Golf on the Costa del Sol is pretty much as good as it gets! This is a golfing paradise welcoming more than half a million visiting golfers each year, with options for everyone, from budget golf courses on Costa del Sol to the most luxurious golf resorts. An excess of 70 golf courses are located along the sunny coast, making this southernmost part of Europe the “field of dreams” for the global golfing community.
Many world events have been staged on the Costa del Sol utilising a selection of some of the finest golf courses in the world such as The Ryder Cup at Valderrama, The World Match Play and soon the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin, European Tour events, Ladies European Tour events, Challenge Tour events various Q schools held at prestigious courses like San Roque, Torrequebrada, Valle Romano, Atalaya, Villa Padierna, Mijas Golf and many more.
This rich golfing history means that locals and visitors enjoying golf on the Costa del Sol can walk in the footsteps of the greats and play these very same courses!
Admittedly playing some of these most prestigious golf courses can be expensive. So with this article we aim to bring some balance. Here is a run through of the 10 best budget courses on Costa del Sol.
High Quality Golf Courses
Please don’t think that a low priced green fee means a poor standard of golf. I can assure you that there are no poor quality golf courses on Costa del Sol.
All of the 70+ golf courses located along the Costa del Golf are both competing with other destinations as well as amongst themselves to win your visit. This fierce competition means that all of the Costa del Sol’s golf courses are run, managed and maintained to high standards.
There are many factors that affect the pricing policy of golf courses on Costa del Sol. For example, a new course might set a low green fee price in order to attract guests. Some of the lower cost courses on the Costa del Sol are set on smaller pieces of land and therefore have lower operating costs.
Location and playability are other factors which can allow a golf course operator to offer a low green fee.
The one thing you can be certain of is that all of the Costa del Sol’s Golf courses will have great playing conditions, tees, fairways and greens designed to make your experience a delight!
The Top 10 Budget Golf Courses on Costa del Sol
In alphabetical order:
Alhaurin Golf and Country Club
Price range for 2021: 48 Euros to 68 Euros
Set in the Sierra de Mijas mountains situated midway between the towns of Mijas Pueblo, Alhaurin el Grande, Coin and Fuengirola this well established golf facility is easy to get to.
Overview
Designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened with much fanfare in 1993 Alhaurin Golf offers golfers on the Costa del Sol a terrific range of facilities.
The practise area is widely regarded as one the best on the Costa del Sol. The 9 hole par 3 course is a great way to develop your short game and is terrific fun if a quick game of golf is what you need.
The 18 Hole par 72 layout is difficult, but then it is one of Seve’s designs, I would not expect anything less! At 6000m from the White tees this course cannot be conquered unless you are very patient and always play safe from the tee.
Alhaurin Golf is a spectacular place with a clubhouse that has the most stunning views.
Anoreta Golf
Price range for 2021: 51 Euros to 65 Euros
Anoreta Golf is located 15 minutes from Malaga airport to the east of Malaga city. Within easy reach of Marbella, Fuengirola and Nerja.
Overview
Anoreta Golf was the first 18 hole golf complex in the region of La Axarquia to the east of Malaga close to the town of Rincon de la Victoria.
Designed by the great Spanish golfer Jose Maria Canizares the first 9 holes opened in 1990 with the second nine opening a year later.
At 6000m in length from the White tees this is not exceptionally long. It offers generous fairways and landing areas with fast bermuda greens. If you miss the fairways you are likely to be punished and will have to work hard to save your par.
A mature parkland course with tremendous facilities and stunning views. Anoreta Golf is a budget golf course on Costal del Sol worth venturing off the beaten track and discovering!
Antequera Golf
Price range for 2021: 38 Euros to 48 Euros
Located approximately 30 minutes inland from Malaga this gem of a golf course is worth taking the time to find.
Overview
Another design on this list by Jose Maria Canizares, Antequera Golf was opened in 2003. Set close to the El Torcal Nature Reserve, a Unesco Heritage site, Antequera Golf boasts a closeness to nature like no other.
At 6100m from the White Tees and with a slope rating of 145 this is a tough golf course. Only Valderrama has a higher slope rating along the golf courses on Costa de Sol. The playing surfaces are always in good condition. The clubhouse and hospitality have earned great reviews.
Antequera Golf is definitely worth a visit.
Atalaya Golf and Country Club New Course
Price range for 2021: 52 Euros to 66 Euros
Atalaya Golf and Country Club is located just off the main A7 midway between Marbella and Estepona.
Overview
The Old Course at Atalaya Golf and Country Club was opened in 1968 and is amongst the most pleasing designs of all the golf courses on the Costa del Sol.
The new course was designed by Peter Krings and opened in 1990. Set in the hills surrounding the Old Course the views from the high points of the New Course are breathtaking.
Although steep in places, the New Course is walkable. At 5279m from the back tees this is not a long course. Many of the Par 4 might be in range for the longer hitters. However the elevation changes, sloped fairways and close proximity of the rough on either side of the fairways make it a good if sometimes frustrating test.
