Where to Play Golf in Marbella: A Full Guide 2024

Itching to play golf in Marbella and spend some time enjoying the warm Costa del Sol? This guide will go over all the best golf courses, memberships, and important things to know before coming to the famous Golf Valley. Read through this full Marbella golf guide, and feel free to reach out to our team for support in finding your new home in the area.

• Table of contents
• Golf in Marbella
• How Many Golf Courses are in Marbella?
• Top 5 Golf Courses in Marbella
• Golf Club Memberships in Marbella
• Top 3 Memberships
• Things to Know & Tips for Golfing in Marbella
• Get More Support for Golf in Marbella
• FAQs

This family-friendly area has become a haven for golf enthusiasts around the world. The prestigious “Golf Valley” is a series of courses and clubs carefully placed throughout the sprawling hills and mountains.

With some courses hosting international tournaments and enjoying stunning views of the Mediterranean coast, it’s no wonder people come from around the world to golf in Marbella.

So in this article, we’ll walk you through the best golf courses. Whether you’re just coming for a summer vacation, or you’re looking to permanently relocate to this sunny city, we’ll show you the perfect place to hit the greens.

Let’s talk about everything you need to know about golfing in Marbella.

Within La Costa del Sol, there are 60 well-maintained golf courses, according to the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation.

Marbella and the surrounding areas have around 20 courses (depending on how far you’re willing to drive). While some of them are for members-only, there are plenty of options for a visiting golfer, as well.

This means that both residents and frequent travelers have several vibrant greens to choose from.

So to help you narrow down your choices, we’ll show you our top choices for golfing in Marbella.

Whether you’re a pro looking for the most challenging fairways, or a beginner just looking for an excuse to soak up the sun—there’s something for everyone in Marbella.

So we picked out our top 5 golf courses in Marbella to give you a bit of variety. These are our recommended options for people looking to enjoy a day out, but skip to the next section if you’re looking for annual memberships.

Rio Real

• Location: Marbella
• Greenfee: €140+
• Best For: Lodging

Rio Real is one of the oldest golf courses in the area, having opened in 1965. It is recognized by the Spanish Royal Golf Association as one of the best in the area. The 18-hole course was designed by Javier Arana, running alongside a river that empties into the Mediterranean.

We suggest Río Real for visitors who want all the conveniences in one location. They offer a highly-rated boutique hotel, fantastic dining options, and wellness facilities on the premises.

Plus, the sprawling greens are located just 3 km from the city center.

This makes it the perfect option for anyone who wants a relaxing, no-stress escapade to this Andalusian paradise.

Marbella Club Golf Resort

• Location: Benahavís
• Greenfee: €140
• Best For: Simplicity

Marbella Club Golf Resort is a straightforward 18-hole golf course situated in the hills of Benahavís. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean, surrounding mountains, and even the African coastline.

Tee times are limited, which allow for a relaxed and consistent game without overcrowding. Plus, with a relatively large distance between holes – you’ll be able fully take advantage of your time in the outdoors.

Marbella Club Golf Resort is best for those who want a tranquil, no-nonsense game while enjoying the beauty of the landscapes.

This 5-star resort also offers luxury hotels for those who need accommodations.

Los Naranjos

• Location: Marbella
• Greenfee: €140 in Busy Season
• Best For: Pro Players

Los Naranjos is one of the most prestigious golf courses in Marbella, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. They host dozens of tournaments and events throughout the year, allowing for an exciting time on and off the greens.

The par-72 course offers a refreshing challenge for seasoned players.

We recommend going to tee off at Los Naranjos if you’re looking for a more technical game or looking to surround yourself with pro players.

The club also has plenty of other facilities, which makes it a great option for anyone looking to golf in Marbella for a season.

La Cala Golf

• Location: La Cala de Mijas
• Greenfee: €130 in Busy Season
• Best For: All-in-one

La Cala Golf is a resort designed by Cabell B. Robinson with fantastic views of the countryside. With 3 walkable courses situated near the Sierra de Mijas Natural Park, this is a lovely oasis for beginners and pros alike.

