Santana Golf Club, Mijas – Smooth Sailing on the Costa del Sol

Gunnar Kobin
Jan 24
3 min read

Updated: Feb 7

Santana Golf: Finally, A Course That Lets You Play

Some courses challenge you. Some frustrate you. Then there are courses like Santana Golf Club that simply let you enjoy the game.

Located inland in Mijas, Santana is extremely enjoyable—a course I always include whenever I'm playing the area. Not long, design is logical, there's space to hit your shots. Nothing funny or artificial here.

Playing Santana feels like smooth sailing, even when the course asks questions.

That, in my view, is exactly how golf should feel.

Built on a Former Avocado Plantation

Santana has this calm, parkland feel from arrival. Mature trees frame holes without crowding them, generous separation between fairways.

Because the course isn't overly long, you can comfortably play from the back tees if you want—without feeling punished for it. From the first tee, you're invited to swing freely and enjoy the round.

What a concept.

Design That Makes Sense

Santana's design is refreshingly sensible. You have space off the tee, landing areas are clearly defined, holes make sense both visually and strategically.

While there are demanding holes, they're never ridiculous. Difficulty comes from good golf requirements—not from extreme narrowing or forced hero shots.

This is a course letting you find rhythm early. Even on days when your swing isn't perfect, Santana remains enjoyable because it doesn't constantly suffocate you.

Robinson Learned From the Best

Santana was designed by Cabell B. Robinson, and his influence is clear once you understand his background. Robinson spent years working with Robert Trent Jones Sr., and that classical design education shows throughout.

The course isn't about tricks or visual intimidation. Holes are laid out logically, landing areas are visible, good shots get rewarded exactly as they should.

What I appreciate most is Robinson allowing you to swing freely. Fairways are wide enough to encourage commitment, but positioning still matters. Risk-reward options exist, yet they're never forced. You can play aggressively if you want—but you're never required to just to survive a hole.

This explains why Santana feels so balanced. Demanding holes exist, but none feel over-engineered or punitive. The design respects the golfer, and that respect comes through clearly during the round.

Small Details Matter

One small but important detail adding to enjoyment: the bunkering.

Sand is pleasant and consistent, allowing proper bunker shots without the club gripping or sticking at impact. It's a detail many courses get wrong—Santana gets right.

Greens are fair and readable, rewarding solid approach play rather than guesswork.

Variety Without Repetition

Only two holes—9th and 13th—look somewhat similar, but they're the exception. The rest offers enough variety in direction, length, and shape to keep the round engaging.

The 10th is a classic risk-reward par 5. Dare take on the water running alongside the green and you can reach it in two. Play safely and you still have a sensible route forward.

The 14th offers similar temptation. Long hitters can position themselves right in front of the green—provided they're not afraid of bunkers guarding both sides. Well-judged risk-reward hole that never feels forced.

The 18th Demands Your Attention

The most difficult hole is the 18th, and it's a proper finisher.

Slight fade—or drive hit just a little too long—finds the pond. Too short leaves you with a long second shot into an elevated green.

Demands focus and commitment right to the end, without resorting to gimmicks.

Perfect example of Santana's philosophy: challenging, but fair.

Consistently Good Condition

Santana is generally presented in very good condition, and importantly, it remains enjoyable even if you're having a bad day. That's one of its greatest strengths.

Course drains well, fairways stay playable, the round never becomes a slog. You finish feeling satisfied rather than beaten up.

Why I Keep Coming Back

Santana Golf Club is one of the most enjoyable courses on the Costa del Sol.

It's logical, fair, and playable. You have room to hit your shots, design flows naturally, challenges make sense.

It's a course you can enjoy whether you're playing well or struggling—and that's a rare quality.

I always include Santana when playing this area, and it's a course I'm genuinely happy to return to again and again.

After playing courses that seem designed to punish you for existing, Santana feels like a breath of fresh air. Golf's supposed to be fun, remember? Santana remembers.