Baviera Golf
Price range for 2021: 60 Euros to 80 Euros
30 minutes driving time east of Malaga airport, Baviera Golf located in the seaside town of Caleta de Velez is close to Nerja, Velez Malaga and Malaga itself.
Overview
Baviera Golf is incredibly popular, with more than 30,000 green fees per year this dedicated pay and play golf course is enjoying tremendous success. From the White tees its 5600m length is maximised by the excellent design of Jose Maria Canizares. Some thought is required for each tee shot in order to make your second shot easier. If you can deliver a disciplined strategy then you will score well.
Always maintained to the highest standard this is a cracking budget golf course on Costa del Sol with an excellent clubhouse to cater for your apres golf!
Cabopino Golf
Price range for 2021: 50 Euros to 75 Euros
Situated close to Puerto Cabopino along the A7 autovia mid way between Calahonda and Marbella. 30 Minutes from Malaga airport.
Overview
Juan Ligués Creus designed this parkland budget golf course on Costa del Sol in 2001. This is not a long course, at 5190m, but is considered to be a tight layout. If you can hit tee shots of 200m and keep them straight then you will have a wonderful day. Long hitters that cannot keep it on the fairway are going to suffer!
The signature hole, the par 4 3rd is considered one of the most memorable holes of any golf course on the Costa del Sol. An 80m vertical drop from the tee to the green will be discussed in detail in the bar after your game!
Cerrado del Aguila Golf
Price range for 2021: 30 Euros to 42 Euros
In the heart of the Mijas Golf valley set in the hills between La Cala and Fuengirola. 25 minutes from Malaga airport.
Overview
Cerrado del Aguila is one of my favourite budget courses in the Mijas Golf valley. An absolute gem. A nine hole course with 9 excellently designed holes ranging from a monstrous 600 yard par five, to a delicate 150m par 3 over water each of the holes has charm. I would suggest you play it twice to get the full 18 hole experience. I promise you will enjoy it!
The clubhouse is amongst the nicest of all the golf courses on Costa del Sol, with a gym, football and padel tennis this is very family friendly. A quick 9 holes here only takes 80 minutes. Perfect for keeping the family happy!
Dona Julia Golf
Price range for 2021: 57 Euros to 68 Euros
Close to Casares and a few minutes from Estepona, this course neighbours the prestigious Club de Golf Finca Cortesin, the highly rated Valle Romano Golf, and the newly opened Azata Golf. Perfectly situated to give you a treemendous golfing itinerary! 45 Minutes from both Malaga and Gibraltar airport. 20 Minutes west of Marbella.
Overview
My abiding memory of this course is of the 18th Hole. In my opinion it is the signature hole and without question the most difficult par 3 I have played!
Dona Julia Golf is a good mix of long holes and tight fairways set in some truly beautiful scenery. The designer, Antonio Garcia Garrido, well known for designing the La Quinta and Flamingo golf courses on the Costa del Sol designed and opened Dona Julia Golf in 2005. Over the last 15 years it has matured nicely and enjoys tremendous popularity with locals and visiting golfers alike.
This is a very pleasing parkland course which will fairly test all parts of your game.
Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club
Price range for 2021: 61 Euros to 68 Euros
Sited close to the town of San Pedro de Alcantara, half way between Marbella and Estepona, Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club is centrally placed along the Costa del Golf.
Overview
The second Seve Ballesteros designed course on our list of the Top 10 Budget golf courses on Costa del Sol, Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club was inaugurated in 1991. Catering for both members and visitors from across the world Los Arqueros Golf and Country Club has become very successful.
At 5700m in length this is not a long golf course. It follows Seves’ design ethos of setting the fairways and greens to match the natural contours of the land. In short it means it’s a tough layout. A real test of your golfing skills and probably a good test of character too!
JW has played Los Arqueros a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it. He described it as: “grabbing 100% of your attention and really making you plot your way around.” He went on to say that the three and a half hours spent playing at Los Arqueros Golf and country Club simply flew by!
Miraflores Golf Club
Price range for 2021: 56 Euros to 68 Euros
Situated in the hillside above the popular urbanisations of Calahonda and Riviera del Sol, Miraflores Golf Club is centrally positioned between Fuengirola and Marbella.
Overview
Opened in 1990 and designed by Falco Nardi, Miraflores Golf Club has become a well supported members club that provides a warm welcome to visiting golfers.
At 5148m this parkland course winds it through the villas and apartments giving the homeowners superb views across the green oasis. Whilst not a long course it is tricky. Clever use of dog leg holes means that you need to balance risk against reward in order to navigate this tough layout. I have always found that Miraflores Golf Club rewards discretion over valor if you are hoping to build a good score!
Summary
We all want to get different experiences from a golf trip to Costa del Sol, be it great golf, great food and great weather. Most of us need to do so with respect to our budgets also. Playing a selection of these amazingly priced golf courses means that a golf trip to Andalucia need not break the bank and will leave plenty of room in your budget to enjoy the wonderful apres golf that awaits you on the Costa del Sol.
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