La Duquesa - Southern Spain - Spain

I've just played here today, I knew it was cheap just €30 for the round and a little more for the buggy, which is recommended. I knew I wasn't in for anything special despite the fact it is designed by Trent Jones. The hotel on site is closed and run down, the receptionist for the course was friendly and truthful, she advised me the course was in bad condition.

The front nine is tighter and more challenging but it's irons off all the tees for myself being a low single figures player, but even the good shots ended up with lost balls due to the slope, lack of grass and dryness of the course, I was playing good shots up the left hand side and watched it constantly chase into the scrub area on the right. There's no green grass on the fairways, they are dry, patchy and I would describe them almost as semi rough.

This course is perfect for those on a budget or doing the Trent Jones courses around the world or just starting out.

The whole course area looks like it is being run on a dwindling budget, with rough areas all over the course.

A warm welcome was a good start to a very enjoyable round. The front 9 is certainly tighter and harder than the back 9. The first is a short buggy ride from the club house and is a fairly straight forward par 4. Then begin some of the tighter fairways on the 2nd,4th, 6th and 7th although they are all enjoyable and fair holes. The 10th is a cracking par 5 which you t off accross a small lake in front of the club house.Strong closing holes with stunning scenery especially the par 3 17th which is one of the best ive played. The 18th another good par 5 with the green in front of the club house and the rightside of the green running alongside the small lake. Greens were very good, fairways were average.

Decent resort course. A bit tight in places as can be expected with this type of course. Quite short at only 5500 meters from club tees, but there is a bit of up and down so you will need all of the clubs in the bag. Notable holes 4,7,10,16 and 17. The 17th is a quirky short par three, tee is quite elevated and exposed to the wind, so pay attention to your club selection as you dont want to be either short or long.