Our Expert Guide to the Best golf courses in Spain
The Spanish Ascendancy in World Golf
This is our Expert guide to the best golf Courses in Spain
For decades, the allure of Spanish golf was intrinsically tied to its sun-drenched coastlines—a pleasant diversion for the holidaymaker. Yet, over the last half-century, a profound transformation has occurred. Spain has shed its reputation as a mere leisure destination to ascend into the global pantheon of premier golf nations, a trajectory defined by a powerful confluence of diverse geography, architectural genius, and a rich, battle-tested tournament legacy. This evolution was not accidental but the result of visionary design and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The story of Spanish golf is written across its varied landscapes. It is anchored by the powerhouse of Andalusia's Costa del Sol, a region that boasts arguably the most concentrated hub of elite golf in Continental Europe. Yet, the narrative extends far beyond, to the rugged beauty of Catalonia's Costa Brava, the unique island challenges of the Balearics, and the high-quality layouts found near the vibrant cultural centers of Valencia and Madrid. This geographic diversity provides a canvas for a remarkable array of golfing experiences.
The elevation of these courses from mere playing fields to revered grounds is the work of master architects. The saga begins with the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., who brought a new standard of world-class design to Spain in the 1960s, establishing a foundation of strategic brilliance that endures to this day. His legacy has been carried forward by subsequent generations, including his son, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and his most distinguished protégé, Cabell B. Robinson, whose modern classics have redefined luxury and challenge. They are joined by Spanish masters like Javier Arana and icons of the game like Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal, who have each imprinted their national identity and competitive spirit onto the land.
Ultimately, the true measure of these elite courses is their championship pedigree. Their fairways and greens are not just beautiful; they are crucibles, tested and validated by the highest levels of competition. Hosting iconic events like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, and numerous World Golf Championships has forged their legendary status, proving they are capable of challenging the world's best and creating moments of unforgettable drama. What follows is a definitive guide to the 12 finest courses in Spain—a gilded dozen that represents the pinnacle of the nation's golfing ascendancy.
Our best golf Courses in Spain
Real Club Valderrama: The Unquestionable King
There can be no other answer for the pinnacle of Spanish golf. Real Club Valderrama is not just the nation's finest course; it is a global icon, consistently ranked number one in Continental Europe and frequently mentioned among the world's elite. Its story is one of visionary transformation. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1974 as "Sotogrande New," its destiny was reshaped in 1984 when owner Jaime Ortiz-Patiño acquired the property. With an obsessive pursuit of perfection, Patiño collaborated with Jones to meticulously refine every detail, elevating the course to a level of quality previously unseen in Europe. Its moniker, "The Augusta of Europe," is well-earned, reflecting its immaculate, year-round conditioning, its exclusive atmosphere, and the sheer strategic brilliance woven into its design.
Valderrama poses an intellectual, rather than physical, examination of one's game. It is a course that rewards strategy and precision above all else. Its defining features are the ancient cork oaks that stand as silent, unforgiving sentinels, framing fairways that are notoriously narrow and demanding absolute accuracy from the tee. To stray from the pristine turf is to invite almost certain trouble. The greens are the course's ultimate defense: they are small, elevated, and firm, with surfaces that are lightning-fast and subtly contoured. An approach shot that is even slightly off-line will be repelled, demanding an exquisite short game to save par. Playing Valderrama is a masterclass in course management, where every shot requires careful thought and flawless execution.
Two holes, in particular, encapsulate the Valderrama experience. The first is the par-5 4th, "La Cascada." This hole was a personal favorite of Robert Trent Jones Sr., who considered it one of the finest par-5s he ever designed. The hole plays to a dramatic, two-tiered green that is perched precariously next to a lake, fed by a picturesque waterfall. It presents the quintessential risk-reward dilemma: a bold second shot can yield an eagle, but any miss to the right will find a watery grave.
