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.
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