Spain has long been a favorite destination for golf enthusiasts. Known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and favorable climate, it’s also home to some of the best golf courses in Europe. Whether you’re in search of luxury resorts or hidden gems, Spain offers a perfect mix of challenging courses, breathtaking scenery, and world-class hospitality.
Why Choose Spain for Your Next Golf Trip?
Spain’s golf offerings are as diverse as its geography. Whether you’re seeking the luxury and tradition of Valderrama or the coastal beauty of La Reserva, Spain’s top courses are a delight for players of all levels. From the sun-drenched Costa del Sol to the island paradises of Mallorca and the Canary Islands, here’s why you should consider Spain for your next golf adventure:
- World-Class Golf Courses: Spain offers a mix of historic and modern courses designed by top architects like Robert Trent Jones and Seve Ballesteros.
- Luxurious Resorts: Many courses are part of upscale resorts, providing a seamless blend of world-class golf, spa facilities, fine dining, and elegant accommodations.
- Perfect Climate: With more than 300 days of sunshine a year in some regions, Spain allows for year-round golfing.
- Convenient Travel: Spain is well connected by international airports and high-speed rail, making it easy to explore multiple courses during your trip.
Top 15 Golf Courses in Spain You Must Play
Let’s dive into the list of Spain’s best golf courses, showcasing the finest fairways, challenging greens, and luxurious resorts.
1. Real Club Valderrama – Sotogrande, Cádiz
Real Club Valderrama is often regarded as Spain’s crown jewel. This iconic course hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and remains a staple in the golfing world.
- Course Highlights: Valderrama is known for its narrow fairways, challenging greens, and picturesque olive trees. The par-5 17th hole, guarded by water, is one of the most infamous holes in the world.
- Why Play Here?: Playing at Valderrama is a bucket-list experience for any golfer, offering a rare chance to play on one of the most celebrated courses in Europe.
2. Real Club de Golf Sotogrande – Sotogrande, Cádiz
Just a few miles from Valderrama, Sotogrande is another Robert Trent Jones design that holds its own as one of Spain’s premier courses.
- Course Highlights: The course offers tight, tree-lined fairways and large greens, with water hazards coming into play on several back-nine holes.
- Why Play Here?: Sotogrande provides a relaxed atmosphere with world-class golf, making it an excellent alternative to the more famous Valderrama.
3. Camiral Golf & Wellness: Stadium Course – Caldes de Malavella, Girona
Formerly known as PGA Catalunya, the Stadium Course at Camiral is one of Spain’s most famous modern courses and has hosted several European Tour events.
- Course Highlights: The course features elevated tees, rolling fairways, and beautiful pine forests, providing a stunning backdrop for a challenging round.
- Why Play Here?: Camiral offers a mix of world-class golf and luxury wellness, making it an ideal spot for golfers looking to relax after a challenging game.
4. San Roque Club: Old Course – San Roque, Cádiz
This “Old Course” may only date back to the early 1990s, but it’s already earned a reputation as one of Spain’s finest courses, thanks to its graceful design and excellent layout.
- Course Highlights: With numerous doglegs, minimal bunkering, and spacious greens, San Roque offers a challenging yet enjoyable round for all skill levels.
- Why Play Here?: Located near Valderrama and Sotogrande, San Roque offers a similar experience with less fanfare, making it a hidden gem.
5. Finca Cortesin – Casares, Málaga
Known for its luxury and elegance, Finca Cortesin is a relatively new but highly regarded course in Spain, and it hosted the 2023 Solheim Cup.
- Course Highlights: Designed by Cabell Robinson, this course boasts wide fairways, scenic views, and challenging risk-reward holes.
- Why Play Here?: Finca Cortesin combines excellent golf with five-star luxury, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a high-end golf vacation.
6. Real Club de Golf El Prat: Pink Course – Terrassa, Barcelona
Located just outside Barcelona, Real Club de Golf El Prat features two 18-hole courses, with the Pink Course ranked highest for its challenging layout and beautiful design.
- Course Highlights: The Pink Course features narrow fairways bordered by trees, thick-lipped bunkers, and challenging greens.
- Why Play Here?: This course is perfect for golfers who enjoy a technical challenge while soaking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
7. La Reserva Golf Club – Sotogrande, Cádiz
Carved into the hills of the Costa del Sol, La Reserva is known for its wide, inviting fairways and challenging risk-reward holes.
