GOLF

La Alzambra is surrounded by golf !

Andalucia is more popular then ever before, with golfers from all around the world and is the No.1 location for golf holidays and golf vacations. Hosting the Ryder cup, the World Volvo Masters in Montecastillo has proven the Costa del Sol is THE destination for golf.

There are nearly sixty golf courses in Andalucia, of which thirty are on the Costa del Sol. The fine weather allows golf to be popular all year round.

When the Costa del Sol experienced a renaissance as a winter golf resort in the late eighties, the phrase "Costa del Golf" was coined. Between 1985 and 1991, no fewer than 17 new golf courses appeared, bringing the total along this 50 mile stretch of coast up to thirty. This concentration of quality golf courses, combined with the unique sunny and warm winter climate enjoyed by the region, led to its becoming unrivalled as a winter golf destination for northern Europeans, who while emerging as a serious force at all levels of golf, were deprived of the opportunity to play during the harsh winter months.

When Valderrama was chosen to host the Ryder Cup in 1997, the Costa del Golf received universal recognition as the finest winter golf resort in Europe, Advance reservations for the millennium led to a flurry of new golf courses to be constructed. For a snowbound, frustrated golfer, desperate to play in the sunshine, the Costa del Golf is proving irresistible. Golf course owners are re-investing in their courses to improve their quality still further and there are no longer any weak links, each course offering its own kind of challenge on perfect fairways and greens. 

The general infrastructure from Malaga to Gibraltar has improved beyond recognition. As Andalucia prepares to welcome a record number of golf tourists this winter, the moral is, book your golf holiday early!

Costa del Sol Extends Its golf offer with the inauguration of new courses...read on.

Aloha, Puerto Banus. (18)
Par 72 - 6246 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 281 37 50
The well known course of the Costa Del Sol is Aloha with wide fairways and attractive scenery and tough greens makes this course very interesting. Privately owned visitors are welcomed but be sure to book in advance and remember to take your handicap cards. This course was designed by Javier Arana and well worth a trip!!

Los Arqueros, San Pedro de Alcántara. (18)
Par 72 - 5843 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 278 4712 
Designed by the world famous Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros a short course of the Costa del Sol but very demanding. Place your shots in the middle of the fairways and you will be O.K. but take extreme care with the many trees that line the fairways . This is an enjoyable course located near San Pedro along beside the road leading to Ronda.

Atalaya Golf, San Pedro de Alcántara. (18)
Par 72 - 6127 meters
New: 18 Holes - Par 72 - 5323 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 288 2812 
Old Course: Opened in 1968 recently revamped with reseeded fairways with Bermuda grass. This golf course was designed by Bernard von Limburger and is a demanding course for those who are inaccurate on the tees. Atalaya has two courses which share the same land is located next to the well known El Parasio Hotel.
New Course: The second course of Atalaya but some say is the best of the two seems less challenging until you reach the 9th hole. With views of the mountains and the Med you will enjoy around of golf here especially when you reach the well maintained club house of Atalaya.

Las Brisas, Puerto Banus. (18)
Par 72 - 6136 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 281 0875
One of the nicest courses in Europe Las Brisas has a reputation of quality with superb challenges and is why it held the world cup twice and the Spanish open on three occasions . Designed again by the Valderrama king Robert Trent Jones  and was opened in 1969.

La Cañada, Guadiaro. (9)
Par 35 - 5550 meters
Tel: 00 34 956 794100
Designed by Robert Trent Jones this nine hole golf course is situated next to the famous Valderrama Course in the town which has the biggest  number of golfers in Spain. Originally built for the workers and green keepers of Valderrama, this has turned it self into a pretty little golf course for those of you who would like a quick round of golf in the evening. With well groomed fairways and immaculate greens this course will please all but watch out for the Glen at the ninth which makes the course popular with the locals. 

