La Cañada Golf Club – Playing Guide to the Front 9
- Golf on Costa del Sol
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Set among the hills of Guadiaro, overlooking the Mediterranean and just a few minutes from Sotogrande, La Cañada Golf Club delivers one of the most complete golfing experiences in southern Spain. Designed by Dave Thomas and Robert Trent Jones Sr., this layout is a perfect blend of playability and challenge — a true reflection of the Costa del Sol’s golfing heritage.
The front nine, designed by Dave Thomas, emphasises positional play, strategy, and accuracy. Each hole offers options off the tee and requires a thoughtful approach to scoring.
La Cañada Golf Club – Playing Guide to the Front 9
Hole 1 – Par 4 (350m)
A friendly start but only if you stay disciplined. Favour the right half of the fairway, and you’ll enjoy a full view of a receptive green guarded by bunkers. Anything long risks a punishing downhill lie.
Hole 2 – Par 3 (150m)
Visually stunning and deceptively tricky. The drop in elevation and swirling wind demand a confident swing. Middle of the green is always a smart play.
Hole 3 – Par 4 (360m)
A precision hole. Dogleg right with trouble on the corner. Stay left to open the line for your approach. The uphill green adds a full club to your shot.
Hole 4 – Par 5 (490m)
Reachable but strategic. The brave can challenge the bunkers, but most will find success laying up to wedge distance. A perfect example of “risk and reward.”
Hole 5 – Par 4 (370m)
Scenic and sloping, this hole tests your ability to shape shots. A left-centre drive sets up a clean approach. Anything right risks rolling into the trees.
Hole 6 – Par 3 (160m)
The ravine hole — beautiful and punishing. The tilted green is best attacked from short and right.
Hole 7 – Par 4 (330m)
A thinker’s hole. It tempts aggression but rewards restraint. A solid layup with an iron leaves a wedge to attack.
Hole 8 – Par 5 (500m)
Sweeping and grand, with Mediterranean views. Keep your ball in play; the fairway narrows as you advance.
Hole 9 – Par 4 (400m)
A memorable finish to the front nine. Demands a precise drive and a well-judged uphill approach. Par is an excellent result.
The front nine at La Cañada Golf Club rewards golfers who think strategically and execute with control. It’s an introduction to the brilliance of Andalusian golf — creative, scenic, and endlessly playable.
Summary
The front nine at La Cañada Golf Club is a masterclass in design—rewarding control and creativity in equal measure. Whether it’s your first time in Sotogrande or a return visit, these holes will test your skill and strategy.
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