Costa del Golf Holidays: Every golfer’s dream

Discover why Spain’s Costa del Golf is the ideal destination for golf lovers from all over the world.

The Costa del Golf is another name for the Costa del Sol, a beautiful holiday destination in the south of Spain. Stretching from Marbella to Sotogrande, the Costa del Golf boasts more than 70 golf courses, designed by some of the world’s best golf architects.

This is an ideal destination for golf lovers from all over the world. Thanks to the warm and sunny climate, you can play golf at any time of the year under blue skies. However, the peak golf season in Marbella is Spring and Autumn.

Legendary figures such as Robert Trent Jones, Severiano Ballesteros, and Jack Nicklaus have designed some exceptional golf courses on the Costa del Sol. These golf courses offer a unique and complete experience, with a great variety of challenges and different terrains, from mountain golf courses to seaside golf courses. There are also golf shops in Marbella where you can pick up any additional equipment or clothing during your stay. Away from the fairways, golfers love the amazing restaurants, nightlife, shopping and things to do, making this a complete destination for golfers and their families.

Let’s dig a little deeper on what makes this such as special place for a golfing holiday.

Why is the Costa del Sol called the Golf Coast?

Golf came to the Costa del Sol in 1925, when the first course opened in Malaga in 1925. Although Marbella didn’t get a course until 1959, once the first course opened its doors, the floodgates also opened and in the 1960s three fantastic courses were opened in Marbella alone.

Since then, the growth has been exponential and Andalucia now has more golf clubs than any other autonomous community in Spain. The biggest names in golf course design have left their mark and there are now over 70 courses in a relatively small area.

Although there are courses from Malaga to Sotogrande, there are three main areas with a particularly high density of quality courses. Marbella and Nueva Andalucia have 20 courses, including Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Club de Golf Aloha, and Club de Golf La Quinta, among others and Nueva Andalucia is also known as Golf Valley. Estepona boasts seven courses, including Valle Romano Golf Club, designed by the renowned professional golfer, Cesar Villarreal. Last, but certainly not least is Sotogrande, well known for its eight impressive golf courses. The Real Club Valderrama is one of the most famous golf courses in the area and considered the best course in Spain. It has hosted several important golf events, including the Ryder Cup in 1997 and there are many more exceptional courses to be found in this beautiful area.

Golf courses on the Costa del Sol

Given the range of golf courses to choose from on the Costa del Golf, the issue won’t be finding a place to play, but rather choosing which ones to pick! There’s something to fit every skill level and budget.

We’re passionate about golf at Vacation Marbella and here are our top picks!

Marbella Golf and Country Club

A few kilometres from the city of Marbella, there is an 18-hole, par 72 golf course that is considered a jewel in the Costa del Sol. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior in 1989, the course takes advantage of its mountainous location to offer spectacular views through ravines, valleys and undulating terrain. It has gained a reputation for being one of the most challenging and outstanding golf experiences on the Costa del Sol, with the first nine holes cut into the hillside and the flatter back nine.

Real Club Valderrama

Since 1988, the Valderrama golf course has been ranked as the best golf course in continental Europe and is a coveted destination for many golfers around the world. Originally opened in 1974, the course was renovated and reopened in 1985 by its owner Jaime Ortiz Patiño. The course gained worldwide attention when it became the home of the Volvo Masters from 1988 until 1996, and again from 2002 to 2008. It has also hosted major events such as the Ryder Cup in 1997, the AMEX World Championships, the Andalucia Masters, and the Open de España, making it a privileged destination for golf lovers around the world.

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

This golf course is one of the four exceptional championship courses in Sotogrande and is considered a masterpiece by Robert Trent Jones. Opened in 1964, it was Trent Jones’ first course in Europe, and its 6,224-meter design remains one of the favourites among golfers worldwide. This course is frequently included on the list of the top ten golf courses in Europe and is characterized by three long, wide fairways and elevated, fast greens.

La Reserva Club de Golf

The La Reserva golf course in Sotogrande is relatively new on the Costa del Sol golf scene, designed by Cabell B. Robinson and opened in 2004. Since then, it has quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional quality, with excellent facilities and services for the most demanding golfers. La Reserva has further consolidated Sotogrande’s image as a golf lover’s paradise and has become a popular destination for those seeking a top-notch golf experience.

Finca Cortesin

The Finca Cortesin golf course is an 18-hole Cabell Robinson design that opened in 2007 and has established itself as a renowned course over the past decade. Located in Casares, between Estepona and Sotogrande, this championship course is challenging and has hosted the Volvo World Match Play. It is highly rated by Golf Digest and is ranked 5th among the best golf courses in Spain, as well as 25th in Europe according to Top100GolfCourses.com.

Costa del Golf Holidays: A world of possibilities

Costa del Golf is not only a destination for golf enthusiasts but also offers a wide variety of tourist, cultural, and gastronomic activities. The natural beauty of the area, with its stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and mountains, makes it a very attractive place for tourists seeking a unique and complete experience.

Much more than golf

The Costa del Golf is a great place for a holiday, as you’ll find a wide range of things to do, see and enjoy, such as watersports, hiking, gastronomy, culture, nightlife, beaches and shops.

There are so many things to do in Marbella year-round, so you’ll have a great holiday no-matter what time of year you visit.

Estepona has a beautiful marina and a wide variety of restaurants and bars.

In addition to golf, Sotogrande is a popular place for watersports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing and offers a wide variety of luxury restaurants and shops.

The Costa del Golf is also a popular destination for food lovers, as it offers a great variety of restaurants and bars that serve a wide range of local and international dishes. Seafood and fresh fish are especially popular in the region, and many of the restaurants in the area offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Check out our favourite restaurants in Marbella to choose where you’ll eat on your next golf holiday.

In addition to golf courses and gastronomy, the Costa del Golf also has a rich history and culture. The region has a large number of historical sites, including the Roman city of Ronda, castles in Fuengirola and Malaga and the ancient walls in Marbella and Malaga. There are also a large number of museums and art galleries in the region, including the Picasso Museum in Malaga and the Pompidou Center in Malaga.

Where to stay on the golf coast?

Golfers have a wide range of accommodation options on the Costa del Sol, depending on the size of the group and location preferences. Some groups prefer to stay near to their favourite courses, others prefer a central location in a town, so they can walk to bars and restaurants. There are many hotels, apartments and villas to choose from, and during the golf season in Marbella, there tends to be good offers and plenty of availability.

We recommend a front-line golf villa for a group of golfers to share. The views over the fairways are amazing, you have lots of space to chill out and socialise, and the flexibility to eat breakfast before heading to the course and have a few beers in the garden or on the terrace after your game. Villas on golf courses are also great because you can take advantage of the club house, practice on the driving range and get to know other golfers. Browse our holiday rental villas on the Costa del Sol.

Another option is to choose from one of the holiday rentals in Nueva Andalucia, so you can be really close to the five golf courses in the Golf Valley, as well as the nightlife in Puerto Banus and the great restaurants and bars in Nueva Andalucia itself. This can be a good option if you want to enjoy the evenings as much as the days on your next golf holiday.

At Vacation Marbella, we share a passion for golf, we love this sport, and we know first-hand all the secrets to making the most of the area according to each guest’s preferences. We make you feel at home, by offering the best holiday rentals on the Costa del Sol, excellent customer service and guest services. You can even book your green fees via our website and we can arrange transport from your holiday rental to the golf course.

We hope to welcome you to the Costa del Golf very soon.

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