Just Golfing Holidays

San Roque Old

At a Glance

• Top European course

San Roque Old opened in 1990 and was designed by Dave Thomas and Tony Jacklin.
Dave Thomas is famous for the Brabazon course at the Belfry, host of the Ryder cup and this is evident in the design quality of this course.

The hotel on the complex is first class and an ideal location for pure golf enthusiasts. Although most of our recreational golfers prefer to stay in Puerto Banus and travel the 30 minutes to the courses in this area, incorporating great golf and varied nightlife!

The course is set within the old Domecq sherry family’s summer estate. Built amongst rolling cork forests against the backdrop of the Sierra Bermeja Mountains, ensures magnificent scenery as well as top quality golf.

The old house has been tastefully converted into the club house and hotel, with the initial impression being that you have arrived at a class golfing establishment. On arrival you feel immediately welcomed to the exclusive environment, quality class, For all its grandeur the staff are very friendly and will give you a warm welcome.

There is a bit more real estate development on the San Roque Old Course than San Roque New but this has been quite well done and is not too over bearing.

The Old course is technically less demanding than the New, which as been set up for lower handicap golfers. The old course green fees are more expensive that the new though, but this seems to be based more on its appeal to a wider base of players than any difference in quality.

The first nine wine through the cork woods. The landing areas are quite forgiving but approach shots into elevated green means careful club selection is needed. The surrounding cork trees line many of the fairways meaning that accuracy off the tee is important.

The elevations also require that fairway woods along with long and medium irons must be well struck to the required distance if you are going to post a decent card.

The second nine drops through ravines and winds itself back around to the club house.

Water on the 18th makes for a testing finishing hole if you have to hold your nerve.

There are a couple of weak holes on the back nine but overall the course proves a stern test of golf. So much so that it has been a regular host on the European PGA qualifying school.

The greens on the old course are larger that than the new, making it easier for the average holiday golfer to get there in regulation, but the presure does not end there. The greens here are usually in superb condition, very fast and full of subtle contours - any pars will be well earned.