Marbella Club Golf Resort
Dave Thomas carved Marbella Club Golf Resort into the hills of Benahavis above the Costa del Sol in 1999, a par 72 of about 6,247 metres that tumbles down contoured fairways with the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and the African coast laid out beyond. It is the resort course attached to the storied Marbella Club hotel, and a strong, scenic addition to any Costa del Sol golf trip.
Photo: Marbella Club Golf Resort via Google, by Kevin Jacobson.
The verdict
Marbella Club Golf Resort is the kind of course that earns its place on a Costa del Sol itinerary on views and variety rather than tournament pedigree. Dave Thomas, the prolific British architect behind The Belfry Brabazon and Spain's own La Manga, routed it through the steep terrain of Benahavis in 1999, and the land does much of the work, dropping and climbing through pine and scrub with the sea filling the horizon on the high holes.
It is not a long or punishing test by modern standards, and the better players in a group will not be stretched off the regular tees, but the fun lies in the elevation changes, the carefully shaped fairways and the constant scenery. Paired with the comfort of the Marbella Club name and an easy drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus, it makes a relaxed, photogenic round on a wider Costa del Sol trip built around the heavier hitters at Valderrama and Finca Cortesin.
Marbella Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1999
- Designer
- Dave Thomas
- Type
- Hillside resort
- Par
- 72
- Length
- About 6,247 m
- Green fee
- From about 100 euros
Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026 from Marbella Club Golf Resort and leading course databases; the course was designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 1999, a par 72 of about 6,247 metres, roughly 6,830 yards. Some databases list it as a par 73, so confirm the card on arrival. Indicative 18 hole green fees start from about 100 euros in the 2026 season and vary by month and tee time. Always confirm current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The character of Marbella Club is set by the land. From the higher tees the course opens up wide panoramas over the Mediterranean toward Gibraltar and the Moroccan coast, and the routing uses the slopes to deliver tee shots that hang in the air and approaches played from awkward, tilting stances. This is target golf shaped by gravity rather than by deep bunkering, and the player who reads the slopes scores well.
Water features, waterfalls and strategically placed bunkers add definition on the gentler stretches, and the greens are generous enough to keep the round flowing for a mixed ability group. It is a course best enjoyed with a buggy given the terrain, and one where the scenery and the easy resort rhythm count for as much as the scorecard.
For the travelling golfer, Marbella Club works as the lighter, more scenic half of a Costa del Sol pairing, a morning of views and elevation before or after a serious examination at Valderrama, La Reserva or Finca Cortesin a short drive along the coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors; tee times bookable in advance through the golf shop or a trip planner |
| Green fee | From about 100 euros for 18 holes, varying by season and time of day (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the busy spring and autumn windows; resort guests and packages often secure preferential rates |
| On the day | A buggy is recommended given the hilly terrain; driving range and practice facilities on site |
| Getting there | Benahavis, about 20 minutes inland from Marbella and Puerto Banus, around an hour from Malaga Airport |
| Best months | March to June and September to November for warm, dry Costa del Sol golf away from the peak summer heat |
Access arrangements and fees verified June 2026; resort policies and rates change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit through the golf shop or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Marbella Club itself, the landmark hotel on the Golden Mile between Marbella and Puerto Banus that gives the course its name, with the wider choice of Marbella and Benahavis hotels and villas a short drive away. It is one of the most comfortable and well connected stretches of the Costa del Sol for a golf trip, with dining, beaches and the marina all close at hand.
From a Marbella base the whole western Costa del Sol is within easy reach, so Marbella Club pairs neatly with Las Brisas, Finca Cortesin and the legendary Valderrama further west toward Sotogrande.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Marbella Club.
Build a Costa del Sol golf trip
We book Marbella Club alongside the best of the Costa del Sol, secure the tee times 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.
Marbella Club questions
Who designed Marbella Club Golf Resort and when did it open?
Marbella Club Golf Resort was designed by Dave Thomas and opened in 1999, laid out in the hills of Benahavis above Marbella on the Costa del Sol.
What is the par and length of Marbella Club Golf Resort?
It plays as a par 72 of about 6,247 metres, roughly 6,830 yards, through contoured hillside fairways. Some databases list it as a par 73, so confirm the card on arrival.
How much does it cost to play Marbella Club Golf Resort?
Indicative green fees start from about 100 euros for 18 holes in 2026, varying by season and time of day. Always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Can visitors play Marbella Club Golf Resort?
Yes. It is a resort course open to visitors, with tee times bookable in advance through the golf shop or a trip planner. Buggies and a driving range are available.
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.