The second is the infamous par-5 17th. Redesigned by Seve Ballesteros ahead of the 1997 Ryder Cup, it is one of the most revered and feared finishing holes in championship golf. The tee shot is intimidating, with trouble lurking on both sides. The green is a slender target that slopes wickedly from back to front, directly towards a menacing pond. It is a hole that has shattered the hopes of countless professionals, where a ball landing on the green is no guarantee of safety, as many have agonizingly spun back into the water. It is a hole that demands immense nerve and has been the stage for some of golf's most dramatic moments.
Valderrama's place in history was immortalized when it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the first time the event was ever held in Continental Europe. The victory for the European team, captained by the Spanish icon Seve Ballesteros, remains one of the most emotional moments in the competition's history. Beyond this, Valderrama was the long-time host of the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters (16 times), the WGC-American Express Championship, and now serves as a marquee venue for the LIV Golf League, continuing its tradition of challenging the world's best players
Finca Cortesin Golf Club: The Apex of Modern Luxury
Finca Cortesin represents the zenith of the 21st-century luxury golf experience, a seamless fusion of championship-caliber golf and five-star hospitality. Opened in 2006 and designed by the esteemed American architect Cabell B. Robinson, the course is a modern masterpiece built on a grand scale. Stretching to over 6,802 meters from the back tees, it stands as one of the longest and most formidable layouts in Europe. Its reputation is built upon two pillars: immaculate, year-round conditioning that is second to none, and a level of service that anticipates a golfer's every need. This commitment to excellence has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named "Spain's Best Golf Course" multiple times by the prestigious World Golf Awards.
The course is a dramatic parkland layout, expertly routed through a sweeping Andalusian valley that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Robinson's design provides generous, expansive fairways, but this openness is deceptive. The course's defense lies in its more than 100 strategically placed bunkers, filled with brilliant white silica sand that creates a stunning visual contrast against the lush green turf. The greens are large, undulating, and consistently fast, demanding precise iron play and a confident putting stroke. It is a powerful and challenging test of golf that, thanks to its flawless maintenance and multiple tee options, remains an enjoyable experience for players of all abilities.
The back nine at Finca Cortesin contains a stretch of particularly memorable holes. The 13th hole is a spectacular par-4 that demands both power and finesse. The tee shot plays uphill over a ridge to a wide fairway. The real challenge is the approach, which requires a precise shot over a barranca (a steep-sided ravine) to a green beautifully framed by ancient olive trees. Proper club selection is paramount to avoid a costly mistake.
Another standout is the beautiful downhill par-3 17th. Playing slightly shorter than its yardage due to the elevation drop, the hole requires a confident short iron to a green flanked by a shimmering water feature and a vibrant collection of native flora. It is a hole that combines aesthetic beauty with a clear and present strategic challenge.
While a relative newcomer, Finca Cortesin has quickly built an impressive tournament resume. It first gained international prominence by hosting the Volvo World Match Play Championship for three consecutive years. However, its status was truly cemented on the global stage when it hosted the
2023 Solheim Cup. The event was a spectacular success, producing one of the most thrilling finishes in the competition's history and showcasing the course's beauty and championship credentials to a worldwide audience.
La Reserva Club Sotogrande: The Bold Newcomer
As the newest jewel in the Sotogrande crown, La Reserva Club was designed by Cabell B. Robinson and opened in 2003 with a clear ambition: to create a grand, modern championship course that could stand alongside its illustrious neighbors.It has succeeded spectacularly, quickly establishing itself in the top echelon of Spanish golf and earning a ranking among the 12 best courses in the country from publications like Golf World Magazine. Its elevated location provides some of the most dramatic and panoramic views in the region, sweeping across the hills down to the Mediterranean.
As the newest jewel in the Sotogrande crown, La Reserva Club was designed by Cabell B. Robinson and opened in 2003 with a clear ambition: to create a grand, modern championship course that could stand alongside its illustrious neighbors.It has succeeded spectacularly, quickly establishing itself in the top echelon of Spanish golf and earning a ranking among the 12 best courses in the country from publications like Golf World Magazine. Its elevated location provides some of the most dramatic and panoramic views in the region, sweeping across the hills down to the Mediterranean.
