Alicante Golf

On the outskirts of Alicante City close to the 7km long San Juan beach is a modern 18 hole golf course designed by Seve and opened in 1998.
Incorporating lakes and artificial rivers into the design has increased the difficulty rating of the course which has a par of 72, with six par 3’s, six par 4’s and six par 5’s. It is a gentle course to walk around and its flatness increases the visibility.

Alicante Golf is on the Mediterranean coast, next to the spectacular San Juan beach and only 5 minutes from the centre of Alicante.
A green haven set in a residential area, the course features wide fairways lined with thousands of trees. The top priorities in maintaining the course are caring for the environment and saving water, making it the first golf course in Spain to be awarded both of the most prestigious environmental quality standard certificates:ISO-14.001 and the Q-Plus certificate.

Hole 1 Par 5, 471 Metres.

Once you and your playing partners have loaded up the buggies the first tee is located to the left as you leave the club house. Drive under the railway line and up the hill to the first tee which is on the right side of the buggy path.

There you will also find three putting and pitching greens some with bunkers and some with out, the driving range runs along the left hand side of the first fairway.

The opening hole at Alicante golf is a par 5 and in my opinion is a nice easy start to what can only be described as a superb golf course.

You have out off bounds on the right side of the fairway and the driving range to your left, but you also have a nice wide slightly undulating fairway straight ahead.

There are three fairway bunkers on this hole the first being 200 metres from the tee left, the second at 250 metres right and the third about 100 meters from the green this bunker is in the middle of the fairway and could come into play with your second shot.

As you navigate passed the bunkers the fairway starts to narrow as you get closer to the green, watch out for a rather large deep bunker to the left side and the pot bunker to the right front, the best advice I can give you is to be long as there is no trouble at the back of this very large green.

This hole is set at stroke index 17 and par should your goal.

Hole 2 Par 4, 342 Metres.

You will find the second tee is down the buggy path to your right under the dual carriage way and up the hill to an elevated tee (Great view point of Alicante), this is a stunning hole to look at and a joy to play.

Just to let all golfers know at this point what a demanding challenge Alicante golf course is, this second hole is the shortest par four on the course and is stroke index 5 so don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy hole.

From the tee there is out of bounds way right, a cascading water fall down the left that runs into a rather large water hazard full of geese.

This fairway is wide but watch out for all of the above and the well placed bunker right side of the fairway at about 100 metres from the putting surface.

Distance is not the the issue here hitting the fairway is. The best line from the tee is the big half moon shaped tree down at the left side of the green.

As you approach the green the fairway starts to narrow at about 50 metres from the putting surface. Out to the front right near the buggy track there is a shallow bunker and out to the left there is water, try to avoid landing short left and landing on the bank as you will think you are on the green when your ball is actually in the water.

This green is flat towards the front and then slopes gently towards the back where you will find one large bunker left side.

Hole 3 Par 3, 142 Metres.

This short par 3 is yet another good looking golf hole and club selection is very important if you want to land in the middle of the green.

Standing on an elevated tee you will see what I mean about club selection, its all carry to the pin. There is a large water hazard to the left which covers the whole of the front and left hand side of this wide but quite narrow green. For those of you that don’t want to go the direct route to the green you can play up the right side by the palm trees then pitch on to try and make par.

At the back mid to right of the putting surface there is a large bunker which you need to avoid as this green slopes from back edge to front where the water is and there is also a steep bank down to the hazard so don’t land short or you will be in the water.

This green is quite large but has many tricky slops, so the closer to the pin on this hole the better.

Hole 4 Par 5, 469 Metres.

Now for another par 5 and in my opinion a tough hole for most players but is a real challenge to hit this green in 2 or 3 shots its simply a great golf hole. From the tee there is out of bounds both left and right and at about 200 metres from the tee this fairway dips down then rises to the crest then down again, if you can carry onto the down slope it is possible to hit this green in two. There is not a lot of room for error from this tee as this fairway is quite narrow and made even more so by the well placed bunkers ether side just within driving distance.

