Did you know that the Costa del Sol is the ideal place for those looking to combine their passion for golf with the possibility of acquiring a property in one of the most coveted areas of Europe? That’s right, golf on the Costa del Sol represents a perfect combination of sport, luxury and lifestyle. In fact, this coastal area of Spain meets the essential requirements of anyone looking to change their habitual residence: idyllic climate and dazzling beaches that leave anyone breathless.
Many golf courses on the Costa del Sol are strategically located near luxurious properties that offer panoramic views of both the sea and the mountains, making them the perfect place for anyone who wants to live close to their favourite pastime. The range of options is so wide that the province of Málaga has received the nickname of the Costa del Golf and its tourist office is trying to promote this brand.
Consequently, at Quadratia we want to offer you a detailed guide on the 10 best golf courses on the Costa del Sol based on the opinions of users and the quality of their facilities, as well as details on the properties available in their surroundings.
Prepare your best swing and let the game begin! Learn about the golf courses on the Costa del Sol.
How many golf courses has the Costa del Sol got?
According to the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, and given the latest data consulted, there are around 100 officially registered golf courses on the Costa del Sol. These courses are distributed along the coast, making this region one of the areas with the highest concentration of golf courses in Europe, as we’ve mentioned earlier. It attracts players from all over the world and offers a variety of the most picturesque gaming experiences.
Which province in Andalusia has the most golf courses on the Costa del Sol?
The province of Malaga clearly stands out as having the most golf courses in Andalusia, with municipalities such as Marbella, Mijas, Benahavís and Estepona being home to the largest number of them.
But Málaga not only enjoys being recognised as the Costa del Golf, it also offers a wide range of leisure and outdoor activities. If you’re someone who is passionate about golf and who also loves to explore and sightsee, don’t hesitate to check out this earlier article on what to see or do in Malaga city and province.
Likewise, and as we have mentioned before, this province seduces both tourists and locals with its dazzling coves and paradisiacal beaches, providing an ideal environment for playing golf and other recreational activities in an unparalleled Mediterranean setting.
How many golf courses has Málaga got?
In figures, Malaga stands out as the favourite destination for golf fans on the Costa del Sol, with no less than 50 golf courses registered with the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation. This number shows the deep tradition and dedication to golf in the province, demonstrating its firm commitment to the promotion and growth of the sport.
- Golf courses on the Costa del Sol in Málaga:
- Lauro Golf
- Alhaurín Golf Hotel & Resort
- Antequera Golf
- Club de Campo La Zagaleta
- Villa Padierna Golf Club
- Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club
- Torrequebrada Golf Course
- Benalmadena Golf
- Bil Golf
- Doña Julia Golf Club
- Finca Cortesín Golf Club
- Casares Costa Club
- Atalaya Golf & Country Club Internacional
- El Paraíso Golf Club
- Club de Golf El Coto
- Estepona Golf
- El Campanario Ocio y Turismo
- La Resina Golf & Country Club
- Valle Romano Golf & Resort
- Azata Golf
- Real Club de Campo de Málaga
- Real Club El Candado
- Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf
- Parador Málaga del Golf
- La Duquesa Golf & Country Club
- Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
- Marbella Golf & Country Club
- Greenlife Golf Club
- Río Real Golf
- Los Naranjos Golf Club
- Aloha Golf
- Cabopino Golf Marbella
- La Quinta Golf & Country Club
- Santa Clara Golf
- Santa María Golf & Country Club
- Banus Executive Golf
- Magna Marbella Golf
- Marbella Club Golf Resort
- El Higuera Golf
- Mijas Golf Internacional
- La Siesta Golf Club
- Miraflores Golf
- La Cala Resort
- La Noria Golf and Resort
- El Chaparral Golf Club
- Calanova Golf Club
- Club Deportivo Añoreta Golf
- Real Club de Golf Guadalmina
- Miguel Ángel Jiménez Golf School
- Baviera Golf
How many golf courses has the rest of the provinces of Andalusia got?
By comparison, Cádiz boasts 22 courses, Huelva and Almería eight, Seville six, Córdoba and Granada three each, and Jaén complements the offer with one course, offering options for both residents and visitors looking to enjoy this sport in any corner of Andalusia.
Let’s take a quick look at a summary of the best golf courses in the following most outstanding Andalusian province:
- Golf courses in Cádiz:
- Arcos Golf.
- Fairplay Golf & Spa Resort.
- Real Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club.
- Club de Golf Campano.
- Sancti Petri Hills Golf.
- La Estacia Golf.
- Chiclana Family Golf Park.
- Montecastillo Barceló Golf Club.
