The highlight of the whole experience at Barceló Montecastillo Resort is the Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course. The par-72 is just over 7000-yards from the back tees but with many different teeing options, you’re sure to find a length of course that suits your game so that you can just enjoy your round.
This course is consistently rated in the top ten courses of mainland Europe, a title that is absolutely deserved. One of the reasons this course always ranks so highly is the meticulous attention to detail in the way the course is kept. You will find this course in nothing other than immaculate condition.
The large and inviting greens are fast and consistent with subtle borrows. Water plays a big role in this course and can give you extra-trouble on the closing three holes. You need to keep your wits about you right until the end of the round.
Every hole on this course is special but the highlight is arguably the 16th. It is a classic modern championship hole, it is stunning on the eye. A fader’s hole, this hole gently curves to the right and features fairway bunkers, pine and olive trees on the left and a perfectly-placed water hazard awaiting errant approach shots. Whilst visually pleasing, this is a challenging hole and requires well-struck shots from tee to green.
With a championship course of such pedigree, you would expect the practice facilities to match and they do. The practice area is a great place to warm-up before you head out onto the course or to work on your swing. The short game area gives you everything you need to work on the part of your game that really matters, especially on a course like this that can have such fast greens in the summer months.
The resort also has a pitch and putt facility which has recently been expanded. If you’re travelling with children or new golfers, this is a great place to pique their interest in golf or you could just spend some time here as the sun goes down.
As you would expect at such a venue, buggies are available and are mandatory before 11am. The pro-shop is well-stocked and worth a visit for some souvenirs of your trip to the famous course. This is a world-renowned resort for a reason and its reputation precedes it. It will live up to this reputation though and it will almost certainly exceed it. Don’t miss this golfing experience.
Past winners at Montecastillo include Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez during the times it was a regular venue on The European Tour.
Course Information
| Par |
72 |
| Designed by |
Jack Nicklaus |
| Opened for play |
1993 |
| Previously hosted |
Volvo Masters (5 consecutive years), Peugeot Tour (3 years) |
Tees
| White |
6,424 yards, SSS 74 |
| Yellow |
6,043 yards, SSS 73 |
| Blue |
5,554 yards, SSS 77 |
| Red |
5,230 yards, SSS 73 |