You have three options from the tee 1) a nice power fade, 2) a nice draw and 3) straight down the middle, you choose which is best for you.

Now for the hard part of this hole, finding the putting surface. At roughly 100 metres from the green there is a large water hazard out to the right side of this fairway, it continues all the way around this green to the far left side. The back of this green is banked to help stop any shot that is only slightly long but go passed this point and the bank will help your ball find the water.

One last point about your approach shot to the green there is one large flat bunker front left and you can’t really see this bunker or the water hazard from way back on the fairway.

Its well worth driving up in the buggy to see the best place to land and stay safe.

This green is large in size but has many undulations and although the right side of this green is quite flat the middle left is designed to kick your ball left and towards the water.

This hole is stroke index 13.

Hole 5 Par 4, 393 Metres.

Just to keep the pressure on you this long par four is stroke index one on the score card I think that tells you all.

Depending on where the tee box is positioned this can be an easy tee shot passed the water hazard to your left or if its placed towards the back of the tee can be quite an intimidating tee shot.

If the tee box is at the back of this tee you need to ether hit a nice draw or a dead straight tee shot as there is a cluster of trees just waiting to be hit level with the ladies tee, there is also trees and out of bounds down the right side of this fairway along the buggy path.

From the front of this tee you are playing to a wide fairway with only one bunker very far left that shouldn’t come into play unless you pull your drive. As you get closer to the green the fairway starts to narrow at about 100 metres from the front of this large green, that is protected by one very large bunker that covers front right to back right there are two more large bunkers out to the left side of the green.

Just as you would expect from stroke index one this hole demands to good strikes to find the putting surface, looking at it it looks quite small from way back on this fairway.

The green its self as I said is large and flat at the front but towards the middle it slops up a level and then tails of towards the back edge.

Hole 6 Par 3, 182 Metres.

Now for a slightly easier hole, this tee is elevated and the fairway slopes down hill then up hill to a huge green (sound simple). Watch out for the two large bunkers at the back edge of this green and also the one pot bunker front right. Its not a long hole but club selection is important if you are to find the putting surface, one tip I can give you is that if this hole is into the wind it plays 2 clubs longer as its all carry. If you miss this green the best side to miss on is to your left as there is no danger out there. This green is very long and slopes from back to front and has many sweeping slopes across it, so the closer to the pin the easier your putt will be. This hole is stroke index number 9.

Hole 7 Par 4, 406 Metres.

As you come away from the 6th green go up the hill and follow the buggy path to your right and go back under the dual carriage way, you will find the buggy path goes around the back of the first green and the seventh tee is to your left hand side.

From this tee you will see out of bounds way far right but also close to your left, the best line is slightly right of the centre of the fairway. There is one bunker at 70 metres from the tee on your right and one other bunker to the right at 300 metres from the tee, this is the safe area to aim at from the tee.

This hole is set at stroke index 3 on your score card but really is not to difficult as long as you keep the ball on this wide fairway.

As you approach this wide flat green you will find a cluster of bunkers out to your right at about 20 metres short of the putting surface.

This green is as I said very wide and quite deep and if you do miss the green with your approach shot you have every chance of making par with a good pitch and putt as there is no real trouble around this green.

Hole 8 Par 3, 201 Metres.

This hole is the second longest par three on the golf course and takes a very good tee shot to find the green. It may well be worth hitting a nice shot down the left side and taking the bunker out of play that guards the right front side of the green and playing a good pitch and put to make par.

The fairway however is very wide and again out of bounds to the right and left but I will say it takes a wild shot to miss this fairway. The green has two levels lower to the front and higher to the back and is quite flat and very wide so you could face a very long putt on this one.

Par at this hole is always a very good score simply because it take a good strike not only to hit the green but to get close to the pin.

