,regionOfInterest=(3000,2000))
Best golf courses in Estepona
,regionOfInterest=(3120,1755))
,regionOfInterest=(3120,1755))
Culture
,regionOfInterest=(3680,2456))
,regionOfInterest=(3680,2456))
Culture
,regionOfInterest=(500,500))
,regionOfInterest=(500,500))
All-terrain writer specialising in tourism, fashion and trends. A curious soul, traveller, reader and sports enthusiast, keen to discover every corner of the world.
Marbella allows you to organise a golf-focused stay without straying too far from the coast or sacrificing a variety of courses. The courses are spread across different areas of the municipality, from Nueva Andalucía and Guadalmina to Elviria and Marbella East, and combine classic designs, layouts set amongst Mediterranean vegetation, and courses that open out towards the sea. This diversity allows you to choose according to your level of play, the difficulty you are looking for, or the type of landscape you prefer.
This selection of golf courses in Marbella brings together five options located within the municipality: Los Naranjos Golf Club, Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort, Santa María Golf & Country Club, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, and Santa Clara Golf Marbella. In addition to their technical characteristics, knowing their location helps you to better organise your travel and combine your rounds with a stay by the Mediterranean.
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
,regionOfInterest=(3000,2000))
,regionOfInterest=(3000,2000))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
The distribution of the courses allows you to discover different areas of Marbella through golf. Nueva Andalucía, known for its high concentration of clubs, is home to Los Naranjos Golf Club, a course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. that truly represents the character of the established courses in this part of the municipality. To the west, in Guadalmina, the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina significantly expands the possibilities with two 18-hole courses, North and South, as well as specific training areas.
Moving east, both the landscape and the character of the courses change. Elviria is home to Santa María Golf & Country Club, whose course passes through areas of pine, cork oak, and Mediterranean vegetation. In Marbella East you will find Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort and Santa Clara Golf Marbella. The former takes advantage of undulating terrain and clearly differentiates its two nine-hole loops, while Santa Clara presents a less rugged, parkland-style profile, with wide fairways and views of the Mediterranean.
This distribution makes it easy to plan your golf days by area, especially during a stay of several days. Staying in Marbella also allows you to combine the sport with other attractions in the destination without turning every round into a long trip. Within the Meliá offer, Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá can serve as a reference for a stay in Marbella. This recommendation is based on its location in the destination and does not imply that the included courses are owned by Meliá or that there are any golf benefits associated with the accommodation.
| Golf course | Where to stay | Area | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Naranjos Golf Club | Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá | Nueva Andalucía | Classic design and strategic play |
| Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort | Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá | Marbella East | Technical course and undulating terrain |
| Santa María Golf & Country Club | Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá | Elviria | Nature and variety of holes |
| Real Club de Golf Guadalmina | Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá | Guadalmina | Alternating two courses |
| Santa Clara Golf Marbella | Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá | Marbella East | Wide fairways and training |
,regionOfInterest=(2592,1728))
,regionOfInterest=(2592,1728))
The five selected courses show quite different profiles, so the choice does not depend solely on length or par. Some require special thought regarding tee placement, others allow you to alternate several courses, and there are also options where training facilities take on significant importance. Knowing these differences helps you decide where to play golf in Marbella according to each player's level and preferences.
Los Naranjos Golf Club is located in Nueva Andalucía and features one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s classic designs on the Costa del Sol. Opened in 1977, it offers 18 holes, par 72, and different tee positions that allow you to play between 5,054 and 6,564 metres. This variety makes it easy to adapt the course to different levels without modifying its essential approach.
The fairways are generous, but that width does not eliminate the importance of strategy. The bunkers and water hazards are positioned to influence the choice of line from the tee, while the greens are large and feature undulations that place importance on both the approach shot and the putt. Therefore, distance helps, but finding the right part of the fairway is usually just as important.
The club has hosted various professional and amateur competitions throughout its history. Its facilities include a driving range, golf shop, restaurant, and changing rooms, so it is possible to prepare for your round before going out onto the course and extend the day after the game.
