La Zagaleta

Los Barrancos occupies rugged terrain in the hills above Marbella within La Zagaleta, one of Europe's most exclusive private residential estates. Jonathan Gaunt and Steve Marnoch designed the course to work with the property's dramatic natural topography, characterized by steep elevation changes, deep ravines (barrancos), and dense Mediterranean vegetation. The routing moves through cork oak forests and across rocky outcroppings, with fairways that rise and fall significantly from tee to green. The design requires careful navigation rather than overwhelming length, as the terrain itself provides much of the challenge. The course sits at elevation, offering views across the Costa del Sol toward the Mediterranean and inland toward the Serranía de Ronda mountains. Several holes play across or alongside the ravines that give the course its name, demanding precise shot placement where recovery options are limited. The conditioning reflects the estate's resources, with fairways and greens maintained to high standards despite the challenging growing environment of the Andalusian climate. La Zagaleta operates as an ultra-private community with strict access limitations. The estate encompasses thousands of acres and includes a second course, also designed by Gaunt and Marnoch. Membership is by invitation and closely held, with the club maintaining a low profile consistent with the residential enclave's emphasis on privacy and security. The facilities serve a small, international membership base.