Spain is a leading golf destination in Europe, with the attractive option of playing almost all year round. The Canary Islands boast an average annual temperature of over 20 degrees Celsius and areas in southern Andalusia see approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine every year. The Mediterranean regions of Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia all have mild temperatures in winter so Spain’s weather conditions guarantee a very long golf season.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande – Photo Source Andalucia.org
Marbella is the golf capital of Europe, located near Malaga on the Costa del Sol, an area with a multitude of prestigious golf courses. In general, the south of Andalusia comes highly recommended by golf enthusiasts. The Costa Brava area (in Catalonia), the Costa Cálida (in the Region of Murcia) and the Region of Valencia also have interesting golf options, in addition to the Canary and Balearic Islands. Depending on your vacation destination, golfers have their choice of courses, including some located in rural areas, some near big cities, some overlooking the sea, and others with mountains as a backdrop. To make a golf getaway easier, all main golf areas are close to airports with international connections.
Many international golf tournaments are hosted in Spain and several professionals opt to train there. However, skill level is not a concern because the country also offers amateur options for golfers new to the sport. There are courses for different skill levels and many clubs offer lessons.
Club de Golf Valderrama – Photo Source Club de Golf Valderrama
In Spain, it’s easy to combine a golf trip with a love of food or culture. For example, the Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz and Costa Brava areas boast a wide range of restaurants with Michelin Stars and sumptuous local cuisine. Golfers more attune to a cultural experience can consider vacation destinations near Madrid or Barcelona where excellent courses can be played during the morning hours and plenty of sightseeing can fill the afternoon. Evenings can be spent enjoying restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and live music. And because Spain experiences more hours of sunlight every day, there’s more time to enjoy.
Many of the best golf architects are responsible for the designs of the courses in Spain, such as the courses at Club de Golf Valderrama and Real Club Sotogrande, both of which were created by Robert Trent Jones. Former golfer Neil Coles was the brainchild at the PGA Catalunya Resort.
The best courses are often associated with luxury resorts, such as Paradore’s ‘El Saler which is a stellar golf course. There’s also Casa Whisperer, as shown in the lead photo.
Source: Spain Info