Golf is a really popular sport, which has been growing rapidly since 2020. According toGolf 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 70golf 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 takegolf classes in Marbella, with some top golf pros, and improve your game during your next golf holiday. You can also visitgolf 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. Thegolf 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 theCosta del Golf and all it has to offer on our website, or contact us to arrange avacation 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 aboutgolf 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 aboutgolf 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.
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[post_content] => The Davis Cup is coming back to Marbella this September! We will host a pivotal Qualifiers tie between Spain and Denmark, which serves as a critical gateway to the prestigious Final 8 of the tournament. Taking place on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of September, at the renowned Puente Romano Tennis Club, this match holds significant implications for both nations, with the winner securing a coveted spot in the championship phase.
Marbella's selection as host city is a testament to its world-class sports facilities and long history of successfully staging high-profile tennis events. The ultimate culmination of the Davis Cup will take place from November 18th to 23rd 2025, at the Super Tennis Arena in Bologna, Italy, where the world's top eight national teams will compete for the title.
Tickets are now on sale and in this article, we’ll be sharing everything you need to do to enjoy these exciting tennis matches in Marbella, plus where to stay.
Spain vs. Denmark, Davis Cup tie in Marbella
This tournament will pit the Spanish team against the Danish team for the 2nd round of qualifiers, to decide who will proceed to the championship phase.
Spain sailed through with a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the Qualifiers 1st Round, while Denmark had to work harder, achieving a comeback victory against Serbia in the 1st Round.
Spain and Denmark have faced each other six times in the history of the Davis Cup, with Spain ahead on victories 3-2. Spain have been Davis Cup champions six times, last winning the title in 2019, while Denmark is still searching for their first win. At time of writing, Spain is currently 7th in the ranking, with Denmark ranked 18th, so Spain goes into the tournament as favorites.
While official team nominations for the Spain vs. Denmark tie in Marbella are typically finalized closer to the event date, the Davis Cup official website provides an indication of players who have recently represented Spain in previous ties.
The Danish team have the highest ranked player - Holgar Rune, who is ranked 8th in the Singles ranking and has been ranked as high as 4th in the world, so he’ll be hard to beat. The Spanish team players include Pedro Martinez (Singles – 47, Doubles - 92), Jaume Munar (Singles – 51, Doubles 104), Roberto Carbakkes Baena (Singles 79, Doubles 582) and Martin Landaluce (Singles ranking 138). Completing the Danish team is Johannes Ingildsen (Doubles ranking – 128) and Elmer Moeller (Singles ranking – 102 and Doubles ranking 1,405).
Each nation generally fields a team comprising four or five players, with the country's captain making the ultimate decision on which players will participate in the singles and doubles matches. We’ll wait to see which players are finally picked to represent their country.
What matches will be played?
Davis Cup Qualifier ties are structured as a series of five matches, commonly referred to as "rubbers," and contested over two days. Day 1 typically features two singles matches, followed by one doubles match and two reverse singles matches on Day 2. All individual matches are played as the best of three tie-break sets. To win the tie, a country must secure victories in three or more of the five scheduled matches.
Spain enters this encounter with a strong performance in the Qualifiers 1st Round, with Denmark demonstrating considerable resilience by overcoming Serbia in their 1st Round tie. The victor of the Spain vs. Denmark tie will earn a highly sought-after position among the elite eight teams that will ultimately contend for the championship in Bologna.
The format of five rubbers, where each point is crucial, means that the entire tie can pivot on the performance of any given player in their singles or doubles contest. This structure makes every game full of drama and great to watch! The "best of three tie-break sets" format for individual matches further amplifies the potential for close contests and dynamic shifts in momentum – we can’t wait!
Matches are estimated to start at 11.00 each day, with doors opening around 10.00.
Where to buy a ticket?
Tickets went on sale for this exciting tournament in June and are available online on the RFET website, and the El Corte Ingles ticketing website, but are selling fast. You can purchase daily tickets from €53, or a two-day ticket from €93.
There will also be a ticket office in the tennis club, where you can purchase tickets on the days itself, subject to availability.
Davis Cup Final in Bologna, Italy
The Davis Cup season culminates with the Final 8 tournament, a knockout stage where the world's top national teams vie for the coveted championship title. This is what the two stage qualifiers are leading up to!