We recommend La Cala Golf for anyone looking for a single club with multiple courses to choose from.

This is also one of the best golf courses in Marbella for anyone who wants an “all-in-one” solution. They offer a luxury hotel, multiple restaurants and bars, and one of the highest-rated health spas in Spain.

El Paraíso Golf Club

• Location: Estepona
• Greenfee: €140
• Best For: Walking

El Paraíso is one of the most famous golf courses in Marbella, designed by Gary Player in 1973. It hosts greens with a reasonable difficulty level for any player.

With shorter fairways, this is the perfect option for anyone who likes to walk from one hole to the next. It’s a great way to enjoy your day out under the sun without needing to completely rely on a buggy.

El Paraíso is close to the beach, allowing visitors to take full advantage of their time in Marbella.

Looking to find a reliable course after relocating to Marbella? Luckily, many of the golf clubs in Marbella offer enticing benefits to their members.

If you’re planning on making a more permanent move to the city, we recommend becoming a member of one of the clubs. Not only is it more economical in the long-run, but you also get exclusive perks to make your time even more enjoyable.

Best Golf Clubs in Costa del Sol for Membership

Want to be able to golf consistently, enjoy some social activities, and get access to exclusive perks? Then you’ll want to make sure you join a membership, rather than just paying for a daily greenfee.

Some clubs have luxury perks while others just have some fun bonuses to complement your golf experience.

Here are a few of our favorite golf clubs for their membership:

• Los Naranjos
• Río Real
• La Cala Golf
• La Zagaleta
• Marbella Golf Country Club

Those are the best ones to look into if you want a golf club in the Costa del Sol. Now let’s look a bit more into our top 3 memberships:

While you can’t go wrong with almost any of the golf club memberships in Marbella, there are some pros and cons to each of them.

So to help you narrow down your options, we’ll highlight our top 3. Each of these options provide a different experience. This way, you can choose which membership is right for you based on your priorities.

Here are our top 3 golf clubs in Marbella:

Los Naranjos

Just as Los Naranjos has some of the best golf courses for visitors, we believe it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to tee off consistently.

Members of Los Naranjos get lots of exclusive perks, including weekly competitions. This means if you’re someone that wants to really up their game and meet other skilled players, then this is the choice for you.

The club also hosts other recreational activities throughout the year, such as concerts and galas.

That’s why we recommend Los Naranjos for serious golfers who want to enjoy the social life a membership can provide.

Here are our pros & cons of Los Naranjos:

Pros:

• Variety of distances and difficulties
• Over 300 events throughout the year
• Weekly competitions for members
• Host for major tournaments

Cons:

• Recent complaints about condition of the greens

Marbella Golf Country Club

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.,  the Marbella Golf Country Club is the perfect option for people looking for an affordable golf club in Marbella.

The club has a more relaxed atmosphere with a peaceful, beginner-friendly 72-par course.

We’d recommend the Marbella Golf Country Club for anyone looking for flexible, budget-friendly membership options. With different tiers, you’re able to pick exactly which perks you want for your golf experience.

El Olivo Restaurant, which is part of the club, also offers gorgeous views of the countryside and is available to host cocktail parties and events.

Here are our pros & cons of Marbella Golf Country Club:

Pros:

• Affordable membership
• Other facilities (such as tennis courts and a business room)
• Great restaurant

Cons:

• Less prestigious

La Zagaleta

La Zagaleta is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in Marbella. With two courses, they offer a layer of exclusivity and privacy that you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, the Old Course is only available to residents.

The membership has an annual fee of €11,000 and comes with a range of luxurious amenities, challenging fairways, and access to members-only facilities.

We recommend La Zagaleta for anyone looking for an exclusive golf experience while enjoying living in this pristine countryside.