This hole is set at stroke index 7.

Hole 9 Par 5, 505 Metres.

Now for your final hole on the front nine, this hole is the longest of the six par fives on this golf course and a good birdie chance if played well.

From the tee you have out of bounds both left and right but should not really come into play as this fairway is very wide and flat.

The best line from the tee is straight at the tree in the middle of the fairway which you can see in the distance.

You can see two fairway bunkers from the tee the front edge of the one right is 215 metres, to carry this take a big hit as it measures 255 metres to the back edge. The one to your left is 270 metres from the tee so again this is a good line to take and it will also open up the fairway for your second shot.

At this point it is well worth driving up in your buggy to have a look and decide where is the best place to hit your second shot to as most golfers wont reach this green with two shots.

What you cant see from your drive is that the fairway gently dips and narrows at about 140 metres from the green and out to the right there is a fairway bunker that you cant see and will come into play if you go to long to the right. This bunker is only 100 metres short of the green and down the left side yes you guessed there is a well placed water hazard.

This water hazard also comes into play from about 120 metres from the green and covers the left side of the putting surface, it you do happen to be coming into the green from the left side make sure you have enough club to carry the water and the bank or you will end up taking a lift and drop.

The best place to hit your second shot here is just short of the bunker that is located right side at 100 metres from the green this will leave you a nice open shot to the putting surface.

There is one more massive bunker very wide right side of this large but quite flat green.

This hole is a good one for any groups that have a long driving competition and it plays as stroke index 11.

Hole 10 Par 5, 457 Metres.

Once back in your buggy drive around the back of the 9th green and follow the path pasted the putting and pitching area and then turn right under the railway line again, this brings you back to the club house, once there take the path to your left and go down under the dual carriage way and at the top of the path turn right this is where you will find the tenth tee.

Looking from the tee you have a great view of both the 10th & 18th holes which in my opinion are fantastic golfing holes but watch out for the water hazard on both.

You have out of bounds and the main road to your right but more than plenty of room out to your left.

From the tee the best line is middle left as you will see there is one large flat bunker to the right side of this fairway with two very large palm trees growing out of the sand so try to avoid. Way left on the bank in the semi-rough there is a pot bunker at the far side of the very large lake that you have to drive over to make this fairway.

As you look further up this wide fairway you will find trees out to the right and many bunkers both left and right all the way up to the green but again this fairway is quite flat and wide so a well placed second shot should leave an easy short iron onto the green. At about 15 metres short of the green to the left there is a cluster of trees on a small hill so try and avoid landing in this area as not only will you have the trees to contend with but there is a deep bunker left side which you will have to pitch over to make the putting surface. There is one further bunker through the back right side of this green just waiting for any thinned approach shots.

This green is large and only has a few subtle borrows to contend with.

According to the score card this hole plays as stroke index 18 so good luck in getting your par.

Hole 11 Par 4, 395 Metres.

Once you are finished at hole 10 the 11th tee is located down under the under pass and to your right, just follow the buggy path and signs.

This hole is a pretty straight forward long par four with a more than generous fairway to aim at and plays at stroke index 6 on your score card.

On a slightly elevated tee you will find that you play out of like a narrow funnel to a rather wide tree lined fairway with out of bounds close to the tee at both sides, so an accurate tee shot is required at this one if you are to make par. Once at your tee shot you will soon see that again both sides of this fairway are laced with bunkers just waiting on any wayward shot. My advice is if you cant reach this green in two play a safety shot straight up the middle, this will leave you a short pitch to the putting surface.

This large green slopes from back to front with many undulations towards the back (its a tricky green to read) and is well guarded with deep bunkers both front left and right and take note the entrance to this green is narrow then opens up from the middle to back edge. So a good solid pitch aimed at the middle of this green should give you a chance to make par or better still birdie. If you should go through the back of this green this is OK as there is only a grassy run of area to play back from. This is a demanding but very good long par four.

