Since opening in 1989, Estepona Golf has always been run with the motto “the friendliest course on the Costa”, so visitors find that this is their family run “club away from club.” Situated amidst the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja mountains just one mile from the town of Estepona, this Luis Lopez Martinez designed 18 hole, Par 72, 6001 metres course follows the natural contours of the land. In contrast with larger, more manicured courses, the natural appearance is maintained with wild flora and fauna still much in evidence just off the fairways. The many palms, eucalyptus and wild olive trees along with beautiful sea views make this course a pleasure to play. The wide fairways are the pride of Estepona Golf and the large greens are well-designed, interesting to play and are always in excellent shape, so provide a challenge for players of all levels. It’s a fast round and the greens have been described on numerous occasions as the best on the Costa del Sol. The third hole is the signature hole, a par 5 called the ‘Ski Run’, which measures 568 metres from the white tees; it is the longest hole in Spain where the key to success is your club selection. Although quite short the course is up and down so those leaving their hiking legs behind may require a buggy.

Estepona’s splendid clubhouse has terraces that offer spectacular views of the sea and the mountains. There is also a pro shop, snack bar, summer BBQ, bar, driving range, putting green. Estapona’s reasonable rates, open competitions and barbecues make the club especially attractive for visitors.

Opened in October 2006, and located in Casares, halfway between Marbella and Sotogrande and 1.5 km. from the beach, this 18-hole championship golf course was designed by World famous architect Cabell Robinson. The layout is simply spectacular with its great variety of natural vegetation including olive and cork trees and all 18 holes are totally unique since every hole is completely different to the others. The main features are the length of the course, which is nearly 7 km (6,808 mts) making it one of the largest courses in Europe, the Bermuda 419 Grass very wide fairways (up to 50 mts), the beautifully shaped bunkers filled with white marble sand, the high quality tee boxes each with several tee platforms and without a doubt, the greens which are one of Finca Cortesín’s jewels, they all have slight brakes and have the quality to be extremely fast.

The driving range has two levels for training, one with natural grass (Rye grass) and the other with artificial grass mats (20 bays). The range has four greens situated at different distances to practice all kinds of shots. The orientation of the practice area is south-west to avoid hitting into the sun at anytime of the day.

The Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy has a coaching studio with the latest technology for monitored swing analysis.

Opened in 2001, Flamingos Golf Club is located at Cancelada between the towns of Marbella and Estepona, in one of the most beautiful enclaves of the Costa del Sol. From each of the holes, players will enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, Africa and Gibraltar. It is a stunning course in beautiful condition which offers a fair challenge and enjoyment to golfers from all tee positions. It is fast becoming a favourite with the regular visiting golfers.

The smallest detail of the vegetation has been taken into consideration and each hole is defined by its own tree and has its own unique quality. The most discerning golfer will find cypresses, oranges, jacaranda trees, pines, carobs, olives, chestnuts, pomegranate trees and many more. The Arroyo del Taraje stream passes through the course forming the Los Famencos Lake which constitutes a natural border for the course at the end of tees, 1 and 10.

The greens are generously sized whilst the fairways are somewhat narrower on the front nine, where more precision playing is required than on the back nine. The bunkers are white marmolina sand and the fairways are sown with Bermuda, except on certain holes where grass has been used, whilst the greens and tees have been sown with Pencross.

The club is also home to an Executive Course which has 9 par-3s while another nine are currently being built. This course is located next to The Academy golf school which has a practice range of 100 tees distributed in bays, putting green areas and ball dispensing machines.

2003 will see the opening of a second 18-hole Championship course, then in the spring of 2006 the Gran Flamingo golf course is due to open, then the fourth, the Flamingo Norte is due to open in 2007-08.

Being just 8 kilometres inwards west of Málaga, this green oasis provides a welcome escape from the Málaga City bustle and it has made a name for itself as one of the most hospitable clubs on the coast with its friendly family atmosphere being its main feature. Inaugurated in 1990, this 18 hole, par 72 course is 6194 metres long, and was the venue for the 1999 Spanish Professional Golfer's Championship.

The design by Kosti Kuronen, clearly splits the course in two. The first nine has an English "parkland" type design; the holes have been adapted to the mainly flat landscape with its slightly rolling terrain and tricky greens, especially the long green at the 4th. On the back nine the layout is more American in style with lakes, tropical vegetation, more elevated greens and hillier fairways, making play a little more difficult. Throughout the course many of the greens are extremely large, and in some cases they are shared between two holes, the 6th and the 8th, for example.

Guadalhorce Golf, has a beautiful and luxurious Andalucian style clubhouse with restaurant and bar cafeteria and several other facilities like tennis courts, paddle tennis, a swimming pool, sauna and recreation areas. There is also a practice ground, putting green, pitching green, driving range and also a 9-hole par-three practice course. The club hosts weekly competitions open to visitors.

La Cala is situated in the hills behind Mijas and is now the largest golf resort on the Costa del Sol with its three 18-hole courses. The natural features of the La Cala terrain have been used to challenging effect by the renowned golf course architect, Cabell B. Robinson a protégé of Robert Trent Jones. The courses are of championship standards with fairways of Bermuda Grass, greens of Pencross Grass and bunkers of crushed marble. The courses are in a heavily undulated area therefore the panoramic views are magnificent and a buggy is recommended.

The North Course (now renamed Campo America) is an 18 hole, 6187 meters, par 73 course and is perhaps more difficult than the shorter South course (Campo Asia). This is a course made for match-play, an exciting format on these contoured greens which are generally well-defended by large, deep bunkers. Campo America requires accurate and well-judged shot-making on the approach as nearly three quarters of the greens are perched or slightly elevated.

The 18 hole, 5925 meters, par 71 South Course (now renamed Campo Asia), was opened 15 years ago. Both the fairways and smallish greens are well bunkered and the majority of the tee shots are either downhill or level. This is an exciting course which puts a premium on the approach shot.

Meanwhile the third Campo Europa par 71 course measures 6014 metres, and was opened in March 2005. This course uses the River Ojen to make it distinctive from the others, the fairways are generous from the tees and the greens are slightly larger than on the existing courses, making it easier for the average golfer.

All three offer different challenges to all levels of golfers and demand good course management in addition to a wide variety of shots.

There are many other facilities on offer including the excellent and prestigious practice facilities at the Davis Leadbetter Golf Academy with a large grass driving range, putting and chipping facilities and top-class instruction facilities including video analysis and a high-tech putting studio, all surrounded by a 6-hole par 3 'Executive' course. The La Cala Resort also offers squash and tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, saunas, a restaurant and a well-stocked pro shop.