The Costa del Sol earned its nickname the Costa del Golf for good reason: more than 70 courses are packed into the stretch between Malaga and Sotogrande, many of them within a short drive of Marbella, Estepona, and Benahavis. The mild climate means play is possible virtually year-round, with winter often preferred by visiting golfers avoiding the summer heat further north in Europe.

Around Benahavis, Los Flamingos and La Quinta offer dramatic, hillside layouts with sea views from several holes, while further west, Valderrama near Sotogrande remains one of the most storied courses in continental Europe, having hosted the Ryder Cup. Closer to the coast, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina and Estepona Golf provide more traditional, tree-lined rounds with easy access from villas along the New Golden Mile.

For guests planning a golf-focused stay, it's worth choosing a villa within a short drive of two or three courses rather than committing to a single club, since tee times and course conditions vary through the week. Many of KAY Management's properties in Estepona and Benahavis sit within fifteen minutes of half a dozen highly rated courses, making it easy to build a varied itinerary around the game.