La Duquesa, Estepona. (18)
Par 72 - 6054 meters 
Tel: 00 34 95 289 0725
A demanding golf course again designed by no other then Trent Jones (Valderrama) this course will test your skills and patents. Straight drives and a lot of concentration will be required to play well here. With amazing views over the Mediterranean towards Africa, players will want to come back again and again. With a good growth on the fairways and the surrounding area this course will make an enjoyable round of golf but watch out for the wind from the west and respect the side green bunkers. 

Estepona Golf, Estepona. (18)
Par 72 - 5896 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 211 3081
This pay as you play golf course is located in the popular fishing village of Estepona, privately owned by Rory & David Leader and designed by Jose Luis Lopez. Built for the many visitors to the region, this course will give you an alternative to the other courses. A good course for the average golfer which will be very forgiving if your a little wide but will still test you to a high level. With the longest hole on the Costa del sol at 568 meters you will respect this course for its challenges and its views of the Bermeja mountain range and the sea views. 

Guadalmina Norte, San Pedro de Alcántara. (18)
Par 71 - 5825 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 288 65 22
North: Opened in 1973 and designed by Folco Nardi this 18 hole course is easier and less demanding then the south course but don't get carried away  because the north has more rivers and lakes to make you wish you played the south. Enjoy this 45 hole Guadalmina experience.

Guadalmina Sur, San Pedro de Alcántara. (18)
South: 18 Holes - Par 72 - 6021 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 288 65 22
South: Designed by Javier Arana  way back in 1959 this course is a nice open course located beside the sea, because of few very long holes this course will require stamina and discipline but you can a quick break at the 12th in the hotel before you tackle the rest.

Marbella Club Golf, Benahavis. (18)
Par 72 - 6173 meters
Tel: 00 34 952 113 203
Designed by Dave Thomas this beautiful Costa del Sol golf course is located at the bottom of the Benahavis mountains. With great vegetation with its many trees and hills this course will please even the none golfers of the region. Spectacular views of Africa and the Mediterranean sea and some demanding little holes will please all levels of standard of play. Enjoy and take in the views.

Monte Mayor, Benahavis. (18)
Par 71 - 5652 meters
Tel: 00 34 95 211 3088
One of the spectacular golf courses on the Costa del Sol located off the coast line in the hills of Benahavis. Follow the signs from the Benahavis  turn off into the mountains and enjoy the ride of about 7 km. This is the most challenging course on the whole of the Costa del Sol Golf circuit. Patience and self discipline will be required to reach the 18th hole. With is many plateaus and trees you can not afford to be too aggressive. Be prepared to be tested with its tight fairways and different levels of tree line. Your shots will have to perfect all the way around this course is  not to be missed try it and see how you succeed. Remember to take plenty of balls you may need them!!! 

El Paraiso, Estepona. (18)
Par 71 - 6616 meters
Tel: 00 34 952 883 835
El Paraiso translated means The Paradise located just behind the commercial center of Benavista this is one of the nearest golf course from El Presidente. With a good management and reasonable rates makes this traditional British style golf course very popular with tourists and many of the locals. Designed by the world famous Gary Player makes it a challenge to all levels of standard, with two lakes,  many trees and excellent views of mountains you'll be glad you visited this course for its play and convenient location. 

La Quinta, Puerto Banus (27)
5864 meters
Tel: 00 34 978 68 00
Located in the region off San Pedro and Marbella offers spectacular views around the golf valley of Marbella. Designed by the three world champion and Ryder cup player Manuel Pinero the course a lot of accuracy and stamina. With its water hazards and many trees keeps this course alive and exciting. Revamped and improved with new holes and one of the best club houses on the Costa del Golf this course is well worth a visit. 
www.laquintagolf.com

San Roque Club, San Roque. (18)
Par 72 - 6440 meters
Tel:00 34 956 613030
One of the most impressive golf courses of the Costa del sol San Roque Club is the venue for the PGA European Tour Qualifying School in November. Situated near La Linea and the Gibraltar border this course will impress the golfer what ever standard they play at. So popular was San Roque Club it was host hotel in the American Express World Golf Championship 1999 and 2000 tournaments at Valderrama.