The course builds to a dramatic climax, with several unforgettable holes on the back nine. The 15th hole is a perfect and terrifying par-3, widely considered the best on the course. The green is a massive, three-tiered complex that is almost entirely wrapped by water and further protected by three deep bunkers. It is a visually stunning and nerve-wracking short hole where finding the correct level of the green is essential to avoid a high score.
The round concludes with the tough 18th hole, a long par-4 that demands two excellent shots to finish. The drive must find a tight landing area flanked by bunkers on both sides. From there, the approach is played to a highly elevated and severely contoured green, a final, stern test of a player's iron game and distance control.
True to its championship design, La Reserva has quickly become a preferred venue for modern professional tours. It has successfully hosted the NH Collection Open on the DP World Tour and, more recently, has been a regular stop for the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour, showcasing its quality to a new generation of players and fans.
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande: The Original Masterpiece
This is the genesis of elite golf in Southern Spain. Opened in 1964, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande was the very first course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in Europe, and it remains a timeless classic. Such was his pride in this creation that Jones personally included it in his list of his five favorite designs from a portfolio of over 500 courses worldwide. The course immediately established the template for championship golf in the region, and its enduring quality was formally recognized in 1994 when King Juan Carlos I of Spain bestowed upon it the prestigious "Real" (Royal) title. It is the foundational masterpiece upon which the entire Sotogrande golf legacy was built.
Sotogrande offers a more subtle and classic strategic examination than its more modern neighbors. It is a mature parkland course situated just 150 meters from the Mediterranean Sea, where the sea breeze can be a significant factor. While the fairways are generally wide and inviting, providing some forgiveness off the tee, the course's genius and primary defense lie in its brilliant green complexes. The greens are typically elevated, deceptively fast, and protected by a dazzling array of 69 strategically placed bunkers. Success at Sotogrande is dictated by the quality of one's approach shots. The beautiful and varied vegetation, a mixture of cork oaks, pines, eucalyptus, and palm trees, not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also adds to the strategic challenge, demanding careful positioning on every hole.
The course is lauded for its consistently excellent design, but two holes are frequently singled out for their world-class quality. The 7th hole is a magnificent par-4 that is often cited as one of the best in the world. It plays from an elevated tee to a fairway guarded by a strategically placed crossbunker. The approach shot is one of the most demanding on the course, played to a two-tiered green that is fiercely protected by trees on the left and a water hazard on the right. It requires two perfectly executed shots to have a chance at par.
The 12th hole is another that has been lauded by international publications, showcasing Jones's unparalleled ability to create a compelling strategic dilemma on a hole that appears straightforward at first glance. It is a testament to a design philosophy that rewards thoughtful play over brute force.
From its earliest days, Sotogrande has been a prestigious tournament venue. It hosted the Spanish Open in 1966, won by the great Argentine player Roberto de Vicenzo. It is also the traditional home of the European Nations Championship, formerly known as the Sherry Cup, a premier amateur event that has seen future major champions like Sergio García, Padraig Harrington, and José María Olazábal claim victory on its hallowed grounds.
Camiral Golf & Wellness (Stadium Course): Catalonia's Championship Challenger
The Stadium Course is a formidable and relentlessly challenging test of golf, yet it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The layout is carved through a dense forest of mature pine trees, with shimmering lakes and strategically placed bunkers that demand unwavering accuracy and nerve from tee to green. It is a long, hilly course with numerous doglegs, elevation changes, and elevated greens that require a full range of shots. It is a layout that is simultaneously loved for its beauty, feared for its difficulty, and respected by all who have taken on its challenge.
