If you are planning a golf holiday this year, you may want to consider the sunny Costa del Sol in Southern Spain.
Since the 60s, this particular region of Spain has attracted millions of tourists each year to experience everything the sunshine coast has to offer including miles of sandy beaches, wonderful nightlife and an abundance of leisure and sporting activities for the whole family.
However, the Costa del Sol has also become synonymous with golfing holidays, for those looking to play a few rounds while taking advantage of the 325 days of glorious weather that Spain has to offer each year.
Below we examine the main reasons so many golfers visit Spain’s Mediterranean coastline to relax and improve their golf swings.
Some Facts About the Costa del Sol
Translated, the Costa del Sol means the ‘Coast of Sun’ and it is named this for good reason.
This particular region of Spain boasts some of the best year-round weather anywhere and is why it remains one of the most popular golfing destinations in Europe.
A recent study suggests that around 1 Million people visit Spain each year for a golf holiday with over 500,000 visiting the Andalucia region alone.
The sub-tropical climate in Spain means an average annual temperature of 24c and very little rainfall. This means that Spanish golf courses are available to play almost year-round. However, July and August are best avoided with average temperatures often reaching around 40c in the shade. Spring and Autumn are by far the most popular months to play golf in the Costa del Sol.
In terms of accessibility, the Costa del Sol is the perfect choice for golfers coming from the UK and other European countries. From the UK, the Costa del Sol is a little over 2 hours away by air with regular flights available from all major UK airports flying into Malaga AGP airport.
As an added bonus, the vast majority of the Costa del Sol’s main tourist areas and golf courses are within a one hour drive from the airport including the popular towns of Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Mijas, Marbella and Puerto Banus.
Costa del Golf - 50 Top Golf Courses to Choose From
What makes the Costa del Sol so appealing to golfers, is that it boasts over 50 championship quality golf courses to challenge golfers of all abilities.
The famous Volvo World Matchplay tournament was played at the stunning Finca Cortesin course in Casares on the Costa del Sol between 2009 and 2012. This was after a previous 45-year spell of the championship being played at the prestigious Wentworth course in the UK.
The Cabell B. Robinson designed 18-hole championship course was rated as one of Spain’s best courses by the popular golfing magazine, Golf Digest.
Then there is the well known and much loved Valderrama course. The course was designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr and has had the pleasure of hosting some of golf’s biggest tournaments over the years including the memorable Ryder Cup of 1997, the Volvo Masters, the Spanish Open and the Andalucia Masters.
Although green fees at these courses could be at the top end of your budget, it is most definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to tee-off at the same courses played by so many golfing legends.
If you are looking for great value while on your golf break in the Costa del Sol, then the Torrequebrada course in Benalmadena is a great choice along with Santana Golf, Mijas Golf, Rio Real and Santa Maria Golf.
Luxury Golf and Spa Resorts Await
The Costa del Sol is also synonymous with luxury spas and leisure resorts, which offer golfers to use the golf hitting mats and the chance to completely unwind after a ‘hard day’ on the golf course.
La Cala Resort located in the popular area of Mijas Costa is well known for being one of the finest golf and leisure resorts in Spain and is frequented by footballers and other sports professionals during their winter training camps. Celebrities and other TV personalities also visit the resort throughout the year looking to experience the three fantastic golf courses and luxury leisure facilities there.
Offering two of Costa del Sol’s best and most established golf courses (The Old and New courses) along with world-class practice facilities, Atalaya Golf is another of the Costa del Sol’s best sport and leisure resorts.
Lastly, the aforementioned Finca Cortesin has been rated one of the top places to chill out on the Costa del Sol by no less than Conde Nast Traveller magazine which described Finca Cortesin as a “relaxing bolthole of supreme refinement”.
The luxurious and ultra-stylish resort not only boasts one of Spain’s premier golf courses, but also a spa, hotel, beach club and it’s very own exclusive shopping area.
Miles of Golden Sandy Beaches
The Costa del Sol boasts around 125 golden sandy beaches covering over 100 miles of Mediterranean coastline.
Needless to say, you won’t have any problem finding somewhere to sunbathe when not playing golf. In fact, your biggest challenge will be deciding on which of the amazing beaches to spend the day on.
The Western Costa del Sol which is where the majority of the best golf courses are located boasts over 25 blue flag beaches meaning that the beach has been certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) as meeting their standards of environmental management, public safety, water quality and cleanliness.
Some of the best beaches to explore are:-
● Playa Malaspequera - Benalmadena ● Los Boliches - Fuengirola ● Cabopino Beach - Marbella ● Playa de Burriana - Nerja ● Playa de la Carihuela - Torremolinos ● Playa de la Malagueta - Malaga ● Butibamaba Beach - La Cala de Mijas
The vast majority of Costa del Sol beaches offer facilities such as toilets, bars and restaurants (Chiringuitos) so you will always have somewhere to cool off and grab a snack.
Endless Things to Do
The great thing about visiting the Costa del Sol for a luxury golf holiday is that there is so much to do when not playing golf. Those who wish to take their children with them on their golf break will find ample things to do and see to keep them fully entertained.
As the Costa del Sol is such a well-established tourist destination there is so much to see and do throughout the day and late into the night.
Popular destinations such as Benalmadena, Marbella, Puerto Banus and Fuengirola have a myriad of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you entertained.
Or why not take an excursion exploring some of the many sightseeing opportunities on offer along the coast. Below are some of the most popular and well worthy of a visit.
● Buddhist Stupa - Benalmadena ● Bioparc Zoo - Fuengirola ● Aqualand Waterpark - Torremolinos ● Benalmadena Marina - Benalmadena ● Tivoli World Amusement Park - Benalmadena ● Orange Square - Old Town, Marbella ● Miramar Shopping Complex - Fuengirola ● Teleferico Cable Car - Benalmadena
