7 Nights, 4 Rounds
Perched up in the Benahavís hills, La Zagaleta is about as far from a busy Costa del Sol tee sheet as you can get. The climb up is part of the experience: cooler air, the scent of wild herbs and cork oak and a proper mountain quiet once you arrive. Most days the only noise is the strike of a ball and the occasional call of a hoopoe. This is one of Europe's most exclusive enclaves, a sanctuary where high-stakes architecture meets raw, rugged mountain beauty in a way that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else in Marbella.
The estate is home to two stunning golf courses: the Old Course and the New Course. Access is tightly managed, so if you're visiting as a non-member you'll usually need it arranged in advance through approved channels. Both demand precision over power, with dramatic elevation changes, tight fairways and strategic bunkering that punish wayward shots. The New Course in particular rewards course management and shot-shaping, threading through cork oak groves and offering sweeping views across the Mediterranean. On clear days you can often see North Africa. This is golf for players who relish technical challenges and appreciate the theatre of mountain terrain.
La Zagaleta is the antidote to the crowded fairways of the Golf Valley. It suits small groups of discerning players or couples who want world-class golf wrapped in absolute privacy, with the option to dip into the glamour of Puerto Banús before retreating back into the clouds. Wildlife spotting, mountain solitude and service that feels effortless rather than showy complete the picture.
If La Zagaleta is on your wish list, it's worth planning early so tee times and transfers are locked in around your dates.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want Marbella proximity without the Golf Valley crowds and don't mind paying for privacy and service done properly. Couples or small groups who prefer discreet luxury and mountain calm, with Puerto Banús close enough for a night out.
Who is it best for?
Confident players who enjoy shaping shots, picking smart targets and handling uneven lies and elevation changes. Anyone building a special trip round in Spain where access and atmosphere matter as much as the scorecard.
7 Nights, 4 Rounds
We’ve got it all covered!
We have included everything that you need for a perfect golf trip including flights and a golf bag.
7 Nights, 5 Rounds
The New Course offers a starkly different but equally compelling challenge. It feels more intimate, carved into the hills with a focus on shot-making and course management.
The transition between holes provides panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean, while the signature bunkering and clever use of water hazards ensure you are mentally engaged from the first tee to the final putt. The firm, fast-running turf provides a consistent surface that rewards the "cerebral" golfer who knows when to attack and when to play for safety.
| Par | 70 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Jonathan Gaunt, Steve Marnoch |
| Opened for play | 2005 |
| White | 5,391 metres |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 5,159 metres |
| Blue | 4,717 metres |
| Red | 4,351 metres |
The Old Course, a 1991 masterpiece by Bradford Benz, underwent a meticulous redesign by Marc Westenborg to sharpen its teeth while preserving its natural soul. It is a layout that demands respect; the fairways meander through deep valleys where the cork trees stand like silent sentinels.
Precision is the currency here, especially when navigating the undulating greens that are kept in tournament-ready condition year-round.
The Old Course is exclusively available to members.
| Par | 72 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Bradford Benz, Marc Westenborg |
| Opened for play | 1991 |
| White | 6,010 metres | SSS 71.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 5,693 metres | SSS 70.3 |
| Blue | 5,237 metres | SSS 73.2 |
| Red | 4,834 metres | SSS 70.8 |
James
✓31 Oct 2026
Outstanding. A hugely memorable and enjoyable day.
Stephen
✓26 Oct 2026
Superb course - too hard for some of our group so will remove from our picks next year
Shawn
✓26 Oct 2026
Insane views, incredible to sculpt a golf course in this terrain. Not easy, tight, fast greens, narrow fairways, elevation changes - but made for a dramatic round of golf!
Antony
✓22 Oct 2026
Serge
✓21 Oct 2026
We were called in after just 2 holes due to a thunderstorm and torrential rains. Course was closed for the day then but we were given vouchers. This is a high end resort and the course looks amazing and in fantastic conditions
Simon
✓30 Sep 2026
A different challenge but we all enjoyed the course set up at zagelata
Chris
✓19 Sep 2026
Amazing golf course.
Nigel
✓25 Jun 2026
Probably my favorite golf course ever. What a spectacular place. Unfortunately the greens had been top dressed with sand! didnt spoil the day
michael
✓25 Jun 2026
very hard course for high handicappers , but a must play
Scott
✓30 May 2026
