If you live in Spain — or spend a significant part of the year here — and want to play golf properly, there is one thing you need before you can step onto most courses: a golf licence.
It is called the Licencia Federativa, and it is issued through the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG). Without it, the majority of golf courses in Spain will not allow you to play. Yet most people who move to the Costa del Sol have no idea it exists, how it works, or how straightforward it is to get one.
What the golf licence actually is
The Spanish golf licence bundles three things into a single annual registration: compulsory civil liability insurance that covers you in case of accidents on the course, a fee to the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and a fee to your regional federation (in Andalucía, the Federación Andaluza de Golf).
The licence runs on the calendar year, from January to December. The cost of the federation fee is approximately €80, which the player pays directly to the federation. It cannot be split or prorated for part of the year.
In practical terms, the licence is your proof that you are insured and registered as a golfer in Spain. It also gives you an official handicap, which you need to enter most tournaments and to book tee times at certain courses.
Why it is easier to get your licence in Spain
This is something that surprises many expats: getting your golf licence in Spain is significantly easier and faster than in most other European countries. In many countries the process can take months and involves multiple exams and rounds of bureaucratic approvals.
In Spain, you can go from never having held a club to being a fully licensed, federated golfer in as little as one or two weeks. The process is simple, practical, and designed to get you playing — not to keep you waiting.
And here is something else worth knowing: your Spanish golf licence is valid internationally. You can use it to play at courses across Europe and beyond. If you later move to another country, you can transfer your licence and handicap to the local federation by simply requesting the transfer through the RFEG.
What the licence course involves
At TM Golf Marbella, our Golf Licence Intensive Course is a 10-hour programme that covers everything you need. The course includes:
Practice sessions at the driving range, where you learn the fundamentals — grip, stance, swing, and different club techniques. On-course sessions where you play real holes with your coach, learning course management, etiquette, and how to handle different situations on the course. Theory and rules, covering the essential rules of golf, scoring, and on-course behaviour.
The course concludes with a practical assessment. Your coach evaluates your ability to play safely and respectfully on a golf course — which, after 10 hours of structured coaching, you will be fully prepared to do.
How the schedule works
Most clients complete the 10 hours over the course of one week — typically in sessions of 1.5 to 2 hours per day. But you choose the pace. Some people prefer to spread it over two or three weeks around work or family commitments. Others, particularly visitors, prefer to do it intensively in 4 to 5 days.
The sessions are scheduled around your availability. Morning, afternoon, or early evening — we work with your calendar.
What it costs
The Golf Licence Intensive Course at TM Golf Marbella is €900 for 10 hours of coaching. This includes all driving range sessions, on-course sessions, theory, and the final assessment. All equipment is provided — you do not need to own clubs.
The federation licence fee (approximately €80) is separate and is paid directly to the federation by the player. We handle all the paperwork and registration for you — you simply fill in a form and we take care of the rest.
The price adjusts for groups: if you take the course with a partner, friend, or family member, the per-person cost is lower. Contact us for a personalised quote.
What happens after you pass
Once you complete the course, we register you with the federation. You receive your official licence and handicap. From that moment, you are free to play at any golf course in Spain — and most courses internationally.
This is where the real journey begins. The Costa del Sol has over 70 courses, from relaxed 9-hole layouts to world-class championship courses. With your licence, all of them are open to you. Many of our licence clients go on to book regular playing lessons, join social golf groups, or enter amateur tournaments.
Golf becomes a part of your life here — and having the licence is what makes that possible.
Who this is for
The Golf Licence Course is ideal for expats and residents on the Costa del Sol who want to take up golf seriously. It is also popular with long-stay visitors who want to make the most of their time in southern Spain by leaving with a skill and a qualification they can use anywhere in the world.
If you have been thinking about starting golf but did not know where to begin, this is the answer. Ten hours, one week, and you walk away as a licensed golfer.
How to book
Contact us via WhatsApp at +34 604 477 278 or through the booking form on our website. We will arrange a schedule that works for you and explain exactly what to expect at every step.