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• Holes - 27
• Par - 72
• Clubs hire - Yes
• Buggy hire - Yes
• Hand Cart hire - Yes
• Restaurant - Yes
• Bar - Yes
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By Eugene Mcdonough
Introduction
Costa Ballena is a relatively unknown golf complex situated between
the towns of Sanlucar
and Puerto
de Santa Maria, tucked away by the beach and so easily accessed
from Jerez de
la Frontera and Cadiz. It has 27 holes of golf laid out in three
nines with each nine quite different and distinctive. In addition,
there is a nine hole par 3 practice course, a massive practice driving
range (over 300 yards wide that can accommodate 120 people at once)
plus other areas for chipping and putting practice.
The Course
The original 18 holes of Costa Ballena were designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and opened in 1997, and have achieved a level of maturity seldom seen in this young and upcoming golfing area. Being by the sea, the course is naturally flat. The first nine holes meander gently away from the clubhouse allowing you to get into the rhythm of your game without too many difficulties and lulling you into a false sense of security and comfort until you start the second nine. Suddenly, it all changes as you play down to, and alongside, the beach with a distinctive feel of links golf, and all of the associated difficulties caused by either a gentle breeze off the sea one minute or a swirling poniente (west) wind the next. Negotiate this challenge and you are then faced with the 143 meters 16th, all carry over water to a tiny green which if you overhit, sees your ball disappear into the lake behind. This is definitely not a hole for the faint-hearted.
An outstanding feature of the course is the turf, which is very soft and springy and reminiscent of Irish and Scottish links courses, and a pleasure to walk upon. The downsides are having to cross roads to reach other parts of the course and the number of buildings that surround the playing areas, although in mitigation they are all low-rise and of differing styles and colours.
The Facilities
The clubhouse has facilities second to none. The dressing rooms are magnificently fitted out, and include a Jacuzzi and sauna. Drinks and a snack can be taken on the terrace overlooking the practice ground or in the modern clubhouse.
The Cranfield Golf Academy incorporates many coaching programmes for all age groups, from complete beginners up to scratch golfers. Individual or group sessions can be tailor made with the emphasis on fun and enjoyment of the learning experience without stress and pressure. All teaching pros are multilingual.
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