Golf courses – our recommendations

With so many great courses to choose from, here's a few to start with when you're planning the perfect golfing holiday.

Mijas Golf

Celebrated and loved by golfers globally for more than 40 years, the 36 holes at Mijas Golf is widely regarded as the most successful golf facility in Europe and, if you’re staying with us, you should definitely play both courses.

The two golf courses vary in the way they play according to season, and are very different in character.

Los Lagos - 18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6536m - Robert Trent Jones Snr.

Los Lagos is a long course with wide rolling fairways. Big, fast greens are a feature of every hole, as are vast bunkers and of course the lakes! You can read this playing review here from golfonthecostadelsol.com to get a sense of what it is like to play.

Los Olivos - 18 Holes Par 70 White Tees 5875m - Robert Trent Jones Snr.

Los Olivos is shorter, tighter, defined fairways with rough dotted by the trees that give it its name. Los Olivos is a delight. Many of the greens are set on raised plateaus and are smaller than Los Lagos changing the onus from length to precision. The greens are sculpted and can be even quicker than Los Lagos.

This is a golf course that demands a different set of skills to its big brother and makes Mijas Golf all the better for it. Again, this playing guide has some great photos and will give you a feel for the place.

Alhaurin Golf & Country Club – 18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6045m – Seve Ballesteros

From its nest in the Sierra de Mijas, tucked just below the white village of Mijas itself, this 18 hole golf course offers the most striking views and challenging golf.

Situated a few kilometers inland midway between Mijas Pueblo, Alhaurín El Grande and Mijas Golf it is about 15mins from the apartment. It’s a mountain golf course with holes that ascend, descend or wraps around the mountain side making this an extreme challenge!

Click here for a playing review of Alhaurin Golf and Country Club. Once the playing is done, the clubhouse terrace is a lovely place to enjoy a beer and lunch and soak up the panorama.

In addition, the 9 hole par 3 course is a gem. One of the best anywhere for sharpening up your wedge skills and having a great time doing it.

Cerrado Del Aguila - Francisco Navarro

This is a 9 hole golf course that proves not all such courses are terrible! The tee boxes, fairways and greens are in great condition and the bunkers are excellent, presented with no lip allowing the less confident sand players more options of escape!

This 9 hole course is a terrific design which brings great satisfaction from a blend of long par 5s and stunning par 3s, including the fourth; a stunning, 140m playing downhill from to a semi island green. Try playing the loop twice, allowing you to re-do any shots that get away from you the first time!

La Cala Golf Resort – three courses

America - 18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 6009m - Cabell B. Robinson

Asia 18 - 18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 5925m - Cabell B. Robinson

Europa - 18 Holes Par 71 White Tees 6014m - Cabell B. Robinson

The three courses at La Cala Golf Resort underline the stellar reputation of their designer, Cabell Robinson and all feature amongst the best golf courses on the Costa del Sol.

Each comes with its own distinct character, practice facilities which are the envy of the Costa del Sol, and a breathtaking clubhouse.

The Asia Course is a technical layout often used as a venue for professional events. This course is in keeping with Trent Jones and Robinsons ethos of “hard par : easy bogey”. Each hole requires thought and patience to build a good score.

The America Course, has generous fairways that invite an attacking game, and fast greens that make for a great experience.

The Europa Course has a front nine that are a joy. Bu, beware, the back nine has a run of 5 holes that are tough, yet outstanding fun.

Whichever of the courses you choose to play, you will have a great day at this high point of the Mijas Golf valley. And the fabulous clubhouse is the perfect place to relax on the terrace, and reflect upon a superb day of golf!

Miraflores Golf - 18 Holes Par 71 White Tees 5148m – Falco Nardi

Perfect for the less experienced and social golfer, this is a very pleasant members course and is a good contrast to the tournament layouts that Mijas Golf offers.

Set in the Riviera del Sol urbanization, a 12 minute drive from Mijas Golf, it’s particularly suited to shorter hitters as length off the tee brings no benefits. The greens are cut to a friendly speed. Each hole is clearly laid out and tells you how best to deal with its unique challenge as you view it from the tee box. A great opportunity to score well and have another great day.

Santana Golf - 18 Holes Par 72 White Tees 5986m - Cabell B. Robinson

To regular players of Mijas Golf, Santana Golf is a favorite destination. This charming parkland course is noted for its year round condition and a wonderful layout, totally different to the nearby Los Olivos and Los Lagos at Mijas Golf.

If you are planning a week of golf in the Mijas Golf Valley then you will be very happy if you add this oasis-like parkland course to your itinerary!

Honorable mentions

There are too many good courses to list them all in detail, but also worth checking out are:

Calanova, Chaparral, La Noria, El Soto, La Siesta, Cabopino, Torrequebrada, Benalmadena

For a complete list of courses nearby, go to: https://www.leadingcourses.com/map-search?zoom=13&lat=36.590728522719346&lng=-4.550678761962887

For more information, pictures and a sense of how some of these courses play, go to https://golfoncostadelsol.com/