If you have never played at La Finca before and want to enjoy a game of golf on a quality course while you are on holiday (vacation) on the Costa Blanca, Spain, this is the place to book. If you are staying in either Alicante or Torrevieja, an easy thirty minute drive through the orange and lemon groves will get you there, although it is not particularly well sign posted so perhaps you should allow some time to get lost!

As you arrive at at La Finca Golf Course, the first thing you notice is the number of villas and apartments being built around the course, in fact it is one giant building site. But don't let that put you off, once you stand on the first tee, the view that greets you is quite magnificent, even if it is surrounded by a forest of tower cranes, in fact there is even a new club house and hotel being built just behind the first tee.

La Finca is built following the natural contours of the valley with added water features including water falls, streams and lakes. It was only opened in 2002, but is usually in top class condition, they have even got an extra hole so that if they are working on one there is still eighteen in play. It has hosted pro-ams, Qualifying School and a Challenge Tour event, so you know it is first class.

It is not the cheapest course in the area, but is certainly one of the best (and a favourite of mine). Most of the fairways at at La Finca are generously wide and the rough isn't too long, but with the water hazards and numerous pine and olive trees it certainly is a test of skill. At just over 7,000 yards (6,394 metres) long off the white tees, La Finca has been built right up to modern standards for a par 72 course. It is about 6,600 yards and 6,000 yards off the yellow and red tees respectively. On a scorching hot day when you walk the course it always seems a lot longer, especially as on a couple of holes there are long distances between holes.

The greens at La Finca are fast and sometimes very fast, with lots of undulations so the odd 3 or even 4 putts is inevitable making landing on the correct level important. Amazingly the ball can pick up some mud from where the sprinklers have been on, so I always carry a wet towel to wipe it clean (it seems to bake on before you even get there). There is no rush, this is Spain after all, so take your time and have a good game.