La Manga (South)

The 1st here offers a portent of things to come. It looks at first glance fairly routine, with room for error on the left. But lurking behind reeds on the right is a large lake and it eats into the fairway at just the length most of us will land our tee shots.

This is a common theme – water pops up at just the moments you would really rather it doesn’t. It’s a pretty start though, with the approach framed by the Arizona-like mountain behind.

Turning round you play a lovely par 3 towards the bungalows are set into the hill behind: again it has bite, playing alongside the lake to a shallow green with bunkers at the front.

Already it noticeable just what terrific condition the course is in, with the tees especially impeccable and complemented by a neatness to the paths, shrubs, borders and beds. It hints at an attention to detail from a resort trying very hard.

The 6th is the highlight of the front nine, a splendid downhill driving hole before a lay-up between bunker and lake leaving a wedge over a ‘barranca’ – which is a dry ditch, and is very common here – to a green set up and at angle with two bunkers on sentry duty.

The back nine begins with a tremendous view of the mountains as you negotiate a sharp dog leg that runs along the side of the sparkling new David Leadbetter Academy.

It is followed by a par 4 over a huge lake with the national flags atop tall poles fluttering in the background concerning you about the strength and direction of the wind. Turning round, you then play a splendid short hole that sits on the edge of the lake which, if you find the evil little bunker on the left of the green, will loom very large in your thinking as you try to escape.

As you walk to the 13th tee you take in a glorious view of the peninsula town of La Manga itself. The hole is on the edge of the property and with no buildings in sight it is a lovely view, but it does also mean there is no respite from the wind as you try to find a green protected by three bunkers at staggered distances, giving the look of a like of pancakes on a plate.

The 14th is dominated by a gigantic bunker snaking up the inside of the dog leg and then this 7,148-yard course concludes with a splendid par 3 that has a lake all the way down the right, then a super par 5 where most will lay up short of the barranca, then fire over a beautiful bed of shrubs between an avenue of trees to a tiered green overlooked by palm trees and the hotel.

The South is excellent resort golf with lots of hitting required but also lots of room. Walking in the footsteps of Arnie and Seve, it has stood the test of time well.