A Golf Enthusiast’s Guide to Spain

Whether you’re heading away on a golf package holiday or fancy a taste of golf with your beach holiday, you’re bound to find the perfect course in Spain. Most of the courses are set in the huge southwestern area of Andalucia, which has 127 clubs alone, but there are plenty more golfing opportunities all along the coast through Costa Blanca in the east and up to Costa Brava in the north.

Costa del Sol

TRH Paraiso Golf and Beach Resort, Estepona, Costa Del Sol

Known affectionately as Costa del Golf, Costa del Sol is prime Spanish golfing territory, with its many courses forming attractive green areas across the landscape.

One of the finest examples is Torrequebrada Golf Course near Benalmadena, which was designed by Jose Gancedo – the ‘Picasso of Golf’. Set in beautiful countryside between mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, the course isn’t too long but is challenging all the same. The hilly landscape, dog-legged fairways and placement of the bunkers and water hazards provide interesting play that’ll make you want to try it again.

Flamingos Golf between Estepona and Marbella provides a different type of scenery as it’s modelled on a Tuscan garden design. Cypress and olive trees are planted throughout the course, there are distinctive crushed marble bunkers and marble bridges across the streams. The panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and Gibraltar will likely catch your eye the most though on this Par 72 course. The European Seniors Match Play Championships have been held here several times and you can enjoy fine dining at the famed La Cantina.

If you’re just starting out in golf, or just want a quick round while your away, the Magna Marbella is an excellent par 29, nine-hole course with a golf school. It’s also surrounded by some of Marbella’s best 18-hole courses – Aloha Golf, Real Las Brisas and Los Naranjos.

Costa de la Luz

The historic city of Cadiz is the golfing capital of Costa de la Luz and home to the world famous Montecastillo Club. Created by Jack Nicklaus in 1992, it went on to host the Volvo Masters for five consecutive years. With its grand 19th century castle-style clubhouse it’s Spain’s equivalent to Wentworth – but it also has swimming pools, tennis courts and football pitches in its 400-acre grounds.

Just along the coast, El Rompido has a north and south course which together make it the only club in the region with 36 holes. The course is located in the west of Spain, close to the Portuguese border and is a great place to immerse yourself in nature. With very little development around it, the greens and fairways blend into the surrounding wetland area of the River Piedras. Both are worth bearing in mind if you’re a golfer looking for All Inclusive holidays in Costa de la Luz.

Costa Almeria

AR Golf Almerimar Hotel, Costa Almeria, Spain

Costa Almeria is a great place for a peaceful golf break away from the crowds.

Mojacar is an up-and-coming golf destination with half-a-dozen impressive courses to try, each having stunning backdrops of mountains and ocean. Valle del Este is a relatively new resort course by Jose Canales, which uses the undulations of the tamed desert landscape. Fully embracing the desert theme is the nearby Desert Springs course, which has an Arizona theme complete with cacti and dried up river beds.

Costa Brava

Let’s not rule out northern Spain for top quality clubs, as this is where you’ll find the exclusive PGA Catalunya Resort. Consistently ranked as one of the top courses in Spain and Europe, it is located between Girona and the coastal resorts of Lloret de Mar and Malgrat de Mar. The stadium course has hosted the Spanish Open and is a key part of Spain’s bid to host the 2022 Ryder Cup. The cooler climate of northern Spain also means that courses are lusher and conditions aren’t too hot in summer.

Fancy golfing in Spain’s glorious sunshine? Check out our top golfing holidays.