Places to Visit

Golf in Spain: the Costa del Sol

Golf is now at the heart of the multi-billion dollar tourist industry which dominates the Spanish costas and nowhere more so than on the Costa del Sol which is king of the crop in terms of golfing heaven. This “sunshine coast” has more than 30 courses and Andalucia as a whole is home to nearly 60 courses, many of which host regular world championships.

The Costa del Sol’s many world class clubs include Valderrama - Spain’s most famous golf course which hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997 and the World Golf American Express Championships in 1999 and 2000. The club has become the spiritual home of the prestigious Volvo Masters tournament (the European Tour’s flagship championship).

Other big names on the long list of top flight Andalucian courses include Torrequebrada (so tough it’s called “the Beast”), spectacular Monte Mayor where the mountainside course has magnificent views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and North Africa and San Roque where you’ll find both the Seve Ballesteros golf academy and an equestrian centre run by Captain Mark Phillips.

Golf in Spain: Almeria

In Almeria, at the north eastern end of Andalucia, you can play golf in Europe’s only desert. The Valle del Este and Desert Springs courses are two first class courses in a dramatic landscape which makes golfers feel they’re playing in Arizona rather than Spain.

Golf in Spain: Cataluna

Other regions of Spain may not have the same quantity of world class courses as Andalucia but many offer top quality golf in extraordinarily beautiful settings. Cataluna, in the north east corner of the country, has several exceptional courses including the PGA “Golf de Catalunya” near Girona and the highly rated Emporda Golf Club with its course designed by top American golf architect Robert Van Hagge.

Golf in Spain: Murcia

The luxurious La Manga resort in the province of Murcia in south east Spain has three of Europe’s finest courses and has played host to five Spanish opens.
The Costa Blanca, Costa Azahar and Costa Dorada along the east coast also offer a wealth of good courses interspersed among this busy coastline’s popular tourist resorts. Las Ramblas at Torrevieja, La Sella at Denia and nearby Oliva Nova are among the many east coast resort complexes which have sprung up in recent years, attracting ex-pat buyers and golf-mad holidaymakers in equal measure.