Travel Guide
Escape to Spain and Portugal: A Golf Enthusiast’s Guide to the Best Courses and Resorts
Discover why Spain and Portugal are top choices for your golf escape. After participating in several events with North American golfers, we’ve crafted this concise guide to highlight why Spain and Portugal are premier destinations for your next golf getaway.
Magnificent Marbella – A True Golfing Mecca
Marbella is continental Europe’s premier destination for travelling golfers.
With more golf courses (15) than any other municipality in Spain, the popular international resort has some impressive numbers to attract golfers keen to play at various different clubs during their stay, but it is just as much (if not more) about quality as quantity.
Those 15 include some of the top courses not only in Spain but also at a global level. Several Marbella clubs have hosted numerous European Tour and other international events over the past half-century, attracting some of the greatest stars in the history of the game.
Royal Las Brisas, for example, hosted World Cups in 1989 and 1973 – the latter won by the US team of Jack Nicklaus and Johnnie Miller. Other players who have won major titles at Marbella clubs are Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Lee Westwood, Curtis Strange and Málaga’s own Miguel Ángel Jiménez.
There are three other renowned clubs in the same Nueva Andalucía area as Las Brisas, popularly known as Marbella’s “Golf Valley”: Aloha, Los Naranjos and La Quinta (27 holes).
On the eastern outskirts of Marbella town centre, Río Real is one of Spain’s most venerable clubs, having been founded in 1965 and designed by the late doyen of Spanish golf course architects, Javier Arana. Four other 18-hole courses are located further east in this part of the municipality, Santa Clara, Marbella Golf Country Club (designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr.), Santa María and Cabopino – as well as the nine-hole par-three course Greenlife.
At the western end of Marbella municipality is Royal Guadalmina, with two courses, the South (opened in 1959) and North (1973), while one of the more recently opened courses, Marbella Club Golf Resort, is located just off the iconic Golden Mile.
There is also the nine-hole Magna Marbella course between Nueva Andalucía and San Pedro de Alcántara and another short par-three layout, Banús Executive, previously known as La Dama de Noche when it was inaugurated near Puerto Banús in 1991 as Spain’s first fully-illuminated 24-hour course.
Complementing these courses are modern golf academies and meticulously maintained driving ranges with the latest cutting-edge technology, while many golf clubs also offer players gourmet cuisine that rivals that of the finest restaurants in Marbella.
Speaking of which, four restaurants have attained prestigious Michelin recognition: Skina (in the Old Town) with two stars, and Messina and Nintai (Marbella town centre) and El Lago (at Greenlife in Elviria), both one each.
For travelling golfers who also like to spend time away from the fairways exploring the local attractions, Marbella’s Old Town offers a fascinating historical journey spanning several centuries, the Puerto Banús marina is renowned as one of Europe’s hotspots of glamour, and the municipality extends along 30 kilometres of coastline replete with luxury beach amenities and a wide array of nautical activities.
Getting to Marbella is convenient from just about anywhere in the world, with the Málaga-Costa del Sol international airport one of Europe’s major flight hubs. If renting a car on arrival, the municipality is serviced by a modern transport infrastructure, and it is an excellent base for visiting other parts of Andalucía including Granada, Córdoba and Sevilla.
Finally, Marbella is an exceptional five-star destination when it comes to hotels, with a superb choice of establishments both next to golf courses and in convenient urban areas – most with state-of-the-art spa and wellness amenities for relaxing après-golf and for non-golfing companions.
At Golf in Spain we can provide you with green fees at most of Marbella’s golf courses at preferential rates.
Time to look for your flights to Marbella and plan your next golf break to the Spanish golfing Mecca.
5 Reasons Why Murcia is a Travelling Golfer’s Paradise
When considering a golfing trip to Murcia you can be sure that your key holiday bullet points are all well covered.
First, the weather will be superb for golf, in an area renowned for having more than 300 days of sunshine a year and justifiably known as the “Warm Coast” (“Costa Cálida”).
Second, you will be able to play at a different club every day, as the region has 22 outstanding courses – both inland and in its popular coastal resorts.
Third, away from the fairways you will have plenty of other leisure activities to keep you – and any non-golfing companions – fully entertained, from nautical activities to hiking in the mountains.
Fourth, the region offers a diverse and extensive selection of accommodation options, from five-star luxury hotels by the beach to rustic boutique hotels surrounded by stunning nature parks.
And finally, closing out our top five reasons for planning a getaway on the Costa Cálida, for golfing foodies and wine-lovers Murcia truly is a gastronomic jewel. The region was Spain’s official “Capital of Gastronomy” in 2020 and 2021, in recognition of its exceptional Mediterranean cuisine and three “Denomination of Origin” wine regions: Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla.
Discover the Best-Kept Secrets of Spain’s Desert Golf Courses
Spain is full of relatively unknown golfing holiday jewels just waiting to be discovered. Most international golfers, for example, would not be familiar with Águilas, on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast. If that includes you, we are offering the opportunity to explore this fascinating area of Spain.