The Davis Cup Final 8 for 2025 will take place from November 18th to 23rd at the Super Tennis Arena in the Bologna Fiere exhibition center in Italy.
The Final 8 operates as a knockout stage, with each tie consisting of three rubbers: two singles matches and one doubles match. The country that wins at least two of these three matches advances to the next round.
We already know two of the 8 teams, as Italy automatically secures a spot as the host nation and the Netherlands also gains direct entry, having been the runners-up of the 2024 Davis Cup. The remaining spots will be filled by the winners of the Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round ties, with the Spain vs. Denmark tie in Marbella being one such crucial match.
Puente Romano Tennis Club, the home of the Davis Cup in Marbella
The Puente Romano Tennis Club is a prestigious venue with a rich tennis history, which has previously played host to four Davis Cup qualifiers, as well as many other important tournaments such as the Marbella Masters. The club is particularly noted for its outdoor clay courts, a surface that should offer a strategic advantage to the Spanish players, who have a great history on the surface.
The club is located within the luxurious Puente Romano Beach Resort on the "Golden Mile" in Marbella and boasts ten courts - eight clay and two hard. The fantastic Center Court is clay and can seat approximately 2,500 people. It also features four Padel Tennis Courts, a state-of-the-art Gym, Fitness Studio, Turkish Bath, Sauna, and Steam Room, Luxurious Changing Rooms and a café overlooking the courts.
Established in 1979, the club was initially managed by tennis legend Bjorn Borg. Wimbledon Champion Manolo Santana took over in 1983 and guided its development until 1998. It has hosted various prestigious events, including ATP, WTA, and Davis Cup matches, attracting top players like Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, and Henri Leconte.
The history of the Davis Cup in Marbella
Marbella first hosted the Davis Cup in 1989 and has hosted it four times in total – 1989, 2009, 2018 and 2022. All matches have been played at the historic Puente Romano Tennis Club, which is once again hosting in 2025. Last year, Malaga hosted the finals of the Davis Cup, showing the popularity of the area for the organizers.
Marbella's consistent selection as a host city for Davis Cup events, underscores its established reputation for delivering world-class sporting competitions, supported by outstanding facilities and a strategic home-court advantage on clay.
Marbella is a wonderful destination for any lovers of sports and the great outdoors, whether you want to watch, or play! You can play padel tennis, golf, tennis, try polo, sailing and watersports, go hiking, horse riding and more.
Where to stay in Marbella if you want to watch the tennis?
Parking in and around the Puente Romano can be tricky, so ideally, you’ll want to be within walking distance of the club. This means choosing a vacation rental on the Golden Mile.
This is a great place to stay to be within easy reach of the tennis club, the center of Marbella with its historic Old Town, and the exclusive enclave of Puerto Banus. It also boasts some of the most beautiful and desirable properties in the area.
Alternatively, you can base yourself in a vacation rental in Marbella Old Town, for history, culture and charm on your doorstep. It’s only a short cab ride from the Puente Romano, and we can also organize a private transfer from your vacation rental to make it really easy for you.
We hope to see you in September, for some exciting Davis Cup action!
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[post_content] => You’re spoilt for choice when you’re looking for villas in Marbella – there are hundreds, if not thousands to choose from, to rent and buy. They range from the modest to the spectacular, and the developers and owners are always looking for ways to differentiate theirs from the competition. They do that with architecture, state of the art fixtures and fittings and amazing facilities; from pools and spas to gyms to tennis courts and even putting greens.
Another way to stand out from the crowd is with a name and what better than to take a name which is known world over? Some villas have been named after famous people, others have been designed by, or in collaboration with famous names from the world of fashion or iconic brands.
In this article we’re looking at six of these amazing villas and you can find hundreds of stunning villas in Marbella to rent on our website.
This stunning villa is named after the American professional golfer and golf course designer Jack Nicklaus, due to its prime location in the so-called Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucia, home to five fantastic courses. The iconic golfer played many times at the Las Brisas golf course, very close to the property, and so the owners were inspired to take his name.
The villa has been meticulously renovated and embodies elegance, comfort and craftmanship. It sleeps eight people in its four spacious and exquisitely designed bedrooms and boasts wonderful interior and exterior spaces to enjoy. Relax after a game of golf, a run, or a workout, in the heated pool, spa and outdoor hot tub, or enjoy sports or movies in the entertainment room. If you love to cook, the spectacular indoor and outdoor kitchens will inspire you, or be the perfect space for a private chef to cook up some magic for your party.
