Steep hills and winding roads are not an inconvenience when you are rewarded with one of the most beautiful villages in Andalucía, Benahavís. Surrounded by exuberant vegetation, the municipality of Benahavís is located between Marbella and Estepona, right on the Costa del Sol.
Furthermore, golf in Benahavis is a real tradition. The history of golf has progressed in parallel to its economic development due to both the number of golf courses and the quality of their design. Golf is significantly important in the area not only economically but also socially. It is one of the few villages in Andalucía that offers its citizens the opportunity of attending the Municipal Golf School. This project has been a complete success, and it is a clear example of Benahavis commitment to local economy, the youth and youth sports.
El Higueral Golf Club
El Higueral is a beautiful course with spectacular views and a completely original design. Its nine holes, par 36, combine difficulty, fun and nature perfectly, as well as offering exceptional maintenance and the possibility of comfortable walking.
Villa Padierna Golf Club
The club is one of the most popular on the Costa del Sol. Designed by Cristóbal Guerrero and Antonio García Garrido, its three 18-hole courses offer unique challenges and breathtaking views from each hole, driving range and academy.
La Quinta Golf & Country Club
Founded in 1989, La Quinta is internationally renowned for its high quality. Designed by Ryder Cup winner Manuel Piñero, it is one of the busiest golf courses on the Costa del Sol. The complex has three 9-hole courses that can be combined to expand the playing options.
La Zagaleta
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Costa del Sol, this magnificent development covers almost 900 hectares of land on the slopes of the Serranía de Ronda mountains. It offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and the African coast, as well as its two splendid golf courses.
Zagaleta Old Course, the venue of the PING Junior Solheim Cup 2023, was designed by renowned golf architect Brad Benz in 1991 and redesigned by Marc Westenborg in 2016. This reworking gave the course an improved landscaping and more modern design as well as making it more sustainable both environmentally and financially.
Zagaleta New Course, the second course on this residential estate, was designed in 2005 by Gaunt & Marnoch, who took care of every last detail to create a space where leisure merges with nature. The New Course is a shorter with technically challenging rounds, with wide and undulating greens where accuracy off the tee is essential for a good score. Until 2021, the course was not open to the general public, when the estate owners and the club decided to open it for three hours a day, 200 days a year.
Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club
Los Arqueros is the first golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros on the Costa del Sol. It offers a challenging course that can be enjoyed by players of all abilities, from beginners to professionals. The variety of holes and the unbeatable sea and mountain views make a visit to Los Arqueros an unforgettable experience.
Marbella Club Golf Resort
The course is located at the foot of the Benahavís mountains, surrounded by pine, cork, and gall oak trees. It is a highly technical course, requiring the use of all clubs and precise shots — especially on the 12th hole, a par 4 with an uphill dogleg.
José Antonio Mena, Mayor of Benahavís:
“Undoubtedly golf is one of the foundations of the local economy. Let’s not forget that any golf tournament attracts many players, and in some cases, their families. This increases the demand for accommodation, private transport, and gastronomy, which means additional income for the whole municipality”.
Ignacio López Álvarez, Councillor for Sport:
‘Our school is the cradle where talent is discovered, worked on and developed. Great golfers have emerged from here, who are also taken on by American universities to receive scholarships for their university studies and to develop their sporting potential to the maximum’.
Scott Marshall, Councillor for Tourism:
“Golf is a very important driver for the municipality of Benahavís, representing one of the three pillars of its economy alongside nature and gastronomy. It generates many jobs and has a significant impact on residential tourism, particularly from overseas, with visitors coming to our municipality to enjoy the variety and quality of our courses”.