Bit foggy, bit sunny – classic Cantabria mood. You pack your clubs, check the forecast (which lies anyway), and head down to Santa Marina Golf, thinking: "How hard can it be?" Well… turns out, kinda hard.
Let’s start with location – nestled in San Vicente de la Barquera, which honestly sounds like a name from a pirate map. It’s green, hilly, and quiet like someone pressed mute on the whole coast. You hear birds, not cars. Sometimes a cow. And when the fog rolls in, you feel like you’re playing in a postcard that forgot to load properly.
The course itself?
18 holes. Par 72. Designed by Seve Ballesteros – yea, the legend himself. So you already know this ain’t gonna be a walk in the park. Fairways look gentle from afar, but get closer and oops – you’re in a bunker. Or rough. Or both. And don’t get me started on hole 13, that one has beef with everyone.
There’s also this natural feel – not overly manicured like some fancy courses. It breathes. Trees grow where they want (well, kinda), the terrain’s not flattened out like a pancake, and if it rains – which it probably will – things get slippery real fast. Bring the right shoes. Or fall.
But it’s not just about the challenge.
There’s peace here. Like you hit a ball and just stand there watching it disappear into the fog. It’s weirdly poetic. Plus, the clubhouse is small but cozy. Coffee’s strong, staff smiles like they mean it, and the views from the terrace? Long green waves of fairway and misty hills. Could sit there for hours.
Oh and btw – don’t come expecting huge crowds or luxury everything. It’s low-key. Locals play here. Sometimes alone. Sometimes with dogs. And it’s better that way.
Tips from someone who nearly lost a 7-iron in a creek:
Bring extra balls. Seriously.
Rain jacket = must. Even in July.
Don’t try to play fast. Let the course set the tempo.
Hole 6 will test your patience. Hole 15 will reward it.
Ask the staff about the best seafood spot nearby – they know what’s up.
So yea – Santa Marina ain’t perfect. But it sticks with you. Like that one slightly crazy friend you always end up telling stories about. You leave wet, muddy, maybe a little grumpy, but already planning to come back.
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