Winter golf in Spain: three Mediterranean destinations to play from November to March

While courses in northern Europe lie under frost, Spain’s Mediterranean coast is starting the winter golf season. Mild temperatures, fairways green after the autumn rain and quieter tee sheets than in summer.

Costa del Sol: the “Costa del Golf”

The western stretch of Málaga province has around 70 courses, so many that it is known across Europe as the Costa del Golf. There are layouts among pine woods, with sea views or at the foot of the mountains, for every level of player.

In Mijas, La Cala Resort has three 18-hole courses designed by Cabell B. Robinson: Asia, the oldest; America; and Europa, with wider fairways and suited to mid-handicap players. Right beside its fairways are the townhouses at The Meadows. Further west, Benahavís and Estepona are home to some of the province’s best-known sea-view courses.

La Manga Club: three courses by the Mar Menor

Just south of the Costa Blanca, in Murcia, La Manga Club was one of the pioneers of golf tourism in Spain. It opened in 1972 and hosted the Spanish Open from 1973 to 1977. Today it has three 18-hole courses: the South, its championship layout; the North, the most forgiving; and the West, tight and tree-lined, for those who want a challenge.

Mallorca: golf with the Tramuntana as a backdrop

The island has more than 20 courses. Its busy golf months are not the beach months: the season runs from September to November and from March to June, and winter play is routine. In the south-west, near Paguera, Golf Santa Ponsa has hosted European Tour events and Golf de Andratx sits in a valley between the mountains.

Tips for winter golf

Book tee times in advance at the most popular courses: October, November and March are busy months.
Bring your handicap certificate: many courses ask for it.
Look out for afternoon rates, common in the low season.

Living by the course

For regular players, living near the course changes the routine: a midweek round stops being a trip. Taylor Wimpey España has new-build homes beside La Cala Golf, in Estepona and at Siena, La Manga Club, as well as in south-west Mallorca. Explore our homes on the Costa del Sol.