English Golf Courses

Golf in Costa De La Luz

There are eight provinces that make up the Andalucian region of Spain, two of which form the Costa de le Luz, Cadiz and Huelva. The Costa de la Luz, known as the Coast of Light, is the western part of the coastline that faces out onto the Atlantic.

The Sanlucar de Barrameda boasts golden, sandy beaches that overlook the River Guadalquivir and Donana National Park. Further south, around the small villages of Chipiona and Rota, are yet more beaches.

The town of El Puerto de Santa Maria is famous for its strong of restaurants serving succulent seafood that always goes down the well with a glass of the local vintage. Cadiz, in fact, has a remarkable history.

At one time it was the capital of Spain and you can still see the buildings of the merchants, the 18th century cathedral, the old quarter, the San Felipe Neri, which housed the Spanish parliament when it approved the 1812 Constitution, and the Santa Cueva Chapel with its paintings by Goya.

Chiclana has beautiful beaches and is also notable for its extensive salt flats. Just off the coast is the island of Sancti Petri with its 13th century castle. This is where the golf buzz will really kick in, and where better than the Seve Ballesteros-designed course at Novo Sancti Petri. The sixth hole on Seve's design is perhaps the most spectacular, finishing on an undulating green above the broad, sandy beach.

For the rest there are water hazards, loops which trace their course among thick strands of pine trees and open stretches where the golfer will feel encouraged to open the shoulders and give the driver a good testing. Costa Ballena, designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, is only 30 minutes up the coast and is well worth the green fee. The course runs along the coastline and has a links-type feel to it, so Scots will feel right at home.

The Montecastillo course, the work of the great Jack Nicklaus, is further inland and has hosted the Volvo Masters on the European Tour among other great competitions. In typical Nicklaus design, the course has large lakes and bunkers which protect top-quality greens. The view from the 18th tee out across the course and away to Jerez in the distance is quite spectacular. Huelva is the second of the two provinces in Costa de la Luz.

It was in this province that the first game of golf was played in Spain, by British mining engineers at the Rio Tinto mines. The makeshift course they built was moved several times until it was sited on what is now the nine-hole Corta Atalaya layout. The province now boasts an additional five courses at Bellavista, Islantilla, Dunas de Donana, Isla Canela and Nuevo Portil. Isla Canela is located as far west as you can go before crossing the border into to Portugal.

Islantilla is a 27-hole course design that borders the Atlantic and therefore boasts tremendous views. Nuevo Portil is a rolling course with splendid sea views over immense, dune beaches and will bring a smile to the face of any ardent golfer. Bellavista is Huelva's is second oldest golf club and was established in 1976.

A round of golf here is a privilege as many holes are littered with umbrella pines, which protect you from the blazing sun. This is particular region of Andalucia is perfect for the travelling golfer. Click on one of the tour operators at the side of this page and book your Costa de le Luz adventure now.