Your Guide to Golfing in the Costa del Sol

Over 10 million people visit the Costa del Sol, Spain every year making it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, with tourists heading to destinations such as; Malaga, Marbella, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Puerto Banus and Sotogrande. With some of the best golf courses located along the coastline of the Province of Malaga, the area has become the premier destination for golfing holidays in Spain. However, with so many golf clubs near the Costa del Sol, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you decide which golf clubs on the Costa del Sol to visit, we’ve put together a guide with some of our favourites.

Golf courses near Torremolinos

If your heading to Torremolinos for a golfing holiday, a visit to the oldest club on the Costa Del Sol can’t be missed. The Real Club de Campo de Malaga is located between Malaga and Torremolinos, close to Malaga Airport. Despite the location, the course is routed over sandy terrain, giving the course a links-like feel in places. Another great golf club is Golf Torrequebrada, a testing course for even the most experienced of players. Routed over hilly terrain, the course features water hazards, doglegged fairways and strategically placed bunkers to challenge players of all abilities.

Although its name means ‘The Sunshine Coast’, some of the best golf clubs on the Costa Del Sol are located inland. Situated 1,000 feet above sea level, Lauro Golf is an 18-hole course built on the undulating terrain of an old 18th Century farm. Whilst elevation changes are a key feature at Lauro, Guadalhorce Club de Golf offers golfers variety. Stretching over 6,800 yards, the first nine are configured in a typical European format with the back nine being flatter and involving water hazards.

Golf clubs near Fuengirola

Unlike a lot of golf clubs on the Costa del Sol, El Chaparral Golf Club is situated in a wooded area featuring incredible valleys. Requiring players to focus on accuracy and precision, this course is great for those looking to evaluate their skills. Another top coastal golf club near Fuengirola is Miraflores Golf. A good choice for those looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, the course follows the natural contour of the valley and is much flatter than its appearance suggests.

Situated inland from the Mediterranean, Santana Golf & Country Club sits surrounded by 140 acres of orange and avocado groves, with views of the spectacular Mijas Mountains. One of the top golf courses on the Costa del Sol, the course is laid over gently undulating farmland that is easy to walk. Santana is also close to the largest golf resort in Spain, La Cala Resort. Boasting three championship 18-hole courses and a 6-hole par three course, La Cala has some of the best facilities in the area and a must visit on your Costa del Sol golfing holiday.

Golf clubs near Marbella

Rio Real Golf & Wellness Resort is one of the oldest courses in the Marbella area. Complete with pine and palm tree-lined fairways, this course is reminiscent of classic Costa del Sol golf. Featuring bold bunkering and a handful of water features, Rio Real is suitable for players of all abilities. Another well-established course is Real Club de Golf Las Brisas. Known for its attention to detail and high quality, it was the host venue of the 1973 World Cup of Golf and the 1987 Spanish Open.

One of the most popular golf courses on the Costa del Sol is Club de Golf Aloha. Immaculately maintained, the course stretches 6,900 yards over hilly, tight terrain. The host of the European Tour’s Andalucía Open between 2007 and 2012, Aloha is one of the most prestigious clubs in the area. Another golf course near Marbella is La Quinta Golf & Country Club. Designed by the three-times World Champion and Ryder Cup champion Manuel Pinero, the course offers a 27-hole course that is suitable for all levels of play.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for your golfing holiday to the Costa del Sol, Spain. If you are looking for a hassle-free way to travel from the airport to hotel, and the hotel to golf course, why not let Golf-Drives take care of all your Costa del Sol golfing holiday transfer needs? Use the online quote generator to get an instant quote now!

The Best Golf Courses in the Algarve

The Algarve is one of the top destinations for golf tourists, and with towns such as Albufeira, Lagos and Vilamoura, it is no surprise to see why. Introduced in 1890 by a group of British wine exporters, the golf courses in Portugal are some of the best in the world.

As one of Europe’s most popular golf holiday destinations, over half of the best golf courses in Portugal can be found in the Algarve. Stretching for 100 miles along the southern coastline, there are over 40 golf courses in the Algarve, ranging from 9-holes to 18-holes and everything in between. Obviously, you can’t visit all of these courses during a single golf holiday in the Algarve, so here we’ve listed 10 of the best and we’re counting down. Take a look!

Algarve Golf Courses List

10. Quinta da Ria at Quinta da Ria Resort

Located away from the majority of Algarve golf courses, Quinta da Ria is one of two courses at the Quinta da Ria Resort. Located in the Eastern Algarve and within the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, the Quinta da Ria opened for play in 2002.

