La Cala Resort

Played Europa course as part of our trip, and this will be the most difficult to review. We had no complaints about the welcome and facilities, the greens were good, bunkers ok. Tees were a bit uneven in their cut, fairways very tight in places due to lack of growth. This was the first time any of us had played, and the general impression was that you owed more to luck than skill on too many holes. It seems a bit daft to hit a lovely straight drive down the centre or right side of a fairway, only to see your ball bounce left viscously all the way across the wide fairways either into a bunker, if you're lucky, or into the red staked gorse, or even worse, out of bounds. The 18th is one of the daftest holes we've ever played - one of our lads deliberately knobbed a putter off the tee, and it rolled about 260 yards! It's all about opinions, but we weren't impressed, and it's certainly not holiday golf. High handicappers will struggle, low single figure handicappers on their first visit I'd suggest have even less chance. Whilst the course presentation etc can't really be faulted, nobody on our trip wishes to return in the future, which sadly probably says it all. Talking to a couple of members afterwards, they were saying very few of them play Europa - they tend to stick to Americas. There are far better courses around for the same price.

I played here over a long weekend recently with a small group of friends. This is a well oiled machine and the effeciency with which it works is very impressive indeed. We played Europa twice and America and Asia once each. They are very different courses and each of them was in excellent condition. I felt that Europa was the best of the three but my two playing partners favoured America and Asia, so a complete split decision. Each of the courses has some excellent holes and fantastic scenery a couple of my favourite holes were 18 on America and 4 on Europa. The deals available are very competitive and as a three ball we were not penalised. I would recommend heartily and have already begun making plans to return.

Played Campo Europa and Campo America...America is the easier of the two, less hazards.. Four friends an myself played the two days but the higher handicappers in our group were punished more serverly on Europa because of all the ravines and carries they had to get over If you can go around Europa in par you're not doing much wrong!!! I played a couple of shots over off 10 and I played bloody well... Both courses were in superb condition, we only saw 10 other people on Europa and not many more on America. Fantastic value for money and the buggy is in with the price..you could'nt possibly walk around far too many climbs.

Three different and fantastic courses. Intresting range of par 3, 4 and 5's on each course. Great changes in elavation on most holes. It was rare to find a flat lie. We stayed at the hotel from 3 nights and each day played a different course. The 19th hole was a nice place to sit down for a pint. The resort is only a short taxi ride from La Cala village, which is a nice place to go for an evening meal. If you want to go out partying only a shortest taxi ride. We enjoyed the place so much last year, we are going back time year.

Great location as the mountains provide a dramatic setting. Played all three courses (of which Europa is the best), but this visit focussed on Asia & America. Both good courses, albeit America is slightly the easier, a buggy is an essential. Lots of raised greens so be prepared to be short often. Some tough driving holes too so a fair challenge is to be had. Quite quiet at this time of the year, as its low season. The weekly ticket is good value, but the heat will play its part if you want to play more than 18 holes per day. A minor warning, guard your valuables in the locker room, otherwise a good set up which makes Vilamoura looks very overpriced.....

6 of us have just returned from the Costa del Sol. We played the Asia course (South) and once again La Cala was in great condition, the fairways are well kept and the greens are excellent. The speed of play was also enjoyable and not to many hold ups. There are some great views of the area on many of the tee boxes. I would recommend playing here and getting to the club house early to take advantage of the great full English breakfast!

We have just returned from our trip over there and the setting of La Cala is spectacular. Played the North Course twice which is in excellent condition. First hole is an awe inspiring biff off the tee with about a 300ft drop to the fairway below. Being a big hitter on this course helps as there are some long carries over ravines. Used the driver here more than usual. Greens are quick but true, definetly better to put uphill here than down as your ball will just keep going and going! Buggies are compulsory and with good reason, we were all tired as you will walk plenty, since buggies have to stay to the paths. Views are great, take a camera. Try Santana as well, this was our favourite and you can take a pull trolley - easier for club selection. Remember markings are in metres!!

Played the South Course a few days ago. This was my first visit to this resort and i was very impressed with the facilities. The course itself is very hilly with undulating fairways, so a buggy and good course management are essential. We found the starter and marshals a little over zealous insisiting we hurry up although there was nobody behind us! Apart from that a very enjoyable round with some picturesque and challenging holes. Especially at the bargain rate of 90€ for two including buggy. If you are in this area i would suggest a visit to Santana you won't be dissapointed, this is my favourite course on the coast.

