There are over seventy; but they are not all the same. The ‘Costa del Golf’ is a leading destination for golfing enthusiasts from home and abroad, not only for the number of courses it boasts, but also for the quality of the courses dotted throughout the province of Malaga and part of Cadiz.
Turismo Costa del Sol invites us to explore the unique characteristics of a destination that seems to have been tailor made for the sport of golf, to be played all year round. In this first foray, we will cover the area of La Axarquía, to the east of the province, and the city of Malaga itself.
Just like the areas of Valle del Guadalhorce and Antequera, the easternmost stretch of the Costa del Sol coastline is attracting increasing numbers of golfers every year, drawn to the good weather, comforts, tranquillity, landscapes and the gastronomy offered by La Axarquía. Añoreta, in Rincón de la Victoria, and Baviera Golf, in Caleta de Vélez, are the two courses in this area of Malaga province where you can enjoy this sport whilst taking in stunning views of the sea and the mountains.
Another of the courses that boasts spectacular panoramic views of the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean is the Parador de Málaga Golf, the oldest in Andalusia, and a leading destination for golfing professionals and amateurs. Very close by is the Guadalhorce Club de Golf, which is enjoying its finest moment, and to the east of the city, the Real Club de Golf El Candado, one of the Costa del Sol’s historic courses. We invite you discover the most outstanding holes on these five great courses.
Baviera: a long handicap 1 amidst peacocks
Surrounded by tropical avocado and mango crops, we find Baviera Golf, set within a valley that boasts a perfect microclimate for playing golf, bordering the Sierra Tejada, Alhama and Almijara Nature Park. An ideal place to enjoy this sport, just a stone’s throw from the marina and beaches of La Caleta de Vélez.
Designed by José María Cañizares, it is a flat 18-hole courses characterised by broad greens, with plenty of movement and a wide variety of different obstacles. According to the managing director of Baviera Golf, Ignacio Iturbe, the most emblematic hole is no. 12, a 532-metre par-5 hole. It is a handicap 1, the toughest on the course because of its length.
Along the right-hand side, a stream runs from the tee to the green. It is located 200 metres from the beach, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains that protect it, and the sea as its crowning glory. This is the hole to beat for players, who enjoy the natural surroundings without any buildings to blot the view, amidst wandering peacocks and chameleons.
Añoreta: a high tee against a Mediterranean backdrop
Añoreta Golf was the first golf course built in the district in La Axarquía, founded in 1990 and designed by prestigious golfing pro José María Cañizares, winner of five European circuit tournaments and two world champions. Located in Rincón de la Victoria, it is a par-72 course with 18 holes, a very varied course that offers a very pleasant game.
According to the management of Añoreta Golf, the most outstanding hole is no. 7, a par-4 with spectacular sea views, since it is less than a kilometre from the coast. From the high tee you can see several of the golf course’s fairways, set against a Mediterranean backdrop. It is a short strategic hole with a small lake that comes into play on the first strike, surrounded by native olive trees from the area and by date palms on the green.
Parador de Málaga: a hole running parallel to the sea and surrounded by trees
The smell of grass and the sea air surround you on this course, which is lined with sand dunes, pines, palms and eucalyptus trees. On the shores of the Mediterranean we find the Parador de Málaga Golf, the doyen of Andalusia’s golf courses, which first opened in the early 1920s. Promoted by Princess Beatrice of Battenberg, of the British Royal Family, it was designed by Tom Simpson.
Initially it had 18 holes, but was subsequently expanded to include 27. The most striking aspect of this course, which has been chosen by the European PGA to host several tournaments, is that for around a kilometre it runs parallel to the sea, and the grass from the greens and fairways dissolves into the sand from the beach.
According to the management of this complex, no. 12 is the most characteristic hole at the Parador de Golf. It is a 498-metre par-five hole, the longest on the course, which runs parallel to the sea, amidst an abundance of trees. The tee is fairly narrow, flanked by trees on both sides. The green is slightly elevated, protected by deep bunkers, while in the background you can make out the airport runway, offering a steady stream of aeroplanes taking off very nearby.
Guadalhorce: a green presided over by an 18th Century Cortijo
In the district of Campanillas, the Club de Golf Guadalhorce was designed in the late 80s by Finnish architect Kosti Kuronen, set on an old farming estate located to the north of the airport and by the river of the same name. Made up of 18 holes, it was remodelled by Malaga born and bred golfing legend, Miguel Ángel Jiménez.
One of the most outstanding holes is number 18, a 407-metre par-4, with the largest green on the course. Its wide fairway is protected by two bunkers and trees on both sides. The entire hole offers pretty views of the green, presided over by an old 18th Century mansion, known formerly as Cortijo de Colmenares, which is now the Club House.
El Candado: a par-4 hole sloping down towards the sea
At the eastern-most tip of Malaga city, set in a small valley, we find the Real Club de Golf El Candado, whose fairways and greens have been graced by some of the pioneers of this sport in Malaga. This short 9-hole course is one of the Costa del Sol’s historic courses, with great sweeping undulations.
Hole 2 is particularly striking, known as the hole “Out to sea”, gifting players with stunning views of the blue sea and sky as they move from the tee down to the green. It is a 365-metre par-4 hole, set on a downward slope, so the ball picks up pace as it rolls, and the first strike is blind, since you cannot see the green. There are not many obstacles, and although the first section is broad, it then gets progressively narrower, and this beautiful panoramic view combines the beauty and verdant splendour of the golf course with the tranquillity of the Mediterranean Sea.
Baviera Golf - http://en.bavieragolf.com/
Anoreta Golf - http://anoretagolf.es/en/
Parador de Malaga - http://www.golfenparadores.es/en/paradores/parador-de-malaga-golf/golf-course
Guadalhorce - http://en.guadalhorce.com/
El Candado - http://www.clubelcandado.com/