If you are playing at Villamartin Golf Course (Campo de Golf Villamartin) for the first time, these tips may help you enjoy your game there, or then again, they might not!

I have played Villamartin many times and seen many people play there from my balcony overlooking the 15th fairway. Villamartin (pronounced Beeyamartine) is the oldest of the courses in the area and a lot of people will tell you it is the best of them, I wouldn`t disagree.

When booking, always confirm by fax and print their reply to take with you, I personally have had tee times "forgotten" before, although they have always managed to squeeze me in, albeit without a buggy. Generally there is plenty of space to get the driver out, but not on some holes, so only play where you can see unless you have time to go forward to have a look.

Good examples of this are the first, a hidden bunker plus big hitters will end up in a small dip amongst the trees, or the 10th (not my favourite hole to start on) where you have out of bounds to the left and a steep tree covered drop to the right. It is not the longest course you will play, so hit within yourself, relax and enjoy your game. During the spring and autumn it can be very busy and quite slow, but during the summer sometimes it is almost empty, especially during the heat of midday. I usually get a buggy, take a cool bag full of cold `uns and sometimes play 2 balls in July and August, with the course to myself.

The bunkers have hardly got any sand in them, with a very hard base, a recipe for thinning a careless shot, many of the locals and members use a putter (yes a putter) to get out. Before you say anything I suggest you try this because it works, although it will raise a few eyebrows, but you will be amazed how close you get the ball to the hole!

Where the course drops into small tree lined gullies is usually marked as a lateral water hazard (even though there is not a drop of water in sight), so if your tee shot disappeared into one, don`t worry you can drop where it crossed the line without having to find it. The greens are nearly always in tip top condition and probably a lot faster than you are used to playing, but play positively and you will be rewarded.

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