This was the 3rd time I've played the "North" course and it will probably be the last. It's a spectacular setting and in good condition but it's tougher than I remember. Rarely will you get a flat lie on the fairways and the greens are a very small target. Even our single figure handicappers struggled with this course. If you are looking for a stiff challenge then this is the course for you, if you want everyone to play reasonably and not get demoralised then find somewhere else.

Brilliant! Awesome! The courses are excellent but, unless you are a mountain goat with the stamina of a marathon runner, they will be impossible to walk - a buggy is essential. Buggies must keep to the paths, so take a medical certificate if you want exemption. The greens are true but v difficult to read. The rough is just what it says on the tin - rough. Also the the snakes in it do not seem too friendly, but shoot off quite quickly. Marvelous holiday. Can't wait for next year.

After playing the north and europa courses I have now played all three and i think that the best is the north course. It is in great condition with good fast greens, it is good fun but also a challenge. The europa course on the other hand is the most unplayer friendly course I have played as every tee shot is has to be long and in the perfect place, you just cannot relax on all 18 holes it was mentally draining.

Played 5 rounds at La Cala in 3 days and stayed at the Hotel 10-13 Feb 2006. Lovely rooms, excellent restaurant and superb champagne breafkast at 7:00am! Also hats off to the Mexican night and the singers. Hard but forgiving hilly courses.You must have the ability to hit a good straight long drive on all three courses or its the Grunkle for you! Wave like fairways and fast undulating greens and yes the ball does stop on them! Loved the South course and Par'd the Pace Hole! First hole on the North course is worth it alone and I can't praise this course enough. Europa 4th was a big laugh with our group and I must say that we all thought that the Europa was the hardest course. Other highlights included the Par 3 challenge on each course with all 4 of us winning golf balls on Europa but no trip to Mauritus for our group I am sorry to say. The amazing views around all the courses and the buggy driving in the wet! Hats of to the Starters but the marshalls are a bit keen. Overall our party of 4 enjoyed La Cala and we were all taken aback at how quiet and peaceful it was on each of the courses. Finally don't be brave, use a buggy!

just played the south this weekend got a great deal for a round with a buggy 90 euro for two players.found the course very testing especially if like me your a bit wayward with the big stick.also played the new couse the europa,what a supurb track some cracking daunting holes,not for the faint hearted,this course was the better of the two but both in a1 condition considering the down pour the day before.

18 Handicapper. I first stayed at the reort in 2000 on a society week with 23 other chaps with varying handicaps from 5 to 28. All the off course facilities are first rate and well presented and the staff very attentive. I have played the first 36 holes numerous times since and it has always presented immaculately, the greens are always true, quick to put but on approach the ball holds well, fairways are undulating so ball placement has to be thought through, miss the fairways at your peril though! The six hole par three practice course is good for a bit of fun and the coaches at the Leadbetter acadamey are first rate. To sum up the north and south courses offer a rather stiff challenge yet are thouroughly enjoyable whatever you skill level. Can't wait to get over there in 2006 to give the new 18 a go.

Played the south course in the begining of April and it was in very good condition. The was hard from the start and you need to think about every shot. It is very hilly so unless you fit take a buggy. The Club house was nice and the food and beer good.

March 2005. Have just played the North Course which was recommended to me by a "friend". I used to be a single figure golfer but now only play about 10 -15 times a year. The course is superb, great condition on fairways, bunkers and greens (tees a bit poor in comparison)and the layout and views stunning. However ! If like me you are an occasional golfer then be prepared for a test of your skills. There are very few flat lies on the fairways and the greens are postage stamp small. I played by myself as the morning rain had cleared the course(my 12 year old son drove the buggy when out of site the club house, to his great enjoyment)and allowing myself a couple of "mulligans" (wouldn't you if you hadn't hit a ball for 6 months)still managed a gross score of 86 (par73. So to really enjoy La Cala, keep it straight, you might get a flat lie if you're lucky, DEFINETLY get a buggy, take in the views and hit your longest drive ever at the 9th or 18th, this is easy as the 1 in 2 gradient adds miles! Well worth a visit.

