Life before Golf Tourism

Nearly forty new golf courses in just twenty years, together with the benefits of membership to the E.C., has led to a complete transformation of the whole coast

When I first arrived on the Costa del Sol in 1983, there were less than a dozen golf courses between Málaga and Gibraltar. However, to a golf nut experimenting with early retirement, these were more than enough and in those days, you could usually just turn up and play. Ex-pats provided most of the greenfee revenue, as golf tourism was in it's infancy, to be enjoyed by an elite few. There were few hotels, most of which catered only for summer holiday tourism and remained closed from October through to Easter, as did many of the bars and restaurants. During these months, it was as if the whole of the Costa del Sol was in hibernation. Property development was yet to come, as was membership of the European Community. It must be difficult for newcomers, visiting the Costa del Golf during the winter months, to envisage the coast as a collection of sleepy winter towns, waking only in the summer to receive millions of north european tourists. Between these towns, which were still little more than fishing villages, were vast tracts of unspoilt countryside, crying out for the construction of more golf courses.

The golf boom

This short history lesson may serve to illustrate how much the Costa del Sol now relies on golf tourism for it's well being and current prosperity. The number of tourists visiting the coast for their winter golf holidays is now at least the equal of summer holiday makers, ensuring that the Costa del Sol is now the most popular year-round holiday destination in the whole of Europe. The advent of nearly forty new golf courses in just twenty years, together with the benefits of membership to the E.C., has led to a complete transformation of the whole coast, not just in terms of material infrastructure, but socially, as the Andalucians adapted to the needs of it´s new winter tourist industry. Golf tourists, especially those from Britain, can now enjoy unrivalled social activities when their game is finished, without breaking the bank. A thriving nightlife, which includes a fantastic variety of bars and restaurants, plus discos which open until the not so small hours, ensure that every day can be enjoyed to the full. Afternoon tee-times are recommended!