Villa Padierna Golf Club — Local services in Benahavís

Spain trip game 3 Our next stop was Flamingos golf course. I had lower expectations since last time when played Alferini I was a bit disappointed. Have to admit Flamingos is different, but back to start. Reach the place is quite easy with GPS , no problem. Checking process and reception is very helpful and friendly, I would say really great experience, appreciated all the info and water for the game. We did not go to driving range, cause its bit far away from course, so we putt a bit and start. First tee is already giving you some impression how course will look and it will not disappoint you a bit. Many elevated shots and uphill shots. Fairways surrounded with tall thuja trees. The greenkeeping job was very well there, we enjoyed fast and true roll on greens as well as soft fairways. I personally like better front nine, not only for scoring better but also for design, back nine was more tough for me, with few repeated holes. If I have to choose signature hole I would mark 18th probably. So I for sure recommend this course. What I do not suggest, is to eat there, its better to just have drink and go to...

The course itself was great, unfortunately just everything surrounding it was sub standard/average.

We had the first two tee times of the day, 8am & 8:10am last Friday morning. At that time there was no where to buy a single item of food OR a cold drink. We were presented with some warm waters from a box in the pro shop & told the starting hut would be open at 8. When the second group hit their shots there was still no sign of anything around 8:15. Would it be that difficult to have a fridge in the pro shop with some drinks and even some bars of chocolate or breakfast bars etc? I’ve never played a single other course in the world where refreshments were so completely lacking at tee time.

The cart person didn’t start on time at 9:30 either, and throughout the entire round staff members would whizz past you on buggies with no care in the world as to whether you were about to take a shot or not. Same for maintenance people.

Can’t fault the course, but the peripheral stuff matters & they didn’t get it right...

Played Alferini after a few days of rain. The views on some of the holes are stunning, like out of a play station game! However, it's not worth e200 each. The pace of play 4hr 50! The course condition is poor, bunkers out of play, fairways either burnt or waterlogged. Greens good on the whole. Don't park downstairs in the hotel as it's the spaces are so small they are panic attack inducing! We parked in the staff area and walked 10 minutes instead. The staff are not welcoming (it's a convere belt of money for them they couldn't care). The bar after is a rip off (13 euro each for a single vodka!). We far preferred cheaper but just as nice la quinta for example, where they had many course marshells ensuring the pace of play is kept up. Not one marshal out on Padierna in 18 holes. Incredible course through the canyon, but not worth the extra money. If you are a half decent golfer, I'd recommend atalya or la Quinta as...