La Quinta Golf & Country Club: the course and homes for sale nearby

La Quinta lies on hilly ground in the Golf Valley, between the sea and the mountains, with the hills rising behind and the Mediterranean in the distance. Each of the three nines has its own character. San Pedro, par 35, is wide and open with generous fairways; Ronda, also par 35, has narrower fairways and technical greens; Guadaiza, par 36, is the longest and the most demanding, with marked changes of level and several doglegs.

Any two loops make an 18-hole round, so the course can be played in three combinations, and parts of the routing run alongside housing. The turf is fed through the irrigation water – a method known as fertigation – which, the resort says, cuts down on machinery and fuel.

The ground is hilly, and the resort itself recommends a buggy – something reviewers echo. Guides describe La Quinta as playable for a wide range of abilities, and the three loops let you choose: San Pedro forgives a stray drive, Ronda asks for precision and Guadaiza is aimed at stronger players.

Players often praise the views, the variety of the three loops and the friendly staff. Opinions on the greens are mixed – some find them quick and true, others bumpy or easily marked at times – and worn tee boxes are a recurring remark.

There is a driving range and a putting green, and private lessons are available, including on-course coaching for low handicappers. The clubhouse restaurant has a large terrace over the course, the seasonal Hoyo 19 bar serves drinks and snacks, and a buggy bar brings refreshments out to players. The course belongs to the Westin La Quinta resort, and tee times are booked online. Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons; in summer, an early tee time is the comfortable choice.

La Quinta sits in the Golf Valley inland from San Pedro de Alcántara and Puerto Banús, next to Nueva Andalucía, with Benahavís further up into the hills and Marbella's centre to the east. The La Quinta urbanisation surrounds the course and the Westin hotel.

Homes for sale in La Quinta and neighbouring Nueva Andalucía are mostly apartments, with a fair number of detached villas and some townhouses. An address in La Quinta does not tell you how far it is to the first tee: we work only for buyers and check the distance and the view from each home before a viewing.