- Sherry Golf Jerez.
- Real Club de Golf Vista Hermosa.
- Villa Nueva Golf Resort.
- Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club.
- Rota Club de Golf.
- Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.
- Club de Golf La Cañada.
- Real Club Valderrama.
- San Roque Club.
- La Hacienda Alcaldesa Links
- Almenara Hotel – Golf.
- Club de Golf La Reserva de Sotogrande.
- La Luna de Doñana Club de Campo y Golf.
- Campo de Golf Dehesa Montenmedio.
Top 10 best golf courses on the Costa del Sol
Have you chosen your best golf clubs yet? Prepare your master stroke, since Quadratia is going to take you on a tour of the 10 best golf courses on the Costa del Sol aboard our buggy.
Remember that the selection of these courses is based on the opinions of users regarding the excellence of their facilities and the surrounding landscape. So, it is possible that some of the courses mentioned below do not appear in the previous list.
Ready for the challenge? We have 10 holes ahead of us!
Club de Golf Finca Cortesín
Located in the city of Casares, Málaga, the Finca Cortesin Golf Club is renowned for offering one of the most memorable golf experiences in Europe. The aesthetics of Cabell B. Robinson’s field are complemented by the work of the landscape designer Gerald Huggan, who enhanced the natural beauty of the environment. The 18-hole course stands out for the integration of 20 varieties of flora, a Mediterranean forest and the well-known and perfectly maintained Bermuda grass.
Accordingly, the Finca Cortesín Golf Club has hosted the Volvo World Match Play Championship on multiple occasions, one of the most important professional tournaments in the world of golf. These events have significantly contributed to cementing Finca Cortesín’s reputation as an elite destination for professional golf, highlighting its position as one of the most distinguished and sought-after golf courses on the Costa del Sol.
And there’s more: the estate has the prestigious Nicklaus Academy Finca Cortesín. This academy offers an exceptional educational experience in the field of golf, providing high-quality training and lessons for players of all levels.
Estepona Golf
In an incomparable setting where the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the green of the Sierra Bermeja comel together, Estepona Golf stands out as an emblem of the city of Estepona, in Málaga. This 18-hole golf course presents a series of challenges designed to test the accuracy and strategy of golfers.
Throughout the year, it hosts different competitions and senior tournaments that are welcomed by golfers in the area. Likewise, Estepona Golf offers a full range of additional services to enhance the gaming experience. The clubhouse has changing rooms, a bar and restaurant area where players can relax and socialise.
Estepona Golf is located near Quadratia’s Isea Estepona I and Isea Estepona II housing developments, making it an ideal option for residents looking to enjoy golf without going too far from home.
In addition, there is a well-stocked golf shop and it offers club, track and buggy rentals for those who need equipment.
Valle Romano Golf & Resort
Just 13 minutes from Estepona Golf is Valle Romano Golf & Resort. Located in Estepona (Málaga), this jewel of the Costa del Sol is designed according to the high standards of the United States Golf Association (USGA) by the prestigious Cabell B. Robinson and based on the ideals of his mentor, Robert Trent Jones. Enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and Gibraltar, enriching your gaming experience.
The resort is spread over 60 hectares, including a 5 km circuit. Among its 18 holes, it stands out for having an average of five tees per hole and wide greens that challenge players with various flag positions. Its practice area includes a driving range with 20 bays and a putting green of 600 square meters, equipped for the exhaustive practice of putting.
Among the additional services, Valle Romano Golf has the Columela gourmet restaurant, a golf shop, changing rooms and sauna, as well as trolley and buggy rentals, all designed to offer maximum comfort to its guests.
It’s also got its own golf school. The Valle Romano Golf Academy is a learning center for amateur players, which provides structured training, private lessons and improvement courses guided by a professional team.
Just like the course we’ve mentioned above, this golf course on the Costa del Sol is located near the housing developments Isea Estepona I and Isea Estepona II housing developments by Quadratia.
Club de Golf La Zagaleta
Thus, the Club de Golf La Zagaleta, located in Benahavís (Marbella), Málaga, is one of the most outstanding private golf courses on the Costa del Sol, given its impressive landscapes within the Mediterranean forest environment. Its two golf courses offer spectacular views of the Alborán Sea, Africa and Gibraltar.
The club has two fabulous golf courses:
- Campo Old: Originally designed in 1991 by Bradford Benz and redesigned in 2016 by Marc Westenborg, this 18-hole course integrates harmoniously with the local fauna and flora, a key aspect of the course’s design.
- Campo New: Designed by Steve Marnoch, it is an exclusive par 70 golf course, also with 18 holes, which stands out for its unique challenging greens.
