El Paraiso

One of the more established courses on the Costa del Sol, El Paraiso was laid out in the early 1970s by “Black Knight” Gary Player and renowned architect Ron Kirby, back in the days when they were involved in a course design partnership.

The 18 holes are set in a valley that runs from the Mediterranean to the foothills of the Sierra Bermaja Mountains where palm trees and a variety of fauna including oleander and jacaranda line the lush fairways. Lakes and streams provide water hazards at several holes, adding both pleasure and potential pain to the playing experience.

The course measures just over 6,600 yards with a par of 71 and holes are routed in two circuits of nine that each return to a rustic clubhouse that was built from a few old casitas, affording it an intimate and cozy feel.

The club at El Paraiso considers its signature hole to be the par five, doglegged 6th where a lake must be avoided on the right of the fairway and the putting surface is a tricky, two-tiered affair. Many however, rate the attractive, downhill, par four 8th hole even higher as its fairway and greenside bunkers are so pleasing on the eye.