Golf holidays for beginners: Everything you need to know

Golf is a wonderful sport, and the Vacation Marbella team can often be found on the fairways during low season. There’s so much to learn and the technical challenge, combined with the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, is hard to beat.

However, playing golf in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, can be a rather cold, wet and windy experience. Challenging weather is not what you need, especially not as a beginner, trying to master the basics.

People think they are only for the best players, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Golf holidays for beginners are really valuable and a lot of fun too. This is when you have the most to learn and will really benefit from that intensive learning and practice.

Marbella is a great destination for a beginners’ golf holiday, thanks to the large choice of 9 and 18 hole golf courses, driving ranges and experienced teachers offering golf classes. Not only that, but the conditions during the spring and the autumn are perfect for golf, and you’ll enjoy bright sunshine and blue skies during your round.

Read on to find out more about golf holidays for beginners.

What do you have to know before booking your golf holiday?

When you start with your golf journey, you need the best conditions, and the best golf courses and facilities to hone your skills and lay a strong foundation. You also need plenty of practice, and not too long between sessions, to make sure you’re putting everything you’ve learned together and not picking up bad habits.

An intensive period of golf lessons, and practice on different courses, is the best way to get the best foundation and that’s where a golf holiday comes in.

I bet you’re excited to get booking, but before you do, here are a few things to consider.

Who are you going with?

Do you have a friend who’s just starting out at golf too, who might want to join you? This is a great idea, but you’ll want them to be at a similar level, so that you can take classes together and learn from each other during your golf holiday.

Perhaps your husband or wife would like to come, but doesn’t play? That works too, especially in a destination like Marbella, where there’s plenty to do off the course.

Or perhaps you’d rather come alone and really focus on the golf 100%? No problem! By joining a group class, you will make friends and have a shared interest to talk about on and off the fairways. Golf clubs are very sociable places too, so you will be sure to meet people in the clubhouse. There are also golf academies which offer intensive courses for maximum progress during your golf holiday.

Choose the destination for your golf vacation

Golf is popular across the world and there are more than 38,000 golf courses you could visit! The top 10 golfing nations are – the US, the UK, Japan, Canada, France, Sweden, Australia, Germany, South Korea and Spain.

For a golf vacation, you want to go somewhere with a good choice of courses in a relatively small area, for maximum playing time and minimum travel time. You also want to consider the journey time to the destination, and the time difference from your home country. The shorter the flight the better, to ensure you are ready and full of energy to learn and play, especially when you’re a beginner.

Last but not least, think about the weather and check the conditions for the time of year you’re planning to visit. Beginners should aim for comfortable temperatures, low winds, good visibility and no rain.

All these elements will help you choose the perfect destination for your golf holiday.

When is it best to travel for your golf holiday?

As you can see, there are a wide range of golf destinations, with different climates. So the best time to play golf varies significantly! You should be able to find a wonderful place to play golf at any time, but depending on the time of year, you might have to travel a bit further afield to find it.

Marbella is blessed with a fantastic year-round climate and boasts over 320 days of sunshine a year. You can play golf in all 4 seasons, but the peak golf season in Marbella is in the spring and the autumn. Those parts of the year aren’t too hot, but tend to be dry and sunny, so offer the best conditions for playing golf as a beginner.

Choose the best golf courses

Beginners need to choose the right golf courses, to make the experience positive and enjoyable and not be too challenging. We’d recommend leaving the championship courses until you’ve built up a good level of skills and can control the ball well. Otherwise, it can be a very frustrating experience!

If you opt for an intensive beginner’s golf course, you may well be up to the challenge by the end of your golf holiday, but that’s definitely something to work up to. We’d recommend that you start with a golf course which has a driving range and practice area, an academy and professional coaches, as well as shorter holes, forgiving, large fairways and greens and not too many hazards.

Marbella has a number of golf academies, based at golf courses which are suitable for beginners, there are also golf pros, who can recommend the best courses for you to start with and work up to the more challenging ones.

There are a number of 9-hole golf courses on the Costa del Sol that can make a good place to start, including Magna Marbella, La Dama de Noche and El Higueral. Alternatively, you can try an easier 18-hole course. The Atalaya New Course, Miraflores, Cabopino and Monte Mayor are considered to be relatively easy courses in this area.

Read our recommendations and reviews of the top 10 Marbella golf courses.

Plan the time spent off the golf course

Golf is a demanding sport and is tiring for the body and the mind, so to make it an enjoyable holiday, you need to mix golf in with other activities.

