Costa del Golf’s Golf Valley

2024 Costa del Golf – Nueva Andalusia’s Golf Valley

With 70 plus golf courses, Andalusia’s superb “Costa del Golf”  attracts golfers from around the globe to these renown fairways played by golf’s champions over the decades as well as important Royal visitors, numerous cinema and sport stars too.  All enjoy  the Costa’s charms away from the links. From Malaga to Sotogrande a myriad of superb golf clubs and courses dot the landscape  – seaside links courses, undulating layouts along this spectacular coast,  the Sierra Blanca’s valleys  including  the renowned 1997 Ryder Cup host Valderrama, and  2023’s  Solheim Cup host of Europe’s valiant victory – Finca Cortesin.

More than 300 sunny days yearly, enticing Spanish cuisine, wine and tapas, plus the friendly Spanish ambiance have catapulted the Costa del Golf to its global pinnacle.

The “Golf Valley’s” Must Plays…

Undulating terrain with breathtaking vistas make Nueva Andalusia and Marbella’s  “Golf Valley”  globally known.  An exceptional concentration of challenging golf courses and clubs in  the heart of Spain’s Costa del Golf  which have been  built in less than a century.

In 1926, the first golf course opened in Malaga, the Royal Club del Campo designed by Tom Simpson – today it is Parador del Golf de Malaga. Getting the limelight in 1926 when famed  designer UK’s Harry Colt, selected the land and then executed the initial design.  Sadly, with the Civil War it was destroyed, Tom Simpson re-designed the course in  1947.   

Marbella’s Golf Valley’s Highlights

Marbella’s Golf Valley’s top plays are championship layouts maintained to excellent standards providing memorable golf for players of all levels. Reservations are essential or guest invitation; a friendly welcome awaits guests. In 2025 an exciting new DP World Legends Tour event – “Marbella Legends”  – will be inaugurated at Aloha Golf Club, Marbella, February  14-16, 2025 – a not to miss with  global legends teeing it up.

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucia

Nestled amongst Marbella’s hills in 1968 D. Jose Banus founded Club de Golf Nueva Andalucia and remained its President until 1981. Banus selected R. Trent Jones Sr, who had just completed his design at Sotogrande to design La Brisas before undertaking Los Naranjos and Valderrama. Jones’ touch is still felt today – bunkering, water hazards and testing doglegs, plus incredible natural beauty.  Gerald Huggan, landscape architect and tropical plant specialist, added to the arboretum and the course with trees, plants from all continents making Las Brisas a superb garden too. Vibrant pink flowers everywhere, Australia’s Whistling Pine and Blackwood trees, plus Mexico’s Green Ash, add to the myriad of other species of palms and Mediterranean trees enhancing the layout and Club surroundings.  Jones Sr introduced Bermuda grass for the fairways and Pencross Bent for the greens – unusual at this epoch in Europe. 

In 2015 Kyle Phillips updated the layout, expanded the practice facilities all in keeping with Jones’ philosophy. With six tees, golfer’s have the perfect selection for their level; course maintenance is tops – always in Spain’s top 10 courses and highly ranked globally too.  Las Brisas hosted  2023’s  LET Final event  in November showcasing the Tour’s top players capping off another successful season after the Solheim Cup victory with Europe retaining the Cup.

Las Brisas has hosted many national and international events since its initial 1970’s International Spanish Open and the Spanish Amateur put Las Brisas on the map with US stars Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus. Spain’s Majesties supported tournaments too with stars like Ballesteros and Faldo winning.  India’s Aditi Ashok secured her second victory of the Ladies European Tour (LET) 2023 season triumphing by two shots at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España at Las Brisas. T Las Brisas was thrilled to host this event; General Manager Paul Munoz smiled, “we are resuming a club record that had been on stand-by for the past 20 years – renewing our DNA of celebrating major events.”

