The top 5 golf courses in Spain
With a wonderful Mediterranean climate and an average temperature of 20C in spring, Spain is a well-known destination for sun, sangria and golf. In our favourites golf magazines and TV programmes, we constantly see this sunny country hosting some of the most important golf competitions, such as The Ryder Cup, Volvo Masters, the Spanish Open or previous events such as the Gene Sarazen World Open. We know what you think when these amazing green courses appear on your screen: What course is that and how do I get there?
Well, we’ve put together the best 5 golf courses in Spain so you don’t have to wander around the internet anymore searching. All of these amazing Spanish golf courses have 18 holes and huge fields full of challenges for the most ambitious players. But probably the biggest challenge the golfer will have to face is to keep focus and don’t get distracted by the beautiful scenery of the fairways.
Getting there is easy peasy with Golf Drives:
- You get an instant quote
- Golf bags are included in all journeys
- We take you from the airport to the resort
- And if you want to visit the 5 of them, we can take you from one course to another!
1. Real Club Valderrama
18-hole course
At Sotogrande, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Málaga Airport
The Real Club Valderrama is one of the best-known golf clubs in the world and the best golf course in Europe according to the magazine Golf World. Located in a prominent hill at Sotogrande, in the south of Spain, it has a single 18-hole course, along with a 9-hole par 3 course.
The golf club was built in 1974 following the designs of the renowned American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones. In 1984 Jaime Ortíz-Patiño acquired the golf club and recalled the original architect to expand and redesign the gold course. Since then, The Real Club Valderrama has just collected ovations and awards for fun.
Also, you are probably familiar with The Real Club Valderrama as the host for some of the most exciting and relevant competitions in Europe, such as The Ryder Cup, Volvo Masters, WGC-American Express Championship or Ladies Spanish Open, amongst others.
2. Campo de Golf El Saler
18-hole course
At El Saler, approximately 30 minutes away from Valencia Airport
El Saler is located in the Albufera Natural Park, 30 minutes away from the centre of Valencia and right next to the shore of the Mediterranean. The biggest challenge for the Spanish architect Javier Arana was to design The Saler in a protected landscape. Still, the course will test the skills of the golfers with a mix of links and forest holes, being split into 18 holes, with a par of 72. Also, the golf club has two putting greens, a practice area, golf school, driving range and pro shop.
Considered one of the best golf courses in the world, El Saler has also hosted important competitions like the Spanish Open and the European Tour.
3. Real Club de Sotogrande
18-hole course
At Sotogrande, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Málaga Airport
Number 3 brings us another course designed by the American architect Robert Trent Jones. The Real Club Sotogrande was the first golf course he designed in Europe in 1964 and after 36 years his 622-metre layout still fascinates the selected golfers that visit it. The golf course is located in the province of Cádiz and it was built only 150 metres from the Mediterranean.
The 18 holes of the golf course have been precisely designed, making the player plan each stroke carefully. Wide fairways lined by eucalyptus, oak, cork, pine and palm trees, and bunkers and water hazards strategically placed are some examples of the obstacles the golfer will have to overcome.
4. PGA Catalunya Stadium Course
18-hole course
At PGA Catalunya Resort, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Barcelona Airport (El Prat)
PGA Catalunya Resort has been considered the best Golf Resort in Spain, having one of the best golf courses in Europe: The PGA Catalunya Stadium Course. The convenient location is one of the reasons why The PGA Catalunya is a great decision for your golf holidays, just one hour away from the Pyrenees and 20 minutes from the delightful Costa Brava. Also, during the summertime, the cooler temperatures of the northeast mainland, makes it a suitable alternative to the intense heat of southern Spain.
The Stadium was designed and planned by several architects for more than a decade and, since it opened in 1998, has been ranked one of the 100 best golf courses in Europe. Just a few months after its opening, the PGA Catalunya Stadium Course hosted the Gene Sarazen World Open in 1999 and the Spanish Open in 2000. The ups and downs of the course create many memorable holes, like the first tee with an elevated drive where the player will prove themselves from the very beginning.
5. Finca Cortesin Golf Resort
18-hole course
At Finca Cortesin, approximately 1 hour away from Málaga Airport
The Finca Cortesin is located between the Estepona Mountains and just a few metres away from the Mediterranean: an 18-hole course surrounded by an outstanding landscape. Also, as a golf resort, the Finca Cortesin is ranked one of the world’s top 50 hotels, delivering great customer service to all of their players.
The course has one of the longest layouts in Europe with almost 7.000 metres of extension. Finca Cortesin was designed by Cabell Robinson and landscaped by Gerald Huggan and keeps the balance between the natural characteristics of the Mediterranean forest and high-quality Bermuda grass. Every hole is different and an exciting challenge for the golfers that will have to overcome bunkers full of white marble sand that are strategically placed around the golf course.
