Anyone looking for a golfing holiday knows that Málaga is a mecca for golf enthusiasts. To prove this, one of the best-known golf courses in Andalusia, Parador de Málaga Golf, is located in Málaga city itself, and very close to the airport. Golfers can find another nine golf courses within a radius of less than 30 kilometres from the city centre.
If we add all the other courses within the whole province—almost 50—it is easy to understand why golf lovers consider Málaga the true golfing mecca. Most of these golf courses offer spectacular landscaping, many with views of the sea and, best of all, they are open all year: an advantage of this province’s privileged climate.
The nearest golf courses to Málaga
The golf course closest to the city centre is the Real Club de Golf de Málaga (Málaga-Algeciras motorway, no number), just over eight kilometres away. Although the course runs adjacent to the Parador del Golf facilities, it is open to players who are not guests of that establishment.
It is also the most senior golf course in Andalusia, it was created in 1941. It has an 18-hole course (old course), plus nine link holes, three putting greens and two approaches. It also has a golf school and rents golf clubs, carts and electric cars.
There are other golf courses as attractive as this one in the vicinity:
- Club de Golf de Guadalhorce (Avenida José Ortega y Gasset, 555): Also very close to the Málaga airport, its course was redesigned by the golfer Miguel Ángel Jiménez. It spreads over more than 6,000 metres and is considered a long course, par 72. Although it is an ideal course for professional tournaments, it also welcomes players at different levels.
- Club El Candado (Carretera de Almería, Playa de Almellones beach): A sports and nautical club where you can also play tennis, paddle tennis or basketball, among other activities. It also has two large swimming pools. As for the golf course, it has nine holes and, for professionals, it requires more precision than strength.
- Añoreta Golf (Avenida del Golf, no number, Rincón de la Victoria): This golf course was created in 1990 under the lead of the great player José María Cañizares. It is an 18-hole, par 72 course. Hole 7 boasts stunning views of the sea.
- Benalmádena Golf (Carretera de Benalmádena, no number, Benalmádena): A very technical golf course, with nine holes, par 27, and some difficulties. It is designed for a fast game and is characterised by its familiar atmosphere.
Other golf courses near Málaga
Other golf courses that are also very close to Málaga are the following:
- Golf Torrequebrada (Club de Golf, 1, Benalmádena): One of the most veteran courses in the area, it was founded in 1976. This 18-hole course was designed by José Gancedo, considered to be ‘the Picasso of golf’. Much of the course is framed by pine groves, olive trees and palm trees.
- Alhaurín Golf (MA-426 motorway, km 15.1, Alhaurín El Grande): Part of this 18-hole, par 72 course was designed by none other than Severiano Ballesteros. It has spectacular scenery, with views both to the sea and the Mijas (vincular a URL sobre pueblos más bonitos de Málaga: Tourism in Málaga province?) mountain range. Set in undulating terrain and with several water hazards.
- Mijas Golf Internacional (Avenida Louison Bobet, Urbanización Mijas Golf, 1-3-5, Las Lagunas de Mijas): The design of this course was carried out by Robert Trent Jones Sr. There are actually two very different, 18-hole golf courses (Los Lagos and Los Olivos). It is a public, ‘Pay and Play’ golf club.
- Lauro Golf (Málaga-Coín A-404 motorway, Alhaurín de la Torre): Offers 27 holes in total (that can be combined into three courses, all par 72) and is completely surrounded by nature.
- Miguel Ángel Jiménez Golf Academy (Corelli, 2, Torremolinos): As the name suggests, it is a golf school. But one that has a seal of approval from one of the main golfers in Spain. Its facilities include the nine-hole course and a practice range.
Golf tournaments in Málaga
The Málaga golf courses described above, as many others in the province, host numerous tournaments every year. Some of them are professional, and include certain international competitions. But they also hold tournaments that test the skills of amateur golfers. Below are the ones that stand out:
- World Amateur Golfers Championship: Takes place in various courses around Spain. In the province of Málaga, it is held in August at the Guadalhorce Club de Golf and the Golf Torrequebrada golf courses. It is a commercial Medal Play tournament.
- Condesa de Villapadierna Tournament: Also takes place in August at El Paraíso Golf Club, in Estepona (vincular a URL correspondiente). This tournament forms part of the Corporate Circuit, which covers the 35 best golf courses in Spain. This circuit also includes a competition that takes place at the El Chaparral Golf Club, in Las Lagunas de Mijas.
- The Paella Costa del Sol Golf Club Tournament: Held during one day at the Parador de Golf de Málaga and played in pairs. In July, this same course also hosts the Summer Golf Club Tournament. And in December, the Christmas Tournament.
- Ladies Open: Takes place at the Chaparral Golf Club in Mijas. This is a 2-person Stableford Best Ball competition.
- San Miguel Golf Cup: This competition covers several events throughout the year and is held in Málaga golf courses such as Lauro Golf and Mijas Golf. The final takes place in Villa Padierna in September.