Look for an area with a good restaurant and bar scene, so you know you’ll enjoy the evenings to the full. Then research into what else there is to do nearby, and plan a few activities, like visiting a city, going to an art gallery, soothing aching muscles in a spa, or perhaps visiting a vineyard. This helps you to get to know the place you’re golfing, rather than just the golf courses and gives your body and mind a break!

Have a budget

Decide how much you’re willing to spend, and check out the prices of golf classes, driving ranges and of course green fees. Look at the price for accommodation and eating out as well and take all of those elements into account when choosing your destination.

You can book your green fees in Marbella through our website for the best rates.

Marbella, the best destination for golf beginners

The Costa del Sol is considered to be one of the top golf destinations in Europe and is known as the Costa del Golf. That’s because of the very high concentration of quality golf courses, in a small area – over 70 in total. Golfers love the great weather and the ease of travel from the UK and the rest of Europe, combined with the excellent restaurants and nightlife.

Marbella isn’t just a golf destination for pros! It’s a great place for beginners to learn, practice and enjoy the experience. Thanks to the large number of courses, there are many which are suitable for beginners, as well as academies and friendly golf classes and societies, which are really welcoming to visitors.

You’ll love the restaurants in Marbella too and there’s plenty to do when you’re not playing, including day trips, hiking, cultural and gastronomic experiences. You can also indulge in some retail therapy, in one of the golf shops, shopping malls, or designer boutiques. There’s no excuse to get bored when you’re not golfing!

If you’d like to organize a golf holiday for beginners on the Costa del Golf, Vacation Marbella are your perfect partners. We can sort out your holiday rental within easy access of the golf courses, organise your green fees and tee times, and advise you on the best teachers and clubs for beginners. As passionate golfers ourselves, we’re in the know and would be delighted to help you make the very most out of your Marbella golf holiday. Contact us for information, or browse our holiday rentals.

                        Array
(
    [0] => WP_Post Object
        (
            [ID] => 433753
            [post_author] => 1
            [post_date] => 2025-05-14 11:55:44
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:55:44
            [post_content] => Golf is a really popular sport, which has been growing rapidly since 2020. According to Golf Monthly, there are around 68 million golfers playing worldwide in 2023, across 146 countries. There has also been a 15% rise in participation since 2020 and the numbers are expected to rise.

These passionate golfers love to play at home, but also want to take their favourite game abroad and pit their skills against some of the world’s best courses. In 2023, in the US alone, over 12 million golfers went on a golf holiday and golf tourism is big business. Golf tourism is expected to hit 27 billion dollars in revenue this year, and exceed a 65 billion US dollars by 2035, fuelled by a continued demand for luxury golf experiences.

Will you join the millions of golfers hitting the road for a golf holiday in 2025?

If you’re considering it, here are our favourite golf destinations to add to the list.


1. Marbella, Spain
You won’t be surprised to hear that Marbella is on the top of our list! We’re keen golfers at Vacation Marbella and have personally tried the majority of the 70 golf courses on the Costa del Sol. We can tell you first hand that the range and quality of these courses, as well as the proximity and ease of travelling between them, makes this area hard to beat. On top of the courses, the weather makes Marbella a very popular place to practice golf under sunny skies, and combine a round or two, with topping up your tan.

A large golf industry has sprung up around this high density of golf courses. This means that you can take golf classes in Marbella, with some top golf pros, and improve your game during your next golf holiday. You can also visit golf shops and pick up some new gear, as a memento of your trip.

Marbella is a fantastic holiday destination all year round, but still best known as a summer holiday destination. The golf season in Marbella is in the traditional off-peak season of spring and autumn. This means that the flights and accommodation prices are lower than during the summer months. But as a tourist hot spot, you still get all the amazing restaurants, bars, shops, tours and experiences to enjoy when you’re not on the golf course – with less people to share it with!! It’s a win-win.

Find out more about the Costa del Golf and all it has to offer on our website, or contact us to arrange a vacation rental in Marbella, which makes the perfect base for your next golf holiday.
2. Scotland
Scotland is known as the home of golf, and has the world’s oldest golf course, the aptly named Old Course in St Andrews, which has been in use for over 600 years. Scotland has the highest number of courses per head of population in the world, more than 550 golf courses in total. Many of the world’s best tournaments are played in Scotland as well, so you can combine playing with watching golf. Find out more about golf in Scotland.

In addition to the golf, the city of Edinburgh is a beautiful destination, and a comedy hot spot in August during its famous festival. The Scottish countryside is another big draw for visiting Scotland for a golf holiday.

