Guadalmina Sur
Javier Arana laid out the South Course at Real Club de Golf Guadalmina in 1959, one of the founding courses of Costa del Sol golf. A par 72 of about 6,082 metres through mature palms and pines, it asks for placement over power and finishes with holes that tumble down toward the Mediterranean a short drive west of Marbella.
Photo: Real Club de Golf Guadalmina via Google.
The verdict
Guadalmina Sur is a classic of the Costa del Sol, an early Javier Arana design that opened in 1959 and still ranks among the most enjoyable resort rounds on the coast. Arana, Spain's most revered golden age architect, routed a par 72 of about 6,082 metres through a grove of palms, pines and eucalyptus, the fairways narrow and shaded, the greens of generous classical proportion.
It is not the longest or the most dramatic course in the Marbella cluster, and it does not need to be. The pleasure here is the strategy: tee shots that must find the right side of tree lined fairways, approaches that reward the player who can work the ball, and a downhill run of closing holes that opens to sea views as you near San Pedro. With its sister North Course next door and Puerto Banus minutes away, Guadalmina makes an easy, characterful addition to any Costa del Sol trip.
Guadalmina Sur at a glance
- Opened
- 1959
- Designer
- Javier Arana
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,082 m
- Green fee
- From 155 euros
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from Real Club de Golf Guadalmina and leading course databases: a Javier Arana parkland design opened in 1959, par 72 of about 6,082 metres. Indicative 2026 visitor green fees on the South Course start from around 155 euros and vary by season and tee time; always confirm current rates directly before booking. Visitors are welcome outside members' priority times.
The holes worth the trip
The South Course shows its age in the best sense: it is a thinking golfer's layout where the trees are the principal defense. Arana set fairways that lean and dogleg between mature palms and pines, so the tee shot is rarely a simple matter of hitting it hard. Find the wrong side and the trees block the angle in; find the right side and the green opens up for a clean approach.
The greens are the other classical pleasure, full sized and gently contoured rather than tricked up, rewarding committed iron play and clean striking. The par 3s are varied and well bunkered, and the par 5s tempt the bold to take on the trees for a chance at the green in two. Course management beats brute force at every turn.
The run for home is the signature sequence, several holes dropping gently toward the coast with the Mediterranean glittering beyond San Pedro de Alcantara. It is a relaxed, scenic finish to a round that rewards patience and placement, and a fine illustration of why Arana's work is so admired on this coast. Pair it with nearby Los Naranjos or Rio Real for a varied Marbella day.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visitors on the South and North courses outside members' priority times |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 visitor rate from about 155 euros on the South Course, varying by season and tee time; confirm before booking |
| Booking | Reserve tee times in advance through the golf reception, especially in the spring and autumn high seasons |
| On the day | Buggies available; smart golf attire expected; the parkland turf walks comfortably |
| Getting there | San Pedro de Alcantara, just west of Marbella, about 50 minutes from Malaga airport and minutes from Puerto Banus |
| Best months | Year round golf; March to May and September to November are the most comfortable for play |
Access arrangements and indicative fees verified June 2026; policies and prices change, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Guadalmina sits in one of the most golf rich corners of the Costa del Sol, with San Pedro de Alcantara, Puerto Banus and central Marbella all within a short drive and packed with hotels, dining and the wider attractions of the coast. Most visiting golfers base themselves around Marbella or Puerto Banus for the easiest access to the cluster of courses here.
It is an ideal region to build a multi course trip around, pairing Guadalmina with the other classics of the Marbella golf coast. We can arrange the lodging, the tee times and the order of play to suit your group.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Guadalmina.
Build a Costa del Sol golf trip
We book the Guadalmina tee times, pair them with the best of the Marbella coast and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Guadalmina Sur questions
Who designed Guadalmina Sur and when did it open?
The South Course at Real Club de Golf Guadalmina was designed by the great Spanish architect Javier Arana and opened in 1959, making it one of the earliest and most admired courses on the Costa del Sol.
What is the par and length of Guadalmina Sur?
Guadalmina Sur is a par 72 of about 6,082 metres, a classic parkland layout of tree lined fairways that places a premium on accuracy and shot shaping rather than raw length.
Where is Guadalmina Sur?
The course sits at San Pedro de Alcantara, just west of Marbella on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, a short drive from Puerto Banus and within easy reach of the wider Marbella golf coast.
Can visitors play Guadalmina Sur?
Yes. Guadalmina welcomes visitors on both its South and North courses outside members' priority times. Tee times should be booked in advance, and indicative 2026 green fees start from around 155 euros depending on season.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.