Golf on the Costa Blanca

Spain has over 50 million visitors per year, and while the country has so much to offer in terms of its fantastic climate, breath-taking architecture and exquisite food and wine, it’s no secret that the golf here is pretty good too. In fact Spain is one of Europe’s foremost golfing destinations and was one of the first European countries to come up with the golfing package holiday. There are now over 300 golf courses in Spain offering a range of courses to suit anyone from the keen beginner to the golfing pro.
Of course with any holiday sometimes it can be hard to find activities which don’t end up blowing your budget, and golf isn’t the cheapest of pastimes. However a clever man in Costa Blanca, Mike Probert, came up with the notion of Green Fees which meant that organising accommodation, transport and your golf could all be booked together from the comfort of your own home. The golf courses that participate offer great discounts making golfing holidays far more affordable and taking away the stress and hassle of trying to organise golfing days once you arrive at your holiday destination.

The stunning Costa Blanca, with its 200 odd kilometres of spectacular coastline offers a wealth of fantastic golf courses, what better way to spend your holiday then brushing up on your swing and strolling through the rolling greens with the Mediterranean sea breeze in your hair?
If you just fancy a shorter course which still challenges, Javea has a superb 9 holer. This well laid out course is ideal for playing in the summer heat as is relatively flat and planted with a pretty scattering of local flora. For those who fancy a full game Denia is the place to go with an 18 hole course designed by major championship winner Jose Maria Olazabal. Less than 30km away is the pretty town of Oliva which is home to a course designed by the illustrious Severiano Ballesteros. Another stunner is the 9 holer in nearby Moraira. The course boasts well-kept greens and fairways lined by palm trees, pine trees and sweet smelling orange trees. Although it has only 9 holes, if you go a second time around, many of the holes are played from different tees so it practically feels like an 18 hole course.

If you are staying nearer Ifach then you’ll find a great course right in between Moraira and Calpe. Again only a 9 holer, this 3,540 metre course is set in a gorgeous valley. If you like to brush shoulders with the rich and famous it offers views of some of the most impressive properties in the Moraira area, the Penon de Ifach and the glistening blue Mediterranean. Don’t be fooled though, this course is not for the faint hearted as is littered with numerous obstacles. On average a par 60, even the most practiced golfers have commented on the challenges of this course.

La Sella is another popular golfing area, and here you will find an 18 hole course which was first opened in 1991 and designed by Juan de la Cuadra. The course offers many great facilities including a putting green, driving range, restaurants, buggy hire, clubhouse, changing rooms, showers, sauna, club hire, pro shop, and tuition. However, be warned, recent reviews of the course have not been positive with people commenting that it is unusually expensive and has not been well maintained.  
Golf club Don Cayo, located at the base of the Sierra Bernia mountains, is another charming 9 hole course. Why not make a day of it and while you’re there and take a trip to the coastal resort of Altea with its old town seeped in history and huddled around the magnificent white stone church? Designed by well-known architects Pedro Barber and Gregorio Sands this little course is a tough 72 par.
If it’s a view you are after then head to the Villaitana Levante. This Championship course is relatively new, opened in 2005 and designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is an impressive 6,612 metres in length with narrow fairways and well protected greens. The real treat of playing this course is the uninterrupted views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Finestrat, and because the course is not located within any urban development you can relish in playing your game entirely surrounded by nature.

Summary

The Costa Blanca is the ultimate golf lovers’ holiday destination. With a wealth of spectacular golf courses across its 200 km Mediterranean coastline it offers everything the discerning golfer needs. There are challenging 9 hole courses to tough 18 holers, all equipped with great facilities. The area caters for golfers at all levels from beginners to the most advanced and have everything from buggy hire to great clubhouses to relax in after your game. And let’s not forget the surroundings, with many of the courses set in picturesque valleys or offering spectacular views across the glittering azure sea. If it’s a fantastic golfing experience you’re after, the Costa Blanca really is the place to go!