Malaga is hugely popular when it comes to golf holidays here in the Costa del Sol, Spain.
At Golf 4U Spain, we have been providing golf breaks in Malaga since 2006. During this time, weโve not only gained first-hand knowledge of every course in the Malaga region but also received a wealth of feedback from our golfers on which golf courses in Malaga they believe to be the best.
But first a disclaimer. The courses below are not the best based on the quality of the courses alone, although they are all of a very high standard. They are what we believe to be the best based on the quality of the course AND the value for money they offer in terms of green fee costs, facilities, and the services available.
So if you are looking to play the best Malaga golf courses while on your golf holiday, cast your eyes below and find out which ones came out on top.
Best Golf Courses In Malaga, Costa del Sol
#8 – Santa Clara Golf
Image Credit: Santa Clara Golf
Located just a short distance from the centre of Marbella, the Santa Clara course was first opened in 2001 and is a favourite for many of our golfers.
Santa Clara is one of the nicest Malaga golf courses and meanders through the local terrain bringing the golfer closer to the indigenous wildlife and flora and fauna of this particular part of the Costa del Sol. The top of the course also offers fantastic views of the Costa del Sol.
The course itself is fairly long at 5,922 metres off of the white tees and is a formidable challenge for any golfer offering wide fairways and open greens.
Facilities at Santa Clara include a 30-bay driving range, which is considered to be one of the best in Marbella. There are also other practice facilities available including chipping, putting, and pitching greens and a practice bunker to prepare you for your round!
#7 – Marbella Golf & Country Club
Image credit: Marbella Golf & Country Club
At #7, is the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course at the Marbella Golf & Country Club.
The course is a real beauty and is a par 72 measuring a total of 5,867 metres from the white championship tees.
The course is characterised by its fairways that wander among olive trees and a natural serene landscape. The greens, which although large, have a certain degree of undulation and are heavily guarded by lots of bunkers.
The facilities are first class and feature a clubhouse, restaurant, tennis club, and wellness centre to pamper yourself!
#6 – Los Flamingos
Image Credit: Anantara
The Los Flamingos course is one of the three Villa Padierna courses and is located in the Marbella area of the Costa del Sol.
The course is relatively new and built in 2001 by Antonio Garcia Garrido and so good that it has played host to several professional European tournaments such as the 2002, 2003, and 2004 European Seniors Tour and the Spanish Womenโs Open in 2010.
The greens are generously sized whilst its fairways are somewhat narrower on the front nine, where more precision playing is required than on the back nine.
The stand-out hole on the course is the par 4 tenth where you will have to play over water to the large undulating green.
On-site you will find the luxury 5-star Villa Padierna Palace Hotel which offers several bars, restaurants, and boutique shops.
#5 – Rio Real Golf
Image Credit: Rio Real Golf
At #5 on our list of best Malaga golf courses is the stunning Rio Real Golf, which gets its name because it runs parallel to the Rio Real River.
The course is simply superb and rated as one of the best courses in Spain by the Real Federaciรณn Espaรฑola de Golf or Royal Federation of Spanish Golf.
The Rio Real course offers several slightly elevated holes, requiring the correct club choice. However, the course is perfect for golfers of all abilities and handicaps.
The course offers some amazing sea views and is nestled among lots of different varieties of trees including olive, cypress, pine, palm, and casuarinas.
#4 – Santa Maria
Image Credit: Santa Maria Golf
The Santa Maria course is located in Marbella in the Malaga region of the Costa del Sol and was first opened back in 1991.
The course is an excellent challenge for golfers of all abilities and is characterised by wide generous fairways and challenging greens.
The Santa Maria course has stunning views of the Mediterranean and also to lovely forested mountains.
You will find other sporting facilities at the course including tennis and bowling along with a 19th Century Cortijo style clubhouse where you can enjoy a drink and a snack after your round.
#3 – Mijas Los Lagos
Image Credit: Mijas Golf
Mijas Golf is one of the most popular golf clubs in the Malaga region and offers two great golf courses to play.
Mijas Los Lagos (the lakes) is the largest of the two courses (the other being Los Olivos) and measures 6,536 metres from the white tees. Even though it is quite long, it is suitable for golfers of varying abilities.
As you would expect from a golf course called โthe lakesโ the course is characterised by no less than nine lakes just waiting to catch your misplaced tee shot along with soft slopes, wide fairways, and bunkers that are well-guarded by sand traps.
Facilities at Mijas Golf are very good and you can enjoy all the usual services including a bar, restaurant, golf shop, and first-class practice facilities. If you are a little rusty, golf lessons are also available.
#2 – Santana Golf
Image Credit: Santana Golf
At number two is another favourite of our golfers, which is Santana Golf. Situated within the Sierra de Mijas Natural Park and just a few miles inland from La Cala de Mijas, the course sits on the site of an old avocado plantation.
Originally designed by legendary course architect, Cabell B Robinson, the course is a fantastic proposition for golfers of all abilities.
Built in 2003, the course is relatively new in comparison to other courses in Malaga. It offers 6,207 metres (Par 72) of beautiful wide-open fairways, guarded by American-style fairway bunker traps.
The facilities at Santana are excellent and you can always be sure of a warm welcome at the clubhouse when your round is over.
You can learn more about this course via the Santana golf course page.
#1 – Torrequebrada Golf
Image Credit: Torrequebrada Golf
Located in Benalmadena Costa, #1 on our list of great value Malaga golf courses goes to Torrequebrada Golf.
This undulating woodland course is characterised by its large sloping greens and the diversity of its fairways. Many of the holes feature water hazards and plenty of sand so a consistent focus will be required throughout your round.
The fairways are beautifully lined with 100 different types of trees including palms, pines, and olive trees, which give the course an almost subtropical feel. You will also have the chance to take in some amazing views of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.
The final four holes on the course will test any golfer, with the sixteenth with a stroke index of one just waiting to spoil your round.
Be sure to visit the clubhouse at the end of your round, where you will be able to enjoy some refreshments while overlooking the eighteenth green.