Consistently vying with Valderrama for the title of Spain's number one course, the Stadium Course at Camiral Golf & Wellness is a modern masterpiece built for competition. Formerly known as PGA Catalunya, its origins lie in a European Tour project to create a continental equivalent to the PGA Tour's TPC Sawgrass—a venue specifically designed to test the best players in the world. Opened in 1999 and designed by European Tour stalwart Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo, every aspect of the course was conceived with championship golf in mind. Its ultimate validation came with its selection to host the
2031 Ryder Cup, cementing its status as a world-class venue for decades to come.
The course is packed with memorable holes, but the 13th stands out as its official signature hole. It is a beautiful par-4 with an elevated tee shot that offers a panoramic view of the challenge ahead. The approach shot is the key, played to a green that is exceptionally wide but not very deep, and which falls away sharply towards a lake on the right side. Any shot that is not precise in its distance control risks finding the water. Another dangerous and noteworthy hole is the
par-5 3rd, where the green is set aggressively against the edge of a lake, tempting long hitters to attempt the heroic two-shot approach at their peril.
Camiral has been a regular and trusted host for major professional tournaments since its inception. It has been the venue for three editions of the Spanish Open, the DP World Tour's Catalunya Championship, and has served for many years as the dramatic final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School, where the dreams of aspiring professionals are made or broken.
Real Club De Golf El Prat
Founded in 1912, RCG El Prat is one of the oldest clubs in Spain. Its original name, "Barcelona Golf Club," was changed when King Alfonso XIII granted it the "Real" (Royal) title.
For most of its life, the club was located in El Prat de Llobregat, next to what is now Barcelona's main airport. However, the relentless expansion of the airport in the late 1990s forced the club to make a monumental decision: to move. They sold their historic land and commissioned a brand-new facility, which opened in its current location in 2004.
For their new home, the club enlisted the help of legendary golfer Greg Norman. He was tasked with designing a facility that could not only serve the club's members but also host top-tier international tournaments.
The result is a magnificent 45-hole complex that seamlessly integrates into the natural rolling parkland of the Bonvilar estate. Norman's design philosophy is evident throughout: creating a strategic and challenging layout that is always in harmony with its natural surroundings.
The Courses
The 45 holes are configured into several layouts, providing incredible variety. The two main championship courses are:
The Open Course (El Abierto): Considered the premier layout, this is the course used for major championships. It's a long, demanding par-72 that requires power, precision, and a deft touch around its large, undulating greens. With its strategic bunkering and challenging approaches, it's a true test for the best players.
The Blue Course (El Azul): Slightly shorter than the Open but no less challenging, the Blue Course is often favored by members for its beauty and playability. It winds through pine and oak forests and demands more strategic course management and accurate iron play.
In addition to these, there is a nine-hole course, and the holes can be combined to create five other 18-hole combinations (Rosado, Amarillo, and Verde), ensuring a different experience on every visit.
RCG El Prat has a rich history of hosting elite professional events. It has hosted the Spanish Open on ten occasions, more than any other club in the tournament's history. Several of these have been at the new Greg Norman facility, including the wins by Thomas Aiken in 2011 and James Morrison in 2015, which showcased the course's quality to a global audience.
Parador de El Saler: The Valencian Hybrid
Parador de El Saler is a timeless masterpiece from Javier Arana, widely regarded as the greatest golf course architect Spain has ever produced. Built in 1968, the course is located within the protected El Saler Natural Park on the shores of the Mediterranean. Arana's design philosophy was one of minimal intervention, brilliantly respecting and integrating the natural landscape of coastal dunes and Mediterranean pine forest into the routing. Shortly after it opened, its quality was so highly regarded that it was voted the number one course in Continental Europe.
What makes El Saler truly unique is its brilliant routing, which offers a captivating blend of two distinct golfing styles. Several holes play through a classic Mediterranean pine forest, with fairways framed by towering trees. In stark contrast, other holes run directly alongside the beach and through natural sand dunes, providing a genuine "links-like" experience that is exceptionally rare in Spain and more reminiscent of the classic courses of Scotland. The course features characteristically wide fairways, but the challenge comes from its enormous and subtly contoured greens, as well as nearly 100 bunkers, many of which are natural, sandy waste areas.
