Nothing below par on the Costa del Sol

Nothing below par on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is a golfer´s paradise.  With over 60 superb courses between Velez-Malaga and Sotogrande,  golf holidays in Spain are the best in the world.

Combine a fantastic sunny climate with great golf courses, cheap beer and some serious nightlife,  and you are well on your way to an amazing golfing break in Spain.

Many specialist golf packages include discounted green fees at some of the coast´s top courses, quality hotel accommodation, and even car hire. Golfing hot spots, and low spots, depending on your après golf stamina, include the lively towns of Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona.

The beauty of the Costa del Sol´s golf courses is their diversity.  Sotogrande, home to the world famous Valderrama Course, is where the more well-heeled, or should I say, well-spiked golfers choose to play.  Golfing riff-raff are not tolerated at Valderrama, and if you don´t know your pitcher from your putter, this former Ryder Cup course is probably best avoided.

Known as the beauty and the beast, Monte Mayor near Estepona will drive you, quite literally round the bend. With the advertising slogan ´you have to have balls to play it´ – they´re not kidding.  On the plus side you will have plenty of time to admire the scenery while ball-searching on this demon course.

The ´challenging twists and turns´ of La Cala Resort are more likened to hairpin bends, and golfers looking for a more gentile round of golf are guaranteed to want to kill by the end of the day.  If you are up for a challenge, then this one is for you.  Also – great spa treatments and massages available to help relax you after golf.

Mijas-Golf is another story altogether.  Easily to negotiate without a buggy, this gentle course even has its own gaggle of geese to meet you at the entrance.  But don´t be fooled into thinking this course is effortless.  As the geese will testify, there are some tricky water hazards (not so tricky for them) and tall trees hiding the greens.  Quite challenging and not as easy as it looks.

Cabopino is an addictive course that keeps you coming back for more.  Overlooking the Med, with rolling fairways and sloping greens, this course is short and tight -which reminds me of a certain barmaid in the vicinity – but that´s another story.  Fantastic facilities at the 19th hole, and just a stone´s throw from Cabopino Marina, with its Irish pubs, tapas bars and waterfront restaurants.

If you are looking for great golf, good fun and the chance to play some of Europe´s top courses, look no further than the Costa del Sol. While golfers in the UK and Northern Europe are preparing for the winter freeze, you can be basking in the Spanish sunshine.  Also home to Spain´s most infamous late night bars, restaurants and clubs, the Costa del Sol offers the ultimate in golfing breaks.  Stylish and slick,  Southern Spain is an unbeatable location for golfers.