Located in the heart of the Costa del Sol, in a well-established urbanisation between Marbella and Mijas, Miraflores Golf, one of the Coast’s most venerable courses, turns 25 years this year.

Opened in April 1990, Miraflores was designed by Folco Nardi, an architect who also created Guadalmina North and Lauro in Málaga province.

More than half of the shares available were bought by a company from South Africa that was also developing properties on the Miraflores urbanisation. In 1998 the owners of the company offered to sell the course to the members. This was duly accepted and funds were put in place for the purchase to go ahead.

Miraflores is an international club with many nationalities represented. In the late nineties it actually had 16 nationalities as playing members at the club, with the current figure being 15 countries.

Over the years there have been many improvements to both the clubhouse and the course, with all 18 greens having been replaced within the last three years as part of a rolling programme.

The board has put in place further improvements as part of a five-year plan, which will result in an enhancement to the clubhouse, both inside and the exterior dining terrace.

The course will also benefit from improvements to fairway drainage, landscaping, new bunkering and replacement machinery.

Meanwhile, ongoing maintenance and fine-tuning of the playing area has transformed Miraflores into an attractive and “modern” golf course.

It is a short course, 5,148 metres from the yellow markers (which we are using as a reference point in this article), but it is also a challenging one. It is not so much about hitting long distances but more about hitting the ball to the right place.

The fairways are narrow but not, in general, very difficult because they have been made in the shape of a U, meaning the ball tends to roll into the middle.

It is also not a very hilly course – it can be played easily without a buggy – though neither is it a flat course. Most of the inclines are downhill.

Miraflores is a very popular club, among other reasons because the rates are, if not the cheapest, certainly among the cheapest in the area.

The round begins with a short par-4, 251 metres, from which – on a clear day – it seems as though Gibraltar is right next to you. The whole fairway is downhill, so it is advisable to leave the driver in your bag, especially if you want to avoid the bunker on the left. There are, however, those who risk trying to leave a very short second to the green, or even reaching it. The general option is a medium-iron, five or six, followed by a pitching or sand wedge for the second.

The highlighted holes at Miraflores Golf are the third, 12th and 15th.

The third is, in theory, the most difficult shot on the course, handicap index 1, 349 metres and dog-leg left. There is thick rough on the right of the fairway, so you have to avoid hitting to this area; and there is water to the left, which you will be inclined to avoid instinctively! This is a hole on which most players will be resigned to hitting their third to the green – which is no minor achievement. The green is quite high, protected by bunkers on the left at the front. It begins quite wide then narrows at the back – fortunately not too undulating. A par here will seem like a birdie.

The 12th, a par-5 of 480 metres, handicap index 2, is one of the most attractive on the course. The tee is raised and you hit down to a wide fairway, giving you ample confidence with your drive. There is a lake on the right about 210 metres down the fairway. Many will prefer to avoid the water by taking a three or five-wood and leaving it short. In this case, the second shot will have to be over the water to leave the ball close to the green, at least an eight-iron. The green is protected by palm trees and shrubs on the right and left. It is large and fairly flat, but with subtle slopes. A five will leave anyone happy.

The 121-metre, par-3 15th is the course’s “signature” hole. The whole green is an island, though quite wide and flat. Errors are punished!

The round ends with a short par-4, 242 metres but uphill. The fairway is divided into two: the left-hand side is longer but has an easier second shot; the right is shorter but more difficult, as the second is uphill. Some will attempt to go for the green, aiming at the mobile telephone mast, but beware: it is very well protected by bunkers and you will need to be strong and accurate.

After the round, settled into a very functional clubhouse, with no unnecessary luxuries and offering a family atmosphere, you will have the feeling of having played a classic course, more difficult than it seems, and offering the possibility of enjoying a fun round while also using all the clubs in your bag.

Without a doubt, it is well worth playing a round at Miraflores Golf.