El Saler is a proven championship venue with a distinguished history. It has hosted the Spanish Open on multiple occasions and was the site of the 2003 Seve Trophy, a team competition between Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe. The course record of 62, held by two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, is a testament to its quality and its ability to be challenged by the world's best.
Real Club Sevilla Golf: Olazábal's Andalusian Test
At first glance, the course appears open and relatively flat, but this belies a stern and sophisticated challenge. It is an extensive layout with wide fairways sown with Bermuda grass, but its primary defense comes from its 90 strategically placed bunkers and nine lakes, which cover over three hectares and come into play on a majority of the holes. The undulating greens are large, fast, and always well-protected, demanding precise and well-judged approach shots. It is a superb all-around test of golf that requires both strength from the tee and a delicate touch around the greens.
Designed by one of Spain's most beloved golfers, two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, Real Club Sevilla Golf opened in 1991 and quickly established itself as one of the country's premier inland courses. It is consistently ranked within the top 10 in Spain and is held in high esteem by both amateur and professional players for its impeccably balanced and strategic design, as well as its outstanding conditioning.
While the 12th hole is often cited as the course's signature hole, the round concludes with the magnificent 18th, a classic and demanding finishing hole. It is a long par-4 that requires two formidable shots to reach the green in regulation. A large lake runs down the entire left side of the hole, threatening both the tee shot and the approach. The green itself is protected by the water at the front-left and a deep bunker on the right, ensuring that there is no let-up until the final putt is holed.
Real Club Sevilla Golf has a proud history of hosting major international championships. Its most significant moment came when it was the venue for the 2004 World Cup of Golf, which was won by the English pairing of Paul Casey and Luke Donald. It has also been a trusted venue for the DP World Tour, hosting the Spanish Open on three occasions (2008, 2010, and 2012), further cementing its reputation as a top-tier tournament course.
Golf Santander: The Capital's Contender
Golf Santander is a unique and ambitious project, conceived by the financial giant Grupo Santander and opened in 2005.Located within the bank's sprawling corporate headquarters, "Santander City," just outside Madrid, the course is a remarkable feat of engineering and environmental reclamation. It was built on the site of a former rubbish dump, with over five million cubic yards of earth moved to transform an ugly blight on the landscape into a thriving ecological haven for native fauna and flora. The course was co-designed by the renowned American architect Rees Jones and the legendary Spanish superstar Seve Ballesteros.
This is a modern monster, built to test the very best. Stretching to an immense 7,498 yards (6,856 meters) from the championship tees, Golf Santander is one of the longest and most difficult courses in all of Europe. The design is bold and uncompromising, featuring numerous lakes, streams, and 68 strategically placed bunkers that demand both length and accuracy. While the course is a formidable test from the tips, its playability for golfers of all levels is ensured by the inclusion of up to eight different tee boxes on each hole, allowing players to choose a challenge that suits their ability.
While primarily conceived as a world-class facility for the bank's employees and clients, the sheer quality of the design has earned it significant accolades. Shortly after its opening, the influential publication Golf Digest ranked Golf Santander as one of the top three courses in Spain, a testament to its championship-caliber layout and conditioning.
Club de Golf Alcanada: Mallorca's Coastal Gem
Alcanada is a superb par-72 championship layout that offers a wonderful variety of holes. The routing masterfully blends holes that play through sheltered groves of pine and olive trees with true seaside holes that are exposed to the Mediterranean breeze, demanding adaptability and smart shot-making. The course features significant elevation changes, with dramatic downhill tee shots and challenging uphill approaches. A dense array of 58 strategically placed bunkers and fast, recently renovated greens ensure that the course is a stern but fair test for all levels of golfers.
