Alferini Golf

A great hole to start the round. The tee shot is very challenging and must be played down the left side of the fairway. For the second, the player has to carry a gully to reach the generous green with many possible flag positions.

One of the most demanding holes on the course. Power hitters face a great challenge here: the hole's dog-leg invites them to play directly over the stream to have a more comfortable second shot. The average player should take care with the lay-up because the stream comes into play for all strokes. Aim down the left side of the fairway to have the shortest second shot possible.

This is the first par-3 on the course. It's a long hole with spectacular views onto the very broad green. Try not to leave the tee shot too short or left as the ball will end up in the stream.

A tough par-5 with a narrow fairway. The ideal tee shot is a draw, avoiding the bunkers and the hazard on the right. Keep the second shot on the left-hand side of the fairway to have the most comfortable approach to the green. Don't overshoot the green; there's a bunker very much in play there.

This hole is a great par-4. The approach shot is uphill towards a high green and the player has to judge the distance of this shot with great skill as the slope makes it very difficult.

This par-4, with the incredible backdrop of the Benahavís mountains, is downhill with a wide fairway, however, the left-hand side is out of bounds. The ideal tee shot would be a draw down the right, dodging the bunkers. The second would be a precise strike towards the broad, sharply tilted green. The choice of club is always a tough one, especially when it's windy.

A long par-5 that opens up for the tee shot to a fairway that turns into a dog-leg from right to left, then gets narrower as we approach the green. The green is very shallow so the choice of club for the approach has to be just right.

This beautiful par-3 has a lake protecting the front of the green and a waterfall falling towards the back of the green. It's one of the biggest greens on the course, with many options for different flag positions.

A demanding par-4 with a broad fairway where the tee shot has to cover as much distance as possible so the player can comfortably reach the green with the second shot. Average players should take care with the lay-up because the water is very much in play.

This is a new, relatively easy hole with a wide fairway. The ideal tee shot should favour the right-hand side and finish short of the bunkers to have a second shot with a better run-up to the green. Take care not to overshoot the green as a water hazard awaits.

A very demanding par-4 where it's important to get as much distance as possible from the tee shot as it's uphill and difficult to reach the green in two strokes. The very wide fairway is protected by two bunkers on the right. The second shot will be a long one towards a broad green with two large bunkers at the front.

A beautiful par-5 dog-leg from left to right. The fairway is wide in the landing area but the bunker must be avoided. The green is long and undulating, offering many possible flag positions.

A very tricky par-5 with a narrow fairway. The ideal tee shot is a draw to avoid the bunkers on the right. The second shot needs a good strategy. Those who want to play a lay-up will have to play down the left of the fairway, using the slope, to bring the ball back to the centre of the fairway. Long hitters can try to reach the green in two, still using the left-hand side of the fairway since there's a hazard on the right.

This is the course's signature hole. In a spectacular setting, this par 3 is the shortest on the course, however, without a doubt, the one requiring the most skill of all. Water is very much in play, especially with the pin on the right and the wind blowing from left to right. The green is very big so the hole can change a great deal depending on the position of the flag.

This hole is one of the trickiest on the course. The ideal tee shot is a fade to keep the ball on the fairway. The fairway bunker is very much a part of this hole so long hitters are advised to tee off with a 3-wood. The approach shot needs to be very accurate as the green is well protected by bunkers at the front and right with a hazard to the left.

Michael Campbell's favourite hole on the Costa del Sol is without doubt a challenge. The ideal tee shot is a draw, favouring the right-hand side of the fairway. Long hitters have to take into account the fairway bunker since it will come into play off the tee. The fairway narrows down as we near the relatively flat green, which is very well protected by the surrounding bunkers.

Hole 17 is a long par-3 with a large, undulating green and out of bounds on the right-hand side. A well-designed bunker protects the front of the green, while any tee shots to the left will be taken further from the green by the steep run off.

The jewel of Alferini. The 18th has views of the hotel and possibly one of the best panoramic views of the Costa del Sol. It's a very demanding par-4 where the tee shot must always favour the right-hand side of the fairway. Long hitters should be aware of the fairway bunker as it will come into play. The second shot is downhill towards the rather large green protected by three bunkers; one on each side and one behind.