Layouts designed by legends, more than 320 days of sunshine a year, and views stretching between the Mediterranean and Sierra Blanca. And there is one course — among the oldest in the area — that holds a secret many golfers don’t know about and that could transform your experience. I’ll reveal it later.
Marbella is far more than luxury and beaches: with 19 courses within just 26 km, it is the municipality with the highest concentration of golf in Spain and one of the densest in the world. This is why the Costa del Sol is known as the “Costa del Golf”, a nickname coined in the 1950s when the European elite discovered that you could play here almost year-round.
The Golf Valley: Epicentre of Golf on the Costa del Sol
The area of Nueva Andalucía, known as the Golf Valley, brings together three of Marbella’s most iconic courses within just a few square kilometres. It’s the place to start if you want to understand why this city attracts golfers from more than thirty nationalities. Each course offers a different style of play, from technical designs to more forgiving layouts suitable for all levels. Combined with its international atmosphere and first-class services, every round becomes a complete experience both on and off the course.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
Founded in 1968 at the request of José Banús, Las Brisas was designed by American architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., considered one of the most influential golf course designers in history. In 2015, the course was redesigned by Kyle Phillips, preserving the essence of the original layout while increasing its technical demands.
This 18-hole, par-72 course stands out for its ten artificial lakes fed by two natural streams, elevated greens heavily protected by bunkers, and dog-legs that demand constant precision. This is not a course for improvisation — every shot must be carefully planned.
Beyond the game itself, Las Brisas surprises visitors with its arboretum designed by Gerald Huggan, a specialist in subtropical plants who filled the course with species from five continents. Walking its fairways is almost like strolling through a botanical garden — and this is precisely the secret mentioned earlier: few courses in the world combine a top-level sporting challenge with such a unique botanical experience.
High-season green fees are around €300, reflecting its position as one of the most exclusive clubs on the coast.
Aloha Golf Club
Right next to Las Brisas lies Aloha Golf Club, the posthumous work of Javier Arana, probably the most important Spanish golf course designer in history. Arana passed away in 1975, shortly before construction was completed, leaving behind an 18-hole, par-72 layout measuring 6,293 metres from the white tees that remains a national benchmark.
Aloha has hosted three editions of the European Tour’s Andalucía Open (2007, 2008 and 2012), and in 2025 it was the venue for the Staysure Marbella Legends, where legends such as Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José María Olazábal competed on its fairways. Its parkland style, with wide fairways but challenging greens, rewards straight hitters and punishes those who seek shortcuts. The 10th hole — a par 5 bordering a lake — is one of the most memorable on the Costa del Sol.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Completing the Golf Valley trio, Los Naranjos is another Robert Trent Jones Sr. design featuring wide fairways, large undulating greens, and orange trees lining the course that give it both its name and character. This 18-hole, par-72 layout is more accessible than Las Brisas without losing technical interest. Its clubhouse is a popular social hub, offering quality gastronomy and panoramic course views.
Campos fuera del Valle del Golf
Cabopino Golf Marbella
Cabopino is one of the most photogenic courses in the area. Its 18-hole, par-71 layout unfolds across hills overlooking Cabopino Marina and the sea. The 3rd hole, with its elevated tee facing directly towards the Mediterranean, is one of the most photographed on the Costa del Sol. Its rates are more affordable than those in the Golf Valley, with green fees starting from €22 in low season, making it a fantastic option for those seeking quality without an excessive budget.
La Quinta Golf & Country Club
Historic Courses That Marked the Beginning of Golf in Marbella
Guadalmina Club de Golf
Opened in 1959, Guadalmina was Marbella’s first golf course and one of the pioneers of the Costa del Sol. It features two 18-hole layouts designed by Javier Arana: the South Course, famous for its difficulty and narrow fairways protected by century-old trees, and the North Course, slightly more open and forgiving. Playing here means connecting with the origins of Marbella golf.
Santa Clara Golf Marbella
Designed by Enrique Canales, this 18-hole course integrates respectfully with native vegetation, offering a technical yet accessible layout with wide fairways and well-maintained greens. It features a golf academy and a modern clubhouse, ideal for those who combine sporting practice with local gastronomy.
When Is the Best Time to Play Golf in Marbella?
Although the climate allows year-round play, Marbella’s high golf season runs from October to April, coinciding with the months when golfers from Northern Europe seek to escape the cold. The busiest months are October, November, February, and March.
If you prefer lower rates and less crowded courses, the low season (May to September) offers reduced prices and the advantage of longer days — albeit with higher midday temperatures.
Everything Ready for Your Next Round in Marbella
Choosing among Marbella’s golf courses depends on what you’re looking for: exclusivity and technical challenge at Las Brisas; history and tradition at Aloha or Guadalmina; spectacular views at Marbella Club Golf Resort; or outstanding value for money at Cabopino. What they all share is impeccable maintenance, a climate that invites play all year round, and that distinctive feeling of golfing in one of the world’s finest destinations for the sport.
And if you need to refresh your equipment before heading to the course, at Golfriend’s Shop you’ll find everything you need: clubs, bags, technical clothing, and accessories from the best brands on the market, with expert advice and delivery throughout Spain. Our physical shop in Estepona is just minutes from all these courses.
