Monte Mayor Golf Club
Crta N340 Km 165
29660 Marbella, Malaga
Tel : (95) 211 3088 Fax : (95) 211 3087



Directions
Between San Pedro and Estepona, at Cancelada.

Details
Architect:- Jose Gancedo.Accommodation :- Hotel El Paraiso
Course Details

Course Name: Monte Mayor Holes: 18 Yardage: 6119 SSS: 71

For an appreciation and independent view of this course please see golfer reviews.

press here for Golfer Reviews of the Monte Mayor Course




Reader Comments / Reviews Leave a comment
  • Monte Mayor

    Grahame Garland wrote on: Dec 7, 2011

    Myself and a group of friends played
    "Monte" for the first time in November.
    We were all impressed. Yes it's off the beaten track, but insn't that part of the exitement, never knowing what's around the next corner!, just like the course itself.You can have a tough day out there and it is easy to rack-up high numbers but when you stand on every tee you simply say wow. The course i would say requires extra investment, and I hope they get it. Everyone who visits the "costas" must give it a try, it's worth it.

    Reply

  • Marvellous Monte

    Reg Hoare wrote on: Dec 4, 2010

    I think it's worth responding to the previous poster's comments (I'm one of the regular player / visitors to Monte over the last ten years and it's my favourite course on planet earth). Its very attraction is the fact that it's off the beaten track, in fabulous unspoilt scenery, is incredibly quiet, and has a homespun feel. If you want corporate golf and a swanky clubhouse then try one of the more expensive courses.
    The course conditioning has suffered a little from some landslips last winter, which was the wettest on record, as well invasions by wild boar (yes, this is the countryside!) - but overall is excellent and getting better under the direction of a new golf manager.
    So to any readers of this page, I strongly recommend you follow the fans and ignore the knockers.

    Reply

  • terrible Mayor

    John Donnelly wrote on: Nov 4, 2010

    Played this course last week and was very disappointed after reading all the great reviews. Yes the holes are nice and the course is difficult but the course was in very poor condition. the fist tee was like a bog and hadn't been cut in weeks. I have played a few courses on the costa del sol and this was by far in the worst condition. Clubhouse was also small and was more like a street cafe than a golf clubhouse. Trying to find it was also difficult, even our local taxi driver was struggling.

    Reply

  • monte mayor

    chris hubbard wrote on: Nov 1, 2009

    played this 6 times. Just booked for 2010 and playing it twice in a day! I would recommend this course to anyone. Whilst tough, it requires a bit of thought and an acceptance that you will get punished occasionally. Our stableford scores have, in the main, improved year on year. Dont be put off my the negative comments - give it a go and enjoy!!

    Reply

  • Cracking and challenging

    Pad wrote on: Oct 14, 2009

    Cracking and challenging course. Good shot selection and course management is a must here. Your ability to keep the ball in play is key and wayward shots will be heavily penalised.
    Highly recommended.

    Reply

  • Marvelous Monte

    Gaz Dyer wrote on: Aug 6, 2009

    Wow what a golf course!!
    I played this more than majestic golf course for the first time in March 2009 with my girlfriend and her more than generous parents (thanks Rob and Carole!!!!). Joining a family of 'golfers' my golf is getting a lot better, and was introduced to Spanish golf firstly playing Rio Real, Santana and Santa Maria at which I did okish at. Then it was up the mountains to Monte Mayor, I was warned ahead of time of its ability to eat golf balls.
    Word of advice: If your golf ball (or your partners golf ball) goes over ‘the edge’ don’t try and be a hero in retrieving it. I climbed down what I thought was a safeish incline, found said ball, only then realizing just how far ‘down’ was ‘down’ and almost had a heart attack when I realized how over the edge I really was!!!!
    It was beautiful, breathtaking and frustrating all at the same time. I must have lost 10-15 balls around our 18 holes but I loved every single minute of it. I can’t wait to come back (June 2010) to loose potentially even more balls (now I’m actually hitting the ball further with my driver the inevitable draw and fade are creeping in.) around this amazing golf course. My favorite place to play golf in the whole wide world!!!!!!
    If you’re planning playing in this part of gorgeous Spain then this really, really is a must!!!

    Reply

  • monte can't leave it alone

    polden hacker wrote on: Jul 12, 2009

    I've played the big Monte 15 times, badly on 14 occasions! I now play off 10, I get drawn in by the theatre it's a great challenge. My only good round was 38 pts off 15 a few years back, I birdied 7, 8 & 9 and felt like a god. I agree with most of what's been said below, except the bit about leaving your driver in the bag, 10 thru 14 inclusive are birdiable with a well placed long drive but take an iron off 6 then play a wood unless your name is T Woods.

    Reply

  • Superb course

    Irena Greaves wrote on: Jul 9, 2009

    OK -enough of this macho stuff! If you leave your driver in your bag and make careful club selection, you will be rewarded. Yes - there are ravines, and slopes, but who really wants to play the, flat, featureless courses that pepper the Costas, over and over. This is a mountain course, and is definitely well worth the drive up from the N340. You will not be overwhelmed by front line housing, but by the beauty and spectacular scenery and need to play thoughful golf. Boring -it is not! As for losing balls -I am a 34 handicapper and my average loss is 2-3 per round. So what's the problem, chaps?? It's a privilege to play Monte Mayor!!!

    Reply

  • golfing nightmare!!!

    tony wright wrote on: Jun 10, 2009

    This has got to be the most difficult golf course i have ever played, good shots punished by the hills and slopes. I played off an 18 handicap and scored 22 points!!! Lost a douzen balls!!! its the a good job i met a man on the 10th selling golf balls because my bag felt like it was getting lighter and lighter lolol. But thinking back you have to laught that monty can destroy the best!