Royalty arrlved and enjoyed Las Brisas from the start – Monaco’s Princess Grace, the Aga Khan were seen along with golf fanatic singer Bing Crosby, General Franco on Las Brisas’ fairways. Spain’s royal family was constantly present.

In 1995, the Royal prefix was awarded to Las Brisas. A very private club some visitors are allowed each year; golfers need to contact the club requesting one of these special green fees; General Manager Munoz confirmed.

Practice facilities are first class including a special guest driving range. Short game and putting greens are excellent. A panoramic putting green  fronting  the Club House gives one a superb view of the Costa del Sol and top practice prior to teeing it up…Club House dining is exceptional.

Arriving on the first tee just below the spacious Club House with its many terraces, the stage is set for a great round. The opening downhill par-4 demands a straight drive center left; then a testing shot into the green with water fronting the undulating green. The downhill narrow third hole offers a photo moment on the tee with water on the left and the Club House and the Sierra Nevada behind. A tight tee shot demands precision to have a short iron to the tiered green  – for a good birdie look. The par-3 fourth isn’t easy with the green’s burrows. The par-5 fifth is the longest hole with a blind tee shot needing to be center fairway to avoid bunkers and rough; birdie is possible if one’s in the fairway. The seventh is a delight of a par-3. Another blind tee shot on the eight tests with water everywhere. Going for the green is testing as the green is difficult to hold with its undulations. The ninth challenges – play center left off the tee then hope to avoid the bunkers on the shallow green.

The return on the 10th starts gently downhill. The  downhill par-3 11th  can be birdie time. Club selection key with the water in front. Challenge awaits on the 12th; an imaginative golf hole with the water, bunkering demanding one’s best. The 13th isn’t a breather either…finding the fairway off the tee is essential to score with the narrow green’s burrows. On the 15th water off the tee to avoid, both left and frontal; then demanding uphill play into a multi-tiered green. The downhill par-3 16th challenges; water galore requires precise iron play to score. The 17th taunts. it was redesigned. Uphill over water off the tee then again on the second shot into the green.  Par is great. The challenging uphill finish demands length from the tee setting up a second shot over bunkers into the skinny green. Courage…the 19th hole awaits with exceptional  delights.

A bubbly Cava, Sangria or ….! Unique panoramas  and wonderful memories of this beautifully manicured layout are toasted at the 19^th hole!

Many members are secondary residents adding flair, fun, entertainment to Club life with a mixture of nationalities. Paul Munoz does a magnificient job managing this extraordinary layout plus the Club perfectly.

Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, Guadalmina

Campo Sur, Par-72, 6081 m – Campo Norde, Par-72, 5600 m

Verdant undulating farm land was discovered from his yacht – “Serva La Bari” – by Norberto Goizueta. It  became agriculture land until he decided to build one of the first  golf courses on the coast near San Pedro. “Sur’s” first nine holes were done by owner Goizueta replacing the corn and wheat crops.  Opened in 1959, “Sur” designed by Javier Arana. The “Campo Norte” was completed in 1989  by Folco Nardi who was in residence on the estate as well as the excellent par-3 course  which opened later.  Additional facilities are driving range, chipping and short game areas have been expanded  and enhanced over the years  including  “Aza’s Corner” in honor of Spain’s star Azahara Munoz. Guadalmina offers ***** facilities for learning, training of players at all handicaps.  

Guadalmina is a history of a family and a golf club too. In 2008 HH. King Juan Carlos I granted the Title of Real. With nearly  2000 members the Club transitioned to a Members Club in 2021.  Spanish members are the majority, but over 20 nationalities create a warm, vibrant atmosphere. Charitable endeavors of the Club encourage this ambiance as well as attracting young families for growth and sporting success.

Having  hosted successfully several European Tour Ladies Spanish Opens, Sur is a must play. Champions include in 2017, Spain’s friendly, personable Azahara Munoz  from San Pedro who   delighted all. In 2020 the season ending event again witnessed  in-form Dane  Emily Pedersen win her fifth start in twelve events and her third W in a row.

