Golfing in Marbella: My Top Picks for Courses Worth Playing
Image credit: Marbella Club
Golf has been one of my go-to ways to unwind for years, which is probably why my page ended up being called Golfing With Chris in the first place. Whenever I travel, I like to sneak in a round or at least check out a local course, so landing in Marbella felt like stepping into the right kind of trouble. The place is full of golf options (honestly, more than I expected), and it didn’t take long before I started planning which ones I wanted to try first.
Golf in Spain has its own character. A lot of people think it’s mainly something tourists show up for, but the locals take it seriously too. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the culture around spending time outdoors, but golf fits naturally into Spanish life. At the same time, you can tell the Costa del Sol has shaped many of its courses with visitors in mind. It’s a mix that actually works: local passion blended with facilities polished enough for travellers who fly in just for a golfing weekend.
Marbella sits right in the middle of that world - a spot where you can walk onto a course and feel both the Spanish love for the game and the international buzz that keeps the region on every golfer’s radar.
Marbella Golf Club
One of the first places I booked in Marbella was the Marbella Golf Club - partly because I’d heard great things, and partly because I can’t resist a course with some history behind its design. Dave Thomas, the guy behind it, isn’t just some name tossed around in golf circles. He played at the highest level, made it into two Open play-offs, and was a familiar face in Ryder Cup teams. Later, he left his fingerprint on more than a hundred courses around the world, including some people consider his masterpieces, like the PGA National at The Belfry. When someone with a track record like that takes on a project for the Marbella Club Hotel, you can feel the intention behind every detail.
You sense it right away on the first hole - the fairway rolls out in these clean, thoughtful contours, and the greens are kept in immaculate shape. It sets the tone for a course that stretches out over 6,000 meters, full of water features and bunkers placed exactly where they should make you think twice. Thomas had a habit of designing holes that reward good planning, and you feel it here. It’s challenging, but in a way that makes the round more interesting, not frustrating.
The grass choices alone show how much effort goes into keeping the place pristine year-round: Bermuda 419 on the tees and fairways, a blend of different grasses before the greens, and a newer American strain for the greens themselves. Combine that with a fully automated irrigation system and some incredibly smooth shaping work, and you get a course that looks as good as it plays.
My favourite stretch has to be the front nine, where you hit three par 5s in a row. It’s unusual, especially so early in a round, and it forces you to settle in quickly. The views from the seventh tee stopped me for a minute - it’s the highest point on the course, and on a clear day you can see the coastline, Gibraltar, even Africa in the distance. The whole layout mixes length with clever hazards and greens that keep you thinking. By the time you get to the final hole, another par 5 from an elevated tee, you get one of those closing shots you won’t forget.
As for my personal take - I’m pretty spoiled when it comes to courses around the world, and this one still stands out as a proper hidden gem. The greens were flawless the day I played, the fairways in great shape, and the whole place just felt cared for. A buggy is basically non-negotiable unless you’re in the mood for a workout. The staff made everything easy from the minute I arrived: grabbing the bags, handing out cold water and ice, checking in with the friendliest attitude. It sounds small, but those touches add a lot to the day.
It’s also worth mentioning that the hotel and restaurant on the property look amazing. I didn’t stay there this time, but it’s definitely on my list for the next trip - it seems like one of those places where you wake up, step outside, and you’re already in the perfect mood for a morning round.
Los Naranjos Golf Club
Stepping onto Los Naranjos Golf Club, you immediately notice the relaxed, almost understated vibe that the place gives off. The restaurant and its terrace are where everything seems to happen - members and guests casually meet, chat over a drink, enjoy a bite, and soak in that easy-going Marbella life. It’s not just about the golf here, though the course itself certainly delivers.
Los Naranjos was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., a legend in the golf world, and it shows. Built in the mid-70s as part of a wave of iconic courses along the Costa del Sol, it was commissioned by the Banus company to create a championship course that would be long, fair, and challenging for professionals, but still enjoyable for anyone stepping onto the tee. They got exactly that. With 70 hectares of gentle hills, a river winding through, and an orange grove lending its name to the course, the setting is just perfect.
The course has evolved a bit over the years - it opened in 1977 alongside Las Brisas, went through ownership changes, and eventually became a shareholders’ club with limited membership. This setup still allows visiting golfers like me to experience it, and I’m grateful for that. The famous 18th hole finishing in front of the clubhouse is just one of those shots that stick in your memory long after you’ve packed up your clubs.
Los Naranjos isn’t just a pretty face - it has history in competitive golf, too. It’s hosted everything from the Marbella Ladies Open in the late ’80s to the Spanish PGA Championship, where legends like Severiano Ballesteros once competed. More recently, it welcomed the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open, adding another chapter to its storied history.
Playing here feels both familiar and unique. The course is fairly wide, which makes it approachable, but the greens can get firm and fast in the afternoon, so pay attention. The carts are modern, equipped with GPS, which makes navigating the layout a breeze. And the staff - honestly, I can’t praise them enough. Friendly, helpful, and attentive, they make the experience feel genuinely welcoming. There’s a very European feel to the place, almost like a little slice of Sweden in the heart of Marbella. Add the sunshine and impeccable facilities, and you have a course that’s hard not to fall in love with.