Designed by the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 2003, Club de Golf Alcanada is widely considered to be the premier golf course in Mallorca. Its most defining characteristic is its breathtaking location on the northern coast of the island, in the Bay of Alcúdia. The course offers spectacular sea views from nearly every hole, with the iconic Alcanada lighthouse, situated on a small island just offshore, providing a constant and beautiful focal point. The club has received numerous awards for its commitment to excellence, including multiple Diamond Awards that place it among the world's top 30 courses for pace of play and player experience.
The course is renowned for its seaside stretch of holes. The 7th hole is a particularly dramatic and memorable par-5. It begins from a highly elevated tee that offers a panoramic view of the bay and the lighthouse, before the fairway prowls down the hillside towards the sea. It is a visually stunning hole that requires three well-placed shots to reach the green.Another highlight is the
elevated par-5 13th, which provides another postcard-perfect view of the lighthouse and rewards two bold shots with a genuine opportunity for a birdie.
Alcanada has proven itself as a top-tier tournament venue by hosting the season-ending Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final on multiple occasions. The selection of the course for such a prestigious event is a testament to its championship quality, its immaculate conditioning, and its ability to provide a fitting challenge for the best up-and-coming players in Europe.
Son Gual Golf: A Grand Statement
Son Gual is a big, bold, and beautiful championship course that provides a stern test of golf. The layout features large, sweeping fairways, but the challenge is defined by its dramatic and strategic bunkering—including an enormous sand trap on the par-4 2nd hole that measures 240 meters by 84 meters—and several lakes that come into play on key holes. The primary defense of the course, however, lies in its huge, tiered, and exceptionally fast greens. These complex putting surfaces place an enormous premium on accurate iron play, as finding the correct portion of the green is essential to avoiding three-putts.
Son Gual is the realization of a dream for its founder, German businessman Adam Palmer, who sought to create a world-class golf course on his adopted island home. Opened in 2007 and designed by German architect and three-time German Amateur Champion Thomas Himmel, Son Gual was built on a grand scale with the clear ambition of becoming one of Europe's finest inland courses. Set in 156 hectares of beautiful Mediterranean landscape, the course has earned widespread acclaim for its pristine conditioning and its bold design, with many comparing its quality and aesthetic to Augusta National.
While not a regular host of major tour events, Son Gual has become a popular and prestigious venue for high-profile corporate tournaments and pro-ams, including the Rolex Golf Trophy and the Porsche Tournament. It also successfully hosted a European Senior Tour event, demonstrating its capability to challenge players at the highest level.
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas: The Private Garden of Golf
Another timeless masterpiece from the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., Real Club de Golf Las Brisas was established in 1968 and is a cornerstone of Marbella's famed "Golf Valley". What sets Las Brisas apart is its stunning and unique landscaping, the work of the Englishman Gerald Huggan. The course is essentially a botanical garden, featuring a breathtaking array of trees and flowering plants from every continent, creating a vibrant and colorful setting for golf. A pioneer in course maintenance, Las Brisas was one of the very first courses in Europe to use bent grass on its fairways and greens, a decision that quickly established its reputation for quality.
Las Brisas is a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design where strategy and precise shot-making are rewarded over sheer power. The course winds its way through gently rolling terrain, with ten artificial lakes providing a constant and beautiful water hazard that comes into play on 12 of the 18 holes. The greens are elevated and well-protected by strategically placed bunkers, demanding accurate approach shots. A comprehensive reconstruction of the course by the acclaimed modern architect Kyle Phillips in 2015 has further enhanced its quality and playability while preserving the integrity of Jones's original design.
Las Brisas has a rich and distinguished tournament history. Its quality was recognized early on when it was chosen to host the 1973 World Cup of Golf, an event won by the legendary American duo of Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller. It has also hosted the Spanish Open on two separate occasions and, more recently, was the venue for the 2023 Women's Spanish Open, continuing its tradition of hosting elite-level professional golf.