RCG Guadalmina offers top club services and activities…Tennis, Paddle, Croquet, Gym with extensive facilities, swimming pool, Pro-shop, club storage, restaurants and attractive locker room amenities.  Their Croquet course is specially qualified to  competition standards.

Superb private members dining on the expansive upper terraces  with adjacent bar delights with a great ambiance and views. The chef’s culinary creativity and  offerings enchant both members and guests. The grilled calamari are to die for. Annually RCG Guadalmina has an active social calendar for its  members.  General Manager Ignacio Del Cuvillo Cano assures one’s welcome, satisfaction. His attention and expertise assure top course and maintainance management, plus his friendly style contributes to Guadalmina’s top hospitality and success.

“Sur” – South consists of two different designs which are quite special. Historically,  the first hole – par-3 had no turf, only tee and green in front of the famed  Guadalmina Hotel on its opening. Another delight was the  unique par-6 hole which was called “Tipperary”. Played twice in early years the course delighted all…a par-74 !

In 1965 the Goizueta family brought Arana back to design on the northern slopes of the estate another nine holes.  For this new project Goizueta sent Aranahis plan for new holes to form a circle, allowing space for housing in and out of the circumference. Also, this terrain was rougher reducing Arana’s  choice of routings.  In February 1962, Arana laid out the nine new holes. Arana visited the course twice to put finishing touches on mounds, level out greens, and place sand traps.  Goizueta’s requirement for a circular configuration added  steep gradients across the course; Arana integrated intelligently these to this layout.  Residential  developments were added.  Arana’s  design trademark -par-3 17^th hole – was sacrificed like the par-6 reduced to a par-5 with these additions.  The 18-hole layout was a success and became a  top play on the Costa del Golf.  “Sur” was remodeled  in 2002.  Sur is Andalucía’s second oldest course.

Campo Sur, Par-72, 6081 m

The first demands a great downhill drive on this relatively flat terrain compared with Norte. Sur’s 11th hole is the most photographic hole on the entire Costa del Golf…Fairways  are guarded by trees and bunkers, and water in some areas.  Additionally, bunkers green side make it  a championship layout as evidenced by numerous events hosted. 

One must select to  play the correct tees (5 sets) to score and enjoy. Undulating greens test one’s putting feel. The inward nine is more uphill moving away from the Mediterranean; it also requires precise iron play. Breezy conditions test too on  windy days. Beware of  the pond on the 13^th. Damage to one’s score is very possible. The  15^th‘s bunker gobbles up short shots to the green. The 16^th demands accuracy…testing til the last putt on 18!   Don’t miss the 19^th  hole – cheers !

Campo Norde, Par-72, 5600 m

Norte is shorter, hillier than Sur with  more water hazards to catch wayward shots. Precision off the tee is  easier with wider fairways than Sur; however, center fairway or using the slope on the drive is critical.

The course starts in front of the Club House and returns  too; very popular with players wishing to play only nine holes. The  parkland design has  the Arroyo del Choppo influencing its layout  from holes 8 to the return’s 16,17,18.  Greens are more level with smaller undulations, burrows. Beware the  adjacent housing is a huge hazard with out-of- bounds. The par-5’s test and offer a variety of challenges. Great for walkers as the course is relatively flat and there is always a swim to cool off afterwards.

Aloha Golf Club, Nueva Andalucia

6325 meters, Par 72 – Nestled in hills near to Marbella, Aloha Golf Club was designed by Spain’s famed architect Javier Arana – designer of  Barcelona’s Championship***** El Prat and Valencia’s renown El Saler layouts. Unfortunately, this was Arana’s last work before his death in 1975. Aloha’s Par-3 course was added several years later by Enrique Canales.

Opened in 1975 with a kick-off by the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, the Club was initially managed by Banco de Bilbao. Ricard Katz, an early Club President, Enrique Canales, Jose Luis Mangas, Gareth George were appointed Honorary Members for their extraordinary  services. Golf Professionals – popular famed Miguel Angel Jimenez and Diego Borrego – are also Honorary Members.

