Costa del Sol Golf Holidays

There may not be a more famous course in all of Spain than Valderrama. Immortalised as the host course to the 1997 Ryder Cup and Seve’s victorious European team, the course more than lives up to its mighty reputation.

There’s a real thrill about stepping onto the first tee. And while there are cheaper courses to play, it’s an experience that’s worth every penny for genuine golf lovers. From the clubhouse to the fairways, the venue oozes class. The course is never less than immaculate, and offers a challenge to match your ability, thanks to a range of tees from which to play.

As tough as they come off the back tees, but choose to play a little further forward and you can reduce the danger and hit approaches from the same spots as the pros.

This is a bucket-list golf experience and often the centre-piece of golf breaks in the Costa Del Sol.

At 6,800m long, Finca Cortesin is a bit of a monster. Add to that more than 100 bunkers dotted across the course and you have yourself a thrilling golf challenge. But don’t let that put you off. This is truly one of the great courses in all of Spain.

Exceptional design, quality layout and immaculate maintenance all blending with the stunning natural surroundings make for a golf experience that’s not to be missed.

Every hole seems to be a signature hole. From tricky dog-legs, par 5s that test your driving or water-protected approaches that test your nerve. All played out to a dramatic backdrop of the Estepona mountain.

A huge favourite for many a golfer visiting the Costa Del Sol, and a course that needs to be played at least once.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1964, Sotogrande may be one of the older courses in the Costa Del Sol, but it remains one of the very best for golf tourists visiting the region.

Shaped both by its surroundings and the natural vegetation of the area, ‘Sotogrande Old’, as the locals call it, meanders through trees and countryside, offering holes that frequently require imagination and thought.

This is largely down to the water hazards and bunkers strategically placed to capture the errant drive and wayward approach.

The old course may be a test, but it’s also a major treat for golfers coming to this part of Spain. There’s a reason why it features in many a top 10 list of best courses in Europe – add it to your golfing itinerary, and you’ll see why.

Nestled in the golfing heart of the Costa Del Sol, in the district of Marbella and just a short hop from the glitz of Puerto Banus, Aloha is one of the region’s most prestigious courses.

Host to the Andalusian Open on multiple occasions, the course has long been a favourite for many an A-list golf enthusiasts and celebrities visiting the area. Like most within this golfing hotbed, both club and course offer a sense of refined style and immaculate presentation.

The course offers carpet-like fairways and receptive greens. And, while not excessively long, there are enough hazards and quirks in the layout to create a challenge that’s fun to navigate and a joy to play.

Throw in the year-round sunshine and proximity to night-time entertainment and this is one for the golf holiday check-list.

A stone’s throw from Marbella itself, this is another Robert Trent Jones course within the golfing hub of the Costa Del Sol. Designed for golfers of all abilities makes the course one of the more popular destinations for golfing holidaymakers looking for the right mix of quality facilities and interesting holes.

Using the rolling, hilly Andalusian countryside to great effect, the course boasts stunning natural scenery and views out across the Mediterranean. It makes for some spectacular golf, with each hole offering a different challenge, from shots across ravines, plotting paths between water and sand, and risk-reward long holes for good measure.

Another course for the golf itinerary when visiting Marbella thanks to its location and the offer of an entertaining day.

One of the great golfing resorts in Southern Spain, Mijas is an ever-popular destination for those looking to stay within the heart of Costa Del Sol’s golfing community.

Among the stunning resort, you’ll find 36-holes across two compelling courses, both with their own unique style and personality.

The older of the two, Los Lagos, is a particular favourite, comprising typically stunning upkeep with a great golfing experience. Wide fairways are laid across the rolling, undulating terrain, offering opportunities galore to hit into large, slick greens. It’s a classic course that rewards good play but can heavily penalise the sloppy shot, and a lot of fun.

By contrast, Los Olivos offers a shorter, narrower challenge, Equally fine in condition and layout, this is a flatter track, requiring accuracy off the tee to set up good scoring opportunities for your society stableford.