We Tested Roda Golf's New Winter Tee Time Schedule This October

I set my alarm for 7am on a Saturday in October, on purpose, and nobody had to drag me out of bed. That's how good the new winter tee time schedule at Roda Golf sounds on paper. So I went and tested it properly, flask of coffee and all.

Short version: it works. Longer version below, because you know I can't help myself.

What Actually Changes in Winter

The summer pattern is simple. Get out early, finish before the heat flattens you, hide in the clubhouse by midday. October is a funny in-between month, and the winter schedule is the resort's way of catching up with the daylight.

Sunrise is now well after 8am by the end of the month (the clocks go back on the last Sunday), so the very early slots of high summer have gone. The first tee times start later, the gaps between groups are a touch more relaxed, and the last slots finish before the light starts to fade. Exact times shift as the month goes on, so ring the pro shop or check before you travel rather than trusting my memory of a Saturday morning.

What I noticed on the day:

• The first groups went off a bit later, which meant no frantic dash in the half dark.
• The pace felt properly civilised. Nobody was breathing down my neck on the 4th.
• Late morning slots were the busiest, which makes sense. That's when the temperature is just right for a polo shirt and a light layer.

If you're after a first look at the layout before you book, the Roda Golf course information page covers the holes and what to expect.

How the Day Went

I arrived about forty minutes before my slot. The car park was quiet, the air had that slightly damp, cool smell you only get here once the summer has properly let go, and the Mar Menor was flat as a mirror in the distance.

Warm-up was a pleasure. In July you rush the range because you're already sweating through your shirt. In October you can take your time, hit a few wedges, and actually feel your hands.

The Front Nine

The fairways were running nicely after a few dry days, with a bit of dew still hanging about on the early holes. Balls didn't roll quite as far as in August, so I clubbed up once or twice and still came up short on the 3rd. Embarrassing, but educational.

The greens were a touch slower first thing, then picked up as the sun dried them. If you've got a putting stroke that relies on pace, give yourself a few extra minutes on the practice green.

The Back Nine

By the turn I'd shed my jumper and was wishing I'd packed sun cream. Classic October. It was around 22 degrees by midday, perfect for golf and slightly too warm for the long trousers I'd chosen out of misplaced optimism.

No queues on the back nine at all. I finished in a little under four hours, which is the sort of round time I can only dream of in the busy spring weeks.

Is the Winter Schedule Worth Booking?

Yes, with a couple of caveats.

If you're a morning person, the first slots give you cool, quiet golf and a still course. If you're not, the mid-morning tee times are the sweet spot, and you'll be done in time for lunch with plenty of the afternoon left.

The caveat is weather. October on the Costa Cálida can throw a stormy day at you, the famous gota fría, when the rain arrives sideways and the roads fill with puddles. That's the exception, not the rule, but check the forecast and bring a waterproof anyway. Nobody has ever regretted packing one in Murcia and then not needing it.

Booking-wise, I'd say:

Weekends fill up first, as you'd expect, with the Sunday late morning slots going fastest. Midweek is a different world. If you can swing a Tuesday or Wednesday, you'll nearly have the place to yourself, and the Wednesday market in Los Alcázares makes a handy post-round stop for fruit, olives and a few things you didn't know you needed.

Where to Eat and Stay Afterwards

Post-round, I did what any sensible person does and went hunting for lunch. The menú del día in the villages around San Javier and Los Alcázares is still the best-value meal going. Three courses, bread, a drink, usually under 15 euros, and no one will rush you out of your seat. Order the grilled dorada if it's on, or anything involving Murcian vegetables.

If you fancy staying a few days to make the most of the schedule, there's a good choice of holiday rentals near Roda Golf, and October rates are generally kinder than peak summer. It's a sensible time to book a longer stay and mix golf with beach walks, because the sea is still warm enough for a quick dip if you're brave (I wasn't, but my mate Dave was, and he's still talking about it).

For wider ideas on what to do between rounds, the area guide for Los Alcázares and the Mar Menor is worth a skim. You can also browse more seasonal ideas on the Roda Golf Spain blog.

So, my verdict. The winter schedule suits the time of year, it makes the course feel calmer, and it takes the pressure off. I'll be back next week to see how it handles a proper cloudy day. Bring a layer, bring a ball marker, and for goodness' sake have a proper breakfast before you go.