Costa del Sol, Costa del Golf

There are few golfing destinations in the world that come close to the Costa del Sol for choice and quality. It's more than earned its nickname as the 'Costa del Golf' and has become an incredible international sporting venue.

Quality and abundance of courses

With more than 70 different, varied and challenging facilities in a few square kilometres, the Costa del Golf is the perfect destination for playing this sport.

Countless golf lovers call the Costa del Sol their golf destination of choice not only for the abundance of high-quality courses, but also for the wide variety of golfing events on offer.

The guarantee of quality service and facilities at all levels is perhaps one of the destination's strongest points, together with the uniqueness of each course in the Costa del Sol.

Perhaps one of the most famous and revered golf courses in the area is Valderrama. This course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, has been named as the best in Europe on a number of occasions and was the first course outside of the United Kingdom to host the legendary Ryder Cup.

It is, however, not the only golf course in the Costa del Sol with such an international reputation.

Some of the biggest names in golf course architecture have their signatures on courses in the Costa del Sol. Players such as Severiano Ballesteros, José María Cañizares and international architects such as Robert Trent Jones, Tom Simpson and Cabell Robinson have etched their expertise and talent onto the Costa del Sol landscape.

Much more than just golf...
There's a huge choice of specialist golfing services on the Costa del Sol, offering a wide range of services; from selling and hiring equipment through to expert staffed golf academies and pro shops.

Virtually all courses on the Costa del Golf offer a fine clubhouse where players and friends can enjoy superb dining experiences and stunning views. The perfect place to unwind and relive the highs and lows of the earlier round of golf.

Whilst the area is known for its high standard and quality of golf courses, it's a great place to play for the first time. There are a number of top centres where golfers can begin or develop their golfing career. These academies provide high-level professional tuition, catering to most languages and using the latest sporting technologies to enhance and enrich the learning experience.

Want to get a feel for what it's like out on a Costa del Sol Golf course? Browse the courses in 360º right here.

Beyond the green
It comes as no surprise that for any visitor many of the Costa del Sol's biggest lures revolve around the sun and the sea. There's no shortage of choice either with most attractions open year round, thanks in no small part to average annual temperature of around 20°C and 325 days of sunshine a year.

Off the golf course, it’s a real pleasure to able to enjoy the beach with its warm sand, blue sea and bright sunshine before or after a demanding round of golf. Or to stroll along one of the several seafront promenades in the province's coastal towns, which are always full of life and packed with great bars and places to shop.

If the beach isn't quite your scene why not explore one of the hundreds of picturesque towns and villages in the province and discover the picturesque white painted streets first-hand. Or, if you prefer a more urban setting, get away for a day or just for a few hours and discover the culture and Andalusian ambience of the more bustling town centres of the Costa del Sol.

Golfers and travelers alike can savour the local cuisine, based on the prestigious Mediterranean diet, thanks to delicious dishes such as gazpacho, ajoblanco (a garlic and almond-based soup), porra (a kind of thick gazpacho, served cold), fried fish, tapas and espetos (sardines chargrilled on cane skewers), or the best international cuisine in any of the local bars and restaurants. Not to mention the fantastic regional wines.

If after a day on the course or drinking in the culture you still aren't done, you can head out along the seafront promenades or vibrant nightclubs and bars.

Without a doubt, the Costa del Sol has earned its reputation as an outstanding golfing destination and it's nickname - Costa del Golf.