GOLF HOLIDAYS IN JEREZ & CADIZ
The best courses for Jerez & Costa de la Luz golfbreaks.

Sherry Golf is the oldest course in the Cadiz region and sits very close to the centre of Jerez, so has plenty of local members to keep it financially viable. The terrain is gentle hillsides to which a few water hazards have been added - slightly incongrously amongst the arid acres around.  The whole makes for a very enjoyable game of golf between the palms; best enjoyed in Spring or Autumn to avoid exposure to the intense Summer heat in Spain's deep south.

The host of the season ending Volvo Masters for many years, so some of the vistas are sure to seem familiar (the 18th Tee shot being the iconic view).  The course runs through established woodland in the hills around the hotel.  It is fairly clear that villas were planned to be built - this has not yet happened.  Consequently there are cleared plots for sale around the golf course and access roads to cross (albeit no traffic!).  This is unfortunate as it lends Montecastillo an unfinished feel. Ignoring that, the holes themselves are in the classic Jack Nicklaus style: hazards obvious form the Tees, sand being teh main one with water here and there as well.  Intelligent use has been made of the elevations changes, which are considerable in places, so a buggy may well be useful.

Out to the East of Jerez, the course at Arcos Gardens occupies the gentle hillside above and around the Clubhouse and hotel. Fairly open terrain dotted with stumpy olive trees and cork oaks, with holes that run predominantly crossways, across some gently inclined Fairways.  All around the countryside is wide open farmland, with the little white cluster of Arcos de la Frontera in the distance perched on its hill away to the West.  The strategy required on each hole is clear from the Tee with quite a lot of sand and water to negotiate!  A well thought-out course in a quiet location where the architect has made the best of the landscape.  Accommodation is available on-site for a peaceful Spanish golf holiday.

Somewhat hidden from view, La Estancia is one of the best golf courses in the southern Cadiz area, so well worth tracking down!  The course spreads out from the old manorial farmhouse across the estate over level terrain, criss-crossed by a small (dry in Summer) stream. A good design where big bunkers have been added strictly where necessary and Greens are large too so make sure you putting game is on-song!  Easy to walk, although quite long overall so a buggy might be an idea in the warmer months.

A short, intricate course between holiday homes on the Sancti Petri estate.  Good fun for a quick round that features all the hazards that you might encounter on a full-scale course.  Or a great place to sharpen-up your game before the tougher tests around.

Two classical Spanish courses, designed by the classical Spanish golfer - Seve. They are tied to a couple of resort hotels where you will need to base yourself in order to get reasonable access to the Real Sancti Petri golf courses.  The two golf courses (Mar y Piños & Centro) are very similar in architectural style, although the Mar nine does have some lovely coastal views: parasol pines line every Fairway, which in turn skirt the occasional pond.  Busy courses with holiday golfers staying at the hotel, so later Tee-times can mean a long round.

Campano is the smallest of Golf Clubs imaginable with a course that is tightly-knit amongst the olive groves.  Accuracy here is paramount: Fairways are hard to hit and Greens even harder - consider leaving your Driver in the car!  Campano was conceived as a nine-hole course, subsequently an extra nine-holes were added, so there is quite a change in style around half-time.  Charming and very friendly Clubhouse where you will be very warmly welcomed.

One of Spain's best-kept golf secrets lies tucked away down a dusty track through a sprawling cork-oak and olive plantation.  Interesting terrain for golfing, where the architect has made the most of the gentle hills to provide an ever-changing variety of direction and elevation to the holes: each one isolated from its neighbour by a thick green curtain.  The farmhouse is now a wonderful little bodega-style hotel for residential golf holidays.

27-holes of straightforward seaside golf arranged in three nines: Olivos, Palmeras and Ficus.  Originally quite marshy, the land was drained and trees planted (palms and olives mainly) to create the course.  As you might expect, the course is absolutely flat so easy walking.  Single rows of palms or olives separate most Fairways with the odd drop of water added as a variation to this theme.  A busy holiday course, but three loops of nine helps to spread the load.  Extensive training facility too, room for 200 simultaneous swings on the (grass) range, with short game area to match.  Gentle, relaxing fun in the seaside sun (if not grinding on the range!).