Golf Holidays and Golf breaks in Costa del Sol hotels

Costa del Sol Golf Holidays (49) and golf breaks in Costa del Sol Golf Hotels

Costa del Sol is a world-famous golf destination. Nestled in the nearshore region of the Spanish Mediterranean, since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been synonymous with joyous vacations, good weather, fun, free time and, of course, wonderful golf rounds. A golf holiday in Costa del Sol is a must-do at least once in your life.

With a unique environment and around 300 days a year of pure bright sun, it is one of the main tourist areas in Europe. For more than 100 years, it has been one of the preferred choices for tourists worldwide, with over a million visits since then. And the statistics speak for themselves: with almost 20 million room nights per year, French, German, British, and Scandinavian tourists have made this southern Spanish paradise their primary choice to relax, enjoy and rejoice. Some illustrious celebs such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Ernest Hemingway, Grace Kelly, and so many other famous artists visited and vacationed here in the past.

The gateway for golf holidays in Costa del Sol

The most important gateway for golf holidays in Costa del Sol is Malaga airport. It is the third-largest in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona airports. This region can also be reached by car (through national highways) and by train, using the efficient AVE service.

There is a fact that places Costa del Sol in a league of its own: it is the region with the highest concentration of golf courses in Europe. There are more than 70 courses spread along Andalusia, Malaga, Marbella, Granada and Almeria. In addition, it offers excellent alternatives and a wide menu for those wanting to practice other sports like polo, tennis and paddle.

Malaga’s gastronomy is well known for its variety and flavours. You can enjoy specific ingredients and dishes in restaurants and acclaimed tapas bars. You can savour the best wines paired with world-class plates prepared by prestigious chefs, many of which have been awarded several Michelin stars.

The starting point

The starting point for golf in Costa del Sol dated back to 1925, with the creation of the Real Club de Campo Málaga, now known as Parador de Málaga. Located close to the sea, this club paved the way for other golf courses to emerge later in the south of Spain.

Since then, the most prestigious designers have left their imprint along Costa del Sol. The famous Robert Trent Jones designed the Real Club Valderrama, Real Las Brisas Golf Club, Los Naranjos Golf and the Real Club de Sotogrande, to name just a few. The same happens with Gary Player, El Paraíso Golf’s alma mater, and with game-legend Severiano Ballesteros, designer of Los Arqueros. It is worth mentioning that the ambassador of Costa del Sol is the local hero and Malaga’s native Miguel Angel Jiménez, who has his prestigious golf academy located in the outskirts of his birth city.

One of the most outstanding dates on the European Tour

The Real Club Valderrama is considered the best golf course in Continental Europe. From 1988 to 2009, it hosted the Volvo Masters of the European Tour. Similarly, in 1997, it received the 32nd edition of the Ryder Cup, the first one held outside the United States and the British Isles. In addition, in 1999 and 2000, the club received the American Express World Championship, won by Tiger Woods and Mike Weir, respectively. In recent years, Valderrama has been the venue for the Andalusia Masters, one of the most notable dates on the European Tour.

A perfect plan for a golf holiday in Costa del Sol is to purchase a golf package coinciding with the Andalusia Masters. The competition, which the Spanish Sergio García won three times, will be played in 2022 from October 13 to 16.

Playing golf, staying at beautiful hotels, enjoying the amenities and cuisine around Valderrama and following some of the best golfers in the world during a tournament is an unmatched and irresistible plan for any golf lover.