Golf clubs in Benahavis
With an impressive average of 320 sunny days each year, golfing in Benahavis is a year-round delight under clear blue skies. It’s not uncommon to find players donning polo shirts even in the heart of winter.
The golf courses in this picturesque town, all designed by celebrated architects like Robert Trent Jones and esteemed champions such as Severiano Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus, are nothing short of breathtaking.
Most courses feature hilly terrains, making it advisable to use a buggy; even those in good physical condition may want to opt for one while enjoying a round.
Several clubs boast extensive courses, including Los Flamingos with 54 holes, La Zagaleta and Atalaya with 36 holes each, and La Quinta with 27 holes.
Interestingly, the low season on the Costa del Sol isn’t during the winter months but rather in July and August, when temperatures soar, leading to a significant drop in green fees.
Be sure to bring an ample supply of golf balls as some of the courses can be quite unforgiving.
While the Benahavis Golf Club doesn’t have its own dedicated course, it was established to provide local residents the opportunity to play on the nearby courses.
Atalaya Golf & Country Club
Since its establishment in 1968, Atalaya Golf & Country Club has become one of the most sought-after clubs on the Costa del Sol.
Nestled between Marbella and Estepona, it’s the first course you’ll see on your left while approaching Benahavis village.
The club caters to golfers of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned professionals, thanks to the varying tee options. The old course is known for being more forgiving, while the new course presents a greater challenge with its hilly layout.
Atalaya also boasts one of the largest driving ranges in Spain, offering lessons in multiple languages.
Getting there
Between San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona, take the Benahavis exit, and drive direction the village of Benahavis, 2nd street on the left leads you right to the clubhouse.
El Higueral Golf
El Higueral is part of the Marbella Club Golf Resort. A beautiful 9 hole ( soon to be 18 holes ) golf course built around a group of appartments, along the Guadalmina river.
It is one of the walkable courses on the Benahavis territory, which does not mean it is an easy course as there is quite a bit of water, plenty of trees and canyons on one side.
Very reasonable prices, but no clubhouse as such, although they do serve drinks and snacks.
Getting there
It is on the road to Benahavis, just across the bridge halfway.
Telephone: 951 896 052
Mobile: 639 793 542
E-mail : reservas@elhigueralgolf.com
El Paraiso Golf
Designed in 1973 by Gary Player, El Paraiso is one of the most established courses on the Costa del Sol.
El Paraiso is built only partly on Benahavis territory, the rest is on Estepona soil.
Situated 14 km. from Marbella in a valley surrounded by hills with magnificent views of the coast.
El Paraiso was carefully designed to achieve a peaceful atmosphere thanks to an abundance of trees and plants and strategically positioned lakes and bunkers. Competitions are held weekly.
Getting there;
Between San Pedro de Alcantara and Cancelada, in direction Estepona, take the Hotel and Golf El Paraiso exit, just before Cancelada.
Telephone : +34 659 66 66 65
General inquiries : admin@elparaisogolf.com
Tee time reservations : info@elparaisogolf.com
La Quinta Golf
Situated in the “Golf Valley”, the Club commands fine views of the mountains and the Marbella coastline. It consists of three combinable courses. Although apparently easy, the courses are in fact very demanding, due to the design of the fairways and the excellent quality of the greens.
Getting there;
From San Pedro de Alcantara approximately 2 Kilometres on the Ronda road, at the exit of the tollroad, on your right.
Tel: +34 952 762 390
E-mail : reservations.wlq@westin.com
La Zagaleta
These two golf courses, designed by the American Bradford Benz, offer golfers splendid views over the Mediterranean and Gibraltar. This is probably Europe’s answer to Augusta, as play is limited to members and their guests.
Located in a fabulous resort of almost 900 hectares, at the start of the road from Marbella to Ronda, La Zagaleta Country Club is one of the most exclusive in Europe.
The surroundings of the golf course are second-to-none, as the fairways are set in a nature reserve which is home to numerous species of autochthonous flora and fauna.
