Golf Course Review – El Valle
The El Valle Golf Resort is located in a natural park area situated near to the Sierra Carrascoy Mountains and to many the resort is considered to be the ‘jewel in the crown’ for the GNK Group.
To find this wonderful course from the North take the A7 motorway in the direction of Murcia then take the A30 junction in the direction of Cartagena as far as the exit for the C-3319 Murcia-San Javier highway and after approx 10km you will see signs for the El Valle Resort.
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From the South take the AP7 motorway in the direction of Alicante but take the exit (782) for the C-3319 signposted Murcia/Balsicas and after approx 10km you will see signs for the El Valle Resort to your right and simply follow the directions to the main entrance. The clubhouse is excellent with a large restaurant with terrace overlooking the course and good changing and shower rooms and a well appointed pro-shop |
There is a large practice area with small chipping green and putting green located near the first tee.
Without doubt El Valle is one of my favourite courses in Murcia and although set in a ‘desert’ setting with numerous rocks and caves all around Jack Nicklaus has incorporated features from many courses that he played during his illustrious career with raised undulating greens with run off areas reminiscent of those seen at Augusta and many US Open venues and in Scotland. The greens are some of the fastest greens that I have putted on in Spain, with a superb surface and this reminded me of my ‘youth’ playing the superb Beau Desert Golf Club in the Midlands which has been the venue for British Open qualifying for more than 20 years. El Valle is a golf course that is not a test of ‘big hitting’ consisting of 18 holes with a par of 71 of 5,634 metres (6,197 yards) from the yellow tees. Rather than rely upon length this course focuses attention on the players ‘imagination’ and shot making skills and with a strong emphasis upon good course management with the actual landing areas on the greens, being relatively small due to the run off areas on the edges of the greens.