Golf La Manga Club

Golf La Manga Club, Murcia, Spain, 30385

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8 reviews of Golf La Manga Club

My two sons and I wanted a weekend’s golf in the sun and having personally played at La manga approximately 10 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the experience we quickly settled on 4 nights and 3 rounds of golf. Whilst I could go in to great detail about the overall appalling customer service we experienced from unhelpful, untrained staff and management, some of whom clearly didn’t want to be there, I will keep this as brief as possible in order that you know exactly what you are getting in to before you decide to book. We were accused of damaging a golf buggy and charged 600 Euros for damage we did not do. This charge wasn’t communicated to us until THE DAY AFTER we hired the buggy. No matter how much we explained that the buggy was in exactly the same state when we returned it as it was when we drove it away, they wouldn’t listen. We explained that the buggy was not checked by a member of staff BEFORE we drove it away; the buggy area was extremely busy and we were told to hop in the buggy as soon as the previous golfers got out. We also explained that when we returned the buggy that evening there was not a member of staff in sight so it wasn’t checked on our return either. Nevertheless we were told that because we were the last people to use the buggy we would be charged for damage that was done. Damage that was done by someone else. They wrongly accused us, wrongly charged us, but couldn’t provide any proof to back up their claims because their buggy changeover system is fundamentally flawed. We spent most of the last day of our £3000 holiday trying to resolve the problem with ‘Chad’ the Sports Director, only to be told that if we didn’t pay the police would be called! Words cannot express how upsetting and humiliating this whole situation was. In addition, the golf courses were in a poor state and not a patch on what they used to be; Rock solid brown dying fairways and greens, full of unrepaired pitch marks and divot. The only positive was that the rooms were good, clean and tidy. However it goes without saying that we would neither return, recommend, nor would I trust La Manga Club under any circumstances.

Posted by Lee G on 28/05/2014
2
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Overall Rating 2
  • Overall Ratings
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 2
  • Green conditions 1
  • Clubhouse 2
  • Course challenge 4
  • Staff service 1
  • Value for money 2

Played South course on 13th August for the first time. Just some background details before the report which hopefully may be of use to you if you are thinking of playing La Manga as visitors, as we did. Before leaving the UK I enquired on the club's website the rates for a round for 1 adult, 1 junior and a buggy. I can't remember the actual cost but it was somewhere around 194 euros for me, about 100 euros for my son and 50 euros for the buggy but I knew I wouldn't pay it as every bad shot I hit (and as a 15 handicapper, I hit a few) I'd be thinking "that's cost me 20 euros". In this part of Spain there are several Golf Discount shops where you can book rounds at a discounted rate. The one nearest to us was offering any course at La Manga for 94 euros per player (no discount for juniors) and a buggy for 40 euros - still a lot of money for a round of golf especially given the prevailing euro/sterling exchange rate. On a day's visit to the beach at La Manga I decided to visit the club just to have a look even if I wasn't going to play. As I mooched around the pro' shop, (more a boutique than a golf shop)I thought I may as well enquire about any deals going. I was offered a round on any course, any day I chose as long as we started at 1pm, for 65 euros per player plus 30 euros for the buggy. So what could have cost me 344 euros had I booked online in the UK actually cost me 160 euros the downside being we tee'd of at the hottest time of the day and it was a scorcher. The approach to the club is impressive as are the practice areas and general facilities. Not surprisingly, given the heat, there was no-one before us on the 1st tee when we turned up 20 mins before our allotted time. The starter was very friendly and merely asked our handicaps but didn't require sight of any certificates (nor had the staff in the shop when I booked). He explained the yardage to centre of green system incorporated into the buggies which proved to be widely inaccurate and which we ignored after the first few holes. You're not allowed to take buggies onto the fairways, which I accept, but in almost 100% temperature the temptation after a few holes was to aim your tee shot as near to the cart path as you could to avoid a trudge across the fairway in blistering heat. You have to be careful not to lose clubs as well because for many shots you need to take several out of the bag as until you get to the ball you're never sure what you need. As I said, relying on lining up the buggy with your ball to get a distance to the centre green was not the answer as the distances were way out. The course itself was good but nothing more than that. A good hotel/resort layout but in my modest opinion it doesn't come near to Championship status. We played off yellows and most fairways were generous although well trapped. The course has a very American feel and is set up for 'target' golf. Fortunately, there was a good breeze which helped with the heat, but this also caused problems with shot selection as on several holes it was almost gusting. There's a fair bit of water about and some ravines and barrancas which bring your course management into play but playing for the first time I almost played to my handicap which encourages me to think I could do better next time. But for me, I'm afraid there won't be one. I'm glad to say I've played here but I wouldn't rush back and paying the prices advertised on their own website would be ridiculous. In fact, we played better courses in the area during our stay and paid less to do so. You're paying for the name here and the name and its reputation aren't matched by the reality of what you get out on the course. The greens were a lovely carpet but every one had masses of unrepaired pitch marks which may suggest the majority of players are less than committed golfers. The clubhouse was pricey (but at the moment all of Spain is) with a pint, a soft drink and a Twix costing 9.20 euros. A display of tapas didn't look too tempting so we gave the food a miss and the locker room was like a sauna as either the air-conditioning wasn't working or it didn't have any. My abiding memory is of saying to my son, who's 10, just before we teed off on the first, "there's been some great players played the holes we're about to play and some great contests fought here". As we left the 18th green he said to me, "dad, were you kidding what you said on the first tee?".