The course was designed by the architect, Rocky Roquemore, and offers 18 holes with a traditional par 72 layout that runs on an almost flat terrain. Serene, rugged and unspoilt, Quinta da Ria features five lakes and numerous bunkers to challenge players of all standards.

9. Quinta de Cima at Quinta da Ria Resort

The second course located within the Quinta da Ria Resort, the Quinta de Cima is an 18-hole championship course with a par of 72. Spread over 620,000m², the course has established international acclaim, hosting the PGA Europro Tour in 2003 and 2004. Quinta da Cima combines the serene surroundings of orange trees and vineyards with hazards such as permanent flowing water to create a top-quality golf course that maintains the essence of the landscape.

8. Laranjal at Quinta do Lago

Part of a 2,000-acre exclusive residential development, Laranjal is one of three courses at Sociedade de Golfe da Quinta do Lago. Just 15 minutes northwest of Faro airport, the development consists of housing and three award-winning golf courses.

Voted Best Golf Course at the 2011 Portuguese Travel Awards, Laranjal gets its name from the orange grove which previously occupied the site. Measuring 6,480 metres in length, this par 72 championship course has a distinctive undulating terrain which requires concentration and accuracy. You’ll need to be on your A game!

7. North at Quinta do Lago

Renovated in 2014 by Beau Welling in collaboration with European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley, the North course at Quinta do Lago is one of the most enjoyable golf courses in the Algarve. Embracing the charm of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, this par 72 course is both natural and technically perfect. Using undulating terrain, strategically placed bunkers and water hazards such as a 3-acre lake, players of all abilities will be challenged at Quinta do Lago.

6. South at Quinta do Lago

The third and most critically-acclaimed course at the Sociedade de Golfe da Quinta do Lago is the South. Designed by William Mitchell in 1974, this 18-hole championship par 72 course has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times and is a flagship in the European Tour Course. Despite its prestigious reputation, the South course’s variety should not deter an amateur golfer from trying their hand.

5. Onyria Palmares Golf & Beach Resort

Offering the best views available from any golf course in Portugal, the Onyria Palmares Golf & Beach Resort has a range of fairways to try out. Renovated by Robert Trent Jones in 2011, the course is composed of three returning nine-hole loops that can be played in any sequence. Combining elevation changes, various hazards and shoreline play, the amount of variety available at this course has made it one of the most popular golf courses on the Algarve.

4. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort

The first 18-hole Championship golf course on the Algarve, the Championship course at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort was built in 1966 by Sir Henry Cotton. Located on a 360-acre estate between Portimao and Lagos, the resort has previously been voted Portugal’s Leading Golf Resort by the World Travel Awards. The Championship course is one of three at the resort; the other two being the 18-hole Resort course and the 9-hole Academy course. Featuring a stream, ditches and subtle slopes, this par 73 course has hosted the Portuguese Open ten times and is playable all year round.

3. The Royal at Vale do Lobo

Portugal’s largest luxury resort and the most senior golf resort on the Algarve, Vale do Lobo is a luxury residential development which boasts two award-winning 18-hole golf courses, known as the Royal and the Ocean. Based on the original drawings of Sir Henry Cotton, the Royal was designed by Rocky Roquemore and opened in 1997. Home to the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover, the Royal course is a must-visit on your golfing holiday to the Algarve.

2. San Lorenzo Golf Course

Set close by to Vilamoura, alongside the Atlantic Ocean, the San Lorenzo Golf Course is ranked alongside the best in the world. Opening for play in 1988, Joe Lee took advantage of the areas excellent topography and routed the course through gently undulating pine woodland. Laid out in a figure of eight, the course offers spectacular sea views alongside threatening water hazards.

1. North at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club

Located in the northeast hills of Tavira, the Monte Rei Golf & Country Club is worth travelling for. Despite only opening for play in 2007, the North is not only the best golf course in the Algarve but also the best golf course in Portugal. This par 72 championship golf course consists of eight par 4’s, five par 3’s and five par 5’s in a unique and challenging layout. Measuring 6567m² from the Tournament tees, the contoured, sculpted bunkers and attention to detail make this course an enjoyable and memorable experience that no golfing holiday to the Algarve is complete without.

Prepare for the golf holiday of a lifetime

There you have it! If you have any more questions at all, just get in touch. Alternatively, you can take a look at our FAQs page which should answer any questions you may have. Happy golfing!