The big downside to Scotland is the weather, which is often rainy and cold. So, a golf holiday to Scotland is for the hardy golfer! 
3. France
France has a long history of golf, and boasts the first golf course in Europe, which opened in 1856. There are over 600 courses in France and the nation is passionate about the game, with more than 400,000 members of golf courses in the country.

The countryside is beautiful, and varied, with a great range of courses adapting to the stunning landscape and you can follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s best golfers by playing the Le Golf National's L'Albatros course, which hosted the 2018 Ryder Cup.

A golf holiday in France is often combined with visiting the wine makers and enjoying the amazing French food, so it’s a good option if you like your food and wine, as well as your golf.
4. Florida
There’s more to Florida than Disney! It has over 1,200 courses and has been called the Golf Capital of the World. Some of the most famous courses in the world are found in Florida, and its home to The Players Championship, PGA Tour and Champions Tour. The warm climate is a big draw as well, with great conditions all year, and you can combine golf with visiting the beach and theme parks too.


5. Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland boasts over 90 golf courses and punches well above its weight when it comes to quality. Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses ranking names Royal County Down in Northern Ireland as the best course in the world and has four courses in the country in its top 100. Royal Portrush will be hosting The Open championship between the 13th and the 20th of July 2025, really shining a light on the great golf courses in Northern Ireland and seeing thousands of fans flocking to watch the best golfers in action. Find out more about golf in Northern Ireland.
6. England
England is fourth in the world for number of courses, with 2,270, according to Golf Monthly. It’s a good destination for a golf holiday because of the variety of landscapes, which give rise to a great mix of courses. In England you can play on links, heathland and parkland courses, including some of the best in the world. Golf Digest names Sunningdale Golf Club in Berkshire as the best course in England, followed by Royal Birkdale in Merseyside and Royal St. George’s in Kent in third place, which has been an Open Championship venue since 1894.

Of course, as well as golf, England boasts a wide range of historical and architectural places of interest, plus vibrant multicultural cities and an amazing theatre and arts scene. Despite the weather, this makes it a great destination for a golf holiday.
7. Northern California
California is probably best known as the home of Hollywood and the vibrant cities of LA and San Francisco, or perhaps for the natural delights of Yosemite National Park, but it’s also a fantastic place to visit on a golf holiday. Golf has been a feature of this part of the US since 1892 and has some amazing courses from the Golden Age of golf. It boasts over 900 golf courses in total, only beaten by Florida and New York in terms of numbers. Probably the best known is Pebble Beach, as the home of the US Open on six occasions, due to return there in 2027. It’s expected to increase in importance for golf breaks in the future, thanks to its excellent climate and wonderful landscape, amazing infrastructure and other things to visit.

We hope you enjoyed our run down of the 7 best golf destinations in 2025. Have an amazing golf holiday!

If Marbella is at the top of your list, you can trust in the golf holiday experts from Vacation Marbella.

Contact us and we’ll help you find the best accommodation and support you with everything from Green Fees to recommendations on where to go and what to do, to ensure you have the best time.  
            [post_title] => The 7 best golf trips to take in 2025
            [post_excerpt] => 
            [post_status] => publish
            [comment_status] => open
            [ping_status] => open
            [post_password] => 
            [post_name] => the-7-best-golf-trips-to-take-in-2025
            [to_ping] => 
            [pinged] => 
            [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 11:57:41
            [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 09:57:41
            [post_content_filtered] => 
            [post_parent] => 0
            [guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
            [menu_order] => 3
            [post_type] => post
            [post_mime_type] => 
            [comment_count] => 0
            [filter] => raw
        )

    [1] => WP_Post Object
        (
            [ID] => 433730
            [post_author] => 1
            [post_date] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
            [post_content] => Spain has a love affair with golf and has 486 golf courses in total! This puts it in sixth place in the world. So, there’s no wonder that one of the oldest golf tournaments is the Spanish Open Golf, which has been played since 1912. This has been an amazing event to showcase the talent of Spanish golfers, with homegrown talent winning 39 of the 96 titles.

This year it’s taking place in Madrid in October, just over 2 hours by train from Malaga. This makes it a great option for a golf holiday in Spain!

October is one of the best times to play golf in Andalucia, with blue skies, plenty of sunshine, but cooler temperatures, which make your round more comfortable. Imagine playing on some of the best golf courses in Marbella, visiting the wonderful city of Malaga and then zipping up to the nations capital to watch the world’s best golfers in action.

Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.


ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid 2025
This year, the Spanish Open is taking place from the 9th to the 12th of October.

The best of the best will be flying into Madrid for three days of amazing golf action and you could be there too.

