty bad golfers on who don't know golf etiquette from their elbow. Add to that the fact the course isn't really marshaled that well, and Spaniards as a rule don't bother with things like divots and pitch marks and you always have this situation. The bunker surrounds are being much better maintained, but the strong winds of Almerimar means that the sand is (and always will be) of very poor quality A number of the fairways are struggling grass wise, primarily where they are having to kill off the old grass that is growing through. The rough needs to be longer on some holes to stop the ball heading into errr the rough!!!! Seems like a gripe from bad golfers to me that one. The teas are already starting to show sign of wear and tear and need more attention In general the condition of the trees, cart paths, fences (new ones being erected alongside the cart paths) all seem to get favourable comment.

Golf In And Around Almerimar

There are a number of golf courses around Almeria including the one in Almerimar that you may want to play:

Almerimar Golf is located in the centre of Almerimar and now comprises 27 holes. Opened in 1976 and designed by Gary Player it is primarily a tourists golf course with no local membership offered. A voucher system is in operation, but only for those that are already 'in the system'. Their is currently no Golf Hotel or club house, although the course itself is in good shape.

Playa Serena was designed by Angel Gallardo and Peter Allis. The course is flat as it is located close to the beach, giving it the character of a true links course, which bears winds from both the east and west. he greens are small, sloping and protected by bunkers adding to the challenge and accuracy of the game but provides a fair test for all levels of the game.

La Envia provides a more undulating layout than the other courses in the region. The course has been laid out with mountain and desert scenery making it totally different from the other courses. You will need a buggy, or to be built like a mountain goat!

Alborán Golf is located in El Toyo Retamar, a new 18-hole Championship course just a few meters from the sea. The prestigious golf designer Ramón Espinosa designed Alborán Golf, to host the 2005 Mediterranean Games. Please click here for more information.

Marina Golf is a new and exiting Levante Alemeriense golf course, surrounded by mediterranian seas, located between Garrucha and Mojacar. Situated in the Marina de la Torre development, the course opened in the spring 2000. The relatively short 18 hole course was designed by Ramón Espinosa´s who's golf course design includes three lakes strategically situated.

Valle del Este is located just outside the town of Vera and only 7 km from the beaches of Vera and Garrucha. The 18-hole golf course has been designed by José Canales, paying careful attention to every detail and integrating the course into the surrounding landscape by making use of the indigenous vegetation giving it the spirit and character of Andalusia and the magnificent surroundings that bring to mind the American golf courses of Arizona. Please click here for more information.

Desert Springs captures the essence of what it is that sets golf apart from other sports and will have travelling golfers anxious to sample the desert golf experience. Built to comply with full USGA specifications and quality standards of the now famous desert courses of Arizona and California, The Indiana is the first of two 18-hole courses to be built on the resort. Please click here for more information.

Course Web Sites

You may want to check out the web sites of the various courses:

Course Reviews

Almerimar - this is a review that we published in February 2008.

Additional Reading & Web Sites

Here is some information of joining the Spanish Golf Federation In Almerimar

Almeria Golf Holidays - a good source of information and offers. If you don't find what you want on this site or our associated sites then give them a try.

Future Competitions

Almerimar

12th December Almerimar Today Xmas Golf & Party
14th December 8th and final Puntuable
20th December Bahia San Miguel

La Envía

7th Team Golf & Blues Brothers
8th November Onda Cero
15th November 7 prueba torneo anual
29th November Final torneo anual
20th December Torneo Navidad

Valle del Este

15th November Promotur
13th December Argar

Playa Serena

2nd November Contra Cancer
9th November Restaurant
14th November Navidad Selectos
23rd November Bahía San Miguel
29th November Almeria (2 days)

Alboran

1st November Detinsa
12th November Bahía San Miguel
6th December Lazben