Santa Maria Golf
Tucked into a quiet valley in Elviria on the eastern side of Marbella, Santa Maria is a relaxed, mature parkland par 72 of about 6,000 yards. Laid out by Antonio Garcia Garrido and completed to eighteen holes in 1996, it winds through pines, oaks and olive trees toward the sea, and makes an easy, good value round on a Costa del Sol golf trip.
Photo: Santa Maria Golf Club Marbella via Google.
The verdict
Santa Maria is the kind of course that holds a Costa del Sol trip together. It will not headline anyone's bucket list, but few clubs on the coast give a visiting group a more enjoyable, fair and well kept round for the money. Set in its own wooded valley above the Elviria beaches east of Marbella, it has the settled, leafy feel of a course that has had decades to mature, with the Mediterranean glinting beyond the lower holes.
It plays as a par 72 of about 6,000 yards, a length that rewards the placement player rather than the bomber. The front nine carries most of the muscle, with a run of par 5s, while the back is more forgiving and offers chances to recover a card. Pines, cork oaks and olive trees line the fairways, a small stream wanders through the property, and the greens are honest. For buddies trips and couples basing themselves around Marbella, Santa Maria is a dependable, characterful day's golf.
Santa Maria at a glance
- Opened
- 1991, 18 holes 1996
- Designer
- Antonio Garcia Garrido
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,000 yds
- Green fee
- From about 60 EUR (indicative)
Designer, opening history, par and length verified June 2026 from Santa Maria Golf and leading course databases. The club opened as nine holes in 1991, laid out by Antonio Garcia Garrido, and was extended to eighteen in 1996 with the back nine completed by the club's technical team; it now plays as a par 72 of about 6,000 yards from the back tees. Indicative 2026 green fees run from about 60 euros on twilight and low season slots up to about 110 euros in the high season, with early booking discounts; it is open to visitors. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Santa Maria meanders through its valley following the natural contours of the land, so the round has a gentle, unforced rhythm. The outward half is the sterner test, with three par 5s that ask for two well struck shots and a thoughtful layup, and fairways framed tightly enough by mature trees that the driver is not always the right call.
The inward nine eases off, with three par 3s and a clutch of shorter two shotters that give a scrambling player the chance to claw shots back. Water comes into play here and there without ever dominating, and the small stream that crosses the property adds a quiet hazard on a handful of holes. The greens are fair and well conditioned, putting the emphasis on the approach rather than trickery around the cup.
The lower holes open toward the sea, and on a clear day the views down to the Mediterranean are a reminder of where you are. Santa Maria pairs naturally with the bigger names of the Marbella coast, from Rio Real to Los Naranjos, making it an easy and rewarding addition to any Costa del Sol golf itinerary.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members and visitors club, open to the public by tee time |
| Green fee | From about 60 euros on twilight and low season slots up to about 110 euros in the high season, with early booking discounts (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book online or through the golf reception; stay and play packages are common on the coast |
| On the day | Buggies are standard on the Costa del Sol; the clubhouse, range and academy are well kept |
| Getting there | In Elviria, just off the A7 coast road on the eastern side of Marbella, about 30 minutes from Malaga airport |
| Best months | Autumn to spring for the mild Costa del Sol season; summers are hot, so play early |
Access and fee guidance verified June 2026; Costa del Sol rates vary widely by season, so always confirm current pricing and tee time availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers base themselves in Elviria, Marbella or along the surrounding coast, where beach resorts, villas and hotels suit every budget and the dining and nightlife are first class. Santa Maria sits minutes from the Elviria beaches and a short drive from Marbella town, so a base nearby puts dozens of courses within easy reach.
The eastern Marbella coast is one of the densest golf regions in Europe, and Santa Maria slots neatly into a week alongside the great courses of the area. With reliable winter sun and a course for every taste close by, it is a classic, easy going European golf escape.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Marbella.
Build a Costa del Sol golf trip
We pair Santa Maria with the best of the Marbella 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.
Santa Maria questions
Who designed Santa Maria Golf and when did it open?
Santa Maria opened as a nine hole course in 1991, laid out by Antonio Garcia Garrido, and was extended to a full eighteen holes in 1996 with the back nine completed by the club's technical team. It sits in Elviria on the eastern edge of Marbella.
What is the par and length of Santa Maria Golf?
Santa Maria is a par 72 measuring about 6,000 yards from the back tees, a parkland that runs through a valley and rewards placement and a tidy short game over raw length.
How much does it cost to play Santa Maria Golf?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from about 60 euros on twilight and low season slots up to about 110 euros in the high season, with early booking and resident discounts. It is open to visitors. Always confirm current rates before booking.
Where is Santa Maria Golf?
Santa Maria lies in Elviria on the eastern side of Marbella, just off the A7 coast road and about 30 minutes from Malaga airport, surrounded by dozens of the Costa del Sol's best courses.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening history, par and length verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.