We played both courses in March, and stayed at the hotel. I am a 27 handicapper, and the others were 25 and 10 respectively. We seemed to pick the windiest week to play as the first day on the South was gale force. However it improved over the week until the last 3 days steeped in glorious sunshine. the hotel was superb - FAULTLESS in every way. Anyway the courses were in superb condition, the South being the tighter and shorter, and the North being wider and longer. All of the holes are memorable, but some are downright spectacular, the 1st on the North where you drive over the road onto the fairway a good 80 meters below, and the 18th on the North, - s ataggering par 5 at 540 yards (ish), but with a dog leg left and the green a good 250 meters below the teeing ground. Breathtaking. The South has a absolute peach on 16, a small par 3, but very elevated with a pond in front, and a view to die for. If you consider golf to be about hitting balls into holes, but not as taking in scenery and tranquility then your playing the wrong game. I couldn't recommend La Cala highly enough. We will be back, and this time the South course had better watch out!

If you consider a fair test of golf is a course where on one side of a fairway you get an even lie and the other your ball is two foot above or below your feet, then this is the place for you. If you are of average fitness you MUST take a buggy. If you are struggling with your fitness, play somewhere else!!! You must use the buggy paths and believe me, even with a buggy, both these courses are really hard on your body. A truly beautiful place only to be seen from a cart, pack your sandwiches and do yourself a favour, forget your clubs!! I have never seen any pro tour event played on the side of a mountain, I wonder why?

Looking forward to going over and playing these courses (amongst others) next year but what is all this talk about high handicappers and stopping the ball on the greens? I must be playing the wrong game!!

Played both courses twice, end of Jan 2001. Group of 8, from 8 to 24 handicap. Tough, and as hilly as they come. Great distances between tees - buggy a must unless very fit. Rarely have a flat lie. Greens fast, and pins can be in difficult places. Can be slow, and generally busy. You will be put in 4 ball. 4-5 hr round the norm. Do not seem to bother about handicaps, and for higher handicaps can be very tough. Great resort/hotel. Very friendly staff, both on course and at hotel. Worth a visit, but probably a place you may not return to, given what else is available.

Having played both courses over the summer of 2001 (the tourist season) it bacame apparent quickly that it was going to be a very long round indeed. 18 holes in the afternoon on the South Course (by far the better and harder of the two) took nearly 5 and a half hours. Although it was almost worth the wait to see my 2 handicap partner draw his drive round the dogleg 15th (?) a full 400 METRES. Both courses are very picturesque but the North Course wins only slightly with the view from the back tees on the first!

Played the North Course in February 2001 and considered it a great test of golf.The course was in superb condition with well designed holes, particularly enjoyed all the par fives, especially holes 9 and 18. The course is quite hilly with steep gradients but the panoramic views make the effort worthwhile.Unless you are 100% fit or a traditionalist take a buggy. Definitely in my "Top Ten" golf course list and will feature in future Spanish Golf tours.

Played the south course three weeks ago, the final round of six solid days of golf and even though we were used to great views by then the course still looked stunning. You really have to pick your landing areas with your drives but as long as the ball is going where you hit it even a highish handicapper like myself can post a decent score. The course seemed to play really long, I think due to a combination of damp fairways (heavy watering), many elevated greens and the distances in meters not yards. I often found I was having to go one or two clubs bigger than seemed right but as the greens are soft you can still stop the ball. Greens still quick. Well worth the money.

I played the course in early May and it was in absolutely magnificent condition, with lush fairways and fast, true greens. If you get the chance, play off the first medal tee - it is an awesome drive, with the fairway some 200 feet below. Each hole offers something different but it is worth remembering that distances are in metres, not yards and holes are measured to the front of the greens - many of my approach shots were well short! I carried my clubs but I wouldn't advise it if the temperature is above 25ÝC. Incidentally my round took 3 hrs 45 mins, not bad for Spain.

Fantastic course with unparalleled views. We played the North course twice and got good value by going for a twilight tee time which only cost 12000 ptas for two with buggy. We got eighteen holes played on both occasions, teeing off at 3pm. On both occasions there was only one other group out on the course - a great golfing venue.