Posted by John Murray on 25/08/2008
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 3
  • Value for money 2

Played all three courses in late March 2008. My forth visit to the resort. As always a top class resort, but now looking pricy versus other similar venues. Paid Euro 232 for a 3 round card at the Hotel rate. Visitor rate per round was almost Euro 200. Golf carts were Euro 51 which is about Euro 30 above the market rate. North course played first. As always a good challenge with ravines, elevated positions and this year considerable wind. Probably the best introduction to La Manga giving you a feel of the variety of conditions. The only downside of the course is the criss crossing of the main road and the long distance between tees. The finish up the 18th in front of the hotel is a highlight. The West course remains my favourite. The course was modified slightly last year and many of the back nine greens were relayed. The tight tree lined fairways punish wayward shots, and the significant slopes require accurate club selection. Once again ravines play a big role and you have to decide to lay up or go for it. The greens were lush and quick - really quick. Highlights include much of the back nine where the course is quiet and beautiful. The 18th plays off an elevated tee which must be 200 ft above the fairway. Magnificent views of La Manga and the sea. The South is noticably the most popular course. Supposedly you have to have a handicap certificate but this is never checked and you get many golfers unable to master the course. It is fearsomly long with several holes, notably 11th and 12th over or around water. Very American in feel with wide fairways so little chance of putting the ball out of bounds - you will come back empty handed from the west! Greens again very slick. You may also experience the 'waste' large bunker like areas where you can ground your club - the lack of rakes identifies them as waste. The whole resort is enjoyable - excellent practise areas - greens, bunkers, chipping area and range. Golf acadamy is also very good with Mark and Calvin. Callaway replaced Ping as the sponsor and this has meant a marked improvement in the support. However the golf shop remains more of a clothes boutique - not a serious golfers shop - and they seem to have a problem with the drains! Don't bother with the par 47. mostly a putting green with a couple of chipping holes.

Posted by Alistair How on 01/04/2008
3
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Overall Rating 3
  • Overall Ratings
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 2
  • Clubhouse 4
  • Course challenge 4
  • Value for money 2

What a place! Visited in May 03 and stayed in the Hyatt (which might help impressions given the great facilities and night life). Played the west course first - very hard! Greens at the time were poor but that was just due to annual maintenance. If you cant keep it straight on this course, well you are dead! Very hilly - not a good idea to play it without a buggy as I did if only for the reason that it makes it hard to not spill you San Miguel. Some monster par 3's stick in my mind plus the 18th elevated tee, well, you have to see it. Next day played the south - only 9 holes were open at the time (believe all shut right now). Dont think it had been irrigated for several months - the whole course was burnt but despite appearances played well (therein a rule for life?) greens were very true and quick, which is what I like. Once redone this will be a fine course and worthy of the Ryder Cup. Final day (sob) played the North Course - loved it. Hillier than the south but nothing like the West. The drinks trolley/bar was very attentive - hot day so needed to keep the fluids well topped up! Was in excellent condition and proved to be a very good test. All in all, just great. The sun shines (mostly) the facilities are just superb, off course entertainment is first class - tempted to move there!

Posted by Simon Murray on 20/06/2003

There are currently only 2 courses open the West and North. The West is tight with some great features it's a test for all golfers no matter what the handicap thourghly enjoyed it. The back 9 are hilly but most enjoyable a buggy is a wise decision. The North is well kept like the West but more open again good water features and great Par 3's. Advise to play the comps on Mon, Wed and Fri. Handicapp 18.

Posted by M Naeem on 09/06/2003

Three very good courses, personal favourite is the North course, recently refurbished it is well worth playing the South is longer but some of the holes are a bit samey, just long, still very good course though. I am not as keen on the West course, it winds through too many narrow steep fairways to be enjoyable, for me, although I know many who love it.

Posted by Ken macDonald on 16/08/2001

Three very good courses, personal favourite is the North course, recently refurbished it is well worth playing the South is longer but some of the holes are a bit samey, just long, still very good course though. I am not as keen on the West course, it winds through too many narrow steep fairways to be enjoyable, for me, although I know many who love it. My Handicap is 9

Posted by Ken MacDonald on 16/08/2001

se mi gustaria

Posted by on 23/04/2000

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