There is also a specific dress code for members and visitors: Bermuda shorts are allowed, while tracksuits, t-shirts, beachwear, or jeans are not permitted, and golf shoes must have soft spikes. Rounds can be booked in advance through the club itself.
⛳ Course: 18 holes · Par 72
📍 Location: Nueva Andalucía, Marbella
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort is the current name of the former Marbella Golf Country Club, which began this new phase in November 2025. Keeping the name up to date is especially important when looking for information or booking a round, as references to the old name may still appear.
The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the late eighties and has 18 holes, par 72. It is set on undulating terrain, with elevated and fast greens protected by strategically placed bunkers. Several lakes also come into play and force you to carefully evaluate both direction and club selection.
One of its particularities is the difference between the two loops. The first nine holes are narrower and shorter, so precision and placement take on special relevance. The second nine increase in length and allow you to use woods and hybrids more frequently. The result is a round that forces you to progressively modify your strategy instead of repeating the same approach for all 18 holes.
The facilities include a driving range, golf shop, and club hire. Individual and group lessons with professionals are also offered, from beginner level to programmes aimed at players looking to improve specific aspects of their game. The club allows you to book equipment in advance, which is especially practical when golf is part of a longer trip and you prefer not to transport your bag.
⛳ Course: 18 holes · Par 72
📍 Location: Marbella East
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
Santa María Golf & Country Club is located in Elviria, to the east of Marbella, and offers an 18-hole course integrated amongst pine, cork oak, holm oak, and other species typical of the Mediterranean landscape. The setting is an important part of the experience, as much of the course is kept away from buildings and combines views of the sea with perspectives of the mountains.
The design also has an interesting particularity: the two loops were not created at the same time. The first nine holes are the work of Antonio García Garrido, while the second nine were designed later by the club's technical team and opened in 1996. This evolution explains some of the differences perceived during the round.
The first half features three par 5s and requires careful management of both distance and ball position. In the second half, three par 3s appear and the pace of the course changes, forcing you to use precision shots more frequently. The 18th hole, a par 4, adds water and trees on both sides of the playing area, so the final tee shot requires you to maintain concentration until the end.
Santa María welcomes members and visitors and offers online booking and equipment hire. It also applies a dress code that excludes items such as jeans, beachwear, t-shirts, or tracksuits and requires golf shoes with synthetic spikes.
⛳ Course: 18 holes
📍 Location: Elviria, Marbella
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,984.5))
Real Club de Golf Guadalmina is located in San Pedro de Alcántara, within the municipality of Marbella, and stands out for offering more possibilities than a single 18-hole course. The club has a South Course and North Course, both par 72, as well as a pitch & putt, driving range, and other areas dedicated to training.
The South Course was originally designed by Javier Arana. Its winding, tree-lined fairways force you to seek precision from the tee, as a poorly placed drive can make the second shot considerably more difficult. The course underwent a comprehensive renovation by Stirling & Martin in 2002, during which greens were enlarged and new water hazards were incorporated while maintaining the essence of the original design. It currently presents a par 72 and reaches 6,082 metres from one of its longest configurations.
The North Course, designed by Folco Nardi in 1977, offers a different experience. Its fairways are wider, the terrain is relatively flat, and the greens have less bunker protection. This configuration also makes it easy to walk and allows you to plan nine-hole rounds comfortably, as both the starts and the ends of each loop are close to the clubhouse.
The ability to alternate between two courses makes Guadalmina an especially interesting option for stays of several days. The driving range and school also allow you to dedicate part of the day to training before or after playing.
⛳ Course: 36 holes — South Course and North Course, both Par 72
📍 Location: Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
Santa Clara Golf Marbella is located in the eastern part of the municipality and features a course designed by Enrique Canales Busquets. Its 18 holes form a par 71 of 5,878 metres according to the Royal Spanish Golf Federation records. The layout is integrated into the native vegetation and presents a relatively flat parkland-style profile.
