For golfers who love variety and value intelligent design, few places in Europe offer the depth and quality of courses found between Marbella and Estepona. This stretch of the Costa del Sol is not simply a sunny escape with a few fairways thrown in. It’s the heart of a golfing region where championship pedigree, architectural variety and year-round playability combine in a way that continues to attract serious players from across the globe.
While the Costa del Sol hosts over 70 golf courses, the western area between the Sierra Blanca foothills and the rolling terrain near Casares has emerged as the hub for luxury golf. Here, the focus isn’t solely on the number of courses but on quality, club amenities and a course condition that matches some of the world’s top destinations.
Marbella: strategic golf in scenic surrounds
Marbella’s long-standing reputation in the golfing world stems from a combination of legacy courses and newer entrants that have embraced sustainability and modern design.
Nueva Andalucía: the Golf Valley
This residential suburb in Marbella is colloquially known as the ‘Golf Valley’ for good reason. Within minutes of each other, you’ll find three exceptional courses – Los Naranjos, Las Brisas and Aloha – each offering something distinctly different in terms of layout, membership and playing experience.
This variety makes Nueva Andalucía an attractive base for golf buyers. With frontline golf villas and apartments available, it’s one of the few places where you can wake up with views of the 9th or 18th and be on the tee within minutes.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas is a standout for players who appreciate strategic layouts. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course is defined by water hazards, mature trees and rolling greens that reward accurate shot placement over power. It’s also one of the most exclusive members’ clubs in Spain, with a tranquil, highly private atmosphere on and off the course.
A short drive away, Aloha Golf Club is a popular choice among experienced players looking for a challenge in a more sociable setting. The Javier Arana design has hosted the Open de Andalucía on the European Tour and is known for its clever use of elevation and natural contours.
Just above Puerto Banús, Los Naranjos Golf Club has long been a favourite among international residents. Wide fairways, excellent facilities and a lively clubhouse culture make it ideal for those looking to combine golf with lifestyle.
Benahavís and La Quinta: undulating terrain and mountain views
The inland terrain of Benahavís offers a very different experience to the coastal courses. With elevation, space and seclusion on its side, this area is home to some of the most striking golf landscapes on the Costa del Sol.
La Quinta Golf & Country Club, a 27-hole facility designed by Manuel Piñero, is both versatile and challenging. The three nine-hole loops can be combined to suit different levels of play, and the upgraded facilities and integration with the five-star hotel appeal to international buyers looking for a resort lifestyle.
Just above La Quinta, El Higueral Golf is a smartly maintained nine-hole course that makes clever use of water, natural gradients and scenic outlooks. While shorter, it delivers a rewarding round, especially for those with limited time or looking to refine short game strategy.
Atalaya Golf & Country Club, is set further west near the edge of Estepona. It offers two contrasting courses: the championship Old Course, designed in 1968 by Bernard von Limburger, is known for its wide fairways and large greens, while the New Course offers tighter fairways and more elevation changes. The practice facilities are among the best in the region, with a large grass range and short game area, making it a favourite for winter training among northern European clubs.
Then there’s La Zagaleta, the most private golfing address on the coast. Only accessible to residents and their guests, this ultra-exclusive estate offers two courses, La Zagaleta and Los Barrancos, both surrounded by nature, with no encroaching development. The original course, designed by Bradford Benz, winds through forested hills with barely a house in sight. The second, by Steve Marnoch and Jonathan Gaunt, is slightly shorter but equally technical. For property buyers seeking total discretion and unparalleled exclusivity, this is as high as the bar goes.
Estepona and beyond: ambition meets space
Further west towards Estepona, the courses tend to spread a little more, offering bigger views and broader fairways, while still maintaining strategic interest.
Finca Cortesín, in Casares, is arguably the most impressive modern course in Spain. Host of the 2023 Solheim Cup, it’s a big, dramatic layout with championship-level bunkering, lightning-fast greens and a sense of scale that makes it feel like a European Pebble Beach. For many low-handicap players, it’s a must-play, and for luxury property buyers, the villas integrated into the estate represent some of the most exclusive in southern Spain.
Closer to Estepona town, Valle Romano offers strong architecture and excellent practice facilities. With a layout by Cabell B. Robinson, it’s built with tournament play in mind, but accessible enough for confident amateurs.
Estepona Golf, by contrast, is a more relaxed experience with fantastic sea views and a friendly welcome. It’s less punishing off the tee but still enjoyable for those who want to keep their game sharp while enjoying the landscape.
Sotogrande: the legacy continues
No serious golf guide to this coastline can ignore Real Club Valderrama, Spain’s most iconic course and a Ryder Cup venue that needs no introduction. Tight fairways, fast greens and a famously unforgiving layout make it a bucket-list round. Also nearby are La Reserva and San Roque Club, both well-regarded for their layouts and service.
If you’re looking to invest in a home with golf as an integral part of your lifestyle, the Costa del Sol, especially the corridor between Marbella and Estepona, offers an extraordinarily rich selection of courses. From heritage clubs to contemporary championship venues, the quality is consistently high and the settings are unforgettable.
Looking for a property with golf on the doorstep?
At Luxury Living Marbella, we work with clients who value location, design and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a frontline villa in the Golf Valley or a lock-up-and-leave apartment near the fairways of Finca Cortesín, our team will guide you to the right address. Explore our portfolio today and let us help you make golf part of your everyday life.