As part of a Spanish golf trip, I recently played Cabopino Golf Club in Malaga. About 50 minutes from the airport, the golf course is set into the side of a mountain complex. And you can tell from the approach road into the club, this is going to be a very steep course.
And with a slope index of 130, it was obviously going to be a challenge. In fact, although marked as yellow tees, we did in fact play off the white distance, as yellow tees were as far back as you could go e.g. 5700 yards.
The staff at the Clubhouse were not overly friendly but helped us to tee off at 8.30am, it was still partially dark. The first few holes are around the clubhouse, which is part of a major house & apartment development. Cranes loom over the course in many places.
Builders enjoy shouting as you try to tee off, which is alittle off putting, but you sort of get used to it?!
The 5th is the course's most spectacular hole - You climb a long stone staircase, not supported by handrails I hasten to add! Once on the tee, your drive is into a ravine. The drop must be at least 250 feet. Just standing on the tee, is a bit nerve-racking. It is definitely one of the highest tee positions I have undertaken.
The course is made up of three par threes, two par fives, the rest obviously fours. All the holes have undulations, there's barely a flat level on any hole, which makes the course very tough.
The course is surrounded by a buggy track, you are expected to stay on it! I was given a Blue Flag being disabled. But this did not stop me from incurring the wrath of the greens staff and golf pro's if I went within sixty yards of the green!
Lots of shouting made me very conscious of where I could and could not go as my geofence on the buggy had been switched off.
Safes were supplied for valuables on the buggies, which I used. My playing colleague chose not to use his and had his wallet and glasses stolen (probably when we were on hole 5) Another player had his watch stolen! However, the staff at the Clubhouse were not interested in these issues, and flatly refused to discuss the matter.
The course is in very good condition and is owned by a Norwegian family. I did enjoy playing it, but the attitude of the staff, the lack of any sort of handrail, and the robbery would put me off playing it again though!
This course is extremely hilly, and probably not for disabled or older golfers.
Date Monday, 10, October 2022