Hole 12 Par 3, 134 Metres.

Now for the shortest of the six par three’s on this great golf course and this hole is played at stroke index 16 on the score card.

Its also worth mentioning its a good hole for a closest to the pin shot between you and your fellow golfers.

This simply is a fantastic short hole played over a water hazard that starts at the front edge of the tee and continues all the way around the right side and finishes back left.

Its not a long shot by any means but it will take a deadly accurate shot if you are to stop close to the pin when it is located on the top back right part of this large green.

This green is large and flat from the middle to the front edge but it climbs about 2 -3 feet to the back right side which is close to the water and the bank which will help your ball bounce into the water.

Its hard to describe this green but all I can say is that if the pin is on the top level and you are bottom side it will take a very good putt to make par (you will see what I mean then you play the course).

For those golfers looking to play away from the water to the small bail out area to the left you will find a nasty small bunker waiting for you and beyond that there is a small grassy bunker to contend with. Good luck !

Hole 13 Par 4, 409 Metres.

Hole 13 is another long par 4 and a good test of your golf abilities and demands two good strikes to make par or a very well played pitch and putt. This hole is stroke index 2 on your score card.

From a tee which is set to the right side of this wide open fairway you have the lake to drive over, any tee shot hit short right will find this water hazard.

Beyond this point you will find a tree lined fairway to both sides but as I have said its a very wide fairway and a decent drive should set you up for a nice approach shot to this large flat green but watch out you big hitters as there is a well placed bunker at the left edge of the fairway just within driving distance from the tee if you land in this you won’t make the green in two.

My best advice is to hit two nice well placed shots up the middle of the fairway and then try to make a good pitch and putt to save par.

There are many run off areas around this green should you miss judge your second or third shot , but par is always a welcome score at this long hole.

Hole 14 Par 5, 497 Metres.

Once back in the buggy drive across the road to your left of the 13th green and there you will find the 14th tee.

I must say at this point of the round that if you have never played this wonderful golf course before that the last 5 hole are what can only be described as a fantastic finish to any golf course and a real pleasure to play (this has to be put down to Seve’s great course design).

This is a tremendous par 5 and should be played as a par 5 i.e. three well hit shots to avoid any trouble.

From the tee you will notice that this hole plays as a slight dog leg to the left as you look down this wide open tree lined fairway.

The best line from the tee is down the middle right side as this will open up the fairway for your second shot, please don’t try to cut the dog leg left because just within driving distance there is a well placed bunker which cant be seen from the tee, there is one more bunker way out to the right which can come into play with a blocked tee shot. There is also high netting and out of bounds down the left side just beside the villa’s and you may only be able to pitch your ball back onto the fairway.

At this point its well worth having a drive up to the Roman ruins to see which club you need to select to land nicely short of them and leave a good line into this green. Just to let you know if you do go for the green in two and your ball lands and stays in the Roman ruins it called a Blue staked area in Spain which is a free lift and drop back the way onto the fairway. However if your ball lands and bounces out to the left you could find the water hazard which starts at about 50 metres short of the putting surface and runs up the left side of this large narrow green, this large water hazard cant be see from your drive.

Looking at this green from the fairway hopefully you will see one bunker through the back side and two mid to front right, the second one right is deeper and eats into the green to leave a tricky shot out and you will be facing the lake.

The green its self is very deep and narrow towards the front but opens up to middle back with only a few subtle borrows to contend with.

This hope is stroke index 12 on the score card.

Hole 15 Par 3, 212 Metres.

Now for the longest par three on this golf course it measures 233 yards from the white tee and a mere 204 from the yellow tee. If played into a breeze it take one massive hit to land on the putting surface or a well placed tee shot out to the right to open up the green for your approach shot to the pin, this hole plays as stroke index 8 on the score card.

This generous fairway is tree lined on both sides and you will also find out of bounds left and right so a well placed tee shot up the middle right is all that is required, sound easy doesn’t it.

