Valderrama Golf is one of the most challenging courses on the coast, Valderrama has hosted the Ryder Cup and the World Golf Championship It is one of the toughest tests in Europe and rated as Europe's No 1 course. Immaculate fairways, notoriously difficult par 5s, super fast greens, everything about this course is stunning. (Par: 71, 6234 metres)

Sotogrande has been voted No. 5 course in Europe. It has established trees of cork oak, pine, eucalyptus and palm. Water also plays an important part, affecting play on the majority of the back nine. The greens are large and the bunkers were the first in Europe to be filled with brilliant white crushed marble. It was the first golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones in Europe. (6298 metres Par: 72)

La Reserva Golf Club is a long course with wide, undulating fairways and large well-guarded greens. The greens are often multi-level with slopes and speed to deal with. There are great views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding mountains. A computerised irrigation system ensures the course is always presented in perfect condition. Water hazards are a feature of the course and are found on six holes. 6700 metres

San Roque Old Course is acknowledged for its challenge throughout Europe. The course's tight, sloping fairways are lined by mature cork oak trees, and demand straight, accurate driving. Strategic bunker placement and deceptive water hazards threaten all but the most precise approach shots. The greens are fast, contoured and true, rewarding well-judged putts and punishing anything else. (Par: 72 - 6494 metres)

San Roque New Course, an undulating parkland layout that can be precise and dramatic. Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros have designed a serious challenge that will test your short game. The course is exposed to the wind, large greens are often protected by spectacular mounds and some sharply focused nests of bunkers. (6497 metres, Par: 72)

Los Flamingos, designed by Antonio Garcia Garrido is characterised by its carefully conserved landscaping, with a large variety of trees and beautiful views of the Mediterranean. The greens are generously sized, fairways are somewhat narrower on the front nine, where more precision is required than on the back nine. (5,906 metres, Par 72)

El Cortesin Golf Club at Casares has views over the Mediterranean and the African coastline and a great variety of natural vegetation including olive trees and corks. Designed by Cabell Robinson it is nearly 7000 metres from the back tees, becoming one of the longest courses in Europe. There are five par 3’s, eight par 4’s and five par 5’s.

Santa Clara is a flat parkland course that blends dramatically into the rugged terrain. Water comes into play on many holes, including some challenging drives. A huge river swirls across the whole golf course and there are plenty of lakes. The small lake around the 18th green provides a stunning setting. From the greens and fairways you have spectacular panoramic views of the sea and mountains. (5878 metres, Par 71)

Santana Golf is technically demanding, the unique design of each hole gives a continuous challenge. The greens are well protected by bunkers and there are many water hazards. It will challenge every golfer and you will use of every golf club in the bag. The longest hole measures 595 metres from the back tees with the river coming into play. (6300 metres, Par:72)

El Paraiso, an excellent Gary Player design. There are ocean views and a backdrop of dramatic mountains. The setting is incomparable, lush fairways are punctuated by meandering streams, flanked by palm trees and an abundance of exotic fauna, including oleander, jacaranda and mimosas.

Los Naranjos is a classic Robert Trent Jones Senior design with wide fairways, strategically placed hazards and large undulating greens that are firm and fast. One of his design concepts is “easy bogey-difficult par” so course management is all important. (6437 metres, Par 72).

Almenara has 27 holes always in immaculate condition and superb greens. The fairways run through cork oaks and wild pines accompanied by several meandering streams and natural lakes. The setting is one of the finest on the Costa del Sol and only 500 metres from Valderrama. Each course is different with a mixture of undulating fairways, deep bunkers and several water hazards making this a challenge for even the most accomplished golfer.

Monte Mayor is in the mountains of Benhavis behind Marbella. It is a spectacular course in quiet surroundings, an extremely challenging golf course. There are blind tee shots, steep ravines (you need to hit the green on the par 3 third!), terraced fairways, each hole has its own characteristics. As the course is so difficult the local rules are lenient, lost ball are considered to be in a side water hazard. There are spectacular views over the mountains and sea.

