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The
Costa del Sol has come to be known as the Costa del Golf in recent
years. The traditional things that have benefited the typical tourist
over the last four decades have also to some extent caused an increase
in the amount of people that come to the Costa del Sol to play golf. The
climate and the long hours of sunshine provide a perfect opportunity in
which to practise the sport and each year the clubs and courses are
visited by an ever increasing number of enthusiasts and professionals.
The long hours of sunshine that the Costa del Sol receives has
established the region as firm favourite amongst golf aficionados.
The
fact that the Costa del Sol receives over three hundred days of sunshine
each year is something useful to keep in mind when starting a round of
eighteen holes. Fresh Atlantic winds, due to the proximity of the
Straits of Gibraltar, mix with the mild Mediterranean winds and help to
moderate the temperatures.
The
climate here is usually defined by the warmth of the air and lack of
extreme atmospheric weather. This is due to the fact that the length of
the Costa del Sol is sheltered by elevated mountainous regions - the
sierras of Mijas, Alpujata and Blanca - which act as a protective screen
against the affects of the colder northern winds. Apart from offering
such a warm climate, the mountains, slopes and valleys provide a
wonderful scenic backdrop to the game, this is especially evident on
some of the famous courses in the Valle de Golf near Puerto Banús.
All
these factors contributed to the decision to hold various European PGA
tournaments in the Costa del Sol. Grounds and facilities are kept in
immaculate condition throughout the whole year and are unaffected by the
harsh northern continental winter. A club in this area was the first one
in Europe to be permitted to hold the Ryder Cup outside of the UK.
Many
of the players that have made a memorable contribution to the Ryder Cup
are resident professionals in the Costa del Sol and are available to
give lessons. Some of the clubs have excellent golf academies, like the
well-known Academia de David Leadbetter which is run by professional
players.
Golf
enthusiasts will be able to find a complete variety of courses ranging
from the technical and demanding, with challenging lakes and bunkers to
the straightforward, with wide easy fairways.
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Alcaidesa Links:
This course was designed by the British Peter Alliss and Clive Clark and
is reminiscent of the Scottish Links. Opened in June 1992, this
excellent eighteen hole golf course has spectacular views of the
Mediterranean, Straits of Gibraltar and North Africa.
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Alhaurín Golf:
These two courses were designed by Severiano Ballesteros and are
situated in a mountainous region. There is also a smaller course
suitable for children. Both courses are very well rated by professionals
and continue to offer surprises throughout the game, however it is not
hard to familiarise yourself with them.
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Almenara Golf:
Situated close to the beach in Sotogrande, this eighteen hole golf
course has a big lake and spectacular views.
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Aloha:
Another fine course from the Valle de Golf in Marbella, close to Puerto
Banús. This course is characterised by the majestic trees that line the
fairways and make it a challenge to reach the complicated greens. It has
good facilities, and a fine international pedigree.
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Añoreta:
Situated on the eastern part of the Costa del Sol, 12 km from Málaga.
It is a beautiful area surrounded by Olive and Almond trees. The course
will require the use of most of the clubs in order to cleanly navigate
your way through all lakes and bunkers.
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Atalaya (Neys) / Atalaya (Old):
This course is situated above Estepona and has magnificent views of the
Rock of Gibraltar and North Africa. It has wide fairways of 'tif way'
grass and elevated greens. There are good facilities and services.
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Baviera Golf:
Situated in the Caleta de Vélez, in the Axarquía region. This new
eighteen hole golf course is positioned between the sea and the
mountainside and is suitable for all levels; from complete amateurs to
professionals. The course was designed by twice world champion José María
Cañizares.
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Cabopino Club de Golf:
Situated 12 km from Marbella, this is very modern eighteen hole golf
course - par 71. It has spectacular views of the sea and the Costa del
Sol.
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Club de Golf La Cañada:
This 9 hole course has extremely well looked after greens and was
designed by Robert Trent Jones. It is located in the highest area of
Guadiaro.
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Club de Golf Valderrama:
Valderrama is situated in San Roque, was designed by Robert Trent Jones
and opened to the public in 1985. This 18 hole course is reckoned to be
one of the most challenging in all Europe. It was internationally
recognised in the 1997 Ryder Cup and named on more than one occasion as
the "Augusta de Europa" - meaning that the course requires
great respect.
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Dama de Noche:
Close to Puerto Banús, this is the first golf course in Europe that can
be played twenty-four hours a day thanks to powerful artificial
lighting. At night the course takes on a ghostly elegance.
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El Candado:
Situated within the interior of the city of Málaga, it is an historic
course of nine holes, with difficult changes in level and a demanding
design.
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El Coto:
Set in the residential area of Coto de la Serena, close to Estepona.
This course has an almost oriental appeal and requires a powerful swing
in order to make the most of the tee shots.
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El Paraíso:
Situated in an area of Estepona covered by streams, lakes and plenty of
trees, this would be a very uncomplicated course, if it were not for the
strategic positioning of the bunkers.
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Estepona Golf:
A very flat course that requires a great deal of technical skill to
avoid all the water hazards. The fairways are reasonably short, but are
bounded by difficult rough.
