Costa del Sol Golf Course Guide
If you like golfing holidays - you don't have to look much further!
They call it the Costa del Golf - and with nearly 60 golf courses in Andalucia, including more than 30 are on the Costa del Sol, it's easy to see why! With year round sun the Costa del Sol is perfect for your golfing vacation; and Estepona is ideally situated for these many championship courses.
Among my personal favourites are:
Estepona - A welcome change from its manicured neighbours. Although relatively short the course is up and down ... you are advised to hire a buggy.
Valderrama - Host to the '97 Ryder Cup and San Roque - a venue for the PGA European Tour Qualifying School (20 minutes from Estepona).
Rio Real - (35 mins from Estepona) With wonderful views, well established trees that give much appreciated shade plus the River Real which intersects the course at several points.....golf here is a very pleasant experience.
Mijas Los Lagos (45 mins from Estepona) - wide fairways, large raised greens and a monster 571 metre par 5, 5th - quite interesting!
Courses
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Alhaurin Golf & Country Club
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Alhaurin (located Alhaurin El Grande 4 km) 18 hole, 5857 metres, par 72.
It's a new course designed by Seve Ballesteros and is particularly attractive because of its bright green fairways amidst the mountains and natural dark green vegetation. Its main characteristic is its hilly design which is largely adapted to the natural form of the surroundings.
Alcaidesa Golf
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Alcaidesa (San Roque) 18 hole, 5385 metres, par 71.
Alcaidesa Links Golf Club, which opened in 1992, is an experience that cannot be found elsewhere in Spain. It is the first true links course in the country, located to the west of San Roque, in an area rich with enthusiastic golfers.
Almenara Golf
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Almenara (Valderrama, San Roque) 27 holes allowing you to enjoy up to three different 18-hole combinations, all with a par of 72.
The fairways wander among exceptionally beautiful natural landscapes, amidst two large lakes surrounded by pine and cork oak trees, which take on a singular prominence.
The course was designed by the renowned golfing innovator Dave Thomas and constitutes an impassioned challenge for even the most experienced golfers.
Atalaya Golf & Country Club
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Atalaya (San Pedro) 36 hole, 5848/5101 metres, par 72.
One of the most popular courses on the Costa del Sol since opening in 1966. Situated between Marbella and Estepona, it is suitable for all levels of play from total beginners to professionals. Also a large driving range; tuition available.
El Paraiso Golf
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El Paraiso (Estepona, Marbella 14 km) 18 hole, 5729 metres, par 71.
Situated in a valley surrounded by hills with magnificent views of the coast. Designed by Gary Player; friendly atmosphere and weekly competitions.
Estepona Golf
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Estepona (Estepona 2 km) 18 hole, 5610 metres, par 72.
This wild course is a pleasing contrast to the manicured courses of the coast. Although relatively short, the course is up and down and a buggy is advisable.
Guadalhorce Club de Golf
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Guadalhorce (Campanillas, inland - Malaga airport 7 km) 18 hole, 5860 metres, par 72.
It's friendly family atmosphere is probably the main feature of this course. The front nine has an English parkland type design, whereas the second has more elevated greens and hilly fairways.
Guadalmina Real Club de Golf
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Guadalmina (San Pedro) 36 hole, 5874/5674 metres, par 72/71.
The north course was opened in 1973 and is shorter and more hilly than the South course and presents several difficult lakes. It requires a precise drive through the middle of the fairways so as not to end up in one of the water hazards.
The South course is the older of the two and is famous for its high difficulty level; suitable for the more experienced player.
La Cala Golf Resort
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La Cala (Mijas Costa) 36 hole, 5454/5782 metres, par 72/73.
La Cala features 54 holes, a David Leadbetter Golf Academy and a 6 hole par 3 course. Both full length courses require good shotmaking to elevated greens and reward accuracy rather than power off the tees. Club hire is available (Callaway & Taylormade).
Campo America (6009m par 72), formerly the North Course is in eagle country with breathtaking views across the south course towards the sea. Campo Asia, formerly the South Course is pretty spectacular. With plenty of challenging holes along the way, you are guaranteed a testing round of golf. Campo Europa (6014m, par 71) was opened in 2005 - The fairways are generous from the tees and the greens are slightly larger than on the existing courses. They are not severely contoured but are well bunkered and will be easier for the average golfer.
There is also an excellent country club with squash, tennis, sauna and swimming.
La Duquesa Golf & Country Club
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La Duquesa (Manilva, Estepona 10 km) 18 hole, 5575 metres, par 72.
La Duquesa offers an interesting and varied game due to its long fairways and has two distinctly different parts. The first 9 has wide fairways although the greens will supply difficulties; the second 9 has narrow fairways and high greens.
La Quinta
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La Quinta (Puerto Banus, Nueva Andalucia) 27 hole, 5333/5489/5540 metres, par 72/72/72.
Consists of three combinable courses. Although apparently easy, it is in fact very demanding due to the design of the fairways and the excellent quality of its greens.
Lauro Golf
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Lauro (Alhaurin de la Torre) 27 holes that can be played in 3 different combinations, all par 72.
