Destination
The “Costa del Sol”, is also called the “Golf Coast” in Spain.
With 300 sunny days guaranteed per year, this destination is a year round option for golfing. Marbella & Sotogrande in Spain, are recognized as the best golfing destinations in the Mediterranean for their luxury cuisine, nightlife and excellent accommodation options.
These great quality golf courses were hosts to some of the most important events of the European Tour and the Ryder’s Cup in 1997 when in Valderrama, Captain Seve Ballesteros led the European team to an unforgettable victory.
Golf
Costa del Sol has more than 100 golf courses from the city of Malaga to Cádiz with a great variety layouts, irregular landscapes, classic parkland paths, exquisite designs, views of the sea and even the Rock of Gibraltar. We recommend the famous “BIG FIVE”:
Real Club Valderrama
- Host of the 1997 Ryder’s Cup, won by Europe and led by Severiano Ballesteros.
- This iconic and challenging design by Robert Trent Jones Sr. stands out for its fast greens, spectacular fringes and false fronts. Its pristine maintenance compares to the best private clubs in the US.
Finca Cortesin
- Several times host to the Volvo Match Play (European Tour) and The Solheim Cup 2023. Its terrain has unevenness resulting in a very challenging course.
- Excellent maintenance, very fast greens that become specially complicated to score on windy days.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande
- It is an extraordinary course that is worth walking, it is flatter than Valderrama and from the greens to the next tees there is very little distance. If you don't want to walk you can ask for a cart, but it's a waste to miss this walk. The greens are very fast and difficult to read. The course is wide and playable, it is not difficult. A ProShop with very good brands and a nice logo. And it has a 100-220 yard par 3 course, maintained as the main course, which can be good entertainment after the main round.
La Reserva Club Sotogrande
- Designed by Cabell Robinson, one of Robert Trent Jone Sr’s disciples.
- Its layout unfolds in the highest area of Sotogrande and is exposed to wind, and offers majestic views of the sea and Valderrama.
- We recommend having lunch at Club House, where you will find an exquisite menu.
San Roque Club - Old Course
- Its traditional Club House, inspired by Golf Clubs in the United Kingdom, has many items of golf memorabilia; take some minutes to walk through the halls and contemplate the walls filled with photos, plaques and more.
- Its design is picturesque and challenging so you will enjoy a fun round of golf with beautiful panoramic views.
Other recommended golf courses
Real Golf Club Las Brisas, Aloha, Los Naranjos, Alcaidesa (with views to the Gibraltar Rock), Valle Romano, Marbella, Río Real, Atalaya and El Parador.
Find very good golf courses in locations nearby like: Sevilla, Huelva, Granada, Almería y Córdoba.
Other things to do
- Sevilla and the Real Club Sevilla Golf: Excellent one-day program, take a luxury bus with Wi-Fi and snacks, play this fantastic Chema Olazábal design that also hosts the Spanish Open.
Spanish Cuisine
Spanish cuisine is one of the best in the world for the quality and variety of the products used and is the pride of the country. Paella, ham, fish and seafood are some of its many outstanding dishes that delight visitors year after year.
A plate of any of them after a round of golf can be the ideal seasoning for an unforgettable trip.
- This European destination is full of nightlife, restaurants and bars open until late hours of the night. Visit Marbella, La Bahía de Sotogrande or Puerto Banús; take a ferry to Tangier, enjoy the Mediterranean beaches and the excellent Spanish food. You may also want to do a bit of sightseeing and visit historical nearby cities like Malaga, Cádiz, Seville or Tarifa.
Planning
Where to stay
Being the summer destination to the European upper class, Costa del Sol has excellent accommodation options: luxurious Golf Resorts like Finca Cortesín, boutique hotels in the Marbella area, mansions, houses and apartments for rent in the areas of Puerto Banús and Sotogrande Bay, and 5 star hotels.
Time to book
Although not much anticipation is required, if Valderrama and Real Sotogrande courses are on the playing list, we suggest booking 5 months in advance in order to confirm good tee-times and be able to choose accommodation.
When to travel
On Costa del Sol you may play golf year-round. October and November, and January until the end of May are high season. When planning your trip you have to consider the maintenance schedule posted by the golf courses to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you want to travel in the European summer, we suggest the second half of May until September. Avoid July and August which is when most European travellers go.
How to get there
Travel to Málaga by plane, car or railway. This destination has an international airport, with many direct flights from several capital cities in Europe.