Lauro Golf Resort: Diversity and Panoramic Views in the Andalusian Hinterland

The Lauro Golf Resort is located a good half hour from Marbella, on a high plateau in the mountains of Andalusia. The resort not only boasts spectacular views of the surrounding mountain scenery but also offers a charming perk for animal lovers: Lauro Golf is the first club on the Costa del Sol to allow leashed dogs on the course. With a total of 27 holes, divided into three nine-hole courses that can be flexibly combined—each with a Par of 36—the resort offers a varied golfing experience for players of all skill levels. All three loops are nearly the same length, ranging from about 2,400 to 3,080 meters, and each offers five tees per hole.

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The First Loop: Strategy and Tactics for Long Hitters

The first loop demands strategic thinking right from the start. As early as the first hole (Par 4, 303 meters), two water hazards lie in wait—a lateral water hazard along the Fairway and a cross-course ditch just before the green. While the short par-3 on Hole 2 is considered the easiest hole, Hole 4 (par-3, 176 meters) requires up to three club lengths more due to a steep incline from the Tee. The par-5 on hole 7 offers real distance—a 90-degree dogleg to the left spanning a massive 573 meters that runs continuously uphill.

To conclude the front nine, hole 9 (Par 4, 322 meters) demands the utmost concentration: a pond cuts across the fairway about 90 meters before the flag, forcing long hitters to take a defensive tee shot. Due to this hazard, the subsequent Approach shot must be hit high to safely clear the pond and the Bunkers surrounding the green.

The Back Nine: Olive Trees and a Touch of Valderrama

On the middle nine-hole round, dense groves of trees dominate the landscape. For example, the par-4 12th hole requires precise play around and over numerous olive trees. On the challenging par-4 16th hole (421 meters), a light headwind quickly makes the hole feel like a par-5.

The thrilling finale of this section is the 18th hole (Par 4, 329 meters), whose design in the second half is reminiscent of the famous 17th hole at Valderrama. A small pond stretches across the entire width of the hole in front of the green. A defensive strategy down the right side and a high, precise shot to the center of the green are key here to avoiding the Bunker on the left and right.

The Third Loop: Longest Drive and Panoramic Views of Málaga

The third loop offers both sporting and visual highlights. While Hole 23 (Par 4, 365 meters) runs flat downhill and is perfect for longest-drive competitions, Hole 25 (Par 4, 308 meters) features numerous Bunker surrounding the elevated green, which are barely visible from the Fairway.

The absolute highlight of the round is Hole 26: This spectacular par-3 (158 meters) offers a fantastic view of the Bay of Málaga. Players must skillfully clear a deep dip to reach an opposite, forward-sloping plateau green—a Par here is a top result. To finish, Hole 27 is a 513-meter par-5 where strategically placed trees on the Fairway must be precisely navigated during the lay-up.

A Relaxing Finale in the Andalusian Courtyard

After the round, the cozy coffee bar in the courtyard in front of the clubhouse invites you to wind down your day of golf in a relaxed atmosphere with a view of the Andalusian mountains. The Lauro Golf Resort combines a variety of sports, scenic beauty, and a welcoming atmosphere to create an all-around wonderful experience in the Andalusian hinterland.