One of the newer courses in the Malaga area. Situated 300 metres above sea level, Lauro Golf offers spectacular views of the valley of Malaga and the Mediterranean Sea.
Most of the holes are cut between lines of olive trees; to add to the difficulty there are several carefully placed water hazards. The clubhouse is an old Cortijo built around a shaded courtyard and its open restaurant is perfect for dining out on a warm evening.
Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club
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Los Arqueros (San Pedro 5 km) 18 hole, 5684 metres, par 72.
The first course on the Costa del Sol designed by Seve Ballesteros; in its construction over a million cubic metres of earth was moved. Set in the mountains the landscape is breathtaking, yet the course is said to be easy to walk.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
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Los Naranjos (Puerto Banus, Nueva Andalucia) 18 hole, 6038 metres, par 72.
Rates itself as 'The Costa del Sol's friendly golf club'. Long terraced tees and large undulating greens are the unmistakable hallmarks of a Robert Trent-Jones design. Maximum use has been made of the orange trees from which the course takes its name. Maintenance is a priority here.
Marbella Golf
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Marbella (Marbella 8 km) 18 hole, 5679 metres, par 72.
This is a very competitive course, demanding much precision, as its fairways are rather narrow and surrounded by hills and slopes. The greens are especially difficult because there are no straight putts.
Very entertaining.
Mijas Golf International
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Mijas (Fuengirola) 36 hole, 5973/5866 metres, par 71/72.
Mijas Golf is probably the busiest, most popular golf complex on the Costa del Sol. It has two 18 hole layouts which are ideal for enjoyable holiday golf.
Los Lagos which opened in 1976 was designed by Robert Trent-Jones and has all his hallmarks - wide fairways, large raised greens and an extravagant application of vast bunkers and water. The course is virtually free of rough and is practically flat except for a slight incline. The par 5, 5th is a 571 metre monster....quite interesting!
The newer Los Olivos (1984) is a bit shorter, less water but more trees and narrower fairways than its sister course. This course favours the precision golfer rather than the big hitter.
Miraflores Golf
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Miraflores (Mijas Costa) 18 hole, 5190 metres, par 70.
One of the Costa del Sol's top leisure and resort developments. Miraflores is located in the hills of the Mijas Costa which offer breathtaking views. There is also a floodlit driving range and golf academy which offers professional instruction.
Parador de Golf - Malaga
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Parador (Malaga, nr airport) 18 hole, 6204 metres, par 72.
Inaugurated by the Spanish Royal Family in 1925, it is the oldest course on the coast. The layout is part links with natural lagoons formed by sea water and part parkland with tree lined avenues.
Rio Real Golf Resort
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Rio Real (3 km East of Marbella) 18 hole, 5886 metres, par 72.
Designed by Spain's number one golf architect, Javier Arana. With wonderful views, well established trees that give much appreciated shade plus the River Real which intersects the course at several points.....golf here is a very pleasant experience.
San Roque Golf
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San Roque ( San Roque) 36 hole, Old Course 6048 metre, par 72, New Course 6497 metre par 72.
The Andalucian headquarters of the PGA European Tour. The course is challenging but very enjoyable for both professionals and amateurs alike; the clubhouse is one of the most welcoming anywhere and the restaurant is worth a visit.
Santa Maria Golf
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Santa Maria (Mijas Costa) 18 hole, 5366 metres, par 70.
The course traces the contours of the valley and offers distracting views of the Mediterranean. The front nine are shorter and more complicated than the back nine which are flatter and have wider fairways; greens are generally spacious.
Santana Golf
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Santana Golf is an 18 Hole golf course par 72 of approx. 6207 metres in length, set in 138 acres of picturesque parkland.
The course, sympathetically laid out by the architect Cabell B. Robinson, is set in a former avocado plantation which provided a natural solution to many problems. The final result is a magnificent course with wide and well defined fairways on level terrain, hence easily walkable, where water features play an important albeit not excessive part in the overall design.
Sotogrande Golf
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Sotogrande (Sotogrande) 18 hole, 5853 metres, par 72.
The Club de Golf Sotogrande was founded in 1964 and is located in beautiful natural surroundings. The Course RSGC is considered as one of the masterpieces of Robert Trent Jones who chose this course as one of his five favourites from more than 500 courses he designed worldwide according to what he wrote in his book GOLF – THE MAGNIFICENT CHALLENGE – published in 1988.
Torrequebrada Golf
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Torrequebrada (Benalmadena Costa) 18 hole, 5513 metres, par 72.
Opened in 1976, this is one of Spain's best loved courses. It has hosted many world class tournaments including the Spanish Open. Because of the large number of lakes and strategically placed bunkers, every hole is a different experience for the player.
Valderrama
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Valderrama (Sotogrande/San Roque) 18 hole, 5864 metres, par 71.
Few introductions are needed to Spain's most famous club. For 9 years it was home to the PGA European Tour's grand finale and the Volvo Masters - it then moved up a class to host the 1997 Ryder Cup. Valderrama is a Robert Trent-Jones masterpiece and with the care heaped on it by the club owner and president there is little wonder it is rated the No.1 course in Europe.
Contrary to common belief, the club is not a members-only fiefdom but is open every day to fee paying guests.