Tee Off in Paradise: Inside Rio Real Golf

During my stay at Rio Real Golf Resort, I had the chance to play on one of Spain’s iconic golf courses. Opened in 1965, Rio Real was designed by Javier Arana, often regarded as the best European golf course designer ever. His work can be seen across some of the top-rated courses in Europe, including Guadalmina Sur and Aloha along the Costa del Sol.

For many golf lovers, a visit to Rio Real is the highlight of their trip to the Costa del Sol. As I took in the immaculate grounds—from the putting greens to the tee boxes and fairways—it’s easy to see why. The management clearly puts a lot of care into keeping the course in top-notch condition.

In this post, I’ll share a little about what it’s like to play at this prestigious golf destination. Conveniently located, Rio Real is just a 30-minute drive from Malaga airport, 5 minutes from Marbella, 20 minutes from Fuengirola, and 40 minutes from Sotogrande.

Top-Notch Facilities

Rio Real Golf comes with everything you need for a great day of golf:

• Driving range

• Putting green

• Chipping green

• Pro shop

• Golf buggies included with the green fee

The Clubhouse Vibe

The clubhouse has all the amenities to relax after a day on the course:

• A bar and restaurant offering a snack menu or an à la carte option

• Space for group functions

• A large terrace perfect for enjoying the Spanish sun with a post-round drink

Hole 1 – Par 4 (304m)
I kick things off with a short, straightforward Par 4. But don’t be fooled—this hole makes you think. With a slight angle on the fairway and trouble on the left, you’ve got to decide how much risk you want to take. Hit a solid shot, avoid the bunkers near the green, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a good score. Think of it as a warm-up for the challenges ahead.

Hole 2 – Par 4 (352m)
Things get real here—a dogleg right with out-of-bounds on the left and a fairway bunker ready to trap any stray balls. The goal? Aim at the last big tree on the right and hope for the best. If you miss right, it’s tree trouble. Miss left? Same story. It’s a hole that keeps you on your toes from start to finish.

Hole 3 – Par 3 (135m)
Don’t let the distance fool you—this is a sneaky tough hole. The Rio Real River runs right in front of the green, daring you to misjudge your shot. If you hit short, you’ll be fishing for balls. Distance control is key here. Get it right, and you’re golden; miss it, and you’ll be playing catch-up.

Hole 4 – Par 4 (386m)
Dogleg left, a sea view, and a green that’s well-protected—this hole is all about strategy. You can’t just blast your drive down the fairway; you’ve got to think about where you want to land. Hit it long, and you’ll run out of space. A draw will get you around the corner nicely, but if that’s not in your bag, maybe play it safe and go for bogey. No shame in that!

Hole 5 – Par 4 (387m)
Toughest hole on the front nine, hands down. The Rio Real runs up the right side, ready to gobble up any wayward shots. The green sits on a hill, with hazards all around. If you’re short, you’re in the river. Play smart, or this hole will eat you alive.

Hole 6 – Par 3 (164m)
Big green but a tricky tier in the middle makes this hole more challenging than it looks. You’ve got a steep bank on the left that’ll send any stray balls rolling away, so accuracy is the name of the game. But, hey, at least it’s not as terrifying as the previous Par 3!

Hole 7 – Par 5 (443m)
This Par 5 is all about the drive. The fairway slopes left, with pine trees guarding the corner. Miss the plateau, and you’ll be stuck hitting out of the trees. But if you can find flat ground, you’ve got a shot at reaching the green in two. It’s high-risk, high-reward, and definitely fun to play.

Hole 8 – Par 4 (398m)
A long Par 4 with views for days. The Mediterranean sparkles in the background, but don’t get too distracted—it’s a tough hole. Narrow fairways and steep drops mean you’ve got to stay focused. A solid drive is essential, or you’ll be struggling to get on the green in two.

Hole 9 – Par 5 (457m)
This dogleg left looks intimidating from the tee, but it’s a hole you can take on with a good plan. A solid drive sets you up to either lay up or go for the green in two. Just be careful of the bunkers and out-of-bounds markers lurking around the green. Patience pays off here.

Hole 10 – Par 4 (330m)
The back nine starts with a quirky Par 4 that plays uphill and doglegs right. The key? Nail your tee shot. You’ve got to get past the corner (around 200m) to have a good look at the green. Hit it too short, and you’ll be forced to chip your way around. A well-placed wedge from the corner gets you onto a generous green, but it’s all about that first shot. Get it right, and par’s easily within reach.

Hole 11 – Par 4 (321m)
This hole gives you a bit of a breather. A downhill tee shot leads you into a valley with the Rio Real River running in front of the green. The trick here? Get as close to the river as you can without going over. A well-placed wedge will set you up for a solid birdie or par chance. The green is sloped, so putting can get tricky, but if you stay below the hole, you’re golden.

Hole 12 – Par 3 (156m)
A Par 3 with water in play—because why not? A lake guards the left side of the green, narrowing your approach. If you hit it right, you’re out of bounds. Your best bet is to go long and aim for the center or back of the green, where there’s more room to land. Miss, and you’ll have to scramble to save par. But hey, that’s golf, right?

Hole 13 – Par 5 (496m)
This one’s a long dogleg left, and precision is the name of the game. You’ve got a narrow fairway with tall palm trees lining the left. Hit it straight down the middle, and you’re good to go. But if you miss left, you’ll be scrambling through the trees. Greenside bunkers add to the challenge on this hogsback green, so you’ll need to stay focused on every shot.

Hole 14 – Par 3 (168m)
A gorgeous Par 3 that looks like something out of a golf postcard. Bougainvillea and olive trees line the left, and the green is tucked into a steep bank. If you miss right, the bank might kick the ball back toward the green. But miss left? You’re in for a brutal chip back. It’s all about accuracy here, and hitting the green is a must.

Hole 15 – Par 4 (408m)
This is a beast of a Par 4—long and narrow, with trees on either side to catch any errant drives. Your goal? Hit the fairway. Simple as that. The second shot isn’t too bad if you nail the drive, but most players will need three shots to reach the green. It’s a tough hole, but a five here is definitely something to be proud of.

Hole 16 – Par 5 (502m)
A classic risk-reward Par 5. If you hit a solid drive aimed at the pine trees on the dogleg, you might have a shot at the green in two. But if you miss left or right, you’ll be battling through trees and rough just to stay in the game. The green is well-guarded by bunkers, and the rough around it is tough to chip out of. Play it smart, and this hole can be yours.

Hole 17 – Par 4 (321m)
This is the easiest hole on the course—just what you need after a tough stretch! It’s a straight, wide fairway with bunkers on either side, leading up to a small green. It’s pretty forgiving, so you can attack it with confidence. Birdie chances here are good if you keep it in the fairway and hit a clean shot onto the green.

Hole 18 – Par 4 (369m)
The final hole is a proper finisher. It’s a dogleg right with trouble on the right, so aim for the tower block on the skyline. You need at least 200m off the tee to get a clear shot at the green, which is tucked up on a hill. The green itself is small and guarded by two big bunkers, so you’ve got to fly your approach shot all the way there. End with a par, and you’ll walk off with a smile.