Golf courses in Marbella that should not be missed

When it comes to playing golf, what better setting is there, than to be teeing off on immaculately
kept grass, whilst overlooking the lapping waves of the Mediterranean Sea under the blissful
Spanish sun? That’s why Marbella has turned into somewhat of a global hotspot for golf players.

Now, with the added fact that there’s a fair bit of money floating around here – where you’ve got
riches, you’ve probably got some pretty sublime courses around, too. Most of the courses along
this stretch of coast rank highly amongst the best in Europe, some having been designed by
iconic players both back in history and more recently. With golf being a popular sport here, there
is, of course, plenty of choice – perhaps too much – which is why we’ve sniffed out the best golf
courses and listed them here, you know, to save you the hassle scouring the internet for what’s
worthwhile visiting.

First up, and notably one of Marbella’s more challenging golf courses, we have Los Arqueros
Golf & Country Club. It was the first to be designed by infamous Spanish golfer, Seve
Ballesteros, in 1991, and makes for a fantastic 18 hole, par 71 Parkland golf course. Visitors
can expect stunning views of the coastline, whilst the hills of Ronda roll around its exquisitely
manicured greens. The fairway can be tight and hilly, with plenty of obstacles, such as water
hazards, uphill and downhill approaches, trees and tiered greens – it will be a good test of
accuracy and imagination for any player.

Villa Padierna Golf Club Marbella has gained a strong reputation for having the most
spectacular golf courses in the area, and its clubhouse is something to behold, too. The resort
has three courses: Flamingos Golf, Alferini Golf and Tramores Golf; all with their own
distinguishing attributes.

To give a little more detail, the Flamingos Golf has 18 holes, par 71. It was designed by renown
architect Antonio Garcia, and has been the home of a handful of prestigious tournaments,
including the European Seniors Championship, several years running.

The Alferini Golf is another 18 hole golf course, designed by Cristobal Guerrero, and is
beautifully integrated into the surrounding landscape. The tranquility found here is quite apart
from any other other on the coast. It is also one of the few par 73 courses in the Marbella area.

The Tramores golf course, also designed by Cristobal Guerrero, is an 18 hole course, par 63,
and wonderfully nestled between two valleys. It’s described as a fast and accurate course
requiring prowess, and provides a great opportunity for anybody to improve their short game.

Playing golf at Villa Padierna, amidst the surrounding nature and mountains, the lake, and with
that spectacular view of the coast, is indeed something memorable.

Now, we cannot forget El Paraíso Golf Club Marbella. Dubbed a Mecca of golf, El Paraíso is
one of the oldest and most established courses along this stretch of coast. It makes for a
wonderful, 18 hole, par 71 course, suitable for all players, regardless of level. It was designed
by Gary Player in 1973, and sits neatly in the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja mountains, so get
ready to take in those heavenly vistas as you drive down the fairway.

With views across the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa, the Marbella Club Golf Resort is not one to
be missed. Located in the spectacular hills of Benahavis, it was designed by Dave Thomas.
What he created was a beautiful 18 hole, par 73 course, where players don’t need to worry
about overcrowded runs, due to the limited number of hotel guests allowed to play at any one
time. The course itself is pretty hilly, so we definitely recommend taking a buggy. Its immaculate
greens and dreamy surrounds, make it a golf course that needs to be on your list. Truly.

Sat right in Capanes del Golf, in the dusky, undulating hills of Benahavis, we have the gorgeous
El Higueral golf course. A little hidden gem, it has nine holes, par 36, and you won’t need a
buggy – walking is part of the experience with this one. Visitors frequently praise El Higueral for
its modern set up, where designer, Roderick Bastard, has managed to balance difficulty,
aesthetic and entertainment levels pretty perfectly – another one that should be on your itinerary
of golf courses in Marbella to visit.