Likewise, the club, in addition to being an exclusive private club that offers a comprehensive experience to its members and visitors, has a restaurant and brings together first-class facilities and a variety of activities, such as cycling and hiking, paddle tennis and tennis courts, as well as an equestrian area for lovers of horse riding.
Marbella Club Golf Resort
Designed by Dave Thomas, the Marbella Club Golf Resort, located in Benahavís, near Marbella, Málaga, is an outstanding 18-hole golf course on the Costa del Sol with a 6,247-metre course. It’s characterised by its carefully laid-out fairways, beautiful waterfalls and strategically located bunkers. Its rolling greens are well protected and kept in perfect condition, which increases the challenge and beauty of the game.
This course has been made with Bermuda grass 419 on fairways and tees, a combination of three grasses on the antegreens and a new variety of American grass on the greens themselves. This meticulous design ensures a high-quality gaming experience. As a highlight, the seven-hole tee, the highest point on the course, offers spectacular panoramic views of the coast, Gibraltar and Africa, adding to the unparalleled playing experience.
Likewise, the Marbella Club Golf Resort offers another series of additional services including: the clubhouse and restaurant, a golf shop, changing rooms, golf lessons and driving range, club rental and maintenance, buggies and an equestrian centre.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Los Naranjos Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Spain and has been awarded “Golf Course of the Year” on the Costa del Sol in 2005 and 2008. Located in Marbella (Málaga), it boasts a proven golf academy under the coaching of Daniel Williams, a member of the British PGA.
It is one of the classic golf courses on the Costa del Sol by Robert Trent Jones: 18 holes par 72, with wide fairways and bunkers, as well as water hazards, strategically located to increase challenge and fun. The greens, with Penn A4 grass, are wide and rolling. The tees are long and have four positions – red, yellow, white and black – offering course lengths ranging from 5,054 to 6,564 metres, adapted to players of different levels.
Since its opening in 1977, Los Naranjos Golf Club has hosted several professional tournaments, such as the Marbella Ladies Open and the APG Professional Championship. The club has a clubhouse, golf shop, practice area with seven different greens, chipping area between the driving range and the putting green, and an exclusive area for members. In addition, it offers restaurants, changing rooms, hairdressing, physiotherapy and massages, which enrich the guests’ experience.
Santa María Golf & Country Club
Between the lush valley of the picturesque city of Marbella (Málaga), the Santa Maria Golf & Country Club is located. A golf course noted for its natural design and top-quality services. Surrounded by rich vegetation composed of pines, oaks, cork oaks and olive trees, with a small stream that flows along much of the course that creates a serene and challenging environment for golfers.
The course consists of 18 holes. The first round presents a greater challenge with three par five holes, while the second round, with three par three holes, is more forgiving and offers more opportunities for recovery for players. In addition, the club hosts senior competitions, reflecting its dedication to encouraging golf among players of all ages and abilities.
In addition to golf facilities, the club offers a variety of additional services, including a restaurant, tennis court, shop, changing rooms and sauna, which makes it an ideal place to relax and also enjoy other leisure activities.
Golf Torrequebrada
Under lush vegetation and with an unbeatable climate, the Torrequebrada Golf Course in Benalmádena, Málaga, is an outstanding 18-hole golf course with views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, strategically located between lakes and bunkers.
This golf course on the Costa del Sol has large greens with significant drops, offering an interesting challenge for golfers. The streets are framed by a wide variety of trees, including palm, pine and olive trees, creating a natural and serene environment. The tees, mostly elevated, allow players to appreciate the configuration of each hole and plan their game.
It has a 300-metre-long driving range, which includes 15 positions on the teeline, a putting green, bunker and a short playing area, ideal for warming up before a round or improving different aspects of the game. The club also offers private and group classes, with a golf academy and a club repair service, which facilitates learning and continuous improvement for players of all levels.
It organises competitions for senior players and the club also has a restaurant, shop and changing rooms, offering comfort and convenience to members and visitors.
La Cala Golf Club
We now move on to Mijas, Málaga, in order to discover the La Cala Golf Club complex. A resort that offers a unique experience to golfers of all levels, thanks to its three courses designed by Cabell Robinson.
Costa del Sol Golf Courses located in La Cala Golf Club
Let’s take a quick look at the three golf courses on the Costa del Sol located at La Cala Golf Club:
- American countryside: with 6,009 meters and 18 par 72 holes. It stands out for its impressive views of the Sierra de Ojén and the Mediterranean, a wide course with few bunkers, and a mountainous topography with slopes and small elevated greens that require a precise selection of the club. Holes 9 and 16 present challenging water hazards. It has five par five holes.
