Golfers Paradise
With round 50 courses along the Costa del Sol coastline, the visiting golfer is completely spoilt for choice, The brand new Dona Julia golf course is right on the door step and the Duquesa golf course just a stones throw away for those who don't want to travel. Many of the courses are hilly, some requiring a buggy for any but the super fit, however there are also a good number of fairly flat parkland courses. The courses at this end of the Costa del Golf tend to be less crowded and better value than those nearer to Marbella. The area surrounding Duquesa boasts some of the best golf courses in Europe, Valderama, which hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, as well as the American Express Match Play Championships, is only 15 minutes away, other top class Golf Courses include Sotogrande, San Rogue, Real Club du Golf and La Canada. Estepona Golf Club is less than 10 - minutes away and an another 15 minutes away are many further courses including Aloha, Los Naranjos, La Quinta and Las Brisas.
Atalaya Golf and Country Club
This is the official headquarters of the PGA of Europe
with two very contrasting 18 hole courses.
Atalaya offers one of the largest driving ranges in Spain, supplies tuition in
several languages & provides all the usual facilities.
The Old Course with its classically conceived layout,
is flat with wide fairways surrounded by tall pines & luxurious vegetation, and
large, mostly elevated greens.
The New Course – which was opened in 1991, is more gently sloping & a little
more difficult than its sister & is a real challenge for all levels of golfers.
maybe a little more difficult as tee shots have to be accurate.
Atalaya Golf and Country Club has been one of the most popular clubs on the
Costa del Sol since its opening in 1968. Situated between Marbella and Estepona,
it is suitable for all levels of play from total beginners to international
pros, due to the diversity of its tees.
Travel time from Apartment 20mins
Dona Julia Golf Club
This beautiful 18 hole, par-72 golf course, measuring some 6205 meters, is situated with in a short walk of the apartment with impressive views of the Mediterranean it is notable for the area of it’s greens. The club, designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido, one of the most experienced designers in Spain, respects and employs the natural setting and indigenous trees of the area (polars, holm oaks, kermes oaks) to their best effect.
It is run by Aymerich Golf Management, a company experienced in golf course management and development, with over 40 courses to their credit throughout Spain.
Travel Time form Apartment 1min
La Duquesa Golf and Country Club
Duquesa's excellent course was designed by Sir Robert Trent Jones and is situated in a spectacular landscape which overlooks the Mediterranean with views out to North Africa and Gibraltar.
A hilly, testing course, La Duquesa has quite narrow
fairways on the front 9, followed by a second 9 with a bit more room to play
with but still far from easy.
With 5 par 3s; 8 par 4s & 5 par 5s undulating greens + a couple of man-made
lakes, good course management will win over power here.
All the usual facilities + squash, Jacuzzi & tennis
TravalTime from Apartment 5mins
Estepona Golf Course
One of the New-wave of coast courses, this family run establishment will really suit those who enjoy unspoilt countryside & fresh air. A very friendly club, situated amidst the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja, Estepona offers a good test, mainly narrow fairways with many ups and downs.
Amongst its many water hazards and dangerous rough you
can play what is reputedly the longest golf hole in Spain, known locally as the
"ski-run" which stretches 625 yards off the white tee.
Buggies Recommended!
Travel Time From Apartment 10mins
Guadalmina Golf
This is a complex of 2 of the oldest courses on the Costa del Sol, dating from 1959 & 1973.
Guadalmina has hosted the PGA European Tour Qualifying School several times & sports a 9 hole pitch & putt course in addition to the usual range of facilities.
The North Course is quite tight with gently undulating fairways and fast greens whereas the original South Course – which is renowned for its level of difficulty - meanders toward the sea, with tree lined fairways adding to its character.
Travel Time from Apartment 15mins
Los Flamingos Golf Club
Flamingos Golf Club is described as "The must of Golf" designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido & opened in 2001.
The Rosa course represents a garden of a Tuscan Villa & on some of the fairways and borders of the course you will find Roman columns, classic style statues and marble bridges.
The carefully designed 18 holes at Flamingos Golf Club provide breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, Africa and Gibraltar. The "Arroyo Del Taraje" stream passes through the course and ends in a lake, which provides a natural border at the end of tees, 1 and 10.
The smallest detail has been taken into consideration with each hole being defined by its own trees such as cypresses, oranges, jacarandas, pines, olives, chestnuts, pomegranate and many more.
A technically demanding course - particularly over the front nine, with large, undulating & raised greens adding to what is regarded as a fair challenge for all. A second course The Flamingo Blanco [18 holes - par 64], + golf school, sports, health & fitness centre opened in 2003.
Travel Time From Apartment 10mins
Marbella Golf and Country Club
Opened in 1994, this Robert Trent Jones designed course is very popular & has a packed social calendar.
Gently undulating fairways meander between olive groves to produce one of the most exciting & testing golf courses & yet one that will provide an enjoyable round for players of all abilities.
Large bunkers protect the greens, several water hazards come into play and the rough can also be quite difficult. The Marbella golf course starts off fairly hilly, then starts to level out into more open flat terrain.
A typical Robert Trent Jones design, with its sweeping fairways, abundant bunkers and large undulating greens, several holes require accurate and brave tee shots to get across ravines and gulleys.
Travel Time From Apartment 20mins
San Roque Golf Club
Opened in 1990, the San Roque Golf course – which is made up of two intertwined 9 hole loops - was designed by Dave Thomas. Renowned for its high standards & immaculate grooming The San Roque Club is the social heart of this part of Andalucia.
The attractively landscaped course is both challenging and fair with wide fairways lined with mature trees. Water comes into play on many holes and the course is noted for its huge bunkers. A tremendous challenge and a favourite with UK golfers. The 18th is amongst the finest finishing holes in Europe.
In addition to all the usual facilities, there is the beautiful on-site 5star Suites Hotel & the Seve Ballesteros Natural Golf School - open every day of the year under the direction of Seve’s brother Vincente.
Travel Time from Apartment 20mins
Royal Sotogrande Golf Course
Sotogrande Golf course was the first Robert Trent Jones course to be designed in Europe & is one which he considers to be one of his proudest pieces of work.
Opened in 1964., this has become known as one of the finest courses in Europe – situated as it is on a very quiet site, encircled by majestic houses and enhanced with numerous pine, olive, oak, eucalyptus and palm trees. A challenge for all levels of golfer, the architect has strategically placed many bunkers & water hazards throughout the course. With virtually no rough, long hitters are able to open their shoulders with no worries other than avoiding the numerous water hazards which are concentrated particularly over the last holes.
In addition to all the usual facilities, Sotogrande has an interesting 9 hole par 29 course – also designed by Robert Trent Jones
Travel Time from Apartment 20mins
Valderrama Golf Club
Ranked the number one course in continental Europe, Valderrama has hosted many major tournaments including the 1997 Ryder Cup.
Lush tree lined fairly flat fairways and immaculate elevated greens give this course the recognition it so deserves.
A private club with limited access between 12.00 and 14.00, it is usually necessary to book many weeks in advance, although the restaurant is open to visitors Thursday & Friday evenings & Sunday lunch.
Also has a 9 hole par 3 course & a museum of priceless golfing memorabilia. The strategic difficulty, omnipresent trees, the size of the bunkers and a few water hazards keep the player constantly on his wits for every stroke. The pressure is made worse when it comes to reading the greens. Don't bother about playing to your handicap, as even the top champion’s find making par a tough enough challenge at Valderrama
Travel Time Form Apartment 15mins