Golfing in Spain has long been a favoured activity for British and Irish golfers looking for sunny fairways. The Costa del Sol’s golf courses remain the most popular with over 70 to choose from and a variety of resorts stretching along the coast between Malaga and Gibraltar, including hotspots like Marbella and Fuengirola.
Other golfing hotspots in Spain have seen a surge in demand in recent years. The Costa Blanca, Costa de la Luz and Murcia regions offer fantastic value for money. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands – Tenerife and Gran Canaria – have established themselves as prime destinations for winter sun and year round greens.
This guide provides everything you need to know about golfing in Spain, from the top Spanish golf courses and must-visit local resorts to expert booking tips drawn from our first-hand experience as a leading provider of Spanish golf holidays.
Spain at a Glance
- Location: Positioned in southwestern Europe, bordered with France to the North and Portugal to the West.
- Closest Airports: Malaga, Alicante, Girona, Cadiz and Reus are typically used for flights to mainland Spain from the UK, whereas Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Mallorca have their own direct flights.
- Flight Time: Flight times from the UK to mainland Spain typically range between 2 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending on your departure and arrival airports. For the Canary Islands flight times are longer, usually between 4 hours and 4 hours 30 minutes.
- Best Time to Travel: The best time to visit mainland Spain is during the ‘shoulder seasons’ of spring and autumn, when temperatures are more comfortable, and accommodation and flight costs more affordable compared to the summer peak. For golfers seeking sunny fairways during the winter months, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are excellent choices.
- Climate: During the prime golfing seasons of March to June and September to October, Spain enjoys average temperatures of around 23°C, though this can vary slightly depending on the region.
Best Golf Courses in Spain
La Cala, Costa del Sol
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Mijas on the Costa del Sol, just a 30-minute drive from Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, this stunning Spanish golf resort boasts three exceptional 18-hole courses.
The America Course is a par-72 layout featuring five par-5s, minimal bunkers, and generous fairways, making it an ideal choice for players with a strong long game.
The Asia Course is also a par-72. This is narrower and slightly shorter, demanding precision on approach shots. As the oldest course at La Cala, it’s often regarded as the best.
The Europa Course is a par-71 designed with the average handicapper in mind, offering forgiving fairways, relatively flatter terrain, and larger greens than its counterparts, the America and Asia courses.
- Holes: 54
- Par: 72 (Asia & America) Par 71 (Europa)
- Designer: Cabell B. Robinson
- Opened: 1990 (Asia Course)
Las Colinas Golf, Costa Blanca
Las Colinas, designed by the renowned American golf architect Cabell B. Robinson, is a breathtaking course managed by Troon Golf, famous for delivering exceptional service and quality.
Situated 45 minutes south of Alicante Airport and surrounded by picturesque orange and lemon groves, the course features wide fairways and a well-balanced variety of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes, ensuring an enjoyable experience for players of all handicaps.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Cabell B. Robinson
- Opened: 2010
El Rompido, Costa De La Luz
Located near the Portuguese border on the scenic Costa de la Luz coastline, the five-star El Rompido Golf Resort offers a luxurious golf and spa experience.
The resort features two exceptional 18-hole golf courses. The South Course, conveniently located next to the clubhouse, boasts expansive, fast greens and a blend of tropical and winter grasses on its fairways.
The North Course, the newer of the two, offers wider and longer fairways, providing a more spacious and challenging layout.
- Holes: 36
- Par: 72
- Designer: Alvaro Arana
- Opened: 2003 (South Course), 2006 (North Course)
Infinitum Golf, Costa Dorada
Located on the outskirts of Salou in Spain’s Costa Dorada region, this expansive golf complex offers an impressive 45 holes, with 27 of them designed by Australian golfing legend Greg Norman.
True to its name, The Lakes Course is an 18-hole course weaving around numerous lakes and the Sèquia Major wetlands, making water a central feature of play.
The Hills Course is an 18-hole course that begins in a serene white pine forest before opening to spectacular cliffside views of the Mediterranean.
The Ruins Course is a unique 9-hole layout set amidst ancient Roman archaeological remains, offering a fascinating blend of history and stunning scenery.
- Holes: 45
- Par: 70 (Lakes course), 72 (Hills), 34 (Ruins)
- Designer: Greg Norman (Lakes & Ruins courses), Alfonso Vidaor and Magí Sardà (Hills course)
- Opened: 2008
Camiral Golf, Costa Brava
This golf resort is considered one of the best in Europe, let alone Spain! Home to two championship 18-hole golf courses and a five-star luxury resort in Costa Brava, it doesn’t disappoint whether you are on the fairways or relaxing off them.
