If you come to Marbella and play sports, you must play a few holes of golf, since the area is known for being a golfer´s paradise. With about 70 golf courses, countless academies, a lovely climate, and the most amazing views of beaches and hills from the golf courses, the Costa del Sol is called the Costa del Golf for a reason.
There is something to find for everybody’s taste and budget. Exclusive clubs but also fun and easy to book golf courses for beginners. Some of the more exclusive clubs like Valderrama, Las Brisas, Aloha and La Reserva can only be played at once you’re a member or are invited by a member. In the last case you pay a reasonably small greenfee to play there together with the inviting member of the club. Many other golf courses are easily booked by internet or your golfing app.
Around Casa la Concha there are many great golf courses to discover. Los Flamingos in Villa Padierna, El Paraìso Golf, Atalaya, Vale Romano, Los Naranjos, El Higueral and many more. A little bit further away (20 mins) you can find more great courses like Rio Real, Calahonda, or La Cala.
Some exclusive clubs have several golf courses, and often one of them is exclusively for members, but others can be booked by paying a greenfee. Examples of this are the San Roque or La Zagaleta, clubs that both have an “old course” and a “new course”. On one of them you will be able to play as a visitor.
The fun thing about playing golf in Spain is that nobody ever asks about your handicap, so players that are beginners and that have handicaps way above 36 may play at most courses. If you don’t hinder or slow down quicker flights, then even a beginner can play on the most beautiful golf courses.
Prices vary from €35 up to €250 and even more for 18 holes. So be careful and check the prices before you book. www.teetimesbooking.com or www.greenfee365.com are popular sites to book at, but many people also book at the website of the particular golf course itself because its more reliable. If you want to play at the really fun and affordable courses like El Paraìso, make sure that you book in advance because they get booked fully quickly.
Because of the hight differences on many courses it’s best to hire a buggy, especially for beginners. The hight differences do give spectacular views over the hilly landscape and sea. Some golf courses are even almost at the beach, like Guadalmina Golf, Rio Real, and La Duquesa.
If you haven’t brought your golfing gear with you, you can hire this at many places. Easiest is hiring it at the airport in Malaga, directly after you landed, where you can hire everything for a very affordable price.
