What are the best golf courses in the south of Spain?

If you’re thinking about jetting off for a golf holiday, there’s not many better destinations than the south of Spain.

You’re almost guaranteed warm weather, great food and drink and fantastic golf courses. Here are six of the best courses you can play in the south of Spain.

Valderrama

One of the best courses in not just Spain, but mainland Europe, Valderrama is the gem of the south of Spain.

Known as one of the toughest tests the professionals face throughout the year, Valderrama has trees, small greens and tight fairways in abundance.

Valderrama was host to the 1997 Ryder Cup, where Europe dramatically won the match by 14.5 – 13.5. You can read our review of the course here.

Sotogrande

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Finca Cortesin

A short drive north from Valderrama and Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin is another prestigious and hugely enjoyable course in the south of Spain.

It opened for play in 2007, and the modern opening date is reflected in the yardage, which is nearly 8,000 from the back tees. In 2023, the course will host the Solheim Cup, and will certainly be an excellent venue for the match.

Real Las Brisas

Set in the Costa del Sol, Real Las Brisas is one of the top destinations for golf in the south of Spain. It was opened in 1968 and is another Robert Trent Jones design, that he laid out after Sotogrande. 

Real Las Brisas has been a popular venue for tour events, with Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller winning the World Cup of Golf here in 1973.

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Real Sevilla

In the bustling city of Seville, this is a top place to go for golf. Designed by the legendary Jose Maria Olazabal, Real Sevilla is a great test of strategy, without being a struggle.

It’s a very flat piece of land, but tricky greens make it an enjoyable challenge.

La Reserva

Just a stone’s throw from Valderrama, La Reserva is a brilliant course in its own right. In the south of Spain, La Reserva has plenty competition, but if you get the chance, you should absolutely make time to play this excellent course.