Tickets are not on sale yet, but you can register your interest to be the first to hear about tickets and packages.
Where is the Spanish Golf Open played?
Once again, the Villa de Madrid Country Club is hosting this year’s Spanish Open, as it has for the last five years.

The course was designed by Javier de Arana and opened in 1956. It is a par-71, 6,970-yard Black course, which tests the players off the tee and requires the very best driving accuracy. The greens are challenging and on the back nine the putting surface is more difficult, which could set up a dramatic finish if plenty of players are in with a shot at the title.

In addition to golf, you’ll find horse riding, tennis, padel, hockey, swimming pools, a gym and sauna at this great club.
What is the format of the tournament?
The format of the Open de Espana is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Players for this year will be announced on the European Tour website.

Last year it was won by Ángel Hidalgo – who will take the title in 2025?
Spanish Open Golf: History
The Spanish Open has a long history of exciting events, and is a favourite with some of the world’s best golfers. It started in 1912, and became part of the PGA European Tour in 1971 and it is actually the third oldest golf tournament in Europe.

It saw Sergio Garcia’s entry to professional golf, and the last win of the golf legend Seve Ballesteros.

Last year’s event saw an all-Spanish play-off, with Angel Hidalgo and Jon Rahm fighting it out for the win. Hidalgo took the victory and it was particularly special, as it was his first DP World Tour title.

Jon Rahm has won an impressive three times at the Spanish Open, Angel De La Torre won it five times and Mariano Provencio won it four times. Other winners include; Arnold Palmer, Severiano Ballesteros, Sergio García, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo.

Find out more about the history of the Spanish Golf Open.

Who will be next to lift the trophy?
Other golf tournaments in Spain
You can play in golf tournaments in Marbella throughout the year, if you want to see how your skills stack up to the rest.

There are also loads of great tournaments to watch this year on the Costa del Golf.

Liv Golf is coming to Andalucia once again in July, with three days of action taking place at Valderrama between the 11th and 13th of July.

You can also watch the Final of the Professional Andalucian Golf Circuit in August, in Alhaurin de la Torre on the 11th and 12th of August.

Check out our full list of golf tournaments in Andalucia and come and join the fun!
            [post_title] => Spanish Open Golf: The 2025 event and its history
            [post_excerpt] => 
            [post_status] => publish
            [comment_status] => open
            [ping_status] => open
            [post_password] => 
            [post_name] => open-golf-spain
            [to_ping] => 
            [pinged] => 
            [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 10:27:48
            [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 08:27:48
            [post_content_filtered] => 
            [post_parent] => 0
            [guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
            [menu_order] => 6
            [post_type] => post
            [post_mime_type] => 
            [comment_count] => 0
            [filter] => raw
        )

    [2] => WP_Post Object
        (
            [ID] => 433093
            [post_author] => 1
            [post_date] => 2025-04-29 10:41:25
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-29 08:41:25
            [post_content] => 2025 marks the 14th edition of Starlite Marbella, a music festival and amazing opportunity to party to live music and fantastic DJs, with delicious food and a great atmosphere. In this article, we’ll give you the low down on this epic live music event, who’s playing and where you can stay, so you can get planning a summer to remember.
The magic of Starlite Marbella Festival
Since 2012, the Starlite Festival has been bringing some of the best musical acts to Marbella every summer. The organizers call it the “best boutique festival in the world” and it is a coming together of music, culture and gastronomy.

There are four restaurants, and apart from the packed schedule of concerts, you can also dance the night away to DJs. You can book tickets to the after party following the concerts, even if you don’t want to see the main show, just look out for what they call Starlite Sessions.

This year, it’s running from the 13th of June to the 29th of August, and you can enjoy delicious food and a fantastic night out from Monday to Saturday from 8pm.


Starlite Marbella Festival 2025: line-up
The organizers look for a mix of acts, to ensure there’s something for all ages and musical tastes. Every year, there are many great Spanish artists, alongside international superstars and there’s always excitement ahead of the lineup announcement.

The headline act for Starlite Marbella 2025 is the Pet Shop Boys, performing their greatest hits live. Other amazing artists performing at this year’s Starlite Marbella include; Camila Cabello, Marc Anthony, Duran Duran, Seal, The Script and Will Smith.

For all concerts on the auditorium stage, doors open at 8pm and the event starts at 10pm. You can buy tickets for Starlite concerts on their website and from the many booths that you’ll see around Marbella during the summer.

There are 32 amazing acts for 2025, here’s the full line up of Starlite Marbella 2025!



