The Costa del Sol is known by many as the Costa del Golf. With dozens of golf courses as well as a well-established tourism infrastructure, it really is a dream destination for the keen golfer.

The long hours of sunshine here on the coast provide a perfect opportunity in which to practise golf and each year the clubs and courses are visited by an ever increasing number of enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The Costa del Sol receives over three hundred days of sunshine each year, making it ideal for golfing all year round. What's more, the mixture of fresh winds from the Atlantic, and milder air from the Mediterranean mean that the Costa del Sol escapes the extremes of heat and cold felt by the surrounding regions.

Apart from offering such a warm and mild climate, the mountains and slopes surrounding the Costa del Sol provide a great scenic backdrop to the game, something which is especially evident on some of the famous courses in the Valle de Golf near Puerto Banús.

Various European PGA tournaments have been held on the Costa del Sol - one club was the first one in Europe to be permitted to hold the Ryder Cup outside of the UK. This and the immaculate condition of the courses contribute to the Costa del Sol's reputation as one of the best destinations for golf holidays in the world.

Golfers can find a variety of courses ranging from the technical and demanding, to the straightforward. With 30 courses in all to choose from, you can be sure there is something for you.

:: Alcaidesa Links:
Opened in June 1992 and designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, this course is similar to of the Scottish Links. It is an excellent eighteen hole golf course and has stunning views of the Straits of Gibraltar and North Africa.

:: Alhaurín Golf:
The two golf courses in Alhaurin were designed by Severiano Ballesteros and are higher up in the mountains than the others. Both courses are very well rated by professionals and keep offering surprises throughout the game. Having said that, it is not too hard to familiarise yourself with them and there is also a smaller course suitable for children.

:: Almenara Golf:
Vear the beach in Sotogrande, this eighteen hole golf course has a big lake and spectacular views of the sea.

:: Aloha:
In the Valle de Golf in Marbella, close to Puerto Banús. This course is characterised by the huge trees that line the fairways and make it a challenge to reach the complicated greens.

:: Añoreta:
This course is in the east Costa del Sol, 12 km from Málaga, in a beautiful area surrounded by olive groves. You'll need to use most of your clubs for this one as there are many lakes and bunkers.

:: Atalaya (New) / Atalaya (Old):
The Atalaya courses are above Estepona, with magnificent views accross to North Africa. It has wide fairways of 'tif way' grass and elevated greens.

:: Baviera Golf:
Situated in the Caleta de Vélez, in the Axarquía region, this new eighteen hole golf course is positioned between the sea and the mountainside and is suitable for all levels. The course was designed by twice world champion José María Cañizares.

:: Cabopino Club de Golf:
12 km from Marbella, this is very modern eighteen hole golf course and is par 71.

:: Club de Golf La Cañada: This 9 hole course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is immaculately kept. It is located in the highest area of Guadiaro.

:: Club de Golf Valderrama: Situated in San Roque, Valderrama was also designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened to the public in 1985. Perhaps one of the most challenging courses in Europe, it was internationally recognised in the 1997 Ryder Cup.

:: Dama de Noche:
The first golf course in Europe that can be played twenty-four hours a day thanks to powerful artificial lighting. Close to Puerto Banus

:: El Candado:
This course is in city of Málaga, and is an historic course of nine holes, with difficult changes in level and a demanding design.

:: El Coto:
Set in the residential area of Coto de la Serena, close to Estepona. This course requires a powerful swing in order to make the most of the tee shots.

:: El Paraíso:
Situated in Estepona, in an area covered by streams, lakes and plenty of trees. This course has strategically positioned bunkers and can be very difficult.

:: Estepona Golf:
A great deal of technical skill is required on this course because of all the water hazards. The fairways are reasonably short, but are bounded by difficult rough.

:: Golf Artola:
Opened in 1964 and designed by Jorge Rein, this easy to play course has short fairways and flat greens. Artola is surrounded by Pine trees and an expensive residential area. The whole course stretches from the national road 340 - also called "Calle Major de la Costa del Sol" - down to the sea.

