El Paraiso
The course, designed by Gary Player, is playable for all levels but filled with clever challenges that reward good strategy. Wide fairways give you confidence off the tee, while approach shots demand precision to hold the large, subtly contoured greens. Streams and lakes are woven naturally into the layout and come into play on several holes. A highlight is the par-5 16th, a downhill dogleg where long hitters can risk carrying the water for a chance at birdie, while safer play requires three well-placed shots to reach the green. Other memorable holes include the par-3 6th, played over a pond to a shallow target, and the 9th, which finishes right by the clubhouse terrace perfect for watching golfers complete their round. Throughout your game, you’ll enjoy the tranquility of the valley, with views of the mountains and glimpses of the sea.
Chaparral
Chaparral Golf Club, designed by Pepe Gancedo and opened in 2005, is unique on the Costa del Sol as the only course featuring six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s. This distinctive layout stretches between 5,800 and 6,000 meters, offering both variety and challenge in equal measure. The course winds through a beautiful Mediterranean pine forest, just 700 meters from the sea, so you’ll often enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean shimmering through the trees. From the tee, wide fairways encourage confident drives, but the natural undulations and narrow corridors between the pines demand accuracy and smart shot-making. Water hazards and well-placed bunkers create subtle risk-and-reward decisions throughout the round, while the greens are consistently praised for their smoothness and excellent condition. One of the most striking features is the dramatic routing the rolling terrain delivers holes that flow through quiet forest glades, with sea views appearing at key vantage points.
Guadalhorce
Real Club Guadalhorce Golf is an exceptional 18-hole course just 10 minutes from Malaga city and only 5 minutes from the airport. Originally opened in 1989 on the historic Cortijo Colmenares estate, it was designed by Finnish architect Kosti Kuronen and later revamped in 2007 by Miguel Ángel Jiménez. The layout has two distinct personalities. The front nine plays like a classic English parkland course, with gently rolling terrain, mature olive trees, and subtle rises on holes 1 and 5. Fairways feel generous off the tee, but fast, spacious greens and occasional out-of-bounds demand accuracy on approach shots. By contrast, the back nine shifts to a more modern, American-style design, with elevated greens, varied fairway contours, and water hazards coming into play on holes 10, 11, 14, 16, and 17. The greens here are slick and undulating, rewarding precise putting and smart strategy.
