Most golfers think of the sunny Mediterranean Costas when it comes to booking golf breaks in Spain. However, the sport is popular throughout Spain and choosing a different region for your golfing adventure allows you to do a bit of sightseeing in between rounds and see another side of the country.
The volume of players clamouring for tee times on Spain's most popular courses can bump up prices considerably. If you know where to look and how to time your golfing break you can cut the price considerably. This is especially true when visiting the busy Mediterranean courses.
Most golfers, especially those on holiday, want a tee time between 9am and 3pm. If you are prepared to get up early and squeeze in a round before breakfast, or spend the day at the pool before heading to the golf course in the late afternoon, tee times could be considerably cheaper. Look online to see whether the courses you are interested in offer this type of deal.
Spain's busy season for visitors runs from April to the end of September. Visit in the winter and you can still enjoy temperatures of around 17C in Malaga - and fewer golfers mean discounts. Clubs which have two or more courses often offer special packages to play all courses in winter too.
Spain's northern coast is green and lush compared with the parched Mediterranean and easy to get to from the UK by ferry or budget airline into Bilbao or Santander. The best known club in this area is Pedreña Royal Golf Club, home course of the famous Seve Ballesteros.
Golfers have ample choice for playing in Spain, as at the last count there were almost 350 courses across the country. Many coastal courses cater primarily for visitors from elsewhere in Europe but away from the main holiday areas you will find traditional clubs mainly played by enthusiastic locals.
This is probably the most famous golf on the southern coast and hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997. The course has been designed to enhance and protect the natural ecosystem and it's a beautiful mix of hills, trees, lush fairways and views across to the coast.
This golf complex to the north of Madrid has four separate 18 hole courses. All are based in mature parkland, with manicured greens, challenging bunkers and tricky water features. Look at the packages on offer for playing all four courses over separate days.
Just outside Bilbao, Neguri is one of Spain's most beautiful coastal courses. Some of the holes lie right on the cliff tops and all offer superb sea views.