There are about 40 golf courses along the Costa del Sol between Malaga and Gibraltar. They are pleasantly playable all year round - though wise golfers avoid the heat of the day in high summer - and attract golfers from around the world, as anyone who has ever witnessed the way sets of clubs almost outnumber suitcases on the carousels at Malaga airport will already know.
The Spanish tourist industry loves golfers: they come throughout the year, and they spend more money on their accommodation and entertainment than families.
It is no exaggeration to say that golf is also the driving force of the Costa del Sol property market. Villas and apartments on golf developments command a price premium, and some of the best overall annual rental returns and occupancy come from apartments, townhouses and villas on golf courses.
It is possible, too, that demand for property on golf courses will get a boost from the problems over building permits that have been coming to light on some parts of the Costa del Sol, as it is more likely that property on a golf course will have the appropriate licences: golf course developments are big projects that generally require a serious approach on the part of the developer.
What is more, golf club developments these days have features that appeal to non-golfers. They've always had the attraction of all that green space that's guaranteed not to get built on, and a clubhouse to provide a ready-made community focus, but now the better ones also offer gyms, spas, pools, tennis courts and other leisure facilities.
The Costa del Sol is often referred to as the Costa del Golf, its not surprising with a concentration of top quality golf courses and fabulous weather almost all year round, it's an idyllic setting. Popular with European golfers for many years the area has become better known further afield due to the 1997 Ryder Cup held at Valdarama.
A little inland from Puerto Banus and Nueva Andalucia is the area known as "Golf Valley", with world class courses designed by the likes of Robert Trent Jones and Seve Ballesteros the area.
Golf has played a great part in turning the Costa del Sol from a summer holiday destination to a year round resort, with many northern Europeans escaping bleak winters to come to the Costa's mild winter climate to play golf.
The Costa del Sol is famous for its golf courses, and it's easy to see why. It's not just the courses that golfers are attracted to though: this area gets an average of 327 sunny days per year, so you rarely have to worry about your game being spoiled by the weather.
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