A La Manga golf break brings three contrasting courses, a five-star hotel and extensive practice facilities together in one resort. Set in Murcia, near Cartagena and the Mar Menor, it suits golfers who want variety during the day and a choice of restaurants in the evening without changing their base.
The courses remain the centrepiece: the South provides the longer championship test, the North rewards placement and putting, and the West adds a tighter, hillier challenge. Here is how we would approach a stay, from choosing your rounds to arranging transfers. For a wider comparison, explore our Murcia golf holidays.
La Manga Club at a glance: Three 18-hole courses, the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa hotel, a golf academy and a central clubhouse serving the North and South. The West has a separate clubhouse, so allow for a transfer rather than treating every first tee as a short walk from the hotel.
Which La Manga golf course should you play?
There are 54 holes across the South, North and West courses. All three deserve consideration, but they ask different questions of your game. If you have time for three rounds, playing each once gives you a much better feel for La Manga than repeating the same layout.
| Course | Par and length | What makes it different? |
|---|---|---|
| South | Par 73 · 6,499 metres | The longer championship round, with broad fairways, lakes and well-positioned bunkers. |
| North | Par 71 · 5,755 metres | Shorter than the South, with tighter fairways, natural gullies and large, undulating greens. |
| West | Par 72 · 5,714 metres | A scenic, more enclosed layout where elevation changes and precise tee shots shape the round. |
La Manga South Course: the championship choice
The South Course is the championship layout at La Manga Club and has hosted several Spanish Opens. Spacious, palm-fringed fairways give you room to drive, but the lakes and carefully positioned bunkers make the next shot every bit as important.
This is a substantial test from the back tees, with demanding long holes among the shorter scoring opportunities. Its appeal is that the challenge is largely there to see: work out where you want to leave your ball, choose the right tees and resist taking on more water than necessary.
Our planning advice: Include the South if tournament pedigree is part of the attraction. Pair it with the North for a contrasting two-round break.
La Manga North Course: placement and putting
The North Course is nestled among palm trees, lakes and barrancos, the natural gullies that add character to La Manga’s golf. It is shorter than the South, with tighter fairways and larger greens, offering a different rather than an automatically easier round.
The movement in the putting surfaces is a particular feature. Finding a green is only half the job if your approach finishes on the wrong level. Accuracy and a deft touch can be more useful here than another few yards from the driver.
Our planning advice: Consider the North for your opening round, allowing time beforehand to get a feel for the practice greens.
La Manga West Course: the scenic, strategic test
Do not be fooled by the modest length of the West Course. Dave Thomas’s design sits among pine trees near Calblanque Natural Park, using changes in elevation and a more enclosed landscape to create a very different challenge.
Precise tee shots matter on the front nine, where gullies influence your decisions. The back nine climbs into hillier terrain and becomes tighter in places. The holes are varied, and choosing a sensible landing area is often more valuable than reaching immediately for the driver.
Our planning advice: Add the West for variety on a longer stay. Discuss buggy requirements and transport to its separate clubhouse when arranging the round.
Where to stay: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa
The hotel previously known as Príncipe Felipe is now the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa. The five-star property has 192 rooms and retains the central location that makes it particularly convenient for golfers: the main clubhouse, North and South courses and practice facilities are close by.
It is the natural starting point if you want hotel service, breakfast and golf in the same setting. Pools, Alma’ Spa and a choice of dining venues add options between rounds. Ask which spa facilities, treatments and room benefits are included in your particular rate; they should not all be assumed to come with a golf package.
For groups, settle the rooming list early, particularly if twin rooms are important. If you prefer apartment or villa accommodation within the wider resort, ask us to compare suitable options and their locations. Being inside La Manga Club does not necessarily mean being beside the main clubhouse.
Finding your way around La Manga Club
La Manga is a spread-out resort. Use your accommodation’s exact address when checking a resort map, rather than measuring everything from the hotel. The most useful distinction for golfers is between the central North/South area and the separate West Course.
| Area | What is there? | How to plan your day |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Hyatt and main golf clubhouse | Hotel, North and South courses, practice facilities and 37 Spikes & Sports Bar. | A convenient central base. Leave time for golf reception, practice and reaching the correct tee. |
| West Course | The third 18-hole course and its own clubhouse. | Arrange transport separately and confirm the collection point and return journey. |
| Wider resort and coast | Residential accommodation, racquet sports and coastal dining options. | Check walking routes and transport from your accommodation, especially for evening reservations. |
Getting around: Confirm any internal shuttle service for your travel dates, including eligibility, operating hours, capacity and charges. For a group, book the required journeys rather than relying on an on-demand bus being available immediately.
Course access and what to confirm before booking
La Manga accepts visitor golf bookings, so you do not have to stay at the Grand Hyatt to enquire about a round. However, hotel accommodation alone does not reserve your preferred courses or tee times. For a golf holiday, have the playing arrangements confirmed alongside the rooms.
