Golf Torrequebrada

Tucked into the heart of the Costa del Sol, Torrequebrada is one of those courses that golfers come back to season after season. It's not the longest layout you'll play in Spain, measuring 6,399 yards from the tips, but it's a proper thinking golfer's track. The routing winds around a series of lakes that come into play far more often than you'd like, so if you're even slightly off line you'll be reaching for another ball. Right, that sounds brutal, but it's actually great fun when you pick the right club and commit to it.

Designed by Jose 'Pepe' Gancedo, the architect behind several of Spain's best-loved courses, Torrequebrada is regularly talked about as a top-80 option in the country. It's clever rather than showy, using water, doglegs and well-placed bunkers to test your course management without feeling like it's out to get you. The greens are typically well protected by bunkering and angles, while the fairways are generous enough for most mid-handicappers if you pick the right line off the tee. You'll find plenty of chances to score if you play to sensible targets, but the moment you chase a flag over water, it can turn quickly.

You're perfectly placed between Marbella and Malaga, so it's an easy add-on for a Costa del Sol base. The whole thing flows nicely from hole to hole, and the fact that so many UK groups pencil it in every year should tell you everything. Include Torrequebrada on your next golf break and you'll see why it's become a firm favourite for golfers who want quality without the fuss.

Who is this for?
Mid to high handicappers who want a memorable Costa del Sol round where the lakes sharpen your decision-making. Also a strong shout for mixed-ability groups, as sensible golf is rewarded and there's usually a way round the trouble.

Who is it best for?
Golfers who like strategic, slightly old-school design and enjoy playing the same course twice on a trip, then trying to beat it with better choices the second time round.