Sotogrande, Sotogrande. (18)
Par 72 + 9 hole Par 3
Tel: 00 34 956 795050
Royal Sotogrande is one of Europe's top ten golf courses, opened in 1964 designed again by Robert Trent Jones this course has many trees from cork oak, palm, and eucalyptus and complete with their water hazards. To this day the club is private but you can still play this course but booking in advance is required to ensure a game.

Valderama Golf Course Avenida de los Cortijos, Sotogrande, Spain Valderama golf club Tel: 952 79 12 00

Professional 6400 m Club Championship 5464 m Executive 5481 m  Ladies Professional 5284 m  Seniors 5038 m Ladies Club 4863 m	18 holes, Par 72

Opened in 1994 these 18 holes of golf can be found situated between the Mediterranean sea and the mountains. With the large number of lakes and strategic places bunkers every hole is a different experience.

Valderrama 7000 yards par 72 with no hole of less than championship quality but it can be fully enjoyed by players of all handicaps thanks to Robert Trent Jones Sr, who designed the course in 1974.

Regarded as by many as the number 1 golf course in mainland Europe, and is in the Top 50 World Rankings. Valderama hosted the first nine editions of the Volvo Masters (1988-1996.) It hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997 and has hosted the first World Golf Championships - American Express Championship in 1999 and the second in 2000.

Valderrama Golf
18 Holes - Par 71 - 6234 meters
Tel: 00 34 956 791200
The No.1 Championship Golf Course in Europe situated in the southern region of Andalucia this makes one of the most challenging course on the Costa del Sol. Valderrama has hosted nine Volvo Masters, a Ryder cup and a the World Golf Championship. The biggest names in Golf have all played here putting their talents to the test. This is a demanding course and you will have to be at your best just to receive a respectable score if you need a challenge and you can afford their green fees try your luck and see if you  can be a winner!! 

Facilities:
Pro Shop, Club Restaurant, Masters Bar; Rental Clubs, Electric Power Caddy, Trolleys, Buggies, change to Soft Spikes, Caddies, Fore-Caddies available. Visitors can only use the driving range before they play and no earlier than one hour before their starting time.
Range open 11.00-14.00h for visitors.

Restrictions:
Handicap Men 24, Ladies 32. Players will play from executive tees or forward. Other tees may be used if previously agreed. Soft spikes only (tennis shoes, trainers and rubber dimpled shoes are not permitted). Players must be at least 16 years of age. Dress code in force. Visitors may only play twice in any one month and never more than seven times in a calendar year. The course is reserved for members only in August.

Valderama Golf Course

Remember, golf courses are busy all year round. So to avoid disappointment we strongly advise that you telephone and book a starting time before you arrive at the course. 

At most courses you will be asked for a handicap certificate when you book in, also when booking you could be asked for a credit card number. If you do not turn up after booking and paying for a tee time, your money will normally not be refunded. 

Reckon on a five to six hour round. Dress code is like most other countries, jeans are not allowed, shirts must have collars and shorts must be golf shorts. 

Hard spikes are not allowed on any golf courses in Spain, wear either spikeless shoes or soft spikes.

Other local sports facilities include:

Scuba Diving - From the expert to the novice...

Diving Marbella - Based at Puerto Deportivo de Marbella Local 4 Marbella, 29600 Telephone 95290 23 04

Nerja Watersports - Playa Burriana Nerja,  Malaga,  Costa Del Sol,         Telephone 629-27 17 98

Scuba Tours Malaga - Mijas Costa Malaga,                                                    Telephone 952-58 55 95

One2One Diving - Sagitario Ed. Geninis, Bajo 29631 Benalmadena Malaga,  Telephone 952-57 52 92

Simply Diving - Calle Carmen Montes, in Torremolinos, Malaga,            Telephone  952-05 86 51

Yachting and Powerboats - On hire locally at Puerto Banus Port.  

You can also hire boats and equipment locally for Fishing, Para Sailing, Surfing, Water-Skiing, and Wind-Surfing.