Be transported to the White Isle, with this Ibiza-inspired designer villa close to Marbella. It is named after the model Kate Moss, who loves the boho chic cool of Ibiza and is a regular visitor to Marbella. This villa is an ode to her beauty and love of design and wellness.
Expect a mix of Ibiza charm and Marbella elegance, and a bespoke design which inspires serenity and connection. There are five bedrooms, a lovely open-plan kitchen, living and dining space, all beautifully appointment and designed. Channel your inner supermodel topping up your tan around the private pool, and enjoying cocktails and champagne in the sunken fire pit lounge, and rustling up healthy and delicious meals in the outdoor or indoor kitchens. Kate Moss has been on a personal journey of self-discovery and wellness, and so have the health-conscious owners of this property, who have provided an environment aligned with mindful living and optimal wellbeing, where Miss Moss herself would feel perfectly at home.
Villa Birkin in Nueva Andalucia is a gracious five-bedroom retreat, which is serene, stylish and impeccably designed. It is a haven which combines functionality and indulgence, just like its namesake, the iconic Birkin bag. It has the elegance and grace of model, actress and musician Jane Birkin, and is the perfect place for stylish entertaining, relaxing and unwinding.
It is a cozy holiday retreat designed for sophisticated living and effortless luxury, including five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a heated swimming pool set in manicured gardens, a private gym, cinema room and wonderful interior and exterior living spaces.
The location is perfect for keen golfers, being within walking distance of some fantastic courses, and the wonderful restaurants, shopping and nightlife in nearby Puerto Banus. You could even stay in Villa Birkin and pop into the Hermes store in Puerto Banus for a Birkin bag to remember the trip by!
This contemporary villa near to Estepona offers the very best place to enjoy a relaxing holiday in a trendy, safe and luxurious area, away from prying eyes. It is ultra-modern and offers the maximum in privacy and comfort, alongside top-notch amenities. Highlights include an outstanding outdoor pool and wraparound terrace and a fantastic games room, complete with pool table and cinema area. We love how the huge windows disappear to bring the outside in and make this a really striking piece of design.
Named after the Spanish tennis legend, who has recently hung up his racket, Villa Nadal has a strong sense of Spanish style inside and out. This comfortable and elegant villa boasts 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a lovely private pool and Andalusian garden. Located in Elviria, near to some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol, not to mention the legendary Nikki Beach, this is a great place to be if you want to hit the beach, or cook up a storm in its splendid kitchen. If you want to follow in Nadal’s footsteps during your holiday, it’s within easy reach of the Royal Tennis Club Marbella and the new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, which will boast seven clay tennis courts and 2 padel courts. Nadal has frequently holidayed in Marbella and has several investments in the area, including the new tennis center, so you might even be able to see the great man himself during your stay.
Keen golfer and legendary footballer Andres Iniesta, would love this contemporary villa in the La Resina Golf resort, which shares his name. It’s elegance, modern design and stunning features make it perfect for discerning guests. You’ll love the infinity-edge pool and lush garden, and a recreation room where you can play pool and ping pong, and watch the match in the cinema room. The contemporary design and sleek interiors feature top-of the range fixtures and fittings, and the golf location makes it the perfect choice for a holiday in the sun.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our rundown of villas named after famous people! If you’re planning on visiting Marbella, and want to browse the best selection of Vacation Rentals in Marbella, you’re in the right place. Take a look around, or contact our helpful team with your requirements for recommendations on the best accommodation for you.
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[post_content] => Polo is an exciting and action-packed game of skill. Teams of four fierce competitors mount their horses and grab their polo mallets for an intense 7½ minute chukker, with the aim of galloping down the field and scoring as many goals as possible. It’s a real spectacle of horsemanship, coordination and sporting prowess, not to mention beautiful polo ponies.
Sotogrande is the epicentre of polo on the Costa del Sol, with a long history of the sport, several clubs and schools and top-level players competing in tournaments. You can both watch and play polo in Sotogrande during a holiday to the Costa del Sol and we’d definitely recommend catching a chukker or too if time allows.
In this article, we’ll be explaining why Sotogrande is the polo capital of the area, where you can learn to play polo and the upcoming tournaments that you can watch.
