As Andalucia marches confidently in the new millennium, preparing to welcome a record number of golf tourists every winter, the moral is, book your golf holiday early! This is especially so with the spectacular courses at Los Flamingos Golf & Country Club and Estepona Golf Club. At this world renowned club players can enjoy the magnificent views of the Mediterranean, Africa and Gibraltar from every one of its 18 holes, making every game here highly sought after.

Hidden in the hills behind Cancelada, West of San Pedro de Alcántara, there lurks a monster course. Nowhere else will you find such a quiet surrounding and an extremely challenging golf course as at Monte major Golf Club. For those who prefer something a little easier San Pedro is also home to two outstanding courses: Los Argueros Golf & Country Club designed by legendary Seve Ballesteros and the relaxing Guadalmina Club de Golf.

La Zagaleta Golf, a short distance away from Ronda, is considered the most exclusive private golf course on the Costa del Sol. This magnificent course, with its impuissant clubhouse, is settled in an area away from the busy coast surrounded by impressive villas. Playing on La Zagaleta Golf is only possible if you own property in this wonderful setting.

For the ultimate in coastal charisma it would be hard to beat Puerto Banus. This is the place to be pampered yachtside and watch the world go by or window shop at one of several of the world renowned fashion houses and boutiques. Puerto Banus is home to the remarkable Golf la dama de Noche with its enchanting night rounds. Los Naranjos Golf Club is an intimidating course with its natural orange trees, and has a majestic Andalucian style clubhouse.

For a snowbound, frustrated golfer, desperate to play in the sunshine, the Costa del Golf is proving irresistible. Marbellas reputation for golfing speaks for itself and it hosts amazing courses like Rio Real Golf Hotel and the new Santa Maria Golf & Country Club with beautiful views. The very much respected Marbella Golf & Country Club has some superb panoramic views over the sea, and is an enjoyable and sophisticated round in one of the worlds' premier golfing regions.

"Many Happy Returns" is an appropriate message for the terrific new Cabonino Golf on the Costa del Sol that celebrates its second birthday in April. In its two years of operation, over 80,000 rounds have been played - many of them by recidivist golfers forced to return after becoming hooked at first site. Calahonda also has the quaint and hilly Miraflores Golf, and a pleasant par 3 course Club La Siesta, which is the house favourite among locals in the urbanization.

The chances are that most visitors to the Costa del Golf will have playedLaurn Golf, but the friendly club, situated in Malaga's Guadalhorce valley, is definitely worth a return visit since the course was extended to 27 holes in January 2003. Nearby is also the fabulous Alhaurin Golf & Country Club, and ambitious golfing resort with 45 holes and idyllic views of the mountains and lakes in the valley.

Golf in Mijas has some of the most peaceful and tranquil settings you will ever come across. La Cala Golf & Country Club overlooking the mountains, has an international reputation as one of the finest golfing complexes in the world and is extremely popular with visiting golfers of all nationalities. Then in Mijas pueblo lies the outstanding Mijas Golf complex famous for its manicured grounds and established vegetation that has evolved with the golfing boom on the costa.

Being so centrally located on the Costa del Sol, Fuengirola is a mecca for golfers and a paradise for any sun seeker. Fuengirola is in close proximity to all the prestigious and exclusive courses in Calahonda, Coin, Marbella and Malaga that make the Costa del Golf famous, and has nearly everything in its ample tourist centre for your holiday needs.

Benalmadena Costa is home to the prestigious Torrequebrada Golf. Torrequebrada's eighteen holes are blessed with magnificent views over the Mediterranean and the layout is quite incredible in such a small parcel of land. Over the years the club has flourished and despite all the new development that seems to have materialised recently, it is still a delight to play and a very good test of golf for all handicaps.

Torremolinos is located very close to Malaga airport, and anxious golfing visitors to this popular destination can find themselves teeing off at their favorite golfing establishment, in no time at all. Torremolinos is centrally located and within easy reach of clubs in Malaga, Benalmadena and Mijas.

Antequera has a Golf Course in development due for completion in the next few months. Most of the facilties of the club are already in place, and is awaiting completion on landscaping and vegetation of the course. Golfers at all levels are holding their breath for what promises to be an interesting new development to Golf on the Costa del Sol.

Built in 1925, Real Club de campo de Malaga was the first course in the Costa del Sol and host to the European Tour’s Turespana Masters in 1999. Originally founded by the spanish royal family, the club is the oldest in Andalucia and holds a certain distinction to it from its history and traditions. Guadalhorce Cub de Golf has a typical english parkland style front 9, and a spectacular back 9 with tropical vegetation and challenging water hazards.

Nerja, some 50 km's from Malaga, sports the illustrious Baviera Golf in the foothills of the Axarquia Mountains. The course has sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains. Baviera Golf has become a popular base to expore golf in the Granada, eastern Málaga and southern Almería regions.