- Named courses: Confirm whether each round is on the North, South or West, plus the tee times and any course supplements.
- Handicaps: Bring current proof of handicap and tell us everyone’s playing level when enquiring. Confirm any applicable limits for the booked rounds.
- Golf clothing: Pack recognised golf attire and soft-spiked shoes. The published rules exclude metal spikes, and dress requirements also apply to the practice facilities.
- Buggies and hire: Request buggies, trolleys or rental clubs in advance and establish whether they are included or paid for separately.
- Maintenance and events: Check whether planned work, competitions or temporary restrictions affect your chosen course dates.
- Group logistics: Agree consecutive tee times, transfer capacity for golf bags and the time needed between breakfast, practice and play.
Practice facilities and golf lessons
The golf academy is a useful reason to leave some space in your itinerary. La Manga has a 45-bay practice facility, short-game areas, two teaching rooms and four separate group teaching rooms. Individual and group lessons give developing players an alternative to filling every day with 18 holes.
If improving your game is part of the trip, ask us to check coaching availability before fixing your rounds. A lesson followed by time to practise can be more useful than squeezing tuition between two tightly scheduled tee times. Coaching, range balls and any specialist analysis should be confirmed as part of the booking.
Which airport is best for La Manga Club?
Región de Murcia International Airport (RMU) is the closer option, with a journey of roughly 35–40 minutes by car. Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) is another practical gateway, usually around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes away. These are approximate driving times; allow additional time for baggage collection, traffic and group loading.
Compare the complete trip rather than the airfare alone. A cheaper flight into Alicante may involve a longer transfer, while an early return flight can rule out departure-day golf. For a group carrying clubs, specify both passenger numbers and golf bags when arranging airport transport.
La Manga golf break ideas
Start with the number of rounds you actually want to play, then choose the stay around them. Our Grand Hyatt La Manga packages include short-break options, with the hotel, board basis and named courses set out on the offer page.
- Three nights, two rounds: A compact first visit, combining North and South if available and keeping flight days manageable.
- Four nights, three rounds: Time to experience all three courses, with arrival and departure days left clear where flights allow.
- A longer stay with practice: Add a coaching session, a repeat round on your favourite course or a day away from golf rather than automatically booking 36 holes.
These are itinerary suggestions. Your quote should specify accommodation, meals, courses, transfers, equipment hire and any extras. Prices and playing availability depend on dates and the arrangements selected.
Other Murcia packages worth comparing
If La Manga’s three-course resort setting is not your priority, these alternatives offer a different approach to the region:
- DoubleTree by Hilton La Torre for a hotel base with package options using La Torre, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme. Confirm the transfers needed for each course.
- Hotel 525 in Los Alcázares for a town-based stay, with offers combining Roda and La Serena rather than three courses within one resort.
- Ona Mar Menor Golf & Spa for a hotel-and-golf break centred on Mar Menor Golf Club.
Our view on La Manga golf breaks
“It is just the simplicity of booking a trip to La Manga and how simple and relaxing it is whilst staying in La Manga, yet still being able to deliver on great evenings out and full of variety and choice.”
Tom Hall, 360 Golf Holidays
That combination remains the reason to consider it: three distinct rounds, a central hotel option and enough to do after golf to keep a longer stay interesting. We would focus first on getting the right course sequence and accommodation location, then build the rest of the trip around those choices.
Feedback from previous La Manga trips
“It was all just perfect we had two 3-bedroom apartments so everyone was happy. The lads thought it was one of the best trips we had had.”
David Smallwood
“I would like to say we had a great time, the hotel and golf courses were excellent, and we were very lucky with the weather. We will be looking to go again in the New Year. Once again thanks for all your help,”
Phil
La Manga Club golf holiday FAQs
How many golf courses does La Manga Club have?
La Manga Club has three 18-hole courses: South, North and West, giving you 54 holes across contrasting layouts. A three-round stay lets you try each one, subject to availability.
What is the Príncipe Felipe hotel called now?
It is now Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa. The five-star hotel is in the central resort area near the North and South courses, main clubhouse and practice facilities.
Can beginners enjoy a La Manga golf holiday?
The academy offers lessons for new and developing golfers. A coaching-led stay can be a good starting point, but access to the full courses needs to be agreed according to playing ability and the applicable requirements.
Do you need a hire car at La Manga Club?
A hire car is optional if airport and resort journeys are arranged in advance. Grand Hyatt guests are conveniently placed for the North and South, but should still plan transport to the West and any outings. Apartment and villa locations vary, making an exact location check especially useful.
Plan your La Manga golf break
Tell us your dates, departure airport, group size, room preferences and the courses you want to play. We can compare La Manga with other Murcia options and put together the accommodation, golf and transport that suit your trip.
