There are many ways of being environmentally-friendly while practising sports or other activities. Golf is a sport in which you can feel in touch with nature, enjoying peace and quiet. The courses on the Costa have been designed by leading experts, creating the feeling of freedom between holes with the sea as the perfect backdrop. The conditions it boasts are among the best in the world, enjoying warm weather all year round.
The Costa del Sol boasts over 70 golf courses, and below, in ARK Architects, we highlight the 10 most important in terms of history and playing conditions.
Finca Cortesín:
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in a prime location on the Costa del Sol, Finca Cortesín has become emblematic in the world of golf.
Finca Cortesín Golf Course was designed by Cabell Robinson and boasts 18 holes, a length of 6800 metres and over 100 bunkers. It is regarded as one of the best golf courses in Spain. The outstanding landscaping enables players to enjoy wonderful views of both the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains. It has hosted the Volvo World Match Play Championship three times, one of the world’s most high-profile tournaments.
Real Club Valderrama:
The Real Club Valderrama is located on the Sotogrande residential development, a few kilometres from Gibraltar, an hour’s car drive from Cádiz and an hour and half from Málaga.
The par 71 championship course measures 6356 from the professional tees. Valderrama is not an easy course, nor was it intended to be. The course design calls for careful thought and accuracy in every shot. The course was designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, one of the best golf course architects.
La Zagaleta:
La Zagaleta is an exclusive residential development covering over 900 hectares of beautiful natural hills and valleys in a magnificent setting overlooking the sea, only ten minutes from Marbella.
One of the major attractions of La Zagaleta is undoubtedly its private golf course, designed and created by the Californian architect Bradford Benz.
La Reserva Club Sotogrande:
Golf La Reserva Sotogrande is a magnificent 18-hole golf course in Andalusia that was designed by Cabell B. Robinson, offering a spectacular round of golf among lakes and trees.
La Reserva Sotogrande Golf Club can be found in a stunning natural enclave in the most exclusive part of Sotogrande.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande:
Established in 1964, the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is located on prime golfing land on the seafront between the Guadiaro river and Sotogrande marina, in Andalusia.
The RCG Sotogrande is rated among the best golf courses in Europe.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas:
Las Brisas Royal Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course located in the heart of Nueva Andalucía, in the so-called Golf Valley. It is one of the oldest courses on the Costa del Sol.
Robert Trent Jones, the most famous golf course designer in history, was responsible for the design of the Real Club de Golf Las Brisas.
Aloha Club de Golf:
The Aloha Club de Golf is an 18-hole course located in Marbella, in the heart of the Costa del Golf just a few minutes from Puerto Banús.
Although the holes are not excessively long except for the 1st, 4th, 13th and 18th, Aloha Golf is an entertaining course which requires accuracy since it is narrow with plenty of strategically-placed hazards and trees.
The rough also makes it more difficult, as does the uneven surface on some of the greens.
Marbella Club Golf Resort:
The 18-hole course at the Marbella Club Golf Resort was designed by Dave Thomas.
Located amidst the hills of Benahavis, this magnificent Marbella golf course in the heart of the Costa del Sol boasts spectacular views of Gibraltar, the African coast, the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountains.
Los Naranjos Golf Club:
Although the fairways and bunkers at Los Naranjos Golf Club are wide, it is not an easy course and going around in par calls for long and accurate shots.
There is a big difference between the front and back nine holes, to the extent that you might think you are playing on two different courses.
On the front nine, the fairways are quite wide, but rather irregular, with trees and water features creating natural hazards.
On the second stretch, the course is flatter and flanked by orange trees (“Naranjos” in Spanish), making it easy to understand where the club takes its name from. Located in Nueva Andalucia (Marbella).
Villa Padierna Golf Club:
Located high above the picturesque hills of the Costa del Sol with far-reaching views of the Mediterranean, Villa Padierna Golf Club offers an oasis of tranquillity that will take your breath away.
Villa Padierna Golf Club boasts three 18-hole courses: Flamingos Golf, Alferini Gold and Tramores Golf.
It is also home to the Tramores Golf Academy (run by the 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell) and practice facilities.
Find out more about the architecture and lifestyle of the Costa del Sol in the ARK world