Fecha
Artista
Info
Comprar Entradas




13/06
Emilia
Info
Entradas


20/06
Nathy Peluso
Info
Entradas


21/06
Camila Cabello
Info
Entradas


27/06
Kool & The Gang
Info
Entradas


02/07
Gente de Zona
Info
Entradas


03/07
Marc Anthony
Info
Entradas


04/07
Marc Anthony
Info
Entradas


05/07
Raphael
Info
Entradas


08/07
Europe
Info
Entradas


09/07
Duran Duran
Info
Entradas


10/07
Seal
Info
Entradas


14/07
Fito Páez
Info
Entradas


16/07
Pet Shop Boys
Info
Entradas


18/07
Jhayco
Info
Entradas


19/07
The Script
Info
Entradas


21/07
Scorpions
Info
Entradas


23/07
Bosé
Info
Entradas


24/07
Bosé
Info
Entradas


25/07
Il Divo
Info
Entradas


26/07
Will Smith
Info
Entradas


28/07
The Beach Boys
Info
Entradas


29/07
Zaz
Info
Entradas


31/07
Ana Belén
Info
Entradas


01/08
Rels B
Info
Entradas


03/08
Santana
Info
Entradas


06/08
Clean Bandit
Info
Entradas


07/08
Guitarricadelafuente
Info
Entradas


08/08
Amaral
Info
Entradas


12/08
Beret
Info
Entradas


14/08
Los Secretos
Info
Entradas


19/08
Siempre Así
Info
Entradas


20/08
Alejandro Fernández
Info
Entradas


28/08
Fangoria – Nancys Rubias
Info
Entradas


29/08
Camilo
Info
Entradas



How to get to the Starlite Festival Auditorium?
Starlite is held in a quarry in Marbella, which makes for a very impressive backdrop and great acoustics. It’s a residential area under 10 minutes by car from central Marbella and 15 minutes’ drive from Puerto Banus.

You can drive and park for free in the designated parking area, then be dropped off at the door with a shuttle service.

You can also take a taxi, or arrange for a private transfer to and from the venue, to avoid queuing for a taxi at the end of the night.
Starlite Gastro Experience
Foodies will love a visit to Starlite, as there are four amazing restaurants, plus a caviar bar, where you can enjoy delicious food and great shows.

There’s a Nikkei restaurant called Tanabata, which fuses Japanese and Peruvian cuisine.

Or how about trying their Mediterranean grill restaurant, Temazo? Here the talented chefs perfectly cook seasonal vegetables, fish and meat over fire, for drama and delicious chargrilled flavour.

You can also enjoy delicious Mexican food at Anima restaurant during your visit to Starlite Marbella. They promise authentic flavours and an awesome experience.

Last but not least, why not treat yourself to a luxury food experience at Sandra’s Caviar Bar. Dine on the very best ingredients selected by the creator of the festival Sandra García-Sanjuán, including of course caviar.

Find out more about these restaurants at Starlite on their website. Book your table early, to avoid disappointment.
Where to stay in Marbella to enjoy Starlite Festival?
We’d recommend Marbella’s prestigious Golden Mile as a prime location if you’re planning a holiday around Starlite. It’s the closest area to the festival, which also has some excellent restaurants and bars nearby, and is within easy reach of the beach. Check out our vacation rentals on the Golden Mile in Marbella.

However, anywhere in Marbella is close to Starlite, so if you prefer charm and history and want to be within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants, then Marbella Old Town would make a good base. Browse vacation rentals in Marbella Old Town.

We can’t wait for Starlite Marbella 2025 - how about you? If you’re planning to come and see some of these amazing musicians live in concert this summer, remember that this is peak season in Marbella. So, we recommend booking flights and accommodation and booking your tickets well in advance, to avoid disappointment. We hope to see you there!
            [post_title] => Starlite Marbella 2025: cartel, line-up, tickets and schedules
            [post_excerpt] => 
            [post_status] => publish
            [comment_status] => open
            [ping_status] => open
            [post_password] => 
            [post_name] => starlite-marbella-2025-cartel-line-up-tickets-and-schedules
            [to_ping] => 
            [pinged] => 
            [post_modified] => 2025-04-29 11:02:53
            [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-29 09:02:53
            [post_content_filtered] => 
            [post_parent] => 0
            [guid] => https://vacationmarbella.com/inspiration//
            [menu_order] => 7
            [post_type] => post
            [post_mime_type] => 
            [comment_count] => 0
            [filter] => raw
        )

)
                    

DO YOU ENJOY READING THIS BLOG?

SHARE ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA

From Vacation Marbella wants that everyone knows the benefit about staying in Marbella. There are a plenty of activities that you can do with your family, friends or even with you pet. Share the information with everyone and who knows, maybe could join your plans!