Golf in Spain - guide to courses and trips
Are you an avid golf fan and dream of playing golf in Spain? We understand you. Beautiful nature, good food, pleasant climate and outstanding golf courses. Just a few hours away. Here we have put together a golf guide to Spain where you can read about everything from the most visited golf areas, to what it costs with green fees and how it works with membership.
Golf courses in Spain
The golf courses in Spain are well-maintained and reputable, there are no less than 400 golf courses that attract both tourists and those who live in Spain more permanently. You'll find the courses all over the country, with the vast majority located along the coasts. Many with nice restaurants and clubhouses offering typical Spanish dishes as well as international cuisine. Here we highlight some of the most well-known golf courses in Spain.
Golf along the Costa del Sol
The Spanish Costa del Sol, Costa del Sol or Gulf Coast. The dear child has many names. And it's no wonder that Spain's southern coast is also called the Golf Coast, as there are over 50 golf courses in Malaga province alone. One of the most well-known golf courses in Malaga and throughout Spain is Finca Cortesin, an award-winning 18-hole course with a trendy Beach Club, a Michelin-starred restaurant, SPA and racetrack. Travel here with a thick wallet but get an extraordinary experience.
Not only is the Costa del Sol a popular golf destination, but throughout Andalusia you will find plenty of golf courses. Inland, these include the renowned Real Club Seville and Santa Clara in Granada with the magnificent Sierra Nevada in the background. Along the coastal strip, in the far southwest, near the Portuguese border, you'll find El Rompido with several natural golf courses and hotels. West of Fuengirola you will find Estepona, a popular golf area with several courses. And in Almeria you can play golf on the south-eastern tip of Spain. All are courses with magnificent nature and with the sea as the nearest neighbor.
Golf along the Costa Blanca
If you are going to the Costa Blanca and want to play golf, then you have a large selection of courses to choose from. Many times a little cheaper than the golf courses along the Costa del Sol. Traveling to Alicante and playing golf has for many years been in high demand among Scandinavians and this is due to several factors. Firstly, there are good flight connections all year round and the climate is ideal for playing golf. Sunny, warm and in winter the temperature is around a steady 20 degrees in the middle of the day. In addition, there is of course a large selection of good golf courses in the area.
Having Torrevieja as a starting point for the golf trip is also common. Many return here year after year and many even own their own home here. One of the most well-known courses is Las Colinas, located 20 miles from Torrevieja, a challenging course with a beautiful clubhouse and which has often hosted qualifications for the European Tour.
Golf along the Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is located in the northeast of Spain, and here too, much golf is played in the areas around Barcelona and Girona. The PGA Catalunya Resort is one of the most magnificent courses that offers a real nature experience. It is a long and relatively difficult course, surrounded by trees, large lakes and set in a naturally hilly terrain. Although this is one of the largest and most talked about courses, there are many more smaller and cheaper ones in and around this area to discover.
Golf courses with great scenery but with a lower green fee can be found in the Basque Country. As with the beaches in Spain, you'll find many hidden gems here that don't have as many visitors.
Golf trips to Spain
Since golf has become such a popular sport to combine with a weekend or a so-called long stay, there are now countless tour operators who focus on tailoring golf trips to Spain. On most organizers' websites you will find a map of which golf courses in Spain they work with. Once you've decided which area you want to go to, you can look around the operators' websites to see if you can find your favorite. Here are some of the major golf tour operators:
Of course, you can also book your golf trip yourself with flight, accommodation, car and golf course. It will probably be a little cheaper but requires a little more time and research from you.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Spain?
Actually, you could say that it's golf season all year round in Spain, but during the hottest summer months there is less pressure on the golf courses. Autumn, spring and winter are all popular seasons for golf. We Scandinavians like to travel down to the heat and play golf when we can't play the sport comfortably at home. This means that we often go to Spain to play golf in January, March, April, October and November. And then the conditions are perfect, especially on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca with its stable climate, pleasant temperature, many hours of sunshine and above all the choice of golf courses!
How much do green fees cost in Spain?
The cost of green fees can vary greatly depending on when you play, which course you visit and what is included in the green fee. Expect a cost from 350 SEK up to about 1200 SEK for a day. Really famous and lavish courses can cost up to 2500 SEK per day. You can get cheaper if you choose to book a start time later in the day. The green fee may include a car, golf bag or balls. Check what you are paying for.
If you stay at a golf resort in Spain or if you book a golf package, green fees are usually included in your booking. Since the golf courses are attractive destinations in Spain, it is good if you are out in good time so you have the opportunity to determine your start time, usually the early morning hours are the most popular and most difficult to get.
As for membership, you don't have to have one to play on Spanish golf courses. However, if you are moving to Spain, a membership at the nearest golf course may be a good idea to look into to get the most golf for your money.