The Stadium Course, which opened in 1999, has served as the venue for numerous PGA European Tour events, showcasing its world-class design and prestige.
The 18-hole Tour Course, while slightly shorter with wider fairways and more forgiving bunkers than its sister course, offers no less of a challenge. As a co-host of the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage since 2008, it guarantees an exceptional golfing experience.
- Holes: 36
- Par: 72
- Designer: Angel Gallardo and Neil Coles
- Opened: 1999
Son Antem Golf, Mallorca
Son Antem, located on the beautiful island of Mallorca, boasts two 18-hole golf courses, both designed by Francisco Lopez-Segalés, though they were opened seven years apart.
The East Course is the older of the two, offering wide fairways and flat greens, making it an excellent choice for high handicappers seeking an enjoyable round without too much difficulty.
The West Course is known for providing a greater challenge. It features a highly technical back nine, several lakes that come into play on five holes, and greens that are well-protected, demanding precision and skill.
- Holes: 36
- Par: 72
- Designer: Francisco Lopez-Segalés
- Opened: 1994 (East Course), 2001 (West Course)
El Valle Golf, Murcia
Designed by the iconic Jack Nicklaus, El Valle Golf is a standout course on the renowned Jack Nicklaus Trail in Murcia. Styled after Arizona Desert courses, it brings a unique golfing experience to the region.
Measuring 6,355 metres from the back tees, the course is dotted with strategically placed bunkers, making it ideal for golfers who enjoy a thoughtful, tactical game rather than focusing solely on long drives.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
- Opened: 2007
Costa Adeje Golf, Tenerife
Located in the south of Tenerife, Costa Adeje offers stunning views of the ocean and La Gomera Island on one side and majestic mountains on the other, making it a truly memorable 18-hole golfing experience.
The course was designed by the highly acclaimed architect Pepe Gancedo, often referred to as the “Picasso of golf” for his innovative and artistic approach to course design.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Jose ‘Pepe’ Gancedo
- Opened: 1998
Anfi Tauro Golf, Gran Canaria
It’s tough to say which golf course in Gran Canaria is the best, as opinions always vary. While Salobre Golf and Maspalomas Golf are strong contenders, the 18-hole Arizona-style championship course at Anfi Tauro stole the show in our office thanks to its breathtaking visuals.
With its stunning sea views and impeccably manicured fairways and greens, this course is sure to leave a lasting impression!
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Von Hagge, Smelek and Baril
- Opened: 2006
Top 5 Travel Tips for Your Spain Golf Holiday
- Book Your Tee Times Early: With golf holidays surging in popularity, it’s wise to secure your tee times as soon as possible. Even with the vast selection of courses across Spain’s regions, early booking is essential—especially for groups needing consecutive tee times.
- 1-in-8 Green Fee Discounts: Many courses, particularly in the Costa del Sol, offer a free green fee for every seven paying golfers, making group trips even better value.
- Opt for All-Inclusive: To stick to a budget or avoid splitting bar tabs among a large group, an all-inclusive package is an excellent choice, providing convenience and peace of mind.
- Group Golf Transfers: For smaller groups of two to four, car hire is a cost-effective option. However, for larger groups, golf transfers become more economical as costs are shared among more players. Plus, no one has to play designated driver, so everyone can enjoy a clubhouse drink after the round!
- Buggy-Inclusive Green Fees: Many courses, especially in the Costa del Sol, include a shared buggy in their green fee. Some Tenerife courses go even further, including lunch in the price—making your golfing experience even more enjoyable!
Top Golf Holiday Deals: Play Some of Spain’s Most Popular Golf Courses
We have handpicked some of the most popular golf breaks in Spain, featuring top resorts across the regions we’ve highlighted:
- 4* La Cala Golf Resort – Costa del Sol
- 5* Camiral Golf & Wellness – Costa Brava
- 4* Melia Villaitana Golf Resort – Costa Blanca
- 5* Precise El Rompido Golf Resort – Costa De La Luz
- 4* Hotel Best San Diego – Costa Dorada
- 5* Ona Mar Menor Golf & Spa Resort – Murcia
- 5* Hacienda Son Antem Golf Resort – Mallorca
- 5* Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity – Gran Canaria
- 4* Hotel Tenerife Golf And Sea View – Tenerife
About Glencor Golf
For expert advice and personalized guidance on booking your perfect golfing trip to Spain, call our experienced and well-travelled team at Glencor Golf Holidays today on 01904 406550. We’re here to make your dream golf getaway a reality!