:: Greenlife Golf:
A superior nine hole golf course in Marbella with a spectacular artificial lake.

:: Guadalhorce:
Situated close to Málaga, the first nine holes of this course require precise tee shots to stay in limits, although the other nine holes are relatively straightforward, as long as you can avoid the water hazards.

:: Guadalmina: (North) / (South)
The first course in Guadalhorce is demanding enough not to require many artificial lakes or bunkers and the other one is a more modern design by Folco Nerdi.

:: Las Brisas:
This course has hosted a variety of professional events, including two editions of the World Cup. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones at the end of the sixties and requires a lot of precision in order to avoid the ten artificial lakes, hazardous bunkers and elevated greens.

:: La Cala: (North) / (South)
Two different courses, with pronounced undulations and spectacular views. Cabell Robinson designed the courses to suit American tastes with a selection of different tee shots, varying fairways and difficult elevated greens.

:: La Duquesa:
This course is located amongst the vineyards of Manilva on the western end of the Costa del Sol. The course has pleasant views of the coast, Gibraltar and - on a clear day - Africa.

:: La Quinta:
One of the most prestigious clubs in Marbella's Valle de Golf. This course has constantly changing levels, sharp falls, large bunkers and isolated greens. An excellent and technically challenging course for experienced players.

:: La Siesta:
Close to the residential area of Calahonda, this is a fairly short course with levels varying substantially from tee to green.

:: Lauro:
In Alhaurín de la Torre, near Málaga and surrounded by abundant naturally occurring trees and a wide variety of bird life. The overall course is relatively simple, but the greens require quite a bit of skill.

:: La Zagaleta:
Situated in a nature reserve, this is a very well-designed course by Bradford Benz, however it is a private course and is playable by invitation only.

:: Los Arqueros: (Course 1) / (Course 2)
Another course designed by Severiano Ballesteros which is appreciated for the unique curving quality of its fairways.

:: Los Naranjos:
This demanding course was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones and therefore typically requires powerful tee shots and great accuracy.

:: Mijas Golf: (Los Lagos) / (Los Olivos)
Both courses in Mijas were also designed by Robert Trent Jones to test the strength of the golfer's tee shot. The fairways are characteristically short and wide.

:: Miraflores:
Situated in the mountainous area of Mijas with expansive views across the sea. There are a number of tricky water hazards to avoid.

:: Monte Mayor:
The surrounding area of this course (Nueva Andalucia) is quite mountainous, so the course surface is uneven and requires skill. The fourth hole is unusual in that you have to play across two small islands.

:: Real Club de Campo:
This classic course is one of the longest in Spain with relatively open fairways, bordered by Pine, Oleanders, Mimosas and Eucalyptus. Near Malaga Airport.

:: Real Club de Golf Sotogrande:
The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and each hole is a work of art. It was opened in 1964 and is considered to be one of the 10 best golf courses in Europe. Sotogrande is well known for its fast greens, but its wide and long fairways make the course suitable for all handicaps.

:: Río Real:
One of the oldest clubs in the Costa del Sol, situated on a mild slope that reaches down to the sea.

:: Santa Clara Golf:
This recently-built course in Marbella was designed by Enrique Canales Busquet. Its 18 holes have long tee shots with very little rough and large open greens.

:: Santa María:
Next to the Don Carlos hotel, this course has nine short and technical holes interspersed with longer, easier holes. The fairways are bordered by natural vegetation and fits in well with the area.

:: The Golf Club Marbella:
A difficult course that should be avoided by non-expert golfers.

:: The San Roque Club:
Opened in 1990 and approximately one hour from Málaga, this is one of the most beautiful courses on the European circuit. It was originally designed by Dave Thomas and has eighteen holes - Par 72.

:: Torrequebrada:
One of the most popular courses in the Costa del Sol A very challenging course where correct club selection will prove vital.