- Asian countryside: it is known for being the oldest and most challenging course at La Cala Golf Club. It has 5,925 meters and 18 par 72 holes. Formerly called Campo Sur, it is characterised by its narrow and short fairways, with four par five holes that require special skill, especially in short approach strokes. Holes 3, 5, 10, 14 and 18 are particularly notable.
- Europe countryside: measures 6,014 meters and has 18 par 71 holes. This course is wider and flatter than the other two, ideal for mid-level golfers. It has a main bridge and four other bridges over the River Ojén, as well as tunnels for buggies. The 14th hole is a challenging par 3 of 233 metres, and the 11th hole is the longest with 524 metres.
Services of La Cala Golf Club
The Cala Golf Club offers individual and group classes taught by multilingual professionals, suitable for both beginners and experienced players at its golf academy La Cala Golf Academy. Lessons are held both on the courses and at the golf school. It has a par three training course with six holes ideal for playing the short game, being one of the best training centres on the Costa del Sol.
In relation to and among its additional services, the club offers club rental, SPA, restaurant, winery, gym, paddle courts, tennis and a football field, thus expanding the range of leisure and wellness options for its visitors.
Cabopino Golf Marbella
Lastly, the Cabopino Golf Marbella is a renowned 18-hole golf course located in one of the most beautiful areas of Marbella (Málaga), offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The ideal weather conditions throughout the year make it a perfect destination for golfers of all levels.
The Cabopino Golf Academy offers modern teaching and training technologies, with professional coaches whose goal is to train both beginners and experienced golfers looking to improve their skills. The course also hosts senior tournaments throughout the year, offering players the opportunity to compete in a professional and friendly environment.
Enjoy a wide range of additional services such as the rental of buggies, caddy master, manual and electric carts, a golf shop, putting green, a cosy restaurant, changing rooms and a driving range.
Bonus track: iconic courses by Robert Trent Jones
And as if this weren’t enough, at Quadratia we bring you two of the golf courses in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia recognised in the world golf panorama for holding important tournaments and designed by Robert Trent Jones, one of the most famous golf course designers in history.
Learn all about them.
Real Club de Valderrama
Without a doubt, the Real Club de Valderrama, located in Sotogrande (Cádiz), stands as one of the most emblematic golf courses on the Costa del Sol (Spain).Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr, the course features 18 holes and stretches over nearly 6,500 metres of surface area carefully integrated into the natural environment, offering a breath-taking landscape that makes it one of the most outstanding courses in Europe.
The club has hosted numerous prestigious professional tournaments, including the 1997 Ryder Cup, an event of significant importance in the world of golf, where Europe triumphed under the leadership of Severiano Ballesteros. Moreover, the course continued to host events, such as the LIV Golf in June 2023, attracting some of the world’s best players.
Similarly, the Clubhouse on its premises features the well-known Valderrama restaurant (usually exclusive to members but sometimes accepting external reservations), the spiker bar, ideal for a hearty breakfast or brunch before or after a game, and sports changing rooms that are highly equipped.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande
Just 150 metres from the Mediterranean Sea, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, located in the exclusive area of Sotogrande (Cádiz), is one of the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol recognised worldwide. Opened in 1964, this prestigious course was the first design by Robert Trent Jones in Europe. Of the more than 500 courses he designed worldwide, Trent Jones included Sotogrande among his five favourites, as mentioned in his 1988 book “Golf magnificent challenge”.
The golf course is a par 72 of 18 holes, extending over 6,492 meters. It has unique features such as long tees, wide fairways and elevated, subtly shaped fast greens. In addition, of the approximately 100 bunkers on the course, 69 are located around the greens, demanding extreme precision from players.
Likewise, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande has been the scene of numerous prestigious tournaments, reflecting its quality in the list of winners, which includes legends such as Severiano Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, Roberto de Vicenzo, Sergio García, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy. These players are just a few examples of the high level of competition that Real Club de Golf Sotogrande has hosted over the years.
Sale of homes on the Costa del Sol
To conclude, we at Quadratia understand how difficult it is to find the perfect home that aligns with your aspirations and lifestyle.That’s why we’ve compiled an exclusive selection of newly built homes, located in the best coastal areas on the Costa del Sol. With our advice, you will discover this idyllic place just a few steps away from renowned golf courses and you will be able to enjoy one of the best gastronomic areas in Spain.
Explore other fascinating areas such as the Costa Blanca or the Costa Cálida and discover the best cities to live in Spain.
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