In 1983 the property development was terminated adjacent to the golf course. 1500 shares were issued for  1200 villa owners; the remainder distributed to members of the Club. In 1986  Jose Maria Ibarrondo was elected the first President of the Club. Currently Mr. Rafael Fontán Zubizarreta is Aloha’s President  serving since his first election in 2010.

The Club  became “Members only” instilling an open, international ambiance making it a second home for many   members. A warm welcome for guests, visitors is appreciated, members are helpful with their tips for scoring on Aloha’s testing greens. Very cosmopolitan with members from over 25 nationalities, the Club has always welcomed a variety of guests from Malaysia’s King to England’s Prince Edward and Holland’s Prince Klaus plus many global golfing stars. An active Bridge Club, Health Club, excellent practice facilities, and spacious  locker facilities, swimming pool, plus a top pro-shop are available. Aloha’s prize givings are popular, fun—with complimentary wine and tapas. Members and their guests rave, not only about the course and its great maintenance but the hospitality, relaxed ambiance and the cuisine.

The restaurant has a beautiful expansive terrace welcoming all day plus elegant evening dining with international culinary selections. An outstanding cave is adored by the many members who are wine aficionados. Live music highlight Friday evenings for all to enjoy. Guests may dine; verify with a reservation as Aloha GC is very social with lots of events for its members. Numerous charity events are also part of Aloha Club life.

Welcoming selected  DP World Tour events plus numerous Amateur and Ladies European Tour events has kept Aloha Golf Club at a pinnacle since 1978’s first Spanish Amateur Championship. Followed by Opens of Andalucia with winners – UK’s Lee Westwood (course record 64),  France’s Thomas Levet,  and Julien Quesne  for the men  followed. Ladies European Spanish Open was successful in 2016 with Spain’s star from  nearby San Pedro,  Azahara Munoz’s triumph to the delight of all the fans.  In 2019 the LET’s Spanish Open returned with Holland’s Anne van Damm claiming victory.

The course…6325 m, par-72 challenges from the first tee. A long par-5 with trees lining the fairway, water on the left  Aloha’s first hole is named after Miguel Angel Jimenez. Very appropriately it is a testing slight lyleft dog leg from an elevated tee. Attack with a drive left center avoiding the trees, to  be able go for green and set up a birdie  hopefully. The main charitable event – Miguel Angel Jimenez Pro-am Memorial Andres Jimenez takes place  annually is always successful.  The second hole tees from an elevated tee;  avoid water short on the right; beware as some trees can block the flag if one plays too far left. The sixth is long; avoid the bunkers defending the dogleg.

The 10^th “Javier Arana “  kicks off the return which I felt was the more testing of the two nines. The difficult 12^th is memorable. Obelix – the  par-3 17^th 181 m demands precision – left off tee is usually best depending on the wind.  Many golfers vote Aloha’s 18^th as the “Golf Valley’s”  best finishing hole … tough choices to be made – uphill too! Climatic finish to this superb test of golf.  Gracias, Javier, a wonderful play.

Los Naranjos Golf Club, Nueva Andalucia

6564 meters, Par 72 – Well-known Los Naranjos is a semi-private club which opened in 1977 a decade after Las Brisas; it was initially part of Las Brisas. Another Robert Trent Jones Sr design, it covers two undulating terrains filled with orange groves, plus a river winding through the terrain  adds to the obstacles. Many spectacular  panoramas of  the verdant foothills rising from the Mediterranean distract. Several times it has been cited “Costa del Sol Course of the Year”.  Los Naranjos has welcomed several Spanish Opens over the decades.

