Real Club de Golf Guadalmina

In Marbella, in Málaga province on the Costa del Sol, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina combines two 18-hole courses with a nine-hole Pitch & Putt layout and an extensive practice area. For a golfer planning time in the area, its appeal lies in that range of golf, supported by an academy and a long-established club life.

Guadalmina opened on 12 July 1959. King Juan Carlos I granted its Royal title in 2008, adding the designation Real to a club whose history spans both competitive golf and junior development.

The golf courses

Campo Sur, the South Course, opened in 1959 and was designed by Javier Arana. It has 18 holes, plays to par 72 and is known for its demanding golf.

Campo Norte, the North Course, followed in 1977. Designed by Folco Nardi, it is an 18-hole, par-72 parkland layout. The nine-hole Pitch & Putt course adds a different format and hosts junior events run by the Andalusian golf federation.

Both North and South have bermuda grass, which can change appearance in winter temperatures. This seasonal change in colour is worth bearing in mind when planning a winter visit. The club also carries out micro-aeration to maintain playing quality throughout the year.

Practice and tuition

The golf academy has been part of Guadalmina since its early years. Spanish Open winner Ángel Hidalgo trained here, and junior coaching remains a prominent part of club activity.

Toptracer was introduced at the driving range in 2019. According to the club, Guadalmina was the first venue on the Costa del Sol to install the system. The practice facilities give golfers scope to work on their game alongside playing the courses.

A record of competitive golf

Guadalmina hosted the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2017, when local player Azahara Muñoz won the title. It has also staged national Pitch & Putt competitions, including the Spanish Senior Championship, and national girls’ under-18 events counting towards national and world rankings.

Competition is not confined to those larger occasions. Sunday events take place across the North, South and Pitch & Putt courses, bringing all three layouts into the club’s regular playing calendar.

Dining and life beyond golf

A members-only restaurant opened in 2021, serving tapas, pinchos, fish and meat dishes. On the North Course, a permanent bar beside the ninth and eighteenth greens serves drinks and tapas.

Members’ social and sporting facilities also include tennis, padel, croquet, bridge, a gym and a swimming pool. Together with the restaurant and academy, these give Guadalmina a broader club setting beyond its golf courses.