Santa Clara Golf Marbella
Marbella
Santa Clara Golf Marbella offers an enjoyable combination of championship golf, Mediterranean scenery and relaxed Andalusian hospitality on Spain's beautiful Costa del Sol. Situated on the eastern side of Marbella, close to the beaches of Los Monteros, this attractive golf course enjoys views towards the Mediterranean Sea, surrounding mountains and, on clear days, Gibraltar and the Moroccan coastline. At Hashtag Golf Travel, we recommend Santa Clara Golf Marbella for golfers seeking a well-maintained course with an accessible layout, excellent practice facilities and a convenient location for exploring one of Europe's most popular golf holiday destinations.
Designed by Spanish golf architect Enrique Canales Busquets, Santa Clara Golf Marbella was established in 2000 and has become a popular addition to the Costa del Sol golfing scene. The 18-hole, par-71 course measures approximately 5,900 metres and has been carefully integrated into the surrounding Mediterranean landscape, preserving much of the area's natural vegetation and character.
Unlike some of Marbella's more demanding mountain courses, Santa Clara features relatively gentle terrain, with broad fairways, limited rough and greens that are generally less severely contoured. Its parkland-style design makes walking particularly enjoyable, while strategically positioned bunkers, water hazards and carefully designed approaches provide an interesting challenge for experienced golfers. At Hashtag Golf Travel, we particularly recommend the course for mixed-handicap groups looking for an enjoyable round without sacrificing the strategic qualities of championship golf.
The course's most celebrated stretch is the famous Santa Clara Corner, comprising the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth holes. The twelfth is a demanding downhill par four where golfers must negotiate fairway bunkers before approaching a green protected by additional bunkering and water. The thirteenth provides a challenging par three requiring a confident shot across water, while the fourteenth, the longest hole on the course, is a magnificent par five where careful positioning is essential to avoid the water hazard running along the left side.
Practice facilities are another highlight, with a 250-metre natural-grass driving range, additional covered hitting bays, three putting greens and dedicated areas for chipping, pitching and bunker practice. Independent authorised golf instructors offer professional tuition, making Santa Clara suitable for golfers looking to improve their technique during their holiday.
The welcoming clubhouse provides comfortable changing facilities, a professional golf shop and equipment rental services, including TaylorMade golf clubs, buggies and trolleys. Following a round, Kayena Restaurant offers an inviting setting for enjoying Mediterranean cuisine, refreshing drinks and beautiful views across the surrounding course.
Santa Clara's location is particularly appealing for golfers staying in Marbella, Elviria or nearby coastal resorts. Visitors can enjoy the golden beaches, waterfront restaurants and charming streets of Marbella's Old Town, while Puerto Banús offers sophisticated shopping and vibrant nightlife. Golfers planning additional rounds can explore nearby Río Real Golf and Marbella Golf Country Club.
With pleasant spring and autumn temperatures and generally mild winters, Marbella is particularly attractive for golf holidays outside the peak summer season.
At Hashtag Golf Travel, we believe Santa Clara Golf Marbella is an excellent addition to a Costa del Sol golf holiday, offering an enjoyable balance of accessibility, thoughtful design and memorable scenery. Our Golf Travel Experts can arrange a tailor-made Marbella golf break, combining preferred tee times at Santa Clara with carefully selected accommodation and additional rounds at some of southern Spain's finest courses.
Málaga Airport
34km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+1
Currency:
€ (Euro)
Temperature:
8°C - 32°C
Cost of a Beer:
£4.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£32
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Alhaurín el Grande is one of the Costa del Sol’s most appealing inland golf bases, offering traditional Andalusian charm while sitting within easy reach of Málaga, Marbella and a dense cluster of quality championship courses. Nestled in the Guadalhorce Valley and framed by the Sierra de Mijas mountains, it provides scenic, elevated golf in a quieter setting away from the busier coastal resorts.
The town’s signature layout is Alhaurin Golf, designed by Seve Ballesteros. This challenging and characterful course is known for its dramatic elevation changes, narrow driving lines and demanding approach shots into well-guarded greens. It’s a layout that rewards accuracy and course management rather than power. Nearby, Lauro Golf offers a contrasting experience with its 27-hole configuration, wider fairways and more forgiving routing through olive groves and gently rolling terrain. Within 30 minutes, La Cala Golf Resort provides three championship courses — Asia, America and Europa — making it ideal for multi-round itineraries.
Golf in this part of the Costa del Sol is typically dry underfoot with reliable greens, benefiting from over 300 days of sunshine per year. Spring (March–June) and autumn (September–November) are particularly comfortable for walking golf, avoiding peak summer heat.
Off the course, Alhaurín el Grande retains strong Spanish character, with whitewashed buildings, lively plazas and traditional tapas bars serving local wines and grilled meats. The coastline at Fuengirola and Marbella is easily accessible for beachside dining, while Málaga’s cultural scene — including the Picasso Museum and historic Alcazaba fortress — adds depth to any trip.
For golfers seeking elevated inland courses, scenic mountain backdrops and authentic Andalusian atmosphere without the bustle of the coast, Alhaurín el Grande offers a well-balanced and characterful Costa del Sol golf escape.
