Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Great design, probably one of the best in the Marbella/Málaga area. The course is always presented in excellent condition, making it a pleasure to play every time. I also appreciate the attention to detail beyond the playing areas, which enhances the overall experience.

Un campo clásico de Marbella, con ese aire elegante y bien consolidado que se nota en cuanto llegas. Las condiciones del recorrido son impecables, greenes cuidados al milímetro y calles perfectas. El personal es súper amable y el servicio está muy bien organizado, desde el caddy master hasta la atención en la casa club. Como detalle, para jugadores pegadores puede quedarse un pelín corto, pero aún así es muy divertido de jugar. La única pega que le pondría es el bar del hoyo 9: en un club con tanta solera, se echa de menos una oferta más variada o algo más de ambiente en esa parada. Por lo demás, experiencia de 10.

Real Club De Golf Las Brisas was one of the jewels of the Puerto Banus development to the southeast of glamorous Marbella in the late 1960s. Its mission statement remains to be the “private club of choice for those who appreciate an exceptional golf experience and relaxing social environment.” Meanwhile, its focus is “to provide excellent service, well-maintained facilities, superb dining and a variety of social events and recreational activities for the benefit of guests and members.” Fortunately, there are tee times for visitors to play, albeit very limited, mainly during the summer months. This Robert Trent Jones-designed course includes the water features and fiendish bunkers typical of the Costa Del Golf, especially his creation at Sotogrande, which predates Real Las Brisas by just four years. Kyle Phillips remodelled Real Las Brisas in 2015, and new bunkers can be seen as early as on the side of the curving fairway of the par-four second hole. Everything is on point here, from the underground car parking area to the stylish club shop and top-notch service in the restaurant. The starter provided us with all the relevant information before suggesting that we try out the practice putting area to get accustomed to the speed. I learned the lessons on the front nine, but they disappeared from my brain during the second. There are many risk and reward decisions, usually prompted by whether to take on water. An example is on the sixth – a super par-four where a direct attack over the left-hand side would mean firing over a lake with a mini-waterfall. Strategy is the keyword on the par-five 12th, which reminded me of the final hole at Adare Manor because the target is on the opposite side of the water to its fairway. I am a fan of the par-five 15th – a hole created by Phillips to move the course away from nearby housing, built after the club sold its short course. Its fairway is split by a substantial stream before the hole ascends to a green that falls back to front between a quartet of large bunkers. The 17th is a new par four and requires a drive over a lake and approach over a creek to a green, heavily guarded by bunkers. I made my sand save of the day for my most pleasing par. The 18th is a superb uphill par-four narrows between fairway sand traps before the assault on the pin. Only too late did I discover that the putting surface falls sharply from back to front. It was yet another nuance that only those who had experienced this excellent course would understand. Nevertheless, there was cracking entertainment for those enjoying a one-off experience on this remodelled Spanish classic. And we can understand why it has more than 1,000 members willing to pay for its high-end offer.

Playing Las Brisas was really a great experience. It is one of the oldest courses in the Costa del Sol region, but also quite private. So we were very lucky to get the opportunity to play las Brisas. The course is very challenging and unforgiving. If you are not sharp enough, you will loose many balls in the many different water hazards. Also the strategically placed bunkers and the extremely difficult greens makes the course very demanding. Fairways and greens are of excellent quality, but the course is also quite flat. So it is definitely possible to play without buggy. The clubhouse is also impressive, with a very large terrace with a great view over the course. There were not many people sitting on the terrace, impacting the atmosphere, but the people were friendly.

Las Brisas is an exclusive members course with a lot to offer. The course itself is magnificent, offering golfers of all levels an enjoyable experience. Layout and fairway/green views are very well designed. Course is pretty long, so driver is needed on most par 4 holes. Very good welcoming experience from caddy master at the buggy depot. Top notch club, conveniently located. For me, Las Brisas is top 2 in the courses around Marbella.