    Reply

  • not that bad

    marc wrote on: Apr 28, 2009

    plyaed this last week, play off 11 and shot 27 points. putted poorly. It's the kind of course where if you have played it a couple of times you will score well. it's just that you never know when to use a 5 iron off the tee or your driver. loads of blind shots, very tricky if you are playing wild though.
    fantastic views, top conditions, well worth going to.

    Reply

  • Yeeks

    Ian Bennett wrote on: Mar 13, 2006

    A stunning golf course in quiet surroundings. Playing off 8, I found myself feeling like I had never played before as the course destroyed my confidence hole by hole. I had to laugh (and it was not an easy thing to do in the mood I was getting in ) when on the 8th when I had only 1 point and was contemplating suicide and i heard a society in front discussing their round. John is on 8 points and winning at the moment, I have 3 points, fred has one point and Derek has none.
    It sort of cheered me up and put things in to context. If you are scared of heights then this course is a bit scary in places. To walk the course would be like running 2 marathons as it is so hilly. In a buggy, I found myself frequently wondering how many people had died on the course , as even on a sunny day the buggies struggled to brake on the very steep inclines. The ball seller on the 14th was far too late for many of my colleagues. In fact, I could talk for hours on end about this course.
    Interesting ..."yes"
    Difficult..."extremely"
    Fair..NO!!!
    Should you play it? Yes...,but just the once, so that you can see the fantastic scenery, realise how bad we are all at the game,and drive 500 yds off the 17th .
    Not one for me as I thought the course was not playable ofr fair, but I scored 11 points which may cloud my judgment in this review. Pleased to say I would have beaten 4 people in the society in front when we chatted at the pleasant but expensive bar at the end!
    Put this one in your schedule as no other golf course you ever play will seem hard again.

    Reply

  • Played 10/10/05

    John Dale wrote on: Oct 12, 2005

    Bonkers course, absolutely great fun (if you ignore the pain), and hats off to the designer as it took some foresight to realise a course could fit in this valley!
    The course was in good condition, round was a little slow but nothing really bad and there's plenty of amazing views to keep your attention, take a camera along as well.
    Really enjoyed the experience, despite the 23 points and 6 lost balls (one must have gone well over a 1000 yards - into a ravine on hole 11)
    Nice club house and good pro shop too - a must if you visit this area, just don't expect to beat the course.
    P.S. Hit the 3rd with my tee shot (only one of our 4 ball), consequently three putted but was happy to pay out having at least go there - you'll understand when you play it :)

    Reply

  • Great Course

    John Dale wrote on: Oct 12, 2005

    Located about 20 minutes drive from the N340 outside Marbella this course is well worth finding after the winding climb into the hills.
    The man who designed this had some foresight as you often stand and wonder how someone thought of putting a hole to the left of that ravine, the right of that cliff etc.
    All holes are excellent and you want to take a photo of each one. 23 points and 6 lost balls tells a story and I actually felt that I'd done quite well :)

    Reply

  • monte mayor golf club

    Neil Bushnell wrote on: Aug 18, 2005

    If you want stunning scenery and a real test of golf this cours has to be played, the third hole is tremendous,going back for the fifth time,never played to my handicap,but will keep trying,food and club house great

    Reply

  • Monte Mayor

    Jerry Gunn wrote on: Jan 8, 2005

    My first course on the Costa Del Sol and what an experience. The best part was the distance gadget in the buggy. Lost several golf balls as there was no rough, only non accessable hazards. A lovely course for the good golfer who hits it straight.

    Reply

  • Monte Mayor

    Mel Kozek wrote on: May 25, 2004

    Probably the hardest course I have ever played.
    My wife and I wanted to quit after about 5 holes, but just couldn't. There were too many blind shots, but the course was in great shape and was beautiful.
    Next time I'll avoid the guy selling golf balls on the back nine and bring lots of my own! If you don't hit the faiway it's gone for good.
    Worth the time if you can forget about keeping score.

    Reply

  • A fist full of balls

    Andy Parkins wrote on: May 25, 2004

    This is my 4th time and at last have finished with a reasonable score. The first time I played the course I wanted to give up by the 9th sit down and cry. My faviorite is the 3rd. A par 3 to die for.

    Reply

  • Montemayor

    Willem wrote on: May 24, 2004

    Spectacular course, a must when in the area. For nature lovers and those not attached to their balls!
    One of the best I ever played on.

    Reply

  • RE: monte mayor

    wrote on: Apr 21, 2004

    Montemayor was designed by Pepe Gancedo
    who specialises in courses built over difficult terrain. Las Ramblas de Orihuela (next to Villamartin, Alicante) must also be seen to be believed.
    Gancedo was also responsible for Torrequebrada, Parque da Floresta (Algarve) and El Chapparal (Costa del Sol)

    Reply

  • monte mayor

    Terry Clark wrote on: Apr 14, 2004

    I Played it once, Its a great course if you target golf, I would like yo meet the mad man who designed it ( I think it was Seve? )
    Will return one day.

    Reply

  • Monte Mayor

    Terry (12) wrote on: Mar 29, 2004

    This is a real mans course. Not for the faint hearted. I have played it 3 times now and it never fails to impress.

    Reply

  • great time

    Andy (9) wrote on: Oct 30, 2003

    I played 3 times on our trip this and Valderrama were my favorites. This is the most mountainous course I've ever played. It was in very good shape but difficult with many blind shots. It would help to play it several times. I can definitely recommend it!!

    Reply

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