The Best Golf Courses to Play in Marbella

By: Golfshake Editor | Thu 11 Jul 2019

MARBELLA has increasingly gained a reputation as being a playground for the rich and famous, and where the rich and famous hang out, amazing golf courses tend to spring up. And this part of the world is no exception. There are some absolute gems here, designed by many of the game’s legends. They are are perfectly manicured. Most are parkland layouts but offer spectacular views looking out across the Mediterranean. If you visit this part of Spain it would be a crime not to bring your golf clubs. Here we look at four must-play courses.

Las Brisas Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1968, Las Brisas is a classic 18-hole course that also happens to be a treat on the eye. It was updated in 2015 but none of the original character has been lost. Las Brisas has featured in the top 100 courses in Europe for many years, and it is not difficult to understand why. There are many splendid holes, some carving their way through trees, others with water hazards that require pinpoint accuracy. Plants and trees from all over the world were imported to give this course its unique appearance. You will find rare species from Africa such as the Cape Chestnut and Spiny Acacias, the Indian Laurel and Mysore Ficus from Asia, Chorisia Spciosa from America, the Green Ash from Mexico, and the Whistling Pine from Australia, combined with numerous palms and Mediterranean trees.

Green fee: price upon request. There is limited availability, but don’t let put you off. Expect to pay about 250 euros (buggy included)

Reason to play: fabulous course with some classic holes and amazing views

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

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Santa Clara

Type: Parkland

Greeen fee: 57-78 euros

Designed by Enrique Canales Busquets, Santa Clara Golf Marbella is a par 71 located not far from the centre of Marbella. Like so many of the courses in this part of the world, it makes the most of the natural environment and is teeming with wildlife and vegetation. It features wide fairways, with little rough and beautiful greens. Scores are made on the 12th, 13th and 14th holes, known as Santa Clara Corner, a par four, par three and par five that require accuracy. The driving range is widely-regarded as one of the best in the region. Aloha Golf Club Designed by Javier Arana, Aloha has hosted several European Tour tournament and is regarded as one of Spain’s finest golf courses. A parkland course, it is a par 72 featuring four par fives, four par threes and 10 par fours, measuring 6,882 yards from the back tees. This is not a bomber’s golf course. Its design means that to score well you simply have to find fairways from the tee as you carve your way through trees and attempt to avoid the many lakes. There are beautiful views of both the Mediterranean and La Concha Mountain, which dominates the horizon. Look out, too, for the glorious flora and fauna.

Reason to play: stunning European Tour venue, and fantastic value for money

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: 54-89 euros

Los Arqueros is notable because it was the first golf course to be designed by the legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros, way back in 1991. It is surrounded by mountains and offers fabulous scenery and amazing views over the Mediterranean. It is a par 71 that has made the most of the natural terrain. As you would expect with a course designed by Ballesteros, it is pretty challenging and will provide a tough test for higher handicappers. The greens are magnificent, and there are plenty of hazards to be avoided, including lots of trees! The signature holes are the par-four 12th and par-five 13th, both of which are played from elevated tees with hazards on both sides of the fairway.

Reason to play: it was Seve’s first course. What other reason do you need?

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Rio Real Golf Course

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: from 57 euros (buggy included)

Rio Real was designed by Javier Arana, widely regarded to be the best Spanish designer of all time. There is a misconception that golf is a relatively new attraction to this part of the world, but Rio Real opened in 1965. It runs alongside the Rio Real River, from which it takes its name, and forms an integral part of the course, right up until it reaches the Mediterranean Sea. It is a par 72 known for its beauty and a huge variety of trees, including pine, palm, casuarinas, olive and cypress.

Reason to play: one of the most established courses in the region

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Other courses in the area include: