What are the ingredients that make the perfect golf day? Is it the standard of the course you play? Does it have to be a well-known golf course? Is it the people you play with? The weather? Is it the food and drink afterwards? OR, is it as simple as how you play?
We would normally argue that it is all of the above at World’s Best Golf Destinations. However, on this occasion, we beg to differ. Nestares Golf Course is a municipal course about an hour’s drive west of Santander. We had never heard of it until Tony at Costa Verde Golf suggested we go and check it out as he was looking to add another course to the portfolio of courses they offer to their clients. He wanted our feedback and we were happy to provide it. Who can say no to a game of golf in the sun? Not us!
Nestares Golf Course
Campo de Golf Nestares will be thirty years old in 2025. It’s a par 72 parkland course with only two sets of tees. You can either play the red tees at 5630 yards or the yellow tees at 6492 yards. As you can probably guess from the header photo, the course is a couple of thousand feet above sea level. This does affect the distance the ball travels so you should take that into account when choosing the tees to play from.
Approach to the first green
Our favourite holes on the front nine were the opening two and the 9th hole. The first hole is a par 5, and it’s also the hardest hole on the course. At 540 yards, it was a three-shot hole for us. Only the longest of hitters would consider going for the green in two, especially as there is a lake in front of the green. Once you have laid up short of the water, your third shot isn’t easy. The green is a small target. Your judgement of distance is tested right away. Make a 5 and you should be pleased with your start.
Tricky Par 3
The 2nd hole
Your tee shot on the second will test you again as it’s another shot over water although this time there is a bailout left. At 146 yards, this par 3 isn’t long however accuracy and picking the right club is key to making a par. The water isn’t really in play unless you underclub or hit it fat. This is a cracking short par 3.
Approach to the 9th green
The 9th is a lovely short par 4 measuring 348 yards. The tee shot is all about getting into position for your second shot. Ideally, you want to be in the right half of the fairway for the best line into the green. A decent drive will leave you a wedge into quite a small green with the water waiting if you chunk your approach shot. A real birdie chance if you can judge the approach shot well.
The Back Nine
Our favourite holes on the back nine were the 13th, 16th and 18th holes. Two of these, the 13th and 18th were par 5’s and both are decent birdie opportunities if you get your drive up the fairway.
The 13th hole
The 13th hole is a par 5 that measures 523 yards. Your second shot plays uphill to another small green protected by a bunker short and left. It is reachable in two if you get a good drive away but beware of the out-of-bounds beyond the green. The green is sloping from left to right so two putts are not a given. Take care while putting on this green.
The Closing Stretch
Approach to the 16th green
The 16th hole takes you back to the clubhouse. It’s another short par 4 of only 352 yards. If you can get a drive away down the left side of the fairway then the water isn’t in play, unless the pin is on the right side of the green. You can be aggressive on this hole as your approach will only be with a wedge. A good birdie opportunity.
The 18th hole at Nestares is a birdie opportunity. A par 5 of 537 yards, it’s reachable if you get a good drive away. The second shot plays slightly uphill but as you are playing at a couple of thousand feet above sea level then the ball will fly slightly further. That and the fact that the fairways were firm and running meant we had a chance of a closing birdie. How did we do? Watch the video below to find out.
The closing hole
Outstanding Food and Wine
On our trip to the Costa Verde, we ate in a number of the clubs we visited. However, the ambience and the food at Nestares were the best of our trip. For only €20, you get a three-course meal with a half bottle of wine. There are three choices per course so plenty to choose from.
The starter
Our starter was vermicelli with rice, mushrooms and prawns It was delicious. We nearly had the tuna stew starter but when we saw the size of it, we were glad we didn’t, it was big and we would have struggled with our next two courses if we had chosen it.
The main course
Another reason to not have the tuna stew starter was that we had chosen tuna steak for our main. What we didn’t expect was four, yes four tuna steaks with our roasted vegetables. Again it was excellent and was washed down with a local Rioja. This day was getting better and better.
The dessert
We finished our meal with the Arroz con leche, a cold rice pudding with cinnamon. We wouldn’t go as far as to say that it is an acquired taste but it’s one of those marmite dishes. You either love it or hate it. We loved it and scoffed the lot.
In Our Opinion
What made our day at Nestares wonderful was the whole package. Both the golf course and the clubhouse experience afterwards. The golf course was in good condition and the fairways and greens were excellent. We found out after our golf that €2 million had recently been invested into the greens and fairways as well as new equipment.
Before we went out to play, the clubhouse was very quiet. We teed off at about 11 am so when we returned at 2.30 pm, the upstairs restaurant was mobbed. The menu del dia (menu of the day) had attracted over 100 diners on a Friday afternoon. In the restaurant, it was buzzing and everyone was enjoying the food and wine. The golf, the company (Thanks Jaime), the food and the wine made for a great day out. Safe to say, Nestares has been added to the Costa Verde Golf portfolio. We hope you take the time to add it to your schedule.
Jaime and Tony
Thank you to Jaime, Tony and all the team at Costa Verde Golf on our third trip to the region. Your knowledge, hospitality and friendship are much appreciated and I am delighted to accept your kind offer to be an ambassador for Costa Verde Golf going forward. Muchas gracias, mi amigos!!
At a Glance
- One hour drive from Santander
- Driving range and short game practice area
- Recent investment in the course and equipment
- Wonderful views of the Cantabrian mountains
- For the Campo de Golf Nestares website, click here
- For more info on the trips Costa Verde Golf have available, click here
And Finally…
Thank you for reading our articles and we hope you continue to do so. If you have any suggestions on any courses/clubs/resorts we should visit in 2025, please email me at [email protected]
Salut!!
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