Golf in Marbella: the finest courses and living on the green

There is a good reason why the Costa del Sol is called the Costa del Golf. Around Marbella there are dozens of golf courses, from legendary tournament venues to exclusive private clubs, and you can play all year round. For many of our clients, golf is even the main reason for buying a home here. In this guide you will discover which courses are worth playing and where to live as a golfer.

Why Marbella is Europe’s golf paradise

• Playable all year round: with mild winters and around 300 days of sunshine a year.
• A huge choice: dozens of courses within an hour’s drive, for every level.
• Top designers: courses by Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros and Dave Thomas, among others.
• Views: many courses lie between the mountains and the sea, with views of Gibraltar and Africa.

The best-known golf courses around Marbella

Nueva Andalucía: the Golf Valley

• Los Naranjos Golf Club: a Robert Trent Jones classic, set among orange trees.
• Real Club de Golf Las Brisas: one of the most prestigious clubs in Spain, with a challenging course.
• Aloha Golf Club: a well-established private club in a green setting.

Read more in our guide to Nueva Andalucía.

San Pedro and Benahavís

• Real Club de Golf Guadalmina: two courses between the sea and the mountains, at one of the oldest clubs on the coast.
• La Quinta Golf: hilly, with sea views.
• Los Arqueros: designed by Seve Ballesteros.
• Marbella Club Golf Resort: an exclusive Dave Thomas course in the hills.
• La Zagaleta: two private courses, for members and residents only. See our guide to La Zagaleta.

Marbella East

• Río Real Golf: one of Marbella’s oldest courses, close to the sea.
• Los Monteros Golf: next to the resort of the same name.
• Santa Clara Golf and Marbella Golf Country Club, with views of the coast.

Estepona and the New Golden Mile

• El Paraíso Golf Club: two courses by Gary Player.
• Los Flamingos Golf: at the Anantara Villa Padierna Hotel.
• Atalaya Golf: two popular courses between San Pedro and Estepona.

Further afield, but a must

About forty-five minutes’ drive away is Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup and one of the most famous courses in Europe.

Living on a golf course: the advantages

• Views and space: a golf course on your doorstep means greenery, peace and often an open view that cannot be built on.
• Value retention: frontline golf homes are popular with buyers and tenants alike.
• Lifestyle: a round of golf before breakfast, lunch at the clubhouse and a social circle of fellow golfers.

Where is the best place to buy a golf property?

• Los Naranjos and Las Brisas: exclusive villas on the green, close to Puerto Banús.
• Guadalmina: villas between the golf course and the sea, in a quiet, established neighbourhood.
• La Quinta and Los Arqueros: villas and apartments with golf and sea views, often with more space for your budget. See our guide to Benahavís.
• El Paraíso and Los Flamingos: villas and modern apartments on the New Golden Mile.
• La Zagaleta: for those seeking private golf and the ultimate in exclusivity.

What does a golf property in Marbella cost?

An apartment with golf views in Benahavís or on the New Golden Mile often starts at around €400,000 to €600,000. Frontline golf villas in Nueva Andalucía or Guadalmina generally start from €2 million, and in Los Naranjos, Las Brisas or La Zagaleta they reach well over €5 million.

Tips for golfers looking to buy

1. Frontline or not? A home right on the course has the best views, but watch out for stray balls near terraces and windows.
2. Membership: at some clubs membership is limited or expensive. Ask about the conditions in advance.
3. Distance to several courses: most golfers like to play different courses. Nueva Andalucía and Benahavís are ideal.

Finding your golf property

Looking for a villa or apartment on the green? We know the golf areas of Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona inside out. Take a look at our Prestige collection, our new developments or get in touch with us.

Golf as a resident: membership and green fees

If you live in Marbella, you can choose between membership at one club or playing different courses on green fees. Membership is worthwhile if you often play the same course and enjoy being part of a club’s social circle. Some clubs work with shares or a one-off joining fee, others with an annual subscription. Green fees give you more freedom, and many courses offer cheaper rates in summer or for residents. If you live on a golf resort, you often get priority or a discount on its own course.

More than golf

Most golf clubs around Marbella are much more than a course. You will find restaurants, terraces overlooking the green, padel and tennis courts, gyms and a lively club life with tournaments and social events. For newcomers, a golf club is one of the quickest ways to meet new people and feel at home.

Golf holiday or golf home?

Many of our clients came to the Costa del Sol on golf holidays for years before deciding to buy a home of their own. The big advantage: you can play whenever you like, your golf bag stays here and you choose the season yourself. When you are not using it, a home on a golf resort can often be let to other golfers. See also our article Spending the winter in Marbella, as winter is the ideal golf season.

Frequently asked questions

How many golf courses are there around Marbella?

Dozens. The wider Costa del Sol region has more than sixty, many of them within half an hour of Marbella.

Can you play golf in Marbella in winter?

Yes, winter is actually the high season for golfers, thanks to the pleasant temperatures.

What is the best golf course in Marbella?

That is a matter of taste. Las Brisas, Los Naranjos and Guadalmina are among the best known. Nearby, Valderrama in Sotogrande is world famous.

Is a golf villa a good investment?

Frontline golf homes in good locations are popular with buyers and tenants, so they generally hold their value well.