Santana - Southern Spain - Spain

This course located in Mijas along a valley was one of the biggest surprises I had in all my golf rounds at La Costa del Sol. The designer made a great job in taking advantage of the piece of land to build a challenging, varied and fun course to play, with maintenance at the highest level I have seen in this area together with Las Brisas, above all the rest.

It was a very nice “winter” morning, played on my own in around 2hs and was able to play it with a good pace, taking pictures and figuring out every detail. I use to analyze courses and see what would I do different, what things I would change and in this case my only observation was a tree left of the long 8th back tee which semi blocked the mandatory face needed tee shot. Apart from that and some bunkers that could be smaller (taking into account sand is more expensive to maintain than grass), I liked every hole and found all visitors will really enjoy it even if only playing it once: almost nothing is hidden off the tee, there is not big danger of lost balls unless you miss really bad (I did once!) and final hole despite being long and very tough gives you space on the left side to avoid getting wet.

The course has everything: very well designed greens, generous in size but not huge with allowance of a wide variety of pin positions, uphill tee shots (9th and 13th), two great par 5s on the front 9 which everybody will only reach in 3 good shots, a long par 3 on 8th, two short reachable 4s on 11th and 14th, a short par 5 on 10th reachable but flying water is needed and very nice “campiña” views typical of Andalucía and some parts of Italy.

No Club House, just a small one with locker rooms, ProShop and a GREAT Wine Restaurant where food is at the highest level of the area. Course has no Real Estate development, just the course and facilities and silence is part of the round. It will be one of the best experiences in the Destination, maybe even worth a replay after lunch and where greens will be the most demanding part of the game.

I like reachable par 5s but the two ones on the front are just excellent, 3 demanding shots and tough putting surfaces make them in my opinion the 2 best holes on the course. Usually par 5s at Courses around here trend to be short in yardage but they don’t really play as short due to obstacles, mountains or lakes … these two need every yard to be hit perfect!

I hope this course continues to grow in reputation as it should be one of the main attractions from Marbella to Málaga.

This was a complete unknown when my Dad told my brother and I we would be playing here. But it has appeared on each of our Marbella golf itineraries since.

The conditioning is superb and if you read the plethora of online reviews, Santana is obviously becoming a fan favourite and a perfect accompaniment to neighbouring courses such as the La Cala resort.

Santana Golf & Country Club (not sure where the country club comes in) is situated inland from the Mediterranean coast between Mijas and Fuengirola. Set amidst 140 acres of oranges and avocado groves, the layout is intelligent and the bunkering, stunning, with brilliant white crushed marble-like sand. The greens are tricky, with not one being described as flat. Some great shaped greens as well. Water plays a large role in one’s round here and the odd carry and stunning tee locations make for a great little recipe.

The signature hole is the par-5 4th hole. This is an incredibly spectacular long per five with its profound bunkering, ball stealing stream and treacherous sloping green. Beautiful orange and avocado trees line the right side of the fairway, terminating at a wonderful set of ruins. I know that I have only ever made one par here, and no the other occasions were not birdies.

The course means a lot to my Dad as he scored his only Hole-in-One to date on the 12th hole, whilst on a gent’s golf holiday. It took me a while to believe him and I had to get a number of corroborations from his colleagues. But I guess a congratulations is in order.

The only downside is that the course lacks practice facilities. A basic practice green is all there is to warm up on before hitting the first tee. Some money here would really elevate its status. The restaurant, however, is great value for money and offers an array of tasty food and wine and beer.

An absolute recommendation. Can’t wait to go back.

Definitely one of the best courses around. Beautiful course and kept in great condition.

Very popular golf course. Nice conditions, The best one of our golf trip together with Chaparral. Buggies a bit dirty and older.

Second time I've played Santana now and would rate it as one of my favourite holiday courses. It doesn't have the ridiculous holes in it like some others in the area - it's a nice flat course that gives you the opportunity to open up your shoulders every now and again and doesn't punish you for every bad shot you make.

