The magnificent 18-hole par 72 golf course is situated in the heart of the city in a valley in between the Mediterranean Sea and Sierra Blanca Mountains. The golf course is a part of the hotel Rio Real which offers great accommodation and excellent facility amid an eye-catching natural beauty, spreading over a beautiful valley and crossed by the river Rio Real.

Designed by Javier Arana, the course opened for play in 1965 with wide fairways and surrounding bunkers. The layout is generally flat but there is a gradual inclination towards the sea. Over the years the course has undergone great improvements with long challenging greens with many trees.

Being one of the oldest golf courses and placed at a distance of just 3 km from the Marbella centre and about 50 km from the Malaga Airport, Rio Real Golf Club is one of the preferred golfing courses amongst the tourists. Furthermore, the 6166-meter long course offers real challenge for all, starting from amateur to all levels.

Golf enthusiasts who want to play their game at different levels may find this place one of the best in Costa del Sol in a subtropical climate where temperature remains mild even during the winter, in doing so a perfect condition to play golf the year around.

While the hole number 4 and 5 are a gaze at the seashore, the par 3 sixth hole needs more accurate tee shot in order to avoid the hillside on the right. The 8th is protected by bunkers while the 10th, 11th and par 3 12th are surrounded by lake. Furthermore, the presence of pine, palm and mimosa trees in the fairways can make it quite difficult shots for many professionals while judging the approaching distance over the ravines.

Golf Academy

The academy of Golf inside the Rio Real Golf Course can really be helpful for those who want to learn a few lessons, or even for professional who are in practice of mastering any technique with the best available facilities.

Golfing lessons have been outlined for individuals, ranging from 30 minutes to one hour long class. 3D Biomechanical analysis, plasma monitor and interpreter of a particular shot, including swing and putt, are also in place to single out the exact error.

Facilities & Services

Rio Real Golf Club offers a wide range of facilities and services include: round the clock room service, restaurants, bars, Pro shop, Buggy hire, Hand Cart hire, driving range, medical assistance, airport transfer, corporate centre, etc.

So, just take a break from your usual busy schedule to experience the grandiosity of this place with luxurious accommodation and picturesque views amid a perfect weather.

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!