GUIDE TO THE BEST GOLF COURSES ON THE COSTA DEL SOL
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There is a good reason the Costa del Sol is often dubbed the “Costa del Golf”. With over 70 great golf courses to choose from, a golf trip to the Costa del Sol will not disappoint.
With its lush climate, proximity to Malaga airport and famous Spanish hospitality, Marbella is a golfer’s paradise. A trip to the south of Spain offers more than just great golfing, however. The area is known for scenic views, stunning coastline and excellent nightlife. The advanced golfing scene here means there are many high-quality venues to practise your golf, with international players, coaches and a large golf community on the Costa Del Sol.
On the Costa del Sol, golf lovers can enjoy the golf courses distributed throughout the province. Some of the destinations with the Marbella golf courses are Estepona, Mijas and Benahavís concentrate the great majority of them, however there are also courses of recognized level and prestige in other places such as Axarquia and Antequera.
The truth is that we have a history, tradition and excellence in golf. A few minutes from Marbella, in Sotogrande, we have one of the most famous and awarded golf courses, the Real Club Valderrama. Considered since 1990 the number 1 course in Continental Europe and has been included in all the rankings of the 100 best courses in the world. It is a par 71 measuring 6,418 meters from the Championship Tees. The fairways of the course have been described by experts and professional players as the best in Europe, if not the World. It has hosted the historic 1997 Ryder Cup (the first outside the British Isles) or the American Express World Championship in 1999 (won by Tiger Woods) and 2000 (Mike Weir).
Valderrama Golf Club
Valderrama has been consistently ranked as number 1 in Continental Europe since the late 80’s and has been included in the Top 100 in the World since 1990.
The Par 71 Championship Course measures 6418 meters from the professional tees. The fairways have been described by top pros and leading golf writers as the best in Europe, if not the world. It is not an easy course – nor was it intended to be. It is designed so as to call forth thought and precision for every shot.
Finca Cortesin Golf Club
Finca Cortesin is globally renowned for providing one of Europe’s most unforgettable golf experiences. Rated among Spain’s best golf courses, including by the prestigious Golf Digest magazine, the harmonious relationship between the natural Mediterranean landscape and environment on the resort’s world-class 18-hole championship course make for a most attractive design, while the excellent weather we enjoy all year round provides the perfect setting for playing golf.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Los Naranjos is one of the best golf courses in Spain. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1977. Major improvements in the field, the clubhouse and the practice field have been carried out during the summer 2009 and now offer our members and visitors a complete golf facilities first class equally appreciated by the golfer middle level for low handicaps and professionals.Los Naranjos Golf Course is located in the famous “Golf Valley of Marbella”, just a few minutes from Puerto Banus.
Real Club De Golf Las Brisas
For its design he chose the American, Robert Trent Jones, already considered one of the best golf course designers in the world. He had just finished building the golf course at Sotogrande and after Las Brisas, went on to design Los Naranjos and Valderrama.
The course includes numerous water obstacles: there are ten artificial lakes fed by two streams. The greens, the majority of which are raised, are amply protected by bunkers. The results of Robert Trent Jones’s efforts, which we continue to enjoy today, were truly notable and original, obtaining a difficult and attractive course. He was also original in his choice of Bermuda grass for the fairways and Pencross Bent on the greens, unusual species in the Europe of the sixties. The outcome of all this is a round which requires a precision game of golf.
Aloha Golf Club
Aloha has hosted the PGA Tour 3 times in recent years and is one of the top courses in Spain. A parkland course of Par 72 it is laid out in the traditional way with 4 par 5′s, 10 par 4′s and 4 par 3′s’ distributed evenly between the two nines.At 6,293m (6,882 yards), from the white markers, the course requires accuracy from the tee and a good touch around the greens. The course undulates through trees and lakes with outstanding views of ‘La Concha’ mountain and the Mediterranean Sea.The course designer, Javier Arana, further enhanced the playing experience by planting a wide range of trees and shrubs that provide beautiful displays of colour throughout the year.
Rio Real
Río Real golf course is one of the privileged few on the Costa del Sol to enjoy a frontline beach position. And as well as two holes almost on the sands, Río Real offers views of the Mediterranean from wherever you are on the course.
The 4th and 5th have the best sea views, especially the 4th since you play the ball in a southerly direction towards the Mediterranean. Of course being right on the seafront comes with additional challenges the ocean breeze can make it difficult to get your direction right – but having sea views more than makes up for it.
La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort
The new Links Course, has one of the best views of the entire municipality of San Roque over the Mediterranean and is the only Links-style course in southern Spain. It has 18 holes par 72, and it was opened in 1992; nowadays, has been recently redesigned by Kurtis Bowman and is now a modern golf course sustainable. The renovation of the NEW Links has meant the reconstruction of all the tees, complex of greens and bunkers, redesign of a series of holes, housing one of the largest greens in surface in Spain. It is a challenging course, with unique views, and with a quality in its route at the level of the best courses in Europe.
The San Roque Club
San Roque hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup Gala Dinner and was the base for both teams as they competed in nearby Valderrama. In addition, San Roque was the home of the European Tour Qualifying School Finals from 1993 to 2007 as well as hosts of the Spanish Open (2005 & 2006). The San Roque Club offers 2 courses which are as fun to play as they are beautiful, all within a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Designed by the legendary Dave Thomas, the sensational Old Course is the pride of the club and is rated amongst the finest courses in Europe and always within the top 5 in Spain.
La Quinta Golf & Country Club
The Golf Club at La Quinta has been tested and tried by professional golf players including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Adam Scott, Annika Sorenstam and Mark O’Meara, as the home of the 2003, 2004, 2005, and the 2006 PGA Tour SKINS GAME events.
Several sets of tee boxes, including the Skins tees that play at nearly 7,200 yards, provide a length that is just right for your golf game. Dramatic water features and sand perils complement the golf course fairways, leading to the rolling greens. The natural California desert landscape of the surrounding Coachella Valley creates a boundary of play both beautiful and daunting.
The Golf Club at La Quinta opened for play in 2002 in the ever-beautiful and ever-developing City of La Quinta, which is located in the eastern half of Southern California’s Coachella Valley.
El Paraiso
Welcome to El Paraiso, the friendliest club on the coast. Designed by the legendary Gary Player in 1973, El Paraiso Golf has long been recognised as one of the best championship courses on the Costa del Sol.
Nestled between the La Concha mountain and the Mediterranean sea, the course offers a true test of golf for all levels of players, a challenging and enjoyable round guaranteed for visiting golfers and members alike.
La Cala Golf Resort
La Cala Resort: A golfing mecca in the heart of the Costa del Sol
Three superb championship courses, each presenting its own unique challenges, slot seamlessly into a natural undulating backdrop of stunningly beautiful trees and flowers, rich with birds and wildlife.
We’re passionate about our golfing pedigree and it shows. Designed by the renowned Cabell Robinson, each 18-hole course has been created to ensure a testing, yet truly exhilarating experience.
Situated in the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas with breath-taking views of the Andalusian countryside and distant Mediterranean, La Cala Resort is a golfing mecca only 30 minutes from Malaga Airport.
Don’t miss these exceptional golf courses on your Marbella trip. From challenging layouts to stunning scenery, they’ll impress any golfer. Tee off at these top-rated courses for an unforgettable experience.
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