The fairways are wide, the rough has a limited presence, and the greens do not have excessively pronounced slopes. These characteristics make the course visually accessible, although that does not mean the technical demand disappears. Placement remains important and certain sections require a combination of distance and precision to find a good entry position to the green.
One of the most recognisable sections is the so-called Santa Clara Corner, formed by holes 12, 13, and 14. The succession of a par 4, a par 3, and a par 5 introduces three different playing situations in a small space and requires you to quickly adapt your strategy and club selection.
The training section is one of its strong points. It has a driving range, putting green, pitching green, chipping green, and practice bunker. In addition, there is a pro shop, club hire, manual and electric trolleys, and a large fleet of buggies. The relatively flat profile of the course itself also allows you to consider walking the round.
⛳ Course: 18 holes · Par 71
📍 Location: Marbella East
🏨 Where to stay: Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá
Choosing between these golf courses in Marbella depends to a large extent on what you value most during your round. For those who especially enjoy classic designs and the need to think about position from the tee, Los Naranjos Golf Club combines wide fairways with bunkers, water, and undulating greens that force you to look beyond distance.
Real Club de Golf Guadalmina is especially interesting for a stay of several days, as it allows you to alternate between the South Course and North Course without changing clubs. Those who prefer a course surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation can find a different profile at Santa María Golf & Country Club, while Santa Clara Golf Marbella stands out for combining a relatively flat course with very complete training facilities.
Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort provides another approach. The contrast between the first nine narrower and more technical holes and a longer second loop forces you to modify your strategy during the round, a feature that is especially attractive for players who value variety within the same course.
If one single option had to be highlighted for its balance between design, trajectory, and strategic approach, Los Naranjos Golf Club would be a particularly representative choice for golf in Marbella. The design by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the combination of width and obstacles, and the possibility of adapting the length through different tees offer a complete reading of the course without the choice implying establishing an absolute ranking among the five courses.
,regionOfInterest=(1750,1166.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1750,1166.5))
Marbella allows you to play golf for a good part of the year, but the time chosen affects both temperatures and demand. Spring and autumn are usually especially suitable for organising several days of play, while in summer it is advisable to consider early morning tee times to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Santa Clara, for example, currently differentiates between high and low seasons throughout the year, and other clubs also modify rates and conditions depending on the dates.
Advance booking is advisable, especially when the trip coincides with periods of higher occupancy. Los Naranjos, Santa María, and Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort allow you to manage bookings or requests in advance, which makes it easier to coordinate your rounds with the rest of your stay.
It is also important to check the specific conditions of each club before playing. Dress codes are not identical at all courses and rules regarding handicaps, buggies, pace of play, or maintenance may vary. Los Naranjos and Santa María, for example, publish specific dress and etiquette rules, while Guadalmina regularly updates the status of its courses and practice areas on its website.
For those travelling without equipment, it is also worth checking in advance about equipment hire. Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort and Santa Clara Golf Marbella offer club sets, while other clubs also have services designed to facilitate the round for visiting players.
Marbella has enough arguments to attract both those who organise a trip specifically to play golf and those who want to incorporate it into a few days of holiday. The variety of courses allows you to find more technical proposals, classic design courses, and options with complete training areas. In addition, the distances between the different clubs make it easy to discover several courses during the same stay. An opportunity to get to know golf in Marbella from different perspectives and choose the course that best adapts to the type of game you are looking for each day.
,regionOfInterest=(2500,1666.5))
,regionOfInterest=(2500,1666.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,981.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1476.5,981.5))
,regionOfInterest=(1312.5,1750))
,regionOfInterest=(1312.5,1750))
,regionOfInterest=(2000,3000))
,regionOfInterest=(2000,3000))
,regionOfInterest=(2240,3360))
,regionOfInterest=(2240,3360))
,regionOfInterest=(886,588.5))
,regionOfInterest=(886,588.5))