Golf on the Costa Blanca: great courses, green fees, beginners and the good life

With nearly 300 days of sunshine, around thirty courses within an hour of each other, and greens shaped by legends, the Costa Blanca ranks among Europe's great golf destinations. Whether you want a par 71 rated one of the continent's best or a relaxed late-afternoon round, here is the complete guide to playing, improving and living golf across Alicante province.

The Costa Blanca's great courses

Alicante province packs in a rare density of courses, from technical layouts to family resorts. A few essential signatures stand out.

Green fees follow a local logic that surprises newcomers: high season runs from January to May and again from September to December (the ideal climate), while summer (June to August) is low season, hotter and therefore cheaper. As a rough guide, expect around 120 to 160 euros for a premium course like Las Colinas in high season, 60 to 100 euros for the major courses, and noticeably less for twilight rounds (end of day) or in summer. Exact prices are booked online, through the courses' own websites or specialist platforms.

A history, and some signatures

Golf here is no veneer, it is a story more than half a century old. The first course opened on the Orihuela Costa, and Villamartín became Alicante's first federated club as early as 1972. The real takeoff came with the tourism boom of the 1990s and 2000s: the Association of Golf Courses of the Costa Blanca and Comunitat Valenciana (ACGCBCV) was created in 1992 and lifted the region to international reference status for golf tourism. Today golf's economic impact in the Comunitat Valenciana is estimated at 918 million euros a year, more than 10,000 jobs and half a million overnight stays.

On the signature side, the region has landed the biggest names: Severiano Ballesteros (Alicante Golf), Jack Nicklaus (Villaitana), Cabell B. Robinson and Pepe Gancedo. It is also a winter training ground for many European professionals, who come to sharpen their game while northern Europe sits under rain.

Where to get kitted out

There are three routes for equipment and clothing.

• Club pro shops: every major course has its own shop, ideal for advice, trying clubs and picking up any forgotten small kit before a round.
• Big sports retailers: Decathlon has a well-stocked golf section in its stores across the province (Alicante, Elche, Benidorm), perfect for starting out without breaking the bank.
• Specialist shops and online: for custom fitting, high-end brands and good deals, specialist retailers and online shops round out the offer.

2026 competitions and events

Competitive life is run by the Federación de Golf de la Comunitat Valenciana (GOLF CV), whose 2026 calendar stops at courses across the province: amateur Circuito CV tours, youth Circuito Xiquets events and championships by category. Beyond the federation, most clubs organise open competitions (medal, stableford, scrambles) and pro-ams throughout the year, often open to anyone with just a licence and a handicap. The simplest approach: check the federation's calendar and your club's noticeboard to spot open events in the coming weeks.

Playing, even as a beginner

You do not need a champion's swing to start. Almost every major course has a golf school and a practice range, with taster courses and private lessons. To play more cheaply, aim for twilight rates and mid-week offers, noticeably gentler than weekends.

On the admin side, keep two things separate: the handicap and the licence. The handicap now follows the global WHS (World Handicap System), which makes it portable. In practice, a handicap held with a home union such as England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf or Golf Wales, or a USGA handicap from the United States, is recognised in Spain, because these are all WHS-affiliated systems that replaced the old national ones. To play in competitions and be insured, you need a Spanish federal licence (licencia RFEG), which your club issues for a few dozen euros a year, insurance included. In short: you can play tomorrow with your home handicap, and sort out a Spanish licence once you settle in at a club.

Golf as a way of life

Here, golf is also a lifestyle. The coast is dotted with golf residences, urbanisations built around a course, where you buy a villa or flat with the greens as your garden, often with a clubhouse, restaurant and spa. Golf and wellness resorts (Villaitana, La Sella, Las Colinas and its country club) combine course, hotel and treatments: the ideal address for hosting guests or treating yourself to a weekend without leaving the region. And as everywhere, the course remains a discreet, effective place to network: plenty of deals get struck between holes, on the Costa Blanca as elsewhere.

Practical tips

• The season. Spring and autumn are ideal; winter stays very playable and mild. In summer, play early morning or late afternoon to dodge the heat, and make the most of the low rates.
• Dress code. Classic golf attire is expected (collared polo shirt, shorts or trousers, golf shoes); jeans and vest tops are generally turned away on serious courses.
• Booking. Book your tee time online, especially in high season and at weekends: morning slots go fast.
• Your handicap. Bring your licence and your home handicap certificate; since WHS is international, you will play without any trouble, and you can take out a Spanish licence once you have settled in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best course on the Costa Blanca?

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, in Orihuela Costa, is the reference: repeatedly voted Spain's best course and ranked in Europe's top 100. Villaitana (Benidorm), designed by Jack Nicklaus, and La Finca (Algorfa) are also among the must-plays.

When is it cheapest to play?

In summer (June to August), the local low season because of the heat, and through twilight (end of day) or mid-week rates. High season, which is more expensive, runs from September to May.

Is my home handicap valid in Spain?

Yes. The handicap follows the global WHS system, so a handicap from England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf, the USGA or any other WHS-affiliated body is recognised. For competition and insurance, get a Spanish federal licence through your club, for a few dozen euros a year.

Can you take up golf on the Costa Blanca?

Absolutely: most major courses have a school, a practice range and taster courses. Twilight and mid-week rates let you play more cheaply while you learn.

Sources

• Association of Golf Courses of the Costa Blanca (ACGCBCV), golfcostablanca.org
• Federación de Golf de la Comunitat Valenciana (GOLF CV), golfcv.com
• Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, lascolinasgolf.com
• Green fees of Costa Blanca courses, golfinspain.com/golf-courses/costa-blanca/green-fees.html

Information verified in July 2026. Prices, calendars and access conditions change: always check with the course or federation before booking. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human editorial review and responsibility.