best golf courses in Spain
Spain is home to a variety of world-class golf courses, many of which are located in popular tourist destinations. The “best” golf courses can be subjective and depend on your preferences for course design, scenery, and difficulty level. Here are some of the notable golf courses in Spain, known for their quality and reputation.
As the proud host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, the birthplace of a golfing legend, and the home to some of Europe’s finest golfing gems, Spain boasts an unquestionably remarkable golfing heritage. Its portfolio includes a diverse range of championship courses designed to satisfy the preferences of every golfer.
In Spain, you can find a total of 398 golf courses, with an impressive 70 of them nestled along the world-renowned Costa del Sol. This stunning stretch of coastline, where the Mediterranean Sea harmoniously meets meticulously groomed fairways, represents the epitome of southern Spain’s premier golfing real estate.
Location: Girona, Spain
Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort – Stadium Course
Situated just north of the vibrant city of Barcelona, the Stadium Course at Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort has swiftly solidified its position among Europe’s elite golf destinations. After over a decade of meticulous planning and eager anticipation, the opening of the Stadium Course exceeded all expectations.
This remarkable course gracefully winds its way through the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees, seamlessly blending with the natural landscape, where pristine lakes come into play at precisely the right yardage. Spanning an impressive 7,200 yards from the tips, the Stadium Course demands power from experienced golfers, yet its strategic placement of various tee boxes ensures accessibility for players of all skill levels. This inclusivity allows everyone to savor the beauty of this European Tour-worthy masterpiece.
Location: Sotogrande, Spain
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande
As one of the earliest golf courses in Spain, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande continues to maintain its esteemed status as one of the region’s premier golf courses. Crafted by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Sr., this course stands as a testament to excellence as it gracefully weaves through the native trees of the area.
Trent’s masterful design demands golfers to employ both creativity and skill while navigating the course, ensuring accessibility to players of all levels of expertise. Its consistent placement among Europe’s top 100 golf courses is a clear reflection of the course’s exceptional quality and its year-round impeccable condition.
Location: Casares, Spain
Finca Cortesin
Finca Cortesin is undeniably a contemporary golfing giant, stretching out to an impressive 7,500 yards from its championship tees. However, its challenges extend beyond sheer size, as it features cunningly undulating fairways that, when missed, lead to punitive rough or water hazards.
Nestled within the magnificent Costa Del Sol mountains, this course has been meticulously integrated into the natural landscape, resulting in a diverse and picturesque terrain. With a prestigious European pedigree, Finca Cortesin has played host to the Volvo World Matchplay tournament on three occasions. If you seek to test your skills on one of Europe’s foremost golf courses, a visit to Finca Cortesin is an absolute must, as it caters to golfers of all proficiency levels.
Location: West of Palma, Majorca, Spain
Golf Son Gual
Golf Son Gual, positioned among the best golf courses in Spain, stands as one of the freshest additions to the island, widely acclaimed as the finest. This classic par 72 championship layout strategically incorporates well-placed water hazards and bunkers, demanding precision from golfers off the tee. A misstep into these hazards can undoubtedly result in losing a stroke or two.
As you navigate the course, you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean coastline, ensuring that a round at Golf Son Gual is a memorable experience, irrespective of your performance on the fairways.
Location: Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
Real Club De Golf El Prat Barcelona
Real Club de Golf El Prat serves as a compelling illustration that Spain’s golfing allure extends far beyond the confines of the Costa del Sol. Nestled just north of Barcelona, this course stands out as one of Spain’s most time-honored golfing gems, having played a prominent role in the 90s as a frequent host of the prestigious Spanish Open.
If you’re seeking a quintessential Spanish golfing adventure steeped in rich history, a visit to Real Club de Golf El Prat is an absolute must on your Spanish golf tour.
Location: Sotogrande, Spain
Valderrama Golf Club
There are very few golf courses in Spain that can match the prestigious portfolio of Valderrama. This exceptional course was meticulously crafted by the legendary golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr., widely regarded as one of the finest in the field. Thanks to his visionary talent, Valderrama has had the honor of hosting both the prestigious Spanish Masters and the 1997 Ryder Cup.
Located inland from the coast, the course gracefully meanders through a landscape adorned with trees and lakes, posing challenges that test not only a golfer’s physical prowess but also their strategic acumen. Despite its reputation as one of the more demanding courses in the Costa Del Sol, Valderrama offers a range of tees, ensuring accessibility for golfers of all skill levels.
Location: Valencia, Costa Blanca, Spain
Parador El Saler
El Saler is undeniably one of the most renowned courses in Spain Nestled within the heart of the Albufera Nature Reserve and tracing the breathtaking Mediterranean coastline, it’s a course of exceptional beauty. Having once served as the venue for the European Tour’s Spanish Open, El Saler is primed to challenge even the most accomplished golfers.
Once hailed as one of Europe’s premier golf courses, its distinctive layout, winding through lush woodlands and embracing the coastal landscape, provides an extraordinary golfing experience that is sure to delight players of all skill levels.
Location: Marbella, Spain
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
While perhaps not as widely recognized as some of Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s other creations in the area, Las Brisas, also designed by him, stands as one of the Costa Del Sol’s well-kept secrets.
This course challenges golfers to exhibit their prowess in driving accuracy and distance, all while demonstrating finesse around the greens. Las Brisas has also had the honor of hosting the esteemed Spanish Open, a tournament claimed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo in that particular year. Don’t miss your chance to follow in the footsteps of the great Faldo by including Las Brisas on your itinerary during your Costa Del Sol golf adventure.
Location: Sotogrande, Spain
La Reserva Golf Club
Although La Reserva is one of the newer additions to the list of the most wonderful golf courses in Spain, having welcomed its first golfers in 2003, it has swiftly ascended to the pinnacle of Spain’s golfing hierarchy.
While the ample fairways may appear forgiving off the tee, it is the skillfully designed greens that gracefully traverse the naturally undulating terrain that truly put golfers to the test. With its breathtaking vistas of both the dramatic mountains and the pristine Mediterranean Sea, La Reserva stands as an exceptional destination for golf enthusiasts.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Golf Santander
Golf Santander offers the perfect combination, located just a short 10-minute drive from the capital and masterfully designed by the iconic Seve Ballesteros. Spain’s most celebrated golfing talent transformed an old landfill site into a magnificent parkland course.
With the planting of 5,000 new trees and strategically placed hazards, golfers are presented with a genuine examination of their skills. If you’re seeking a golfing experience in Madrid that ticks all the boxes, look no further than Golf Santander, as it provides everything a golfer could desire.
While some Spain golf courses are perched on mountainous terrain, creating challenging forced carries and posing difficulties for errant tee shots, this exhilarating experience is often preferred by golfers with handicaps of 20 or less. However, beginners may find it a bit less enjoyable. As an alternative, consider playing on courses that offer a more welcoming atmosphere, such as those located in Mijas on the Costa del Sol, La Hacienda Heathland near Gibraltar, or The Poniente Golf Course at Melia Villaitana, which boasts scenic views of Benidorm.
Spain also boasts numerous golf courses that provide golf instruction and academies to help you enhance your skills while on vacation. Some notable options include La Manga in Murcia, La Cala on the Costa del Sol and PGA Golf de Catalunya near Girona. These facilities offer opportunities to fine-tune your game while enjoying your golfing holiday.
Above, we have introduced to you the top 10 best golf courses in Spain. Know any other layouts that are worth playing, don’t hesitate to share us by commenting on the box below.
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