Here are our pros & cons of this Marbella golf club:

Pros:

• Exclusive to residents
• Challenging layout on fairways
• 2 courses to choose from
• Plenty of luxurious amenities

Cons:

• More expensive
• Shorter greens

PS – Want to join La Zagaleta by becoming a resident? Reach out to our team to take a look at available properties.

Coming down to Spain to golf in Marbella? Then let’s talk about some tips and important information to know before jumping in a buggy.

Here are some tips from our Marbella-based team to help you enjoy your time on the green.

325 Days of Sunshine

The city of Marbella gets 325 days of sunshine throughout the year. While this makes sure that you’ll almost never have to cancel a game due to rain – it also means that this is a very warm climate.

Considering you can see the African coastline from Marbella, you can expect very warm weather. This means that if you’re not used to the high temperatures, make sure you come prepared.

We recommend to bring light, breathable clothing, along with all the essentials for being outside all day.

If you’re coming during the warmer months, make sure to find a golf course with shade while resting.

Stay Hydrated

Connecting off the first point: make sure to hydrate while you’re outside. It’s easy to get dehydrated under the Mediterranean sun.

So make sure to bring some water with you and rest when needed.

Because while we understand you may be excited to enjoy the lovely sunshine, please make sure to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. A heat stroke might not go on your scorecard, but you still want to avoid it!

Choose the Off-Season Rates

If you’re able to come to Marbella during the off-season, you can enjoy much lower greenfees. Since the weather – even in winter – stays relatively warm, it’s a lovely way to spend time outdoors affordably.

Almost every golf course in Marbella offers varying rates depending on the time of year.

Go for a membership

Many of the golf clubs in Marbella offer a wide range of activities and perks exclusive to members. So if you’re planning on moving to Marbella or making it your second home, then you should look into the memberships.

Here are some of the perks you get from becoming a member at most clubs:

• Access to clubhouse
• Priority passes
• Unlimited golfing throughout the year
• Discounts at stores and restaurants
• Invitation to exclusive events
• Social events with other members

Which means it’s a fantastic way to elevate your experience in Marbella!

Join a Golf Society

Want to meet fellow golfers and enjoy an active social life? Then make sure to join a golf society.

These are associations that are dedicated to helping people enjoy the sport of golf. They’ll host events, tournaments, and offer discounts for members. Some of the best clubs are part of golf societies.

It’s a great way to meet new people and consistently have someone to tee off with!

Here are some of the top golf societies in Marbella:

• The 2s Club Society
• Just Marbella Golf
• Fergusson’s Golf
• Golf in the Sun

If you still need more help planning your move to Marbella, just reach out to our team. We’ll help point you in the right direction to the best golf courses based on your needs.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the best properties in Marbella so you can bask in the Mediterranean sun all year round!

La Zagaleta Golf: Where to go, what to know
Life of luxury: 11 Top golf courses in Benahavis & Estepona
Discover the best Marbella golf courses & country clubs

What is the best golf course in Marbella?

For visitors – the best golf course is Los Naranjos thanks to their challenging courses and world-renowned prestige. For residents, we recommend La Zagaleta for its exclusivity.

Do I need a membership to golf in Marbella?

No, most clubs don’t require a membership, you’ll simply pay a daily greenfee. Though we do recommend booking your game in advance.

Is Marbella good for golf?

Yes, Marbella is renowned for its golf courses and perfect weather. It’s a great option for both travelers and expats looking to move to somewhere with a great selection of courses.

What are the best golf courses for couples on Costa del Sol?

Marbella Golf Country Club, Royal Marbella Golf Resort, and Aloha Golf Club are some of the best golf courses for couples. These clubs will all have special rates that make it a great option for couples in Costa del Sol-

Should you become a member of a club or join a society to play on different courses?

This depends on you! Becoming a member of a club is a great idea if you love the perks that club offers. It’s great if you love sticking to one course. But if you want some variety and like to try new courses, then we recommend joining a society.