The Best Golf Courses to Play on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for British holidaymakers. It is also a haven for golfers, with courses to suit every pocket and handicap. Some of the best courses on the Continent have been built in this part of Europe, designed by world-renowned architects and legends of the game, from Robert Trent Jones Jr to Seve Ballesteros. There are dozens of courses to choose from. Here, we look at nine of the best.

Las Brisas Golf Club

Type: Parkland

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

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 native Mediterranean trees.

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

Green fee: 37-55 euros

Designed by Enrique Canales Busquets, Santa Clara Golf 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.

Reason to play: A beautiful location, featuring some amazing scenery

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Aloha Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 225 euros

Designed by Javier Arana, Aloha has hosted several European Tour tournaments 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: A gem for those who like to think their way around

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Finca Cortesin Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 260-305 euros

Finca Cortesin is globally renowned for providing one of Europe’s most unforgettable golf experiences. Rated as one of Spain’s best golf courses by Golf Digest magazine, the relationship between the natural Mediterranean landscape and environment on the resort’s world-class 18-hole championship course make for an unforgettable experience. The fairways are lush and the greens are quick. Cabell B. Robinson’s course design and Gerald Huggan’s attractive landscaping capture the natural characteristics of the area, adding up to an ideal balance between 20 varieties of flora, forest and the perfectly-manicured Bermuda grass on the course.

Reason to play: one of the best courses in Europe

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Tramores Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 89 euros

Tramores is an 18-hole course with a par of 63 that features an American Golf Academy, the only one of its kind in Europe. It includes practice ranges – both open-air and covered – but also its own course where the theory can be put into practice. The course and academy are located at the foot of a mountain, offering some breathtaking scenery

Reason to play: fantastic practice facilities

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Flamingos Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 89 euros

This 18-hole, 71-par course measuring 5,714 metres was designed by Antonio García Garrido, known for his meticulous landscaping. It has a great variety of trees and stunning views of the Mediterranean. The greens are generous in size, but the fairways are narrow, especially on the front nine, where accuracy is essential from the tee. You can open up your shoulders more on the back nine. The bunkers contain white marble chips and the fairways are sown with Bermuda grass. Flamingos has hosted several European Senior Tour events as well as the Women’s Spanish Open.

Reason to play: short but very sweet, and will bare its teeth if you take it for granted

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Golf Torrequebrada

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 58-75 euros

A beautiful course located between the sea and mountains, Torrequebrada is 20 minutes from Malaga Airport, Torremolinos and Fuengirola, and just 10 minutes from Benalmadena and its popular harbour. It has hosted the Spanish Open. A delightful parkland course with more than 100 varieties of shrubs and trees, with the backdrop of the Mediterranean and the mountains to distract you if you are having an off-day. The greens are large and fast, and there are lots of bunkers and lakes to be avoided.

Reason to play: great test, stunning scenery

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Mijas Golf

Type: Parkland

Green fee: 60-95 euros

Mijas Golf is one of the most popular golf complexes in Spain, featuring two courses, Los Lagos and Los Olivos, situated in the valley of Mijas, north of Fuengirola, only 20 minutes from Málaga international airport and Marbella. They are known for their condition - you will find immaculate fairways and perfect greens no matter what time of year you play here. Los Lagos is the most famous of the two courses. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and was completely refurbished in 2012, while remaining true to the original architect’s design. It features gentle undulations, wide fairways, trees, lots of bunkers and no fewer than nine lakes. The greens are large and relatively flat.

Reason to play: terrific challenge

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Alhaurin Golf Resort

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: 48-68 euros

Alhaurin is regarded as one of the most beautiful golf courses in Spain. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, it comprises a par 72 course and a par three layout, all with incredible views of the Sierra de Mijas and the Mediterranean Sea. The 18-hole course features plenty of undulations. There are five par threes, five par fives and eight par fours. The fairways and greens are perfectly manicured, as you would expect of a Ballesteros course, but some of the rough is quite punishing.

Reason to play: this is a proper golf course that will challenge you

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

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