The condition of the course has always been good, with nice albeit not overly quick greens.

It doesn't have a driving range which is the only downside for me - I guess it doesn't look very impressive when you arrive at the club either (unlike La Quinta and Marbella GCC to name a couple).

Finally there are some breathtaking holes on this course - the par 5 10th in particular for me, but there are a few. This is definitely a course I would play again and would even consider more than 1 round on a longer trip!!!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable course. It is not a 'championship' course and is all the better for it. It is just long enough to be challenging, wide enough to be forgiving, and the greens are excellent but not straightforward. It should probably be classified as a holiday golf course, but it is a very superior member of that category. It was in good to very condition, one or two scruffy tees being the only real blemish.

All of the par 3s are good, the 2nd has water in front of the left half of the green allowing you bail out right or risk going for the pin, the longer 7th is a real challenge with water down the right of a narrow green, the 12th is a superb downhill hole with a good trick of design which makes club selection very difficult.

I disagree with reviewers who don't like the 9th and 13th, I like the change in elevation and the semi-blind tee shots. There is no unfair danger waiting over the hill. In my opinion, the only weakish hole is the short par 4,17th and that is weak rather than poor.

In fact fairness is a characteristic of this course, one which I would say should make it a pleasure for golfers of all standards.

The reception, starter and restaurant were all very friendly, and the course was comparatively uncrowded for a weekend on the Costa del Sol. We were around in just over 4 hours, which is a lot quicker than many of our other experiences in the area.

Great course & fair for all levels of golfer (with limited water too - we ranged from 4 hcp to 18hcp). Quite open & great for those who can tend to stray a little off the tee.

Some quite long & challenging holes but some shorter/easier ones too. General condition was great & greens were in excellent condition too, rolling well & consistent in speed.

Staff were helpful throughout the day & the Marshall (a fellow Scot) was great too, keeping everyone moving when needed.

Would definitely return if we book for next year!

Ps. The small safes for valuables on-board the carts are an excellent idea. We unfortunately had some issues at another course we played!

Played at Santana April 2018. We played Santana 3 years ago and decided to come back again for 3 reasons. Course was good, was great value for money, and the service and hospitality was excellent last time.

This year we had an even better time. Course was in better condition than previous years. (maybe helped as the sun was shining this time). Greens were noticably better than last time. The course was the easiest for scoring that we played this year (La Quinta and Rio Real were other courses). Yes it is quite open but i prefer this compared to right courses where gardens are within 10yards of the fairway like other courses in the region. Agree with previous reviewer who said you dont need to hit driver much. That is true. The two par 5s on the front nine are very long, and give club player no chance on reaching in 2 shots (both over 550 yards).

Club lacks pratcise facilities, and changing rooms arent great either.

The restaurant next to the course is amazing value for money, and the service with a smile is great. We told waiter to serve us tapas and local white wine. Well he did till we couldnt eat or drink no more. Cost os 40 eur each, which was amazing value for the amount we ate. complimentary caramel vodkas are a nice touch.

If you want a chmapionship course with amazing club house avoid santana and go play San Roque or Finca. If you want a good course with great hospitality at a great price visit Santana. You wont be dissapointed.

Played this course back in June 2012 on a planned trip with upwards of x20 golfers of very mixed abilities. Spectacular course it is not, some nice holes and a few that make you wanna get the 'big dog' out and give it a bash - but beware, it looks quite tame but if you go after it there is enough trouble out there to protect it. Course was generally in good condition and when the wind blows there it does tend to funnel thro a few of the holes, especially on the back nine. It is was ok, staff were friendly and great service thro-out, shame the bar is situated where it is though, missed opportunity there i think. Wouldnt rush back there, but worth a try if the price is around 60 euro.

Played Santana on saturday last and was impressed. The course is a good layout and was in reasonable condition eventhough the greens were fairly slow. We played on a windy day so some holes are very close in those conditions. Overall one of the better courses in the region so would go back