Oliva Nova
Designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 1995, Oliva Nova is a flat, water laced course beside the beach at Oliva, between Valencia and Alicante on the Costa Blanca. A par 72 of about 6,350 metres with water in play on fifteen of its eighteen holes, it is widely rated among the finest of all Seve's designs and the centrepiece of a relaxed beach and golf resort.
Photo: Club de Golf Oliva Nova via Google.
The verdict
Oliva Nova is Severiano Ballesteros at his most strategic. The great Spaniard designed it on flat, reclaimed ground beside the beach at Oliva, halfway between Valencia and Alicante, and opened it in 1995. With little natural contour to work with, Seve built the challenge from water, bunkering and clever shaping, and the result is consistently rated among the very best of his many course designs.
It is a par 72 of about 6,350 metres in a links style mould, open to the sea breeze and laced with lakes and canals that come into play on fifteen of the eighteen holes. That makes accuracy and course management essential, even though the flat terrain keeps the walk gentle. As the centrepiece of a beach and golf resort on the Costa Blanca, it offers excellent value and a real test in a holiday setting.
Oliva Nova at a glance
- Opened
- 1995
- Designer
- Severiano Ballesteros
- Type
- Links style
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,350 m
- Green fee
- From about 60 EUR (indicative)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Club de Golf Oliva Nova and leading course databases. Oliva Nova was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 1995, a par 72 of about 6,350 metres. The indicative 2026 green fee is from about 60 euros for 18 holes, with lower promotional and twilight rates available; it is a resort course open to visitors. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Oliva Nova plays in a links style across flat, open ground beside the Mediterranean, where the wind is the first defence and water is the second. Ballesteros set lakes and canals into the routing so cleverly that they threaten fifteen of the eighteen holes, turning a course with little elevation into a constant exercise in judgement and nerve.
The premium is on accuracy and smart positioning rather than length, because a fraction off line finds the water rather than a forgiving rough. The greens are well guarded and true, and the par 3s in particular demand a confident, well flighted iron when the sea breeze gets up. It is a thinking golfer's course dressed as a holiday resort layout.
With the beach and the resort never far away, the round has a relaxed, sunlit feel even as the water keeps the scorecard honest. Oliva Nova rewards the player who plays within themselves and respects the hazards, and it makes an excellent and affordable centrepiece for a Costa Blanca golf and beach trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors and resort guests by tee time |
| Green fee | From about 60 euros for 18 holes, with promotional and twilight rates lower (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book online or through the resort; stay and play packages combine golf with the beach hotel |
| On the day | Flat, easy walking with buggies available; the resort has extensive beach and leisure facilities |
| Getting there | At Oliva on the Costa Blanca, about an hour from both Valencia and Alicante airports |
| Best months | Autumn to spring for the mild Costa Blanca season; summers are hot, so play early |
Access and fee guidance verified June 2026; resort rates vary by season, so always confirm current pricing and tee time availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers stay at the Oliva Nova Beach and Golf Resort itself, which puts the course, the beach and the hotel within a few steps of each other, or in the wider Costa Blanca resorts between Valencia and Alicante. It is an easy region for a family friendly golf and beach holiday.
Oliva Nova pairs well with the other courses of the Valencia and Costa Blanca coast for a varied trip, and the city of Valencia, with its food, architecture and culture, makes a tempting addition. Reliable sunshine and gentle prices make this an underrated golf destination.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Oliva.
Build a Costa Blanca golf trip
We pair Oliva Nova with the best of the Valencia and Costa Blanca courses, secure the tee times and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Oliva Nova questions
Who designed Oliva Nova and when did it open?
Oliva Nova was designed by Severiano Ballesteros, with Francisco Lopez Segales, and opened in 1995 beside the beach at Oliva on the Costa Blanca, between Valencia and Alicante.
What is the par and length of Oliva Nova?
Oliva Nova is a par 72 of about 6,350 metres in a links style, played on flat ground with water in play on fifteen of its eighteen holes.
How much does it cost to play Oliva Nova?
The indicative 2026 green fee is from about 60 euros for 18 holes, with lower promotional and twilight rates. It is a resort course open to visitors. Always confirm current rates before booking.
Is Oliva Nova a difficult course?
It is flat and easy to walk, but the wind and the water on fifteen holes make accuracy essential, so it rewards smart course management over raw length. It is regarded as one of the best Ballesteros designs.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.