There are so many wonderful outdoor activities to enjoy in the Manilva and Casares area none more so than golf. Well, we do have the weather for it. I have recently had a go at paddle boarding. Wow, is that fun! It’s fair to say I’m hooked. I can’t wait to get out there again.
One of my other pleasures is golf. There are so many courses in the area it’s difficult not to get involved at some point.
The selection is massive and there is something for everyone. There are easier (and cheaper) courses for those starting and learning the game. There are high quality, world class courses that hold current PGA Tournaments on the European Tour. And there are many, many courses that lie somewhere between the two.
We have links golf, parkland and heathland courses. We have flat courses, hilly courses. We have super-fast greens, we have slow ones. Obviously there are too many trees and bunkers but that’s another story. Oh, and we have beautiful weather. All year round.
Courses offer memberships, family memberships, all sorts. There are many advantages including free buggies, priority tee times, use of member facilities, entrance into competitions, pro shop discounts and lessons with the course professional. The cost varies widely from course to course but if you are a regular player this may be the best option.
I’m a member of one of the local societies. There are plenty of societies in the area, all offering something different. Some play a couple of times a week, some play at the weekend. Some play in the morning, some in the evening. There’s a society for everyone. The group I play with meet once a month on a Saturday morning. The advantage for me is that we play a different course each time. As I mentioned earlier, there are so many fine courses in the area it seems a shame to not play as many as possible. The other benefit is that because it’s a large group of players we play at a discounted rate. This always helps.
There is also a great social side to society golf. It’s not obligatory to attend but the players tend to meet up afterwards. There may be a prize or two, perhaps a society league table but always a chance to swap stories and to enjoy a cold drink.
If it’s occasional golf you are looking for, perhaps whilst on holiday, you can book a tee time at a course directly. I would advise booking to guarantee a tee time. I would also go online as there may be discounts on offer. A quick internet search will show you the courses in the area and most places have a website. Not only do the sites have contact details but also information on the course, picture galleries etc. Approximately €50 to €60 should get you 18 holes with a buggy on a great course. Some of the more prestigious courses will be a little more, Finca Cortesin for example.
There are also local companies that offer golf packages. Call them up and they will source the courses offering the best deals. They will book tee times and even arrange transport if required. They can get you onto the courses that are playing well and at competitive rates. I use one of them when a group of friends are coming over. It makes life easier and saves money.
So, whatever your preference and whatever your standard, there will be a course here for you.
And this is just one of many fantastic features about the area……..