The 18-hole Santa Maria golf course in Marbella is not only regarded as one of the finest courses in Costa del Sol for its amusing natural beauty, but for the varied characteristics of each individual hole. With a large number of permanent members, including those of many professional golfers of different nationality, it is now considered as one of the friendliest international golf clubs.

Opened in November1996, the course runs through two valleys displaying a picturesque beauty of those natural hazards with streams, lakes and long green vegetation. Now with continuous remodelling, adding together many elevated trees, long green fairways, uneven terrain and well placed bunkers; it’s been a great holiday place to go for.

The first nine holes were designed by Antonio Garc’a Garrido in 1991, while the later nine were placed by the technical staff of the Club. The Hole-1 is a straight forward shot of par 4, so to clear the fence- the Tea shot needs to be accurate enough to cross a lake. Here three bunkers guard a large but slightly slopping green.

The Hole-6 is the first among the newest block, and does not require a great skill to pass on. There is only a wide fairway and a deep water hazard on the left to be taken into notice. Hole-10 or “The Pit” is a par 3 and a challenging one considering the ugly slice, while the par 3 Hole-12 is even more tempting one with the presence of a large lake alongside.

Hence, each hole starting from the very first one to the final one (Hole-18), with tree lined water hazard and a high bank, has something interesting to invite for. Those unique characteristics of those holes have earned much popularity for Santa Maria among golfers around the world.

The golf course offers a great challenge to professionals, especially in the second half as many might find the first nine holes quite easy. Set up on the backdrop of the mountains of Andalusia along with those great varieties of holes, every golfer would like to keep this in his/her future outings as the ideal golfing vacation destination.

Facilities & Services

Out of the usual golfing facilities, Santa Maria Golf Club offers some quality time for the golfers and their family to enjoy some delicious foods in the restaurant designed in an incomparable setting with views of the long golf course and La Mairena hills.

Among other leisure activities, the club offers two hard tennis courts, which are free to members and a Bowls Club with coaching facility for newcomers. This apart, as in case of other golf courses, there is a Pro Shop full of all sorts of golfing equipments available at a competitive price to encourage visitors for future vacation trip to this exciting golfing spot.

Spain is a paradise for golfers of all ages and races. Folk come from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Germany-especially from the colder northern countries where the rain and cold can severely limit the golfing fanatic’s pleasure!

Here golf is an all year sport, only the odd very rainy day in November and February can stop play. Temperature is never a hindrance-you can always have lunch and chill out in the clubhouse pool during the midday heat of the summer months!

Andalucía and the Costa del Sol (or now as some of the motorway signs have it the Costa del Golf!) is a difficult place for a golfer –too much choice! There are over 30 courses and all are in beautiful locations and normally have spectacular sea views often right across the straits of Gibraltar to Africa. These great courses combined with the wonderful entertainments available for children i.e. the beach, the pool and riding-make Spain perfect for the golfing family as well as groups of friends.

The majority of golf courses have beautiful hotels on them often with very exclusive facilities such as Spas and health clinics. These can be expensive but most courses have “urbanisations” on them. These are purpose built apartments and houses which can often be rented out and some have great views over the greens.

For the dedicated fanatic buying a golf course property “off-plan” while it is still in the construction phase is often the most economic way acquiring a lifelong holiday home Towns and villages around golf courses offer slightly cheaper properties to rent or buy. If you are of a less adventurous nature and like your holiday planned for you, travel companies now offer all sorts of golf holidays from family and beginner’s packages to golf tour type holidays where you can move from one course to another to another in order to appreciate the variety and beauty of the Spanish courses.

Company and corporate holidays are offered too, which when combined with the sightseeing and the gastronomic opportunities, are an ideal way to motivate staff or impress clients!

As in the rest of Europe golfing is not a cheap sport (expect to pay up to 200 euros a round), but the courses are world class. The famous Valderrama course, home to the Volvo Masters, is also renowned for hosting the Ryder Cup and American Express championships in the nineties. Designed by Robert Trent Jones it really is a beauty.

The nearby San Roque courses, also breathtaking, are presided over by Seve Ballesteros. The Spanish Open was held here this year. The Costa del Sol is dotted with courses all the way along and lots more are in the pipeline if the planning and water situation can be solved. Golf is a big employer in this part of the world!

Other regions of Spain can’t be ignored; Murcia has the prestigious La Manga resort with three very fine courses, Almeria has desert golf courses complete with cacti and agave, Catalonia has excellent courses as does the Costa Blanca and all the Balearic and Canary islands.

A big golf growth area is the Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic Coast where life is still slightly more peaceful than the noisier Mediterranean resorts .Try the Dunas de Donaña in the Donaña National Park!

Altogether Spain has over 230 courses and counting! Enjoy yourself!