Family Fun in the Sun
Lady Grumpy and her family have always been completely mad about crazy golf. It’s a long-standing tradition, honed over years of seaside holidays and fiercely contested family outings. More recently, this obsession has been generously passed on to Sir Grumpy, who was gently (and then not so gently) introduced to the wonderful world of windmills, ramps and brightly coloured balls.
Over the years, Lady Grumpy and her clan have tackled many of the great and glorious crazy golf “courses” that UK coastal towns have to offer. Once we found ourselves regularly holidaying in the Murcia region, it was only natural that this much-loved pastime would continue here too.
Now, to be clear, we are not proper golfers. We don’t wear the trousers, the funny shoes or brag about handicaps. That said, Mr Grumpy does play real golf a couple of times a year and firmly believes this makes him something of an expert. This belief is, of course, entirely unaffected by reality, especially when faced with a badly angled ramp or a mischievous rubber obstacle.
Last year we visited the crazy golf course near La Manga and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Lady G is happy to report she made the podium, albeit in third place, whilst Sir G was relegated to photographer as he came last! The course had its own unique hazards, including local toads whose guttural croaking provided a level of distraction no traditional obstacle could ever achieve. It wasn’t quite the best course we’ve ever played, that honour still belongs to a pirate-themed masterpiece in Great Yarmouth about six years ago, but it set a very respectable standard.
More recently, we heard about a new course “just up the road” in Los Alcázares. Excitement levels rose immediately. When we floated the idea to friends Gary and Jane who were staying with us and discovered they were equally keen, plans were swiftly made.
As is so often the case in Spain, we arrived at what appeared to be an industrial estate. And to be fair, it was an industrial estate. This caused brief concern, but any doubts vanished once we discovered the course itself. It turned out to be great fun: imaginative, well laid out, and clearly designed with enjoyment rather than seriousness in mind. And benefitted from a great café area too.
It was a little busy, so we skipped the first few holes and returned to them later, and with many people doing the same, it added a touch of chaos to proceedings, but as it’s a large open course, it was doable. By the time we finally sank the ball into the 18th hole, we’d enjoyed the perfect mix of questionable skill, competitive spirit, plenty of laughter, and the usual friendly rivalry that accompanies any crazy golf outing.
Our verdict? Thoroughly enjoyable.
Another worthy addition to our growing catalogue of crazy golf adventures. Definitely family friendly fun.
Here are details of both courses in the Murcia Region:
La Manga Adventure Golf | Cabo de Palos | Facebook
And if you’re in Great Yarmouth, we highly recommend Pirates Cove:
https://www.pirates-cove.co.uk
If you enjoy our stories and guides, please consider buying us a coffee. We’re a couple of pensioners who believe that joy is often found in the simple things – a good cup of coffee, a beautiful view, a shared laugh, and a new place to explore. Your support helps us continue our travels, discover hidden gems, and share honest stories about finding connection, adventure, and happiness at every stage of life. Every coffee is appreciated, and every contribution helps keep Grumpy Old Guides on the road.
Leave a Reply