Finca Higueron Holiday Cottages

Our impressions.

Montenmedio is the nearest course to finca Higueron and as you wander through the course you will get views of Vejer, Benalup and the coast between Barbate and Zahora de los atunas. There is a large entrance on the N340 and then a two KM drive through the pine woods, past the practice area, the first tee and the raod sweeps into a large car park. The changing facilities are of a high standard and kept very clean. The golf shop is well stocked, but expensive. The practice area is on the way to the first tee and consists of two putting areas, driving range, chipping area and practice bunkers. The slightly undulating course has been designed to pass through mature cork, olive trees and thick hedges and one instantly gets a feeling that few people are on the course. It is a good test of golf as some holes are long, a couple of short par fours, strategically placed water also there are two dog legs one being the stroke index one. The distance from green to tee is not very long, but not too short, except for the walk from the 16th to 17th and the 18th to the club house; both are a bit of a hike. The 19th is a must, the club house is splendid, the staff are friendly and nibbles are supplied with the drinks.

Benalup is a half hour drive away and has been built as a center piece to a major building project for the town. On one side the course there are large holiday villas and a five star hotel is due to be opened during the first half of 2005. At present, on arrival the surroundings are disappointing and the car park is limited. Also, there is a walk up a steep hill to the club house. The staff are very friendly and the shop is adequately stocked to enable the golfer to go to the first tee fully equipped. There is a putting green beside the club house, but the main practice area is not easily accessible. The round starts with a long par four and a straight drive is necessary to avoid the large houses to the right and the lake to the left of the fairway. The fairways are edged with 300 year old olive trees that have been imported onto the course, which add a feeling of maturity to this relatively new course. The fairways are not tight, but there are some very interesting holes where club selection is difficult, all in all a very good holiday golf course. In the 19th, the highlight of the day can easily be the excellent, good value food in the restaurant or outside patio, with wonderful views to the south east.

Novo Sancti Petri was originally designed by Sevi Ballesteros, it now has two eighteen hole courses which is part of the commercial holiday centre of the same name. There is adequate parking either in the car park or on the outside road, with the practice area being on the opposite side of the road to the club house. The changing rooms are quite adequate, with a few lockers. The golf shop is well stocked and is ideal for lady golfers to spend time and money, before and after playing. The staff are polite, but have little time for pleasantries due to the number of golfers passing through. It should be noted that two balls are partnered to make four balls, which is necessary to avoid frustrations created by slow groups. The courses are bounded by roads and holiday homes, with occasional view to the sea. Both courses are quite open, fair and good holiday courses. The bar and restaurant are wide open and lack atmosphere, but the beach is only a five minute walk away.

El Puerto is just under an hours drive away, on the road to Sanlucar. The course is not very old and the second half of the course was opened during the latter half of 2004. The changing rooms are spacious and well furnished. There is a large restaurant bar and they provide a good value for money breakfast. There is a ten minute walk from the club house to the first tee, near the first tee is a good driving range and putting green. The distance between tee and green varies greatly and for some a buggy would be more suitable than walking. Playing the course for the first time, there are three holes that are very difficult for club selection and direction, but it does make you want to go back. All the holes have been well laid out, with strategically placed bunkers water hazards and 'mounds' along the edge of the fairways. It is early days for this course and at present the surrounding countryside is ripe for development. The best part of this course are the fantastic greens, they are true, with subtle camber and really slick.

Montecastillo is an hours drive away, off the motorway junction before Jerez airport. This course in tough in more ways than one. Firstly, it is not a walking course, the holes are well separated and a buggy is essential; also the course is long and in places quite tight; it is not a course for the high handicapper. The car park is close to the club house and the facilities are excellent and include complementary coffee on arrival. The course is a current European tour course, and as would be expected, it is well maintained, there are spectator vantage points and the greens are receptive and have some difficult cambers. There are some wonderful elevated tees, with the eighteenth being the best. There is a spacious patio outside the club house where one can relax with a drink after a challenging days sport. The GPS on the buggies are both modern and a great aid on this very good course.

Sherry Golf is a 40 minute drive away, on the left hand side of the N-IV on the southern edge of Jerez. The course is easy to find, well laid out, with good facilities and even though it opened in the summer of 2004, it is already very popular with local golfers. The American style course is one of the longest in the area and there are plenty of holes where water comes into play. Visiting the course for the first time, you will notice that the first hole a par four is up hill and if the wind is blowing, you will be wondering how many shots you will need to get to the green!!! Don't worry, because this is one of the toughest part of the course. 2006 was the first year that the course was selected as one of the semifinal courses for the European PGA tour finishing school and due to the quality of the course, its length and the facilities provided, it will retain this status until 2010, at least.. Believe it or not, but the 19th is a great venue for a vino de Jerez (sherry)