Recent emphasis by the Swedish owners has  attracted younger players, offering more Ladies competitions, plus easy booking “on line” for all. It  has given  a new dynamism to Los Naranjos. With 420 members primarily non-residents, Los Naranjos in 2022 hosted over 54,000 rounds. Director of Golf Julian Romanguera and his team are very marketing and digital-oriented trying to make the Los Naranjos experience easy, fun, memorable.  Fruit and drinks too at tee-off are offered. Many tournaments, events are held; they provide live scoring too. 

The Club Restaurant is open for dining to all daily; its terraces are very popular at sundown – the vibe is lively with lots of music .  Many locals come for the food and sunsets…always entertaining plus their well-stocked cellar.  “Los Naranjos will be offering  an immense center for paddle, tennis, pickle ball, and fitness with dining. This will be the largest on the coast and third largest in Spain,” confirmed Romanguera— more sporting fun on the Golf Valley horizon.

Stretching 6564 meters, par -72 with 4 sets of tees, Los Naranjos is a classic Jones Sr layout featuring undulating fairways, strategic bunkering, water obstacles and greens with Penn A-4 grass. Birds, butterflies, and deer thrive. The first nine holes stretch along the hills behind the Club House with some testing doglegs. The second hole is a long uphill par-5; definitely more testing than the opening par-4 downhill off the tee. The sixth is narrow lined with trees and OB; beware. The left dog-leg ninth requires precision; plus, the green is very testing. The back nine fronts the Club House and the Mediterranean. The 10th challenges downhill off the tee as does the 11th. Beware of the 13th-tricky. A major challenge is the 14^th;  this uphill par-5 – 525 meters. Play right center off the tee to attack. The par-4 15th is a left dog-leg, avoid the water. The 18^th – an uphill par-5 525m is a great finishing hole!  A hike awaits to get to  the 19th hole fun after this unforgettable challenge…Saluti !

La Zagaleta Golf Club Ronda Rd, Marbella,

5401 meters,  Par 70 – Framed by the Ronda mountains perched high above the sea, exclusive Zagaleta is a private estate developed in 1990 with two testing golf courses – Old and New – sprawling over 900 hectares of verdant terrain with a heliport; equestrian, tennis, paddle facilities are excellent, and a variety of services for members, guests. Very private Zagaleta has a few limited  tee times on the New Course for non-accompanied visitors.

Views are breathtaking and  nature with a capital N! Zagaleta’s Club House  is over 5000m2 with its many attractions; it is the social center of this amazing domaine….and its delights.

Having played Zagaleta’s Old Course just after its opening, my memories of the late  90’s of these hills and the views remain vivid. Designed by Brad Benz there was  a later update in 2016. Landscapes were improved plus some enhancements  for sustainability.  A great test it hosted the Ping Junior Solheim Cup in  2023; Europe won convincingly which enhanced its allure.

Memories of my initial visit were of challenging pars and fabulous views.  My friend at the time when we played here was  a +1; we both were tested. To play the Old Course today one must play with a member.

Don’t miss the opportunity to play the New Course which is shorter but with amazing vistas and vibrant nature like the Old.  There are a small number of limited tee times only made available since several years for guests.

Opened in 2005, the New Course – was designed by Gaunt & Mauant, stretching 5401 m, par-70, slope 132 from the tips with four tees and long distances between holes. Carts are mandatory due to tee distances. Tees perch on cliffs, ledges, offering huge drops to greens from the tee box and to fairways, or conversely, greens are perched upwards near the sky. Crossing barrancas and gorges, undulating narrow, tree lined holes with well-manicured fairways are prevalent.   Green’s size differs from the first hole’s  small  green  to large and intermediate dimensions,  more frequently located on the back nine. Vegetation and nature everywhere. Deer, boar, and varieties of birds, butterflies enchant and are everywhere. Unforgettable…many photo moments.

The first hole – par 5 – demands a straight long drive over a gorge to a narrow, moguledl strip of fairway, then a long tight shot to set up an approach to a tiny green buried in the vegetation. Welcome !