The Club is strictly private, for the use of members and their guests. As well as the golf course and other sporting facilities, La Zagaleta has a 24-hour security service, a heliport, three fishing lakes, hiking tracks, riding stables and a magnificent Club House.
Getting there;
From San Pedro de Alcantara approximately 5 Kilometres on the Ronda road.
Los Arqueros Golf
Los Arqueros, the first golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros on the Costa del Sol, is located in Benahavis and only 5 km from the village centre by the new bridge over the Guadalmina river.
Approximately 5 Kilometres from San Pedro de Alcantara on the Ronda road.
Los Arqueros is a challenging course which will be enjoyed by all players, from the lowest to the highest handicaps. The variation in its holes and the magnificent views of the sea and the mountains, will make your visit to Los Arqueros an unforgettable experience.
In my personal opinion the most difficult course in Benahavis.
Getting there;
From San Pedro de Alcantara approximately 5 Kilometres on the Ronda road.
From Benahavis take the new bridge over the Guadalmina river and then left at the first roundabout.
Telephone : (+34) 952 784 600
E-mail : caddiemaster@taylorwimpey.es
Los Flamingos Golf Club
Set in beautiful natural surroundings, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, where playing golf once again becomes a unique experience, Flamingos Golf Club offers an exquisite atmosphere, the most advanced facilities and a personalised service that allows you to enjoy and appreciate every little detail.
In its short history, Flamingos Golf Club has already attained well-deserved international renown for the high level of quality it offers and for having been, for three consecutive years, the venue for the European Senior´ Final, ‘The Daily Telegraph European Seniors´ and the “Match Play Championship”.
The club currently has three courses, ‘Flamingos Golf’, ‘Alferini Golf’ and ‘Tramores Golf’, the last being a par 63, but the other two are best suited for long hitters, having respective lenghts of 5714 and 6641 metres.
The Resort´s crowning glory is its prestigious 6-star Hotel Villa Padierna.
Getting there;
Between San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona, take the Cancelada exit, and go right up past the row of townhouses. The golfcourse is about 800 mts away.
E-mail : info@villapadiernagolfclub.es
Telephone : +34 952 889 157
Marbella Club Golf Resort
This golf course combines all the conditions required by professionals and amateurs alike in order to play at the highest level.
An exceptional location. A course closer to the ones you will find in the States, and at least as good. Perfect greens and fairways.
Getting there;
In Cancelada, between San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona, cross the town, and a road will lead you past the Marbella Club golf resort.
On the Benahavis road, take the road opposite the new bridge over the Guadalmina river, the course is at the end of the road on your right.
Tel +34 952 880 608
Email : reserv.golf@marbellaclub.com
Benahavis Golf Club
The Benahavis Golf Club was founded in 1991, aiming to get people from Benahavis to play at the local golfcourses at a reasonable price. Over these years , quite some improvements have been made, so now the village has its own driving range and regular tournaments ( even on exclusive courses like La Zagaleta ) on the golfcourses of the Benahavis territory.
Membership is only availabable to people living on Benahavis and surrounding villages territory, and there is a maximum of 120 members.
The subscription can be paid at a branch of Cajamar or Unicaja in Benahavis. In addition the club now requires the following details for every member:
A photocopy of NIE or passport
Proof of empadronamiento (registration) at the town hall
Telephone number
E-mail address
Spanish Golf Federation licence number, this is required for insurance and handicap purposes. If not in receipt of this we shall provide the necessary forms.
Your current handicap and certificate if available.
The president of the Benahavis Golf Club is Chico Sr. from the equally named bar “El Chico”. You can get more information there.
Driving Range
The local driving range ( next to the football pitch and the municipal swimming pool, opposite the school ) is open for everyone, and lessons ( both in English and Spanish ) are free for the local kids under 13.
A Spanish and English golfpro are there to teach you all aspects of the game.
Wednesdays and Fridays the driving range is only open for youngsters under 13 from 4 to 6 PM.