- Course Highlights: The elevated tees provide sweeping views of the Mediterranean, while the greens are well-protected by strategic bunkers.
- Why Play Here?: La Reserva offers a modern course layout with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere—perfect for golfers of all skill levels.
8. Real Club de Golf Las Brisas – Marbella, Málaga
This 1960s Robert Trent Jones design is located in the golf-rich Andalusian region and offers a California-like vibe with its palm trees and narrow fairways.
- Course Highlights: The course’s central canal and water hazards challenge golfers to take risks while keeping their shots precise.
- Why Play Here?: Las Brisas is a classic Spanish course that blends tradition and modern touches for a truly memorable round.
9. El Saler – Valencia
Designed by Javier Arana, El Saler is one of Spain’s most celebrated courses, featuring wide fairways, natural dunes, and a spectacular coastal setting.
- Course Highlights: The course’s large, undulating greens are surrounded by nearly 100 bunkers, and the coastal winds add a layer of difficulty.
- Why Play Here?: El Saler combines challenging golf with stunning natural beauty, making it a must-play for those visiting Valencia.
10. Camiral Golf & Wellness: Tour Course – Caldes de Malavella, Girona
The Tour Course at Camiral offers a more relaxed, casual round compared to the Stadium Course but still provides plenty of challenges.
- Course Highlights: The holes are set through rolling hills and pine forests, with inviting fairways that make it perfect for golfers of all abilities.
- Why Play Here?: The Tour Course is ideal for a less intense but still engaging round, making it great for casual golfers and those looking to enjoy the surrounding beauty.
11. San Roque Club: New Course – San Roque, Cádiz
Designed by Perry Dye with consultation from Seve Ballesteros, the New Course at San Roque offers a modern design with plenty of character.
- Course Highlights: The course is known for its wide fairways and large greens, but new management is planning significant upgrades.
- Why Play Here?: This course hosted the Spanish Open in 2006 and provides a well-rounded golfing experience in the heart of Andalusia.
12. La Finca Golf Resort – Algorfa, Alicante
One of Spain’s more unique courses, La Finca offers wide fairways and a mix of design elements, from cubist bunkers to island greens.
- Course Highlights: The course weaves through desert-like terrain, featuring creative bunker shapes and large greens that demand precision.
- Why Play Here?: La Finca is a fun, modern course that offers a refreshing departure from the more traditional designs found elsewhere in Spain.
13. Las Colinas Golf & Country Club – Orihuela, Alicante
Designed by Cabell Robinson, Las Colinas takes advantage of the natural, rolling terrain near Alicante, providing a scenic and enjoyable round.
- Course Highlights: The course features well-designed short-game areas, including one created by Spanish golf legend Miguel Ángel Jiménez.
- Why Play Here?: Las Colinas is ideal for golfers who appreciate a well-balanced course that offers both beauty and challenge.
14. Club de Golf Alcanada – Port d’Alcúdia, Mallorca
Located on the northern coast of Mallorca, Alcanada is a hidden gem with breathtaking views of Alcudia Bay and the surrounding mountains.
- Course Highlights: Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this course features stunning coastal views, challenging elevations, and constantly shifting winds.
- Why Play Here?: Alcanada offers a perfect mix of island beauty and world-class golf, making it one of the top courses in the Balearic Islands.
15. G. Santander – Boadilla del Monte, Madrid
Designed by Seve Ballesteros in collaboration with Rees Jones, this Madrid-based course transformed a former garbage dump into a natural beauty with mature vegetation
and challenging holes.
- Course Highlights: The course’s creative design uses the natural landscape to its advantage, with beautiful flora and strategic water hazards.
- Why Play Here?: As one of Seve’s standout designs, G. Santander offers a unique golfing experience in the Spanish capital.
Conclusion: Spain’s Golf Courses Await You
Spain’s top 15 golf courses offer a range of experiences for every type of golfer. Whether you’re seeking the challenge of Valderrama, the luxurious setting of Finca Cortesin, or the coastal beauty of Alcanada, Spain is a must-visit destination for golfers. With a combination of world-class courses, luxurious accommodations, and stunning landscapes, Spain is the perfect choice for your next golf getaway.
Start planning your trip today and experience some of the finest golf courses Europe has to offer!
Read the Original Article here: Golf Digest