The short par-3 second hole – 160m downhill across water is a delight…the fourth is another testing par-5 demanding a left center tee shot to stay in the game. The uphill par-3 (150m) eighth offers a par chance. The back nine lies opposite the Club House; it flows around and over the mountain with three par-3’s – the 12 being the easiest. The 17th’s downhill tee shot tests as does the approach from the undulating fairway to a testing tiered green. Left downhill dogleg, the 18th is memorable with its barranca and the undulating fairways awaiting, demanding precision play into the testing burrowed green. Memorable the New Course. “Experience” is the Zagaleta team’s expression for the New Course…! It’s spectacular golf with bountiful nature. 

The course is immaculately maintained, fairways manicured to the ultimate state, greens supreme. Lower handicap players will definitely enjoy more this test, higher handicaps will remember the nature – plus the “Zagaleta Experience”. A fore caddy is suggested for higher handicap players plus a large reserve of balls for the round.

The new Club House entices for dining with an array of selections plus luxury wines, brews. Breathtaking views from the terrace captivate as does the cosy bar and chic interior. A well-stocked pro-shop and club rental are offered. Zagaleta welcomes with all arrangements meticulously handled by the smiling, competent staff.

Rio Real Golf Club, Marbella    

6004 meters, Par 72 – One of the great designs of Spanish architect Javier Arana is Marbella’s Rio Real Golf Club challenging golfers since  its 1965 opening – it is the oldest course in Marbella. .Adjacent to the Rio Real river the course winds through verdant undulating terrain to the seaside creating obstacles adding to this test. Amazing varieties of trees – from palms, cypresses, olives – add to the beauty players enjoy; a very walkable layout compared with some of Golf Valley’s  tests. Initially isolated decades ago, housing and roads have encroached on of the surrounding nature.  Rio Real also  has  a Golf Academy.

Perched above the course, the Club House views are memorable as is the cuisine. Locker facilities, plus pool, gymnasium,  and various therapies may be booked. Club rental, pro-shop are also available; reservations are essential. A charming boutique hotel is adjacent for golfers appreciating to reside on site in this paradise.

Teeing it up on the first, one has an opening downhill drive  on this par-4 – a great start.  With numerous dog-legs and lots of water obstacles plus strategic bunkering, one’s “A game”  is constantly required. The 4^th hole – I feel – is the signature hole—344 meters par 4- left dogleg to the green fronting  palm trees on the sandy Mediterranean beach. The eighth (par-4 394 mts) is a magnificent test with a blind shot from the tee  to a relatively small green– one’s A game is required for par. The new tee on the 14^th adds a plus to this great par-3. The right dogleg uphill 18^th is formidable.  The 19^th is just steps away – Sangria and Tapas !

Away from the Links

Famed globally for not only its climate Marbella and Puerto Banus offer the ultimate array of dining, night clubs, hotels, spas, and glitzy boutiques. All the global brands from hotels to boutiques are present plus interesting selections of local Spanish products and tastes; shops, wine bars are not to be missed – plus the “chiringuitos”  beachside bistros with freshly grilled squid to superb oysters, rare sirloin, paella, arroz mariscos even breakfast – a treat all along the sea for miles. Chiringuitos  include Puerto Banus’s Asucar, PiCu, Marbella’s Camuri, Chambao, San Pedro’s Nuevo Reino, Kala Kai, El Angola. Fine dining is renowned at Breathe, Il Bigot, Maison Arinal, Silvery Ilogalo, and Fat Mama; plus Malaga’s famed El Pimpi and others in Puente Romano. The Marbella Club is still the “in” place to stay and dine…and party – never a dull moment at the Marbella Club.

Golfers will enjoy renting an apartment  at Molo Residences, Marbella. Attractive  boutique apartments are located in the heart of the Golf Valley – the perfect address to play all the courses plus any in Mijas, Sotogrande or Estepona. La Fonda is a  small quaint historic  hotel  in Old Marbella  – great for dining too.

Susanne Kemper