Marbella is the leisure seekers' new home of golf, and rightly so, there's a lot more sunshine in Marbella than there is in St Andrews!
If you are interested in a Marbella golf holiday then you will be pleased to know that Marbella offers Nineteen high quality golf courses within its immediate locality. Needless to say, those Nineteen courses are all different in design and style and will appeal to different players. The high handicap social golfer is unlikely to derive much joy from taking on the challenge of a championship golf course. Equally a highly skilled player might become frustrated paying on a golf course that feels as though good shots are not rewarded. To those ends here we share with you the Top 5 accessible Championship style golf courses that will delight and test players that seek to pit their skills against the sport we love.
Each of these golf courses welcomes Marbella’s visiting golfers and will extend to you a genuine warmth of hospitality. The condition of all of the courses in Marbella is excellent, the Top 5 Championship Golf courses in Marbella maintain that high commitment to quality.
The nearest airport, Malaga, is just 35 minutes away from the centre of Marbella. It is so easy to grab a quick flight and head over for an impromptu golfing quickie or delight your regular paying partners with a golf trip that will create years and years of happy memories. In simple terms golf holidays in Marbella cannot be beaten. There is no golf resort in Europe that betters Marbella as a golf resort.
Here there are the Top 5 Best Championship golf courses in Marbella
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Location
Overview
Los Naranjos was built with a clear brief, to be the best championship golf course in Marbella. The great Cabell Robinson, then with Robert Trent Jones Snr the globally famous golf course designers accepted the task and designed a truly great golf course that today is considered amongst the most prestigious on the Costa del Sol. Los Naranjos Golf Club, famous for its natural beauty and outstanding condition, is situated in the heart of the "Golf Valley" in Nueva Andalucía, just a short distance from downtown Marbella.
Opened in 1977 it features a classic parkland layout, characterised by lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and large, undulating greens. The course is known for its beautiful landscaping, with over 5,000 orange trees spread throughout the property, lending the club its name. Los Naranjos offers an 18-hole, par-72 championship course. The course measures approximately 6,500 metres (7,100 yards) from the back tees, providing a good challenge for players of all skill levels. It offers a variety of holes, including doglegs, water hazards, and strategically placed bunkers that require careful shot selection.
The club boasts excellent practice facilities, including a driving range, putting greens, chipping areas, and a practice bunker all located conveniently close to the clubhouse so as to make your pre-round warm up a matter of ease.
Los Naranjos Golf Club features a modern clubhouse that offers a range of amenities to enhance the overall experience. The clubhouse includes a well stocked pro shop, which is also home to the caddy master. The bars and restaurant are the heart and soul of the Golf club and are always busy and vibrant, a testament to the quality of both the fayre and hospitality.
¿Why is Los Naranjos part of the Top 5 Best Championship golf courses in Marbella? Weel, the club has hosted numerous prestigious golf tournaments over the years including the Women's Spanish Open and the Spanish PGA Championship where the great Seve Ballesteros lost a thrilling payoff to Jose Rivero.
Overall, Los Naranjos Golf Club is renowned for its picturesque setting, challenging golf course, and top-notch facilities. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner looking to improve your game, this is a genuine championship that will delight all golfers on holiday in Marbella.
La Quinta Golf and Country Club
Location
Overview
La Quinta Golf and Country Club is a prestigious golf destination situated close to Puerto Banus in the famous Golf Valley. I have to tell you, La Quinta Golf and Country Club is a place of exceptional beauty and tranquillity. I have been lucky enough to play at La Quinta a few times and can attest to the positive memories that have been etched in my mind!
Uniquely for golf in Marbella, La Quinta is made up of three loops of nine holes. In my opinion the best combination to play is the A and C course. The golfing experience that these combinations will bestow upon you is hard to beat. It makes for a very special day on the golf course.
La Quinta Golf and Country Club was designed by renowned Spanish golf architect Manuel Piñero, a celebrated Ryder Cup player. Opened in 1989, the 27-hole layout blends seamlessly with the natural landscape, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Mediterranean Sea. The three loops at La Quinta Golf and Country Club combine to form a challenging 27-hole, par-72 championship course. The course measures around 6,000 metres (6,561 yards) in total, with a mix of long and short holes that demand accuracy and strategic shot placement. The undulating fairways, well-placed bunkers, and fast greens add to the challenge and enjoyment of the game.
La Quinta offers excellent practice facilities for golfers to hone their skills. The driving range provides ample space to work on your long game, while the putting green and chipping area allow for short game practice. Additionally, the club offers golf lessons from experienced professionals for players looking to improve their technique.
The clubhouse at La Quinta Golf and Country Club offers a welcoming and elegant atmosphere. It features a restaurant serving a variety of culinary delights, including both local and international cuisine. Golfers can relax and socialise in the clubhouse bar or enjoy the panoramic views from the terrace.
La Quinta offers more than just golf. The club features a luxurious hotel, La Quinta Resort, with comfortable accommodations, spa services, and fitness facilities. Additionally, there is a golf academy on-site, providing comprehensive training programs for players of all ages and skill levels for both locals or people on golf holidays in Marbella.
