Costa del Sol: Covid-safe golf destination

One of Europe‘s premier destinations for golfers, Spain‘s Costa del Sol is a safe place to travel to for those planning a golf break. Here’s why.

Going south from Malaga, past Marbella to Sotogrande, the Costa del Sol is more than just a holiday destination with one of the best selections of championship golf courses in the world, including Valderrama, La Reserva and Finca Cortesin – and it’s open and ready for you to enjoy your next golf trip.

Travelling to Costa del Sol

Spain is one of the top European holiday destinations with the highest percentage of the adult population having already received the full dose of the vaccine. This means the territory is becoming increasingly safer. The priority is for 70% of the population to have been fully vaccinated by the end of the summer.

As of July 2021, Spain is open to vaccinated travellers, EU residents and anyone from an EU safe-list country.

Spain has now adopted the EU digital Covid-19 certificate which facilitates the return of free movement across the EU. It’s a digital or paper certificate that says the holder meets the conditions for travel: fully vaccinated (the last dose administered at least 14 days before departure), or has recovered from Covid-19, or holds a negative Covid-19 result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel. Children under 12 years old are exempt from the testing or quarantine requirements.

If you’re coming from an EU country with a good epidemiological situation – an area classified green in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s traffic light system – you are not required to present a digital Covid-19 certificate to travel to Spain.

All persons entering Spain from other countries, including international transits, regardless of their nationality, age or any other consideration has to fill out a Health Control Form (HCF) through the Spain Travel Health website or app. Travellers coming to Spain from the UK will need to present a negative Covid-19 test result or proof of vaccination/recovery.

What restrictions apply in Spain?

Masks are no longer legally required outdoors, provided people can keep 1.5 meters apart. But it’s a good idea to always take a mask with you as they’re still required in crowded outdoor spaces, on public transport and in taxis, and in indoor spaces such as restaurants, airports, supermarkets, shops and museums.

Across Spain, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, cultural attractions and museums are open with capacity limits. Amusement and water parks are open with enhanced health and safety protocols. Beaches are open with social distancing guidelines in place.

Playing golf in Costa del Sol

The Spanish government allowed golf courses on the Costa Del Sol to re-open in May 2020 with social distancing and health safety measures in effect. These measures are designed to make playing golf for visitors safe and secure and are followed by all major golf clubs and resorts. These might vary slightly from club to club, so check before attending and while you’re there.

The measures include: Respect social distancing at all times. Mandatory to wear a face mask to access the club house. Buggies can be shared using a face mask. Score cards are downloadable from the club’s website. Arrive at the 1st tee no more than 5-10 minutes prior to the reserved tee time.