These two packages include accommodation at the Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel and “desert” golf at nearby courses, as well as a special golfing treat: the chance to play at a course whose design was personally overseen by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Of the 400-plus Nicklaus Design courses around the world, only an exclusive group are recognised with his coveted “Signature” status, and Alhama is one of them.
Alhama Signature is a spectacular desert-style course featuring five large lakes, more than 100 bunkers and native Mediterranean flora and fauna, and offering exceptional views towards the Sierra Espuña mountain range and nature park.
In addition to Nicklaus’s creation, there are three other golfing delights included in these two packages. Depending on whether you decide on a three-night, one-week or longer stay, your golfing options will include green fees at Aguilón, Desert Springs and Lorca Resort.
Aguilón in Pulpi and Desert Springs (also in Almería province) both vie for the honour of being “Europe’s finest desert course”, while Lorca is a challenging 18-hole course designed by Dave Thomas.
Águilas is a picturesque seaside town at the western end of Murcia’s Costa Cálida (“Warm Coast”), not far from the border with Almería province. The municipality (population: 35,000) extends along 25 kilometres of beach coastline, and the village itself is built on a small peninsula between two bays and overlooked by an 18th century castle on the site of a Carthagian fortification.
Conveniently located opposite the marina, the four-star Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel offers guests a sixth-floor spa with stunning views, a restaurant and tavern, mini-golf and pádel tennis courts. They can also organise boating trips, sailing classes and numerous other water sports and nautical activities.
Take a one minute look at Aguilon on oir vídeo. One for Desert Springs also available.
Top Deals for Golf Groups in Spain 2021
Now is an excellent time to get together with your golfing mates and organise a trip to Spain. Post-covid is bringing great opportunities to travel to Spain in Autumn and during 2021.
That means, if dining out is at the top of your list of post-round activities, you will be able to enjoy Spain’s excellent cuisine in classic style on the Costa del Sol. If your group is looking for some more robust nightlife, you can head to the Costa Blanca. Or simply chill out by turquoise sea waters in the Canary or Balearic Islands.
Here are some of our most popular group golf deals, available from autumn and throughout 2021.
Costa Blanca
Meliá Villaitana: superb resort comprising hotel and two courses, the championship Villaitana Levante and executive Poniente. No need to travel to the courses as they are onsite, and the package includes playing both. They offer 1 free in groups of 8. Nightlife in Benidorm only 10 minutes away by taxi.
Murcia
The Residences at Mar Menor: well-appointed apartments that also offer 1 free in 8. Possibility of including drink packages in the dinners. The overall packages offer golf at 7 different courses, and the apartments are in a resort right by one of the courses, Mar Menor. Shuttle included to the courses from February to May.
Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel: hotel not in a golf resort but on the Mediterranean Sea next to a small village with direct access to the boardwalk and opposite the marina. Perfect package for groups, 1 free in groups of 10, and semi-all-inclusive including open bar from 5pm to 11pm. You will discover Aguilón Golf course, a secret jewel for golf on that not so popular destination in Spain.
Costa del Sol
La Cala Resort: renowned resort with hotel, spa and 3 golf courses. Perfect for groups that do not want to leave the resort, and be able to play different courses at the same time. Fuengirola and Marbella are 20 minutes away, so transfers can be arranged for a night out. 1 person free in groups of 8.
Sol Don Pablo for groups that want to be closer to restaurants, bars and nightlife, and also right across from the beach in Torremolinos. Wide selection of great courses of east Costa del Sol to choose from in the package, 1 free in 8, and optional supplement for semi-all-inclusive, or even all-inclusive.
ONA Valle Romano: economical option in shared apartments that border the golf course. If a group of minimum 7 guests travelling with a pro, he will have courtesy on the full package. The west Costa del Sol location will give you access to courses from Marbella to Valderrama.
Huelva
Fly via Seville or Faro:
Double Tree by Hilton Islantilla and The Residences: early booking packages including 1 free in 8, and daily golf for both the recently renovated hotel and the apartment complex. Beautiful Isla Cristina coast town only a few minutes away. You can fly to Seville or Faro.
Hotel Isla Canela a great hotel in a golf resort, with different golf courses to choose from, including on of Spain’s latest openings Valle Guadiana Links and nearby Quinta do Vale in Portugal, with transfers included for a minimum 10 golfers. 1 free in groups of 8. Semi-all-inclusive optional if staying a minimum 7 nights.
Islands
Terrazas de Abama: luxury apartments in Tenerife, walking distance from the famous Abama golf course. Few accommodations on the island offer special rates to play Abama and this is one of them. The luxurious apartments, year-round warm weather and proximity to the ocean make this an exceptional package.
Elba Sara: located in the heart of the Fuerteventura golf course, the package offers daily golf, dinners, and 1 in 8 free. Located by fine white sandy beaches, and close to the island’s largest shopping and leisure centre. Good weather all year round.
Pure Salt Garonda: mix of luxury and leisure at Playa de Palma, for those considering the Balearic Islands and with direct access to the beach. Adults-only hotel, close to nightlife. A package that combines golf with an urban beach experience.
