Golf in Murcia and the Costa Cálida

Murcia is rapidly becoming one Europe’s foremost golfing destinations with dozens of courses and many more in development.

The 18-hole, 5,350-metre, par 68 signature course at La Torre Golf Resort is kept in match condition all year round. It offers a great game of golf for everyone, from beginners to more advanced players. The minimum handicap is 28 for men and 36 for women. It has three lakes and five hectares of bunkers to challenge even its designer, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.

Facilities include a driving range, a lively club house and a mobile refreshment buggy to keep you topped up during your round. There is also a golf pro shop in the town centre where you can purchase a wide range of golf equipment and accessories, from clubs to the latest designs in golf wear. After your game, you can retire to the Wood House bar for a drink and a bite to eat. There’s eating inside and a terraced area outside with stunning views across the golf course and the rest of the resort.

La Torre is part of the ‘Nicklaus Golf Trail’ in southern Spain. Guests at La Torre will be able to play al six courses on the Nicklaus trail, including the nearby Mar Menor, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resorts. Other courses in the local area include La Manga Club, Roda, La Serena, Hacienda Del Alamo, La Finca, Altorreal, Mosa Trajectum, Las Ramblas, Villamartin and Campoamor.

You'll need your handicap certificate if you want to play golf during your stay at La Torre. To book your round, you can either telephone the English-speaking reservations team on 0034 968 032 240, email reservas@irmgolfexperience.com or book your tee times on-line here for any of the Nicklaus Trail courses. As a renter, you are entitled to discounted rates.View the golf tariffs here. (You'll need a copy of the Rented Properties Form to receive the discounted rates.)

Large group of golfers? No problem. We have an arrangement with similar properties nearby - on the same road, in fact - and can accommodate eight, twelve or even sixteen golfers. And of course you'll be entitled to owners' rates for the golf. Check for latest offers.

Packing for a golf trip

If you`re a keen golfer who is looking for the perfect day`s playing, you may be one of the thousands of golfers looking at travelling to get the most out of your time off. A game of golf at your own club, or as a guest at another one near to your home can be easily ruined by the unpredictable British weather - even when the forecast is good, and the weather when you start is good. If you`re travelling to play golf, you should try to bear in mind that you will have different needs than if you were just planning a quiet game to pass away the morning.

What you should pack depends on the type of trip you`re looking for. With very cheap flights now available from the UK to Murcia, a large proportion of people who come to Spain to enjoy golf do so almost as casually as they would when playing at their regular course. It is possible to arrange a weekend trip, arriving on a Friday evening and leaving on a Sunday evening, giving you enough time for two days of golfing. Some visitors who have been to famous clubs before, such as the Jack Nicklaus La Torre Golf Resort facility, will even come for just one night, to enjoy a round of golf when they choose, and do so several times a year. In such a case, you need only pack the bare essentials.

You should always make sure, as a minimum, you have appropriate clothing available to meet the club`s dress code. This might include a shirt with a collar, golf shoes, and appropriate trousers or shorts. Even for this type of clothing, you may wish to simply buy the items upon your arrival from the Pro Shop of the course you are visiting and make this part of the journey. You will probably also benefit from taking your own golf balls and tees and other small equipment, such as scorecard holder, glove or golf towel, if you normally use them, as you might not be able to find your preferred brands when visiting. If you intend to use the time to practice your technique, some clubs also have driving ranges attached to them, for which you can avoid bringing much of the smaller equipment (some may still practice dress codes), with the main need being a golf glove and perhaps one or two of the clubs you intend to practice with.

If you are visiting Murcia for a longer golfing break, it will often be beneficial to bring your own golf clubs. Large equipment such as golf clubs, bags and trolleys can be rented at a large number of clubs for a fee. However, some clubs may only have a limited selection available, or may only have basic bags that are not designed for trolleys. As a serious golfer, you will probably have put a lot of thought into building up your range of clubs, so many regular travellers now invest in golf travel bags, which allow you to securely transport your own clubs with you. These sometimes have room for you to take a small amount of other items, such as a change of clothing, which also makes them ideal for short stays. To make transport more convenient, you may want to just pack your irons and putter, leaving your woods at home, which also gives you the chance to try some out at the course you are visiting.