Review: A Closer Look At Chaparral Golf Club

Courtesy of Chaparral Golf Club

Chaparral Golf Club is considered a “parkland forest” course, the ideal mix between smooth park-style fairways and tricky woodland landscapes. It’s nestled in a protected area in the heart of Andalucía, surrounded by beautiful forest—a little slice of heaven on earth. 

Designed by “the Picasso of Golf”, Pepe Gancedo, the course follows the natural topography of the land and respects the environment. You’ll enjoy magnificent views of the sea from multiple holes and the mountains from others. 

It’s just 25 minutes from the airport and close to the town of Fuengirola, which is a lovely place to stay for a few days. Visit the beach, try the local cuisine, or explore Bioparc Fuengirola, a naturalistic zoo. Plenty to do apart from golf if you’re here for a while! 

Let’s take a closer look at Chaparral Golf Club and all the features that make it an excellent place for golfers to spend a few hours (or days). 


A Quick Overview

Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,561 yards (6,000 metres)
Course Type: Parkland/woodland
Designer: José Gancedo Gomez (Pepe Gancedo)
For who? Public
Availability: Book in advance
Dress Code: Proper golf attire
Club Rental? Yes
Cart Rental? Yes, included in the green fee at certain times
Metal Spikes Allowed? No
Caddies? No

Course Conditions & Layout 

Chaparral Golf Course is kept in fantastic condition by its owners and seasoned arborists who keep the surfaces pristine. In fact, the magnificent quality of our greens is something of a legend in the area! 

Chaparral doesn’t feature a lot of water hazards or bunkers, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy—the fairways are surrounded by thick trees, and the grounds are quite undulating. 

The course is laid out in a protected area, so you’ll be immersed in nature and might even see some wildlife as you meander through your round. 

Game Play 

The Chaparral Golf Course might be shorter than average, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s easy. Mid-handicappers will find it challenging, and high-handicappers might be downright intimidated, but it’s well worth a round (or a few). 

The holes are varied and keep things exciting. Expect tight fairways off the tee, so you’ll need to bring an accurate drive if you want to start off right. 

The greens are fast and tricky, so do your best to set yourself up on the drive and approach shots. This might be easier said than done, though—you’ll face blind shots, doglegs, and even a few double-doglegs. 

There are 4 tee positions, so golfers of all levels have a fairly good chance off the tee as long as you’re playing from the right spot. 

Signature Hole 

The par-4 8th hole is Chaparral’s signature hole. It’s a tough hole featuring a dogleg to the right. But that’s not the most interesting feature of the hole—you’ll need to avoid the “Chaparro” tree in the middle of the fairway! 

Pros suggest you stick to the left-hand side of the fairway off the tee, but be careful because the ground slopes sneakily. Try to keep left on the green too—it’s easy to fall off on the right and lose a shot (or a few). 

Facilities 

Chaparral isn’t just an amazing golf course—it also offers premium facilities. You’ll enjoy a top-class golfing experience both on and off at Chaparral Golf Club. 

Practice/Coaching Facilities 

Whatever your preference, the time of day, or the weather, practice facilities are available at Chaparral. We’re the proud owner of one of the best driving ranges in the area, a two-tiered facility decked out with LED lighting so you can even practice at night! 

There’s also a handy putting green and a short game area, complete with practice bunkers, so you can work on your approach shots as well as your drive

But that’s not all. Our pride and joy is TopTracer technology, built into the practice range to give golfers deeper insight into their own games. Each mat in the practice area has a TopTracer monitor, and every golfer can create a personalized profile. 

Once you’re connected (you’ll have to download the app on your phone), every shot will be monitored for total distance, power, accuracy, and more. Say goodbye to boring, routine practices—you’ll also have your pick of a variety of training games to spice things up a little and bring some fun and challenge to the driving range experience. 

If you live in the area, you can take advantage of our Golf Academy, where you’ll receive technical training from the same guy who once trained Sergio Garcia and others! 

Restaurant 

The Green Label restaurant is a wonderful place to rest your legs and have a bite to eat after a round. Enjoy authentic Andalusian food made from locally sourced ingredients for optimum freshness and tastiness. 

You’ll enjoy spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea while relaxing in a contemporary and comfortable space. There’s both indoor and outdoor space, so you can enjoy your time no matter the weather outside. 

And if you’re considering hosting a conference here, they have the facilities for that too. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone or in a large group—the Green Label is here to cater to your culinary needs. 

Final Notes 

Whether you’re a visitor looking for a challenging and unforgettable round, a local wanting to up your golf game, or a corporate company looking for somewhere to host a conference, Chaparral is ideal. 

Between the exciting playability of the course, the views, and the premium practice facilities, it’s well worth spending some time here. The fees are quite reasonable, and you’ll find Chaparral to be memorable… No matter how well you handled those undulating fairways and lightning-fast greens! 

If you’re a local looking for a home golf course, consider becoming a member here. You’ll receive a range of exciting benefits not available to the general public, and even more than that—you’ll be a valuable part of the Chaparral legacy.