Polo in Sotogrande, a bit of history
Polo is actually one of the oldest team sports, dating back to the sixth century BC. Today it is played professionally in 16 countries and the sport is growing in popularity with both spectators and players. It has a rich history in Spain, dating back to 1870, when the first club was opened in Jerez.
Sotogrande didn’t even exist back then! But one of the very first things that the founding family did, was to build a polo field, just a year after it was founded. That was because the nephew of the founder Enrique Zobel was a huge polo fan and player, and President of the Manila Polo Club. This original field which opened in 1965 is now part of the Santa Maria Polo Club and still central to polo in Sotogrande to this day.
Since the early days of polo in Sotogrande, the sport has grown in popularity, locally and globally and we now have four polo clubs in Sotogrande itself and more nearby. There are also excellent polo and riding schools and highly popular tournaments, which attract the premier players and thousands of spectators each year.
Best polo clubs in Sotogrande
As we mentioned, the Santa Maria Polo Club is the area’s first club and still stands as one of the best polo clubs in the world. From that very first field in 1965, Santa María Polo Club has grown to boast seven polo grounds, four of which are deemed World Class. They also have stables, with two arenas for horse riding and an additional polo ground at their Puente de Hierro site, nearby. They have polo clinics where you can try polo and also hold classes for children and adults to learn polo and polo wheel.
The Ayala Polo Club is a newer club, but with a great history, as it’s run by the son of the man who brought polo to Sotogrande. He is leading the club and aiming to turn it into one of the best polo clubs in the world. They have three professional polo fields, 3 training tracks, 1 covered riding arena, 3 private stables and 400 stalls, daily polo practices, polo classes and polo tournaments.
Polo Valley was founded in 2015 to make polo accessible and offer a premier polo facility, which is welcoming to all. They offer beginners riding lessons and polo lessons to introduce adults to the wonderful world of polo, including an immersive one-week programme to take you from novice to accomplished polo player. There are also kids’ lessons, summer polo camps and even a family polo holiday including on site accommodation. They also organize club chukkas and training for experienced players, and experiences for novices and experienced riders alike. Their facilities include stables and care for polo ponies.
The Dos Lunas Club specialises in both dressage and polo and they have two polo fields, two training grounds, 54 pens, two grass practice fields and an all-weather exercise ground.
Iridike Polo Club is a welcoming club and school, which has regular tournaments and offers coaching for kids and adults at all levels. They have polo fields and stables, horse riding tracks and a tacking field. It’s particularly well known for its kids’ polo program and a range of polo packages.
Polo tournaments in Sotogrande in 2025
The biggest polo tournament in Sotogrande is the International Polo Tournament, which is held from late July to the end of August each year. This takes place at the Santa Maria Polo Club and features wonderful matches, as well as a shopping area, dining area and great after polo parties.
Confusingly, this tournament is organized by the Ayala Polo Club, yet the majority of the matches are played at Santa Maria Polo Club, in what’s called the Los Pinos fields. There are three categories of teams playing in this tournament – low, medium and high handicap. In the lower categories, some matches are played in the Ayala fields, so double check where they are being played.
In 2025, matches begin on the 23rd of July and continue until the 31st of August, and you can find out the fixtures, times and teams on the Ayala Polo Club website.
In May, Iridike Polo hosts the La Quinta Tournament, with two weeks of exciting matches. In October they hold the Nation Cup, a 2-week competition bringing in top teams from Europe, between the 3rd and the 12th of October. They also hold regular weekend tournaments throughout the season, accompanied by a great Argentinian BBQ. They have summer tournaments taking place throughout July and August too. Check their Facebook page for more information.
Other clubs also host tournaments, but their websites and social media channels aren’t usually updated, so it’s tricky to find information online, until very close to the date.
Where to stay near to Sotogrande?
Sotogrande is just under an hour’s drive from Marbella, so it’s an easy day trip if you’re staying in Marbella itself. However, if you want to be closer, but still close to Marbella, we’d recommend choosing a vacation rental in Estepona. Estepona is a lovely town, with a great food scene and lots of Spanish charm, plus excellent beaches. It is roughly half way between Marbella and Sotogrande, so you’re within easy reach of both, as well as being able to explore Estepona itself. Ideal!
Please contact us with any questions you have about visiting the Costa del Sol, where to stay and how you can make the best out of your next holiday.
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