Golf in Marbella with Guadalmina

MARBELLA is the playground of the rich and famous in southern Spain - take a trip to this part of the world and there is every chance that you may end up rubbing shoulders with a former Spice Girl, the odd Premier League footballer, singer or multi-millionaire businessman or woman.

The area boasts more than 320 days a year of glorious sunshine and average summer temperatures in the 80s, with the added bonus that its all-year-round climate means you can visit here 12 months of the year and know for certain that it is going to be much warmer than what you leave behind in the United Kingdom.

Marbella is a thriving part of Spain. Whether you are looking for shops packed with designer goods, seafront bars, quality restaurants selling the best food you have ever eaten, time to put your feet up on the beach or a dip in a swimming pool, this is the place for you.

And that's without getting to the specifics of the accommodation and deals on offer through golfbreaks.com - or the amazing golf courses. Book through golfbreaks.com and you will find yourself staying at the Guadalmina, a luxury four-star beachfront hotel located in an area known as the "Paradise of Golf".

It boasts 178 rooms and suites, along with a choice of three restaurants and a glorious spa.

You can eat indoors or al fresco (and why wouldn't you want to unwind in the open air?) and the quality of food on offer is outstanding. Whether it be from the restaurant, the terrace or poolside, the surrounding views are also outstanding - beach, sea, golf courses, hills. This place will take your breath away.

And then there are the two on-site golf courses. Many resort courses are overcrowded and poorly-maintained. Not here though. There is plenty of choice in this part of the world, so if you are going to be competitive and keep people coming back then you simply have to provide memorable facilities, and Guadalmina does precisely that.

So what about the courses?

Guadalmina South, 6,893 yards,par 72, links

Opened in 1959, this is the more challenging of the two layouts. It was designed by Javier Arana and is one of the oldest courses in southern Spain. It originally opened as a nine-hole course before being extended to 18 a few years later. It was updated in 2002. It features narrow fairways protected by plenty of trees, so accurate tee shots are an absolute must.

It is a traditional course featuring 10 par fours, four par threes and four par fives, the longest of which is the 575-yard sixth, immediately followed by another par five. The outward nine is where you will make your score. Much of the course is exposed, boasting fabulous views of the sea - indeed a couple of holes run along the Mediterranean, separated only by a narrow strip of land. The wind can blow pretty hard in this part of the world but it is a warm breeze. Watch out for the pond at the 13th, which catches many well-struck drives if the ball takes an unkind bounces. The 10th tee is the one that is closest to the hotel, and you may find yourself starting there. The downside of that is that the back nine is tougher and you need to plan your way around if you are going to score well. Don't be fooled by the wide fairways - Guadalmina South has teeth!

Guadalmina North, 6,124 yards, par 72, links/parkland

Shorter than its sister course, and hillier, Guadalmina North opened in 1973. Once again, accuracy is the watchword because there are many water hazards, and most are hidden in the rough. It features a number of par fours that are just about reachable from the tee, but woe betide you if you should have a go and strike a wayward drive - a birdie can easily become a seven (or worse) if you don't find the target.

Part of the course meanders between apartment blocks and is fairly reminiscent of an American resort course. It is well looked after, and you will love the silky-smooth greens and the perfectly-manicured fairways.

The courses feature a driving range, chipping area, practice greens and a golf school, so you can brush up on your skills while you are there.

For more information on golf holidays to Gaudalimina Resort please visit Golfbreaks.com - Click Here