Santa Maria traces the contours of two valleys in the beautiful Sierra Andalucia. There are streams, four lakes and local vegetation to provide natural hazards. The greens are generally spacious, the fairways always in good condition and most of the tees are elevated. Amongst the most spectacular holes is the seventh where the green is surrounded by bunkers and the eleventh where a lake and waterfall border the green.

Alcaidesa Links Golf Club, offers players a unique and unforgettable experience, it is the only links course in the South of Spain, and the most Southern in Europe. It has magnificent views of Gibraltar and the Atlas Mountains of North Africa. Gorse, heather, sand dunes, ponds and deep bunkers make Alcidesa very reminiscent of some Scottish courses - only warmer! (5846 metres, par 72)

La Cala Golf has three 18-hole courses. Asia Course is hilly but relatively short. Both the fairways and smallish greens are well bunkered, and the majority of the tee shots, many of which are quite dramatic to comfortably wide landing areas, are either downhill or level. This is an exciting course that puts a premium on the approach shot. America course is also hilly and a slightly easier driving course than the Asia but requires accurate and well-judged shot-making on the approach as nearly three quarters of the greens are perched or slightly elevated. (Par 73, 6175 metres) Europa has fairways that are generous from the tees and the greens are slightly larger than on the other courses. They are not severely contoured but are well bunkered. The Europa is different because of the river Ojen – the other courses are in the hills. (Par 71, 6014 metres)

La Quinta is in the heart of the Marbella's Golf valley with panoramic views of the mountain and the coastline. It has narrow fairways, fast greens guarded by deep bunkers, many trees and water hazards. It is a hilly course that requires accuracy and stamina! (27 holes, 5913 metres, Par 72)

Atalaya Old Course is at Estepona and has magnificent views of Gibraltar and North Africa. The condition is excellent with manicured wide fairways and large greens. The greens are elevated, sharply contoured and quick. The course is mainly flat parkland but testing with many bunkers. It is surrounded by eucalyptus and olive trees, tall pines and luxurious vegetation, all adding their own punishment for inaccurate shots.

Marbella Golf has steep ravines and does not allow for any lapse in concentration even to enjoy the superb, panoramic views. It is home of some of the finest holes in the south of Spain and has a club house where the food is second to none. (5953 Metres, Par 72)

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club is set amongst the Ronda Hills, it was designed by Seve Ballesteros and is an imaginative course that will appeal to attacking golfers, and will reward bold strokes. The main focus is on accuracy and direction rather than length so club selection is important. The setting is tranquil and there are wonderful views down to the Mediterranean. (5843 metres, Par: 72)

Cabopino Golf layout is short but offers a stiff challenge with lakes affecting 4 holes and has superb views over the Mediterranean and the surrounding mountains. The signature hole must be the 3rd (288m par 4). It is quite breath taking, with the tee box cut into the cliff face, the fairway is almost 200m below with an elevated green protected by a large front bunker. (5170 Metres, Par 71)

La Duquesa was designed by Robert Trent Jones and established in 1985, La Duquesa winds around El Hacho beacon hill with magnificent views over the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and to Africa. The demanding course requires accurate driving and concentration. The 8th par 3 is only 125m long but has a drop of 30m! (6142metres, Par:72)

La Canada is by architect Robert Trent Jones, who also designed Valderrama, it was extended by Dave Thomas. On high ground in Guadiaro next to Valderrama, it has excellent views. The greens are immaculate with subtle borrows; there is substantial woodland, the ravine (Cañada) on the 18th gives the course takes its name. The terrain is not flat but the slopes are gentle, it can be windy. (5235 metres, Par:71)

Dona Julia was designed by the famed Spanish architect Antonio Garcia Garrido. It has large, beautifully manicured greens. The front 9 is longer, flat and testing, winding between trees, lakes and rivers while the back 9 has a gentle incline, and is close to the sea. Incredible views of the sea and the mountains make the Doña Julia golf course a really spectacular stage on which to enjoy the game of golf. (5976 metres Par: 71)