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Golf Artola:
Opened in 1964 and designed by Jorge Rein, this course has short
fairways and flat greens. Artola is surrounded by Pine trees and an
expensive residential area. The whole course stretches from the national
road 340 - also called "Calle Major de la Costa del Sol" -
down to the sea. This course doesn't present many problems, due to the
length of its fairways and because the total distance covered by all of
the holes is less than 700 metres.
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Greenlife Golf:
A great quality nine hole golf course in Marbella. It has a spectacular
artificial lake and a landscape of varying vegetation.
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Guadalhorce:
Situated close to Málaga, the initial nine holes of this course require
precise tee shots to stay in limits, whilst the other nine holes are
relatively simple affairs, if the water hazards can be avoided.
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Guadalmina: (North) / (South)
Two courses; one of which is demanding enough not to require many
artificial lakes or bunkers, the other of a more modern design by Folco
Nerdi, has more obstacles but is not as long.
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Las Brisas:
Situated in one of the most beautiful valleys in the Costa del Sol, this
course has hosted a variety of professional events, including two
editions of the World Cup. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones
at the end of the sixties and requires severe precision and a strong
mental discipline in order not to fall fowl of its ten artificial lakes,
hazardous bunkers and elevated greens.
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La Cala: (North) / (South)
Two different courses set in the beautiful location surrounding Mijas,
that have pronounced undulations and spectacular views. Cabell Robinson
designed the courses to suit American tastes with a selection of
different tee shots, varying fairways and difficult elevated greens.
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La Duquesa:
A very attractive club, set amongst the vineyards of Manilva on the
western extreme of the Costa del Sol. The course has pleasant views of
the coast, the Rock of Gibraltar and North Africa. The last nine holes
are played on an incline.
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La Quinta:
One of the most prestigious clubs in the Valle de Golf. This course is
marked by constantly changing levels, sharp falls, large bunkers and
isolated greens. This is an excellent, but technically challenging
course for experienced players.
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La Siesta:
This course is close to the residential area of Calahonda. It is a
fairly short course, but the levels vary substantially from tee to
green.
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Lauro:
In Alhaurín de la Torre, next to Málaga. This course is set in a very
pleasant location and is surrounded by abundant naturally occurring
trees and a wide variety of bird life. The overall course is relatively
simple, but the greens require a degree of skill.
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La Zagaleta:
Situated in a nature reserve with a huge variety of birds and flora.
This is a very well designed course by Bradford Benz, however it is a
private course and is playable by invitation only.
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Los Arqueros: (Course 1) / (Course 2)
Situated amongst the magnificent mountain region of Benahavís, close to
Marbella. This course was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and is
appreciated for the unique curving quality of its fairways.
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Los Naranjos:
Demanding, but nevertheless very pleasant. This course was originally
designed by Robert Trent Jones and therefore typically requires powerful
tee shots and great accuracy. The course and its facilities are superb
and are appreciated by those who are passionate about golf, like Sean
Connery.
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Mijas Golf: (Los Lagos) / (Los Olivos)
There are two courses - Los Lagos and Los Olivos - which have been
designed by Robert Trent Jones to test the strength of the golfers tee
shot. The fairways are characteristically short and wide.
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Miraflores:
Situated in the mountainous area of Mijas, this course has expansive
views across the sea. There are a number of tricky water hazards to
avoid.
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Monte Mayor:
Situated in the residential area of Nueva Andalucía, near San Pedro de
Alcántara. This surrounding area is quite mountainous and therefore the
course surface is uneven and requires skill. The fourth hole is unusual
in that you have to play across two small islands.
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Real Club de Campo:
Affiliated to the Parador de Golf, situated close to Málaga airport.
This classic course is one of the longest in Spain with relatively open
fairways, bordered by Pine, Oleanders, Mimosas and Eucalyptus.
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Real Club de Golf Sotogrande:
The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and each hole is a work of
art. It was opened in 1964 and is considered to be one of the 10 best
golf courses in Europe. Sotogrande is well known for its fast greens,
but its wide and long fairways make the course suitable for all
handicaps. The course is surrounded by Pines, Palms and Andalusian
thicket.
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Río Real:
One of the oldest clubs in the Costa del Sol, situated on a mild slope
that reaches down to the sea. It is well known for the way the course
respectfully integrates with the outstanding beauty of its natural
location.
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Santa Clara Golf:
This course situated in the famous city of Marbella was built recently
and designed by Enrique Canales Busquet. Its 18 holes have long tee
shots with very little rough and large open greens. It has been said
that the Clara resembles a big park land estate.
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Santa María:
Situated next to the five star hotel Don Carlos. This course has nine
short and technical holes interspersed with longer holes of lesser
difficulty. The fairways are bordered by natural vegetation synchronous
to the area.
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The Golf Club Marbella:
A difficult course that amateurs should avoid unless they particularly
enjoy sand or looking for lost balls. This club has one of the best
specialised shops.
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The San Roque Club:
This course was opened to the public in 1990 and is approximately one
hour from Málaga. It is one of the most beautiful courses on the
European circuit and was originally designed by Dave Thomas. It has
eighteen holes - Par 72.
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Torrequebrada:
Located in Benalmádena, this is one of the most popular courses in the
Costa del Sol and is benefited by its link to the luxurious hotel of the
same name. A very challenging course where correct club selection will
prove vital.
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