A key driver of tourism that is also a boost for your wellbeing – two new reports highlight why golf is such a perfect pairing for Spain and its famous lifestyle. For anyone considering a home by a fairway, we spin you some key facts…
The joy of golfing in Spain!
Not many activities benefit regional economies and at the same time bring significant pleasure and health benefits to visiting tourists like golf in Spain. Recent findings confirm that each year the sport attracts around 1.2 million foreign tourists to the Spanish costas, with 98.6 per cent coming from within Europe. Meanwhile, other research shows that playing golf is good for your body and soul, and could even extend your life by five years!
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Financial boost for local economies
Just how much golf brings to Spain’s economy is revealed in a joint report by IE University (Segovia) and The Spanish Golf Courses Association, published earlier this year. The sport brings in €5.4billion directly (golf course revenues and spending by golf tourists) to the country annually, rising to €12.8billion when you include spending in the wider local economy. Foreign golf tourists alone generate €11.18billion (€4.6billion in direct golf-related income).
Driving house sales
Three-bedroom, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, €235,000. An example of a property for sale on a golf course, click on the image to see more.
The IE University report calculates that 23.9 per cent of foreigners coming to Spain to play golf stay in their own home. In volume terms, this means that around 283,000 foreign golf tourists own a Spanish property, which amounts to a value of around €4.2billion. Breaking this down by region, unsurprisingly the highest number of foreign owners are in Andalusia, home to the Costal del Sol, which has 36 per cent (102,400 owners). Then comes the Valencian Community with 35.7 per cent (101,200), followed by Murcia – home to the Polaris World golf resorts and La Manga resort – with 10 per cent (29,000), the Balearic Islands with 7.8 per cent (22,300), Canary Islands with 4.4 per cent (12,400), Cataluña with 4.3 per cent (12,250) and Madrid with 0.6 per cent (1,629).
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Breakdown by nationality
A third of foreign golfers in Spain come from the UK, more than any other country, revealed the report. Other key nations include Nordic countries, which collectively account for the second highest group of golfers with 23 per cent, followed by Germany with 14.5 per cent, France with 8 per cent, Holland with 1.6 per cent.
While the UK is worth more to the Spanish golf market due to its dominance, the average British golfer doesn’t spend as much as other nationalities. The biggest spenders are the Irish, closely followed by Swiss, Norwegians and Dutch.
Regular visits, longer stays
Foreign golfers with a second home in Spain typically remain loyal to the country and tend to return each year, said the report. Mainly due to the high temperatures and how busy things are, they tend to avoid the summer months of July and August. Instead, golf tourists prefer to visit the Spanish fairways outside of high season, with early spring (March-April) and Autumn (October-November) being the most popular times. This means golfing destinations tend to support sustainable, year-round tourism in a resort. Another finding is that the average break for golf tourists is longer than standard tourists, namely 11.9 days compared to 7.4 days.
Premium rental market
The good news for anyone planning to earn rental income from their Spanish property is that golfers are happy to pay more to rent a holiday home. More than a quarter (26.7 per cent) of the golf tourists stay in accommodation classed in the highest rent bracket, compared with 8.8 per cent for non-golfing tourists. And 36.4 per cent of golfers choose medium high rent when picking their accommodation. By contrast, most non-golfing tourists opt to pay a medium level of rent when they holiday in Spain.
Enjoy tee-time to live longer!
It’s official, people are living longer, happier, healthier lives by playing golf, according to the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Golf Club of St Andrew. A report by the R&A has revealed that on average golfers live five years longer than non-golfers, and the physical benefits of playing golf are vast. It can help prevent and treat as many as 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia.
A survey of 250 golfers in the US, Canada and the UK found the majority cited “mental well-being” as their reason for playing. Golfers spend many hours outdoors – and time outside is a proven mood-booster, particularly for older adults.
“I’m 69 but feel 21!”
Ex-professional cricketer Ray Jennings, who played for South Africa is a keen golfer and has an overseas home overlooking a golf course. Testifying about the health benefits of golf he says: “I am 69 but feel 21! I play golf three times a week and it boosts my energy, keeps my mind sharp and helps reduce stress. It’s important as you get older to find something you love doing and by following your passion you keep a positive mind and stop thinking about your aches and pains. For me spending time outside, in a beautiful natural environment, intensifies the pleasure of golf.”
Increasing take-up
A growing number of women are getting into playing golf too.
The health benefits seem to be encouraging more people to take up the game, including women. The R&A study showed that 20 per cent of adult golfers were female in 2022, compared to 15 per cent in 2019. Participation numbers in golf continued to grow in 2022, and numbers are higher than before the pandemic according to the research. Data shows that 5.6 million adult players played on nine or 18-hole courses last year, the second highest number in over 30 years. That number has increased by 265,000 from 2021.
Golf communities
A consequence of the growing interest in golf has been the development of communities based around golf courses, offering homes that now it seems have hidden health benefits in addition to front line views of manicured fairways.
“There are many benefits to owning a well-located golf home,” said a major developer of Spanish golf homes. “Not only does it provide easy access to an active, healthy lifestyle and stunning natural scenery, but there is also a lovely social element. Many of our buyers form meaningful friendships through owning a second home here in Spain.”
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