Atalaya Golf and Country Club - The Old Course
Location
Overview
Atalaya Golf and Country Club is a renowned golf facility located in Benahavís, a municipality on the fringes of Marbella. Hugely popular with golfers in Marbella the club boasts two championship courses: the Old Course and the New Course. Here, we will focus on the Old Course at Atalaya Golf and Country Club:
The Old Course at Atalaya was designed by Bernhard von Limburger and opened in 1968. It is one of the Costa del Sol's classic golf courses, known for its traditional layout and scenic beauty. The course has matured into its setting blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape, featuring gently rolling terrain, mature trees, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the nearby mountains.
The Old Course offers an excellent 18-hole, par-72 championship layout which presents a fair but tough test of all aspects of your game. The course measures approximately 6,000 metres (6,562 yards) from the back tees and provides an enjoyable and challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. It features a combination of long and short holes, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require accurate shot placement and thoughtful course management.
One of the highlights of the Old Course is its picturesque setting. The course is nestled in a natural valley and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Golfers can enjoy the sight of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance, as well as the stunning vistas of the Sierra de las Nieves mountain range.
Atalaya Golf and Country Club is home to arguably the best practice facility on the Costa del Sol, the PG Golf Academy, operated by the former European Tour player Peter Gustafsson. The driving range uses Trackman technology in all of its bays, has a teaching staff of 5 full time professionals each specialising in different aspects of the game. The putting green and short game area are excellent, and to top it all, they have a cracking mini club house and terrace!
The clubhouse at Atalaya Golf and Country Club offers a range of amenities to enhance the overall golfing experience. It features a restaurant and bar where golfers on holiday in Marbella can relax and enjoy a meal or a refreshing drink.
Overall, the Old Course at Atalaya Golf and Country Club offers a classic and picturesque golfing experience. With its beautiful setting, challenging layout, and excellent amenities, the course provides an enjoyable round for golfers of all levels.
Marbella Club Golf Resort
Location
Overview
The Marbella Club Golf Resort is an exclusive golf course located in Benahavís close to Marbella. Owned and operated by the internationally renowned Marbella Club, quality, prestige and exclusivity are assured when you tee it up at the Marbella Club Golf Resort.
The Marbella Club Golf Resort is situated in a picturesque natural setting in the hills of Benahavís, just a short drive from Marbella. It enjoys a tranquil and secluded location, surrounded by lush greenery and offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de las Nieves mountain range. The golf course at the Marbella Club Golf Resort was designed by Dave Thomas, a respected British golf course architect. The 18-hole, par-72 championship course is fabulous, lush, verdant and immaculately presented. Lined with mature trees and Mediterranean flora, adding to its aesthetic appeal, the layout incorporates the natural contours of the land, providing a satisfying and memorable golfing experience.
This is a tough golf course. At 6,247 metres (6,831 yards) from the back tees, it provides an engaging experience for players of all skill levels. The strategic placement of hazards and undulating greens requires accurate shot selection and precise course management.
The Marbella Club Golf Resort features a clubhouse that exudes elegance and charm to match the excellence of its service. Its exclusive and secluded nature makes it a popular choice for golfers seeking privacy and a high-end golfing experience while on a golfing holiday in Marbella.
Rio Real Golf Club
Location
Overview
Golf Rio Real might be the most popular golf course amongst golfers holidaying in Marbella. All those that play it seem to become captivated!
Golf Rio Real is situated just a few minutes east of Marbella, it enjoys a prime location close to the Mediterranean Sea, providing beautiful views and a refreshing coastal breeze.
The golf course was designed by the legendary Spanish golf architect Javier Arana and opened in 1965. Arana is known for his ability to create courses that blend with the natural landscape, and Golf Rio Real is no exception, it looks as though it has always been there!. The course stretches through a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, and mature pine trees running to the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Golf Rio Real offers an 18-hole, par-72 championship course. The layout spans approximately 6,000 metres (6,562 yards) and provides an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The fairways are relatively wide, but accuracy is required to avoid the strategically placed bunkers, water hazards and the sentinel lines of mature trees that line the fairway. The undulating greens offer an extra layer of difficulty, demanding precision on approach shots.
One of the highlights of Golf Rio Real is its stunning natural beauty. The course features breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, as several holes are located close to the shoreline. The surrounding landscape, with its matured Mediterranean flora and fauna enhances the overall golfing experience.
Golf Rio Real provides practice facilities for golfers to refine their skills. These include a driving range, putting green, chipping area, and practice bunker. Golf lessons are also available from the locally famed Frank Spies. I can personally attest to his skills as teacher and coach.
Golf Rio Real is celebrated for its scenic beauty, challenging course design, and excellent facilities. Whether you're a golf enthusiast seeking an enjoyable round or a seasoned player looking for a competitive challenge, Golf Rio Real offers an unforgettable golfing experience for golfers near Marbella.