Spain’s 200-plus golf courses are among the most popular in the world, and some of the best are on the costas. We’ve picked out our favourites, where you can devote your days
to whacking a small white ball around a big green lawn
1. Club de Golf Valderrama (Costa de la Luz)
This 18-hole course was designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones Sr and extended by the same architect in 1984. Within five years Golf World had pronounced the revamped, renamed Valderrama Europe’s number one golf course. Since then Valderrama has hosted the Volvo Masters, the World Golf Championships’ American Express Championship and the legendary 1997 Ryder Cup.
2. La Finca Algorfa Golf Club (Costa Blanca)
Opened in 2001, this 18- hole course designed by José Gancedo is part of the prestigious Villamartín portfolio. La Finca has an enormous variety of greens, with each hole as testing as the last. This course also has the unusual feature of a reserve hole, so that even if one is closed you can still complete a full round.
3. (La Manga Club) Costa Calida
La Manga Club has three 18-hole courses, the North, South and West. Originally designed by Robert Dean Putman in 1971, the championship South course was remodelled in 1992 by Arnold Palmer, with abundant water hazards and more trees fringing the fairways. Tournaments hosted here include the Spanish Open and PGA Championships.
4. Club de Golf Bonmont (Costa Dorada)
This is one of Catalonia’s top courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr in 1990. The 18-hole course is laid out over gentle terrain with forward tees for the higher handicaps. Bonmont hosted the 1991 and 1996 Catalan Opens.
5. Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club (Costa del Sol)
In the foothills of the Sierra Blanca mountains overlooking the beautiful Puerto Banús valley, this 18-hole course was designed by Seve Ballesteros. The fairways run alongside ravines, streams and well-placed water hazards, providing plenty of challenges.
6. Real San Sebastián Golf Club (Costa Verde)
Designed by Pierre Hirigoyen, this is a very hilly 18-hole course, so you’ll need either plenty of energy or a willingness to endure rollercoaster buggy rides. Challenges include a stream crossing the fairway on the first hole and some blind tee shots.
7. Empordà Golf Club (Costa Brava)
The club offers two 18-hole courses designed by Robert Von Hagge. The links-style course spans sand dunes, while the forest course winds through pine trees. It’s home to the European tour qualifying school, and in 1996 the Peugeot Golf Guide rated it 13th in continental Europe for design.
8. El Bosque (Costa del Azahar)
Few British golfers know about this gem of a golf club in the Valencian countryside but it’s one of the best in the region, with an 18-hole championship course, academy and driving range, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
9. Desert Springs Golf Club (Costa de Almería)
This 18-hole course is the first true desert course in Europe and designer Peter McEvoy has kept fairways broad, relying on water features, dry riverbeds, bunkers and cacti to provide challenges. It hosted the Spanish Amateur Open in 2004.
10. La Reserva de Sotogrande Golf Club (Costa del Sol)
This 18-hole course opened in 2003 and already has a reputation as one of the best in Spain. Part of the Sotogrande complex, Cabell Robinson designed the course to be enjoyed by the majority of golfers, with fi ve teeing grounds at each hole. Outstanding features are its wide-open greens and generous fairways.