Looking at this green from the tee you will notice on large flat bunker that covers the whole of the front left side of this very large green, most days you will find the pin tucked in behind this bunker and rather tricky to get close to from the tee. If you should have a go at carrying all the way to the green you must also watch out for the out of bounds at about 15 metres through the back. One last point if you do miss this green you still have plenty of room for error from the tee and to make good with a well played pitch and putt.

Hole 16 Par 5, 487 Metres.

Good news for all golfer this par 5 although long it relatively straight forward and three good strikes should find the green it plays as stroke index 14 and is a good hole for a long driving competition with your fellow players. Again like many holes on this golf course the fairway on this one is wide and lined at both sides with trees, so down the middle is your aim from the tee.

This hole plays as a dog leg to the left however its best to play as I said up the middle or with a nice small draw as there is a bunker up the left side waiting on any over cooked tee shots. There is one further fairway bunker way out right just at the point where the fairway starts to turn left, this bunker really doesn’t come into play from the tee.

The best line to hit your second shot is just left of centre as this will open up the green to leave you an easier short iron onto the putting surface.

As you approach this green you will see that there is one missive bunker cut into the right side of the green and water to the left so it takes a good accurate shot to get close to the pin.

This green has a more than generous area to land on and will hold any well hit shot towards the pin, so be bold and go for your birdie put at this one.

Hole 17 Par 3, 184 Metres.

Now for the last of the six par three’s on this fantastic course and boy what a good one it is and its marked at stroke index 4 which tells you its a real test of your golfing abilities.

Standing on the tee looking towards the green you will see many ducks,swans and geese so watch out in case they steal the last of your sandwiches.

This gives you a small clue as to the amount of water around this green, however it is a very large green which slopes from back side down to the front edge.

Depending on the tee box position on the day you play you may or may not have water to clear just in front of the tee which is part of the lake from the previous hole.

Further up this fairway there you will see another very large water hazard to the right side which covers all of the right side of this green and part of the fairway, if the pin is cut to your back right it takes a fabulous golf shot to get close to the hole. Just through the back of this green on the bank you will find two bunkers waiting on any ball hit to long and it will take the pitch of the day to make par from this position. There is more sand to the left of the green but I must say a nice straight tee shot will give you a chance to make par, which is a welcome score any day of the week at this super par 3.

Hole 18 Par 4, 350 Metres.

This last hole at Alicante can only be described as a majestic par four to finish of what I think is a truly great test of golf and in very good condition for 10 months of the year.

From the tee out to your right there is out of bounds and trees to the left there you will find a very large lake that runs all the way along the edge of this last fairway and it continues all the way to the green and beyond, so the seen is set.

As you look up this fairway it dog legs to the right you will see two bunkers straight in front of you which are located right on the dog leg, this is your best line from the tee with maybe a 3 wood or rescue club.For the longer hitters of the ball the two bunkers are also the line to take but you need a good draw to miss them and leave only a pitching wedge to the green.

You will also notice that the water to your left cuts into the fairway as you get closer to the bunkers out to the right. As you approach this green the water hazard also cuts in towards the front left hand side, have a look at our web site on the home page and you will see a very good photo of the approach shot onto this green.There is one bunker at about 20 metres short right and one deep large bunker that covers the whole of the right side of this green, this is not the place to land as you will then be faced with a very difficult bunker shot towards the water and the green also slopes away from you at this point. This green is quite large with a narrow entrance and it needs a well hit shot to land on the putting surfface. This green has two levels its higher towards the right side and slopes down to the left, this is where the pin is nomally located.

Par at this great finishing hole is always a good way to end your round .

Our rating 5 out of 5.

This 18 hole review was written by Steven Franchi on the 3rd May 2012.

We have now booked dozens of players on Alicante Golf and the feedback is generally very positive. In 2015 they have had some very good offers so watch out on our discounted page.

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