Discover The Costa Del Sol's Best Golf Courses

If you love nothing more than playing 18 holes with the sun shining down on you, surrounded by beautiful countryside, then there’s no better place to be than the Costa del Sol, if you're currently looking for a property in Spain and you like golf, then you might want to consider living near a golf course.

In fact, the Costa del Sol is highly regarded for its array of well-designed and well-maintained golf courses which attract not only those living in Spain, but visitors from further afield as well, who regularly refer to the region as the ‘Golf Coast’.

Many fans of the sport choose villas in Mijas for golf access, whilst La Cala estate agents report huge numbers of enquiries for properties close to the local golf course.

Related: The Best Golf Resorts And Areas To Live by in Spain

To help you choose the best location in the Costa del Sol for you, here is a comprehensive list of the regions five best golf courses:

Baviera

Baviera is located in the foothills of the Sierra Mountain range, close to Caleta de Velez Malaga. One of the main attractions of this well-presented course are incredible views of both the mountain and the sea which you are afforded no matter what hole you’re playing.

The course has a Par 71, and is suitable for all handicaps. For golf enthusiasts the main attractions of the course are its wide greens and varied selection of obstacles, including water hazards. You will need a range of different clubs and strokes to play here to your best potential. If you don’t travel with your own, you can hire clubs from the pro shop as well as trolleys (both manual and electric), buggies, and anything else you might need. The club also has a driving range, if you want to practice your swing before heading out onto the course, as well as putting and chipping greens to help improve your skills.

Flamingos

Flamingos is another course that offers awe-inspiring views. As well as being able to see vast expanses of the Mediterranean, you can also see across to Gibraltar on a clear day. The course itself is enormous, covering 5,883 metres, and it has been beautiful designed with nature in mind. You’ll find a range of trees including cypresses, oranges, jacarandas, pines, olives, and chestnuts. The bunkers, meanwhile, have been decadently constructed of crushed marble, and you’ll play across obstacles such as marble bridges and Tuscan-style gardens. The course here is unapologetically tricky, with the first nine holes posing the biggest challenge.

From a practical point of view, the pro shop offers all of the usual golf equipment hire you would expect, and there is a 100-tee driving range to practice your power and precision. The clubhouse has an excellent reputation and the La Cantina fine dining restaurant there is one of the best in the area. There is also a terrace bar and coffee shop for more casual meet ups.

Atalaya

One of the oldest golf courses in the Costa del Sol, Atalaya was founded in 1968 and the course is now proud to be the headquarters of the PGA Europe. Here you’ll find not just one 18 hole course but two: each with a par of 72. Thanks to its association with the PGA and its excellent facilities (including one of the largest driving ranges in Spain) this is one of the most popular golf and country clubs in the area.

When you visit Atalaya you can take golf lessons in several languages (bookable via the well-kitted out pro shop) and as well as the driving range mentioned above there are four putting greens and a short game area. It’s also worth mentioning that the course here is beautiful, offering mountain and sea views alongside a host of lush vegetation. Both the old and new courses are well worth exploration.

Alcaidesa

Alcaidesa is another course that affords views of Gibraltar, as well as of the Atlas Mountains. This is the most western course on the Costa Del Sol, and it is also one of the most highly regarded. The course offers 18 holes with a par of 71. The greens here are well kept, and were initially designed by world-renowned course designers Peter Alliss and Clive Clark. The course here has been beautifully integrated into the natural environment; four of the holes are beach side, and the whole course runs along the coast line.

This isn’t a course for beginners: the often-windy conditions means that your skills and ability will be bested here. In reality, that’s what attracts so many players to this course every year!  At the pro shop you can book a lesson, hire clubs and buggies, and the course also offers putting and chipping greens, as well as a driving range.

Alhaurin

If you’re looking for a tricky course then Alhaurin is the perfect course for you! This 18 hole, par 72 course is built into the Mijas Mountains, and features long, narrow fairways that require precise accuracy. Miss your shot? You’ll be rewarded with a tricky search to find your ball in the natural rough! When it comes to obstacles, this course has it all: water hazards, bunkers, and natural obstacles too.

From a practical point of view, you’ll need either a good level of fitness or to hire a buggy to get around this course, but you will be rewarded with outstanding mountain and sea views. The course offers up to 6 tee-off positions, and the facilities at the clubhouse include a restaurant and bar, a golf school, clubs, trolleys, and buggy hire and a driving range, as well as practice bunkers and greens.

Are you thinking of moving to Spain? Whether you’re looking for Mijas golf apartments for sale or golf villas close to your favourite course, we can help! Why not get in touch with our local property experts, who are perfectly placed to help you find the Spanish home of your dreams. We’re excited to help you make your next move your best move!