Visit the Costa del Sol for golf's biggest match in 2023

Inspired by Team Europe’s dramatic win at the 2021 Solheim Cup? Head to the Costa del Sol in 2023 to see all the action up close and personal with the world’s best golfers. Of course, as the region with the highest concentration of golf courses in Spain, you could also play a few rounds of your own while you are there!

The 2023 Solheim Cup

After Catriona Matthew's side made it back-to-back Solheim Cup victories and claimed just their second win on American Soil by winning 15-13 at The Inverness Golf Club in Ohio; The Solheim Cup will next head back to Europe and the Costa del Sol.

The host course in question for 2023 is the fabulous Finca Cortesin Resort that lies in the heart of the Costa del Sol in an idyllic location between Marbella and Sotogrande, home to one of the best golf courses to have arrived on the European golfing scene in recent years. Just a little over 2 years after opening for play in 2007, this Cabell B Robinson classic was recognised on the world stage when it was awarded the Volvo World Matchplay Championship, a tournament it hosted on two further occasions in 2011 and 2012.

Of course, it goes without saying that Finca Cortesin will be closed for play to the general public when the USA and Europe square off in 2023, but with over 70 golfer courses in the Costa del Sol alone, and over 120 in total in the region of Andalucia, combining watching the best players in the world with some golf of your own at is very much on the cards.

With such depth all across the southern coast of Spain, there’s something to suit every taste, handicap and budget.

The Best of The Rest

Those looking to sample the best golf courses in the Costa del Sol while attending The 2023 Solheim Cup will be pleased to hear that the likes of Sotogrande GC, San Roque, La Reserva, and of course Valderrama are all part of the “best in the Costa del Sol” conversation, and all are within a 30-minute drive of Finca Cortesin.

Both San Roque and Real Club de Sotogrande are home to 36 holes apiece and have been offering visiting golfers some of the best quality golf in all of Spain for years, while La Reserva which opened for play more recently in 2004, joins the other world-class golf courses in this region which have hosted European Tour events.

Despite the amazing quality on offer at these courses, you’d find few golfers who would argue against Valderrama being the best of the best in the Costa del Sol. The course here started life as a pretty average golf course, but after Jamie Ortiz-Patino bought and subsequently invested a healthy chunk of his billionaire’s bank balance into improvements on the course and it now offers one of the best golf experiences in world golf. Who could forget Team Europe, lead by the Seve Ballesteros, clinching victory at The 1997 Ryder Cup? For home fans in 2023, fingers crossed that Team Europe will come out on top again!

Resorts - Stay & Play

While the quality and quantity of golf on offer in the Costa del Sol allows visiting golfers superb freedom of choice when it comes to where to base themselves for the duration of their stay in the Costa del Sol, venues such as Westin La Quinta and La Cala offer the absolute ultimate in convenience.

Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa is nestled in the heart of Marbella's golf valley, only minutes from the coast and the boutiques and nightlife of Marbella and Puerto Banus. However, with 27 holes of golf, accommodation, and superb facilities all on-site, guests need never leave the resort during their time away from the Solheim Cup.

For the ultimate stay & play experience in Spain, La Cala is the largest golf resort in the country, where golfers can roll out of bed and take to the fairways on 3 18 hole championship courses. Nestled in the foothills at the base of the Mijas Mountains, the America, Asia and Europe courses at La Cala make perfect use of their spectacular mountain setting and offer a fun test of golf to a great range of golfers.

Rated 9.2/10 and 9.0/10 respectively, these are definitely two of the best golf resorts in the Costa del Sol that would make for great bases from which to experience The Solheim Cup.

Away from The Fairways

Of course, like any golf holiday, golf will be the main focus for those attending The 2023 Solheim Cup, but there is a lot more to the Costa del Sol than birdies, pars and bogies.

This region of Andalucia is perennially popular with holidaymakers of all shapes and sizes, who head to the south of Spain to enjoy beautiful beaches and water sports, luxurious and stylish Marinas, where a refreshing glass of sangria and tasty tapas is never too far away, theme parks and aquariums and of course a renowned nightlife scene. 

Each of the “urbanizaciones” in the Costa del Sol has its own little niche, so whatever you’re looking for during your downtime away from the magic of The Solheim Cup, you’re sure to find it in the Costa del Sol.

This article is sponsored by Your Golf Travel.