Benahavís can claim to have the highest number of golf courses per capita of any municipality in Spain. With a population that doesn’t reach 6,000, this area of the Costa del Sol has 11 golf courses and a superb municipal golf academy.

For us,” says María José Guerrero, councillor for tourism with the town hall, “golf is one of the key foundations of the local economy. Many of the tourists who visit us are introduced to the municipality through this sport, because our courses are recognised at an international level.

“That’s why, among reasons, the Benahavís Town Hall set up the municipal golf academy: on the one hand, to develop the sport; and on the other, to offer one more service to residents. And that – popularising involvement in and familiarisation with golf – is a very important service, because golf is part of our lives.”

Owned by the town hall, the Benahavís golf academy comprises top-class amenities for practising golf. Located next to the village, in a sports area near the river, the practice range is 180 metres long, with 12 tee positions, half of them covered, a large putting green, and an approach area with bunker. It remains open from 9am until nearly 9pm in summer, and access is free. A bucket of around 35 balls costs one euro.

The big advantage for Benahavís residents is that children on the “padrón” (municipal residency register) can receive free classes during courses organised by the academy and run in a masterful way by the young and enthusiastic professional Manuel Araujo.

“The school was an idea suggested by the town hall six years ago,” he says. “We began with four or five children, and now we have about 70. The first ones have grown up, are now 13 or 14 years old, and have very low handicaps. They have become standard-bearers for the younger ones starting out, at five or six years of age. They want to imitate Lurdes, Julio, Jose and José Benitez… and to be like them, because they are starting to win tournaments and gain a name for themselves on the Andalucian circuit.

“In addition to the children,” he adds, “on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and from 5pm to 6pm there are free classes for adults on the Benahavís padrón; and on the last Friday of every month we organise a children’s tournament at Tramores, Villa Padierna’s “executive course”.