Golfing holidays in Spain - the very phrase evokes a delightful image of long green fairways under a warm sun. Golf may have been invented in cold, misty Scotland but it's best enjoyed under sunny blue skies. And where better than in Spain? Not only does Spain promise year-round sunshine, it's also home to some of the country's - indeed Europe's - best golf courses.

So where are the best golf courses to be found? The fact is you can find golf courses all over Spain. Many are in the tourist haunts of the Costa del Sol and the Algarve. Like so many places on the tourist trail, they tend to be crowded, poor value and lacking in the charm you'll find in other parts of the country.

If you want to play golf in a real Spanish setting far from the crowds, head for the Costa Almeria in eastern Andaluca. This is one of Spain's best kept golfing secrets and it's clear to see why.

For one thing, it's in the country's driest province. Andalusia is graced with over 3000 hours of sunshine a year. That means you're guaranteed a game of golf in the dry pretty much anytime.

Another factor in choosing this part of the country is that life in the Costa Almeria moves to a more relaxed rhythm that the frenetic holiday towns of the Costa del Sol or the Algarve. It's less crowded and prices are reasonable not being geared towards tourists. Almeria is as beautiful as any part of Spain and offers its own charm reflected in the ancient villages and long gorgeous coastline.

Best of all for the golfer, Almeria has some of the most distinguished golf courses in Spain. Extensive golf course development has been carried out in recent years and many more courses are planned for the future. Currently, Almeria is home to nine quality golf courses. They are La Enva Golf & Spa Resort, Playa Serena, Alboran and Golf Almerimar in the south, and Aguilon, Desert Springs, Marina Golf, Macenas Golf & Beach Resort and Valle del Este in the north. Each has its own unique characteristics. For example, Desert Springs is Europe's only Arizona desert style golf course and the spa resort of La Envia is a veritable oasis.

All of Almeria's golf courses are convenient for resorts and the whole area is served by Almeria International Airport. It's less than an hour's drive away and offers regular, scheduled and budget flights from most UK airports.

When playing golf in Costa Almeria, you are participating in the relaxed Spanish lifestyle. Plus, you have the pleasure of being in an area of great natural beauty. You can tee off to dramatic vistas of shore and coastline. And they don't stand on ceremony here. You can play all year round dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. The infrastructures there, too, in the form of shops, bars, hotels, cafes, restaurants and all the other facilities you could need.

Of course, golf is not all the region has to offer. After your 18 holes, you can head off to a tapas bar and feast on local snacks washed down with the local tipple. Later you can head off to a music bar or disco. You can also sample a rich and ancient culture in the art galleries and museums. In short, you've got the recipe for perfect golf holidays in Spain with the Costa Almeria being the perfect year round golf holiday destination.

So whether you're on holidays in Spain or whether you've decided to acquire your own Spain property, golfing in Spain is one of the country's great pleasures. The next time you're looking for a golf holiday in the sun, forget the overrun golfing regions of the Costa del Sol. Instead look into spending your next golf holiday in Almeria.

If you fall under the spell of Spain, you'll be happy to find that great property deals are another of the country's charms. Spain propery comes in all types and price ranges. For example, you'll find quality resorts near all the golf courses and investing in a home here will allow you to live in this golfing haven whenever you please.