SPAIN***                             ANDALUCIA***                    COSTA DEL SOL***

               ***COSTA DEL GOLF***               

The Costa del Sol is the prime golfing destination in Europe and is often referred to as the Costa del Golf.

If you like to play Golf then you must visit Spain.
Spain is the golfing mecca of Europe. The country offers a winning formula of world class courses in stunning locations and a climate which allows enthusiasts to enjoy their sport throughout the year (without the need for all-weather golf gear!)

From Andalucia’s “Costa del Golf” to the beautiful Catalonian courses nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the Spanish mainland and islands boast an extraordinary range of golfing and golf courses to suit all tastes, abilities and budgets.

Small wonder the country has become one of the world’s favorite golf holiday destinations. Tour operators offer all manner of tailor-made golf vacations throughout Spain – from luxury “golf and spa” breaks through to corporate golf packages and beginners’ courses combined with sightseeing tours and other activities.

With fantastic weather all year round, it offers a great escape from the Northern European climate. 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.

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. The Costa del Sol was put in the spotlight when it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama. Europe retained the cup in a memorable victory captained by none other than Severiano Ballesteros.

There are 36,000 registered golfers and 60 golf courses in Andalucia, 45 on the Costa del Sol with a further 15 courses being discussed. It is now one of the best areas in Spain for golf and offers some of the top courses in the world. The coast boasts beautiful golf courses for every level of play, from the wide open fairways of Mijas to the spectacular mountain course at Los Arqueros. Prices vary from course to course and from high season to low season. Most visitors find the Costa del Sol irresistible in the winter, there are fantastic deals to be found during the summer months.

Besides Marbella and the Costa del Sol, other regions like Cadiz, Huelva and Almeria are becoming more and more popular golf destinations in Spain and Europe. The concentration of golf courses in Cadiz is growing fast with popular courses like The Montecastillo Golf Resort, Costa Ballena Golf, Novo Sancti Petri Golf and Dehesa Montenmedio Golf. The eastern part of Andalucia, Almeria, is also increasing in popularity as a golf holiday destination in Spain because of the growing number of courses. Golfers of all level of play will enjoy themselves on fine new golf resorts in Almeria such as the Desert Springs Golf Club and Valle del Este Golf. Both are desert style golf courses situated in the famous Almeria desert only 15 minutes from the beach.