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Golf on the Costa Del Sol

Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in Spain and is becoming increasingly popular with the Spanish, although it's still regarded by many as an elite game for rich businessmen, foreign tourists (foreigners comprise around 75 per cent of players on the Costa del Sol) and the elderly in many parts of Spain. Spain has over 150 courses with many more planned, but still trails well behind other 'new' golfing nations such as France, Germany and Sweden, and ranks around 12th in the world in the number of courses.

Most courses are concentrated in the main tourist areas and islands and include Europe's biggest concentration of golf courses along the western Costa del Sol from Malaga to Cadiz, dubbed the 'Costa del Golf'.

With the exception of a few months in the summer when it's too hot, southern Spain has the perfect climate for golf, particularly during the winter. There's even a floodlit golf course for insomniacs on the Costa del Sol (the Dama de Noche) open 24-hours a day (a minimum of ten golfers are needed to book the course at night).

Spanish golf courses are invariably excellent and beautifully maintained. Most courses are located in picturesque settings (sea, mountain and forest), many designed by famous designers such as Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Severiano Ballesteros and linked with real estate development. Properties on or near golf clubs (often including 'free' life membership) are popular with foreigners seeking a permanent or second home in Spain, and are among the cheapest golf properties in Europe.

Some golf clubs offer golf shares for around for €15,000, usually providing members with a number of free rounds or even free golf for life. Many golf clubs are combined with country or sports clubs and offer a wide range of sports and social facilities including swimming pools, tennis, squash, gymnasium, snooker/pool, and a bar and restaurant.

Spain has courses to suit all standards, although there are few inexpensive public courses and it's an expensive sport. Golf used to be relatively inexpensive in Spain but has become much dearer in recent years, although fees remain lower than in many other European countries. Most courses are owned by syndicates and have annual membership fees of from around €1,300 for a single person (couples €2,300 to €2,500) and seasonal and daily fees for non-members.

Most clubs don't have a waiting list for new members or strict handicap requirements for non-members, although they usually insist on golfers wearing suitable attire. Green fees vary depending on the club and the season, and on the Costa del Sol are usually from around €30 in winter and from €25 in summer (not as popular due to the extreme heat) for 18 holes. In the north of Spain, fees may be cheaper in winter than in the summer or remain the same all year round. Fees at an exclusive club such as Valderama (Cadiz) can be as high as €120 a round and you may be restricted to teeing off only at certain times, e.g. between 12:00 and 14:00.

Green fees are often reduced early in the morning, e.g. for rounds starting within one hour of opening or anytime before noon, and late in the afternoon, e.g. between 15:00 and 17:00. Many clubs offer reductions to couples, senior citizens and groups and have weekly rates. Note, however, that many clubs restrict non-members to off-peak times and it's often difficult for non-members to get a game at weekends and during school holidays. Playing with a member usually entitles guests to a reduction on green fees. Third party accident insurance is obligatory and costs around €2 a day.

You can rent golf clubs (e.g. €12), golf trolleys/carts (around €2 a round or €8 for an electric trolley) and electric golf buggies (€18 to €25 a round) at all clubs. The golf cart has virtually made the caddie extinct in Spain and some courses are built in difficult terrain where it's almost mandatory to use a buggy. Most clubs have a pro shop with a club professional, driving ranges, practice putting and pitching greens, and offer individual and group instruction and a full programme of competitions. Clubs and a growing number of golf schools hold regular clinics for all standards from beginner to expert. Clubs are usually members of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (Real Federación Española de Golf), C/Capitan Haya, 9-5°, 28020 Madrid (915 552682), who produce a detailed map of Spanish golf courses listing their vital statistics and an annual competition calendar (Calendario Oficial de competiciones).

Spain hosts more regular PGA European Tour events than any other country, mostly at the beginning and end of the season when the weather in northern Europe is unreliable. Valderrama hosts the Volvo Masters Tournament in autumn, the last and richest event in Europe, and was the venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup (between players from Europe and the USA), the first time it has been held outside the USA and Britain. Spain is the second strongest European golfing country after Britain, although it has had to beat off a strong challenge from Sweden. In the last few decades it has produced many top male professional golfers including Severiano Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabel, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Manuel Piñero, Jose Maria Canizares, Miguel Angel Martin, Ignacio Garrido, Diego Borrego, Jose Rivero and their latest superstar Diego Garcia, plus a number of top women golfers.

Golf holidays are popular in Spain and a major source of revenue for clubs, most of which welcome visitors and often offer special rates. Some hotels cater almost exclusively for golfers and offer golf holiday packages inclusive of green fees (or reduced green fees). A guide to Spanish golf courses (Guia de Golf-España) is available from SNTO offices or the Secretaria General de Turismo, C/de Maria de Molina, 50,28006 Madrid (914 114014) and many regions and provinces publish golf guides (Golf Guia Práctica) with maps. A number of free and subscription golf magazines are published in Spain, most with articles printed in both Spanish and English, including Andalucia Golf and Costa-golf.

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