Best Golf Courses in Spain
from the Experts in Golf Holidays
✍️ Ian Purvis | ⏰ 7 min read
from the Experts in Golf Holidays
✍️ Ian Purvis | ⏰ 7 min read
Mallorca
Rated 8.8 by 47 golfers (Read reviews of Golf Son Gual)
4 Nights, 3 Rounds
Sotogrande
Rated 9.6 by 39 golfers (Read reviews of La Reserva Golf Club)
7 Nights, 5 Rounds
Girona
Rated 9.6 by 92 golfers (Read reviews of Camiral Golf & Wellness)
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Host nation of the 1997 Ryder Cup, home to some of Europe’s premier golf courses, birthplace of one of the modern greats… and the list goes on. Spain’s golfing portfolio is, without doubt, one of the best in continental Europe containing a variety of stunning championship courses that cater to every golfer’s needs.
There are a total of 398 golf courses in Spain with 70 golf courses within the world renowned Costa del Sol that stretches along the South Coast, where the mediterranean sea meets the perfectly manicured fairways of southern Spain’s prime golfing real estate.
The list below has been compiled by our golf experts to be some of the best golf courses you can play while on a golf holiday in Spain.
Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Spain or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Spain >>
Located just north of the buzzing city of Barcelona, in its relatively short lifetime the Stadium Course at Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort has already cemented its place inside Europe’s top 10 golf courses. Having taken more than a decade of planning to design, there was a great deal of anticipation surrounding the opening of the Stadium Course and boy did it deliver.
The course meanders through the foothills of Pyrenees and has combined beautifully with the landscape to have the natural lakes feature at that awkward yardage. The course measures in at 7,200 yards from the tips and despite requiring a fair amount of power from the back, it also features a number of different tee boxes which makes it accessible to players of all abilities. Giving everyone the chance to enjoy this European Tour beauty.
More info on the Stadium Course >>
Camiral Golf & Wellness Resort - Stadium Course facts | |
---|---|
Location | Girona, Spain |
Length | 7,311 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Angello Gallardo and Neil Coles |
Established | 1998 |
Open de España host | 2000, 2009, 2014 |
Where to stay | LAVIDA Hotel, Hotel Camiral 5* |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Girona
Rated 9.6 by 92 golfers (Read reviews of Camiral Golf & Wellness)
5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Renowned for being one of the regions earliest golfing venues, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is still regarded as one of the best in the Costa Del Sol. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr. the course itself is one of the most impressive in the region as it winds its way through the indigenous trees of the area.
Trent has created a layout that requires imagination and guille in order to navigate the course whilst still remaining accessible for all abilities of golfer. Its constant rank inside Europe’s top 100 golf courses is testament to the quality of the course and the impeccable condition it is in throughout the year.
More info on Real Club de Golf Sotogrande >>
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande facts | |
---|---|
Location | Sotogrande, Spain |
Length | 7,099 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Snr. |
Established | 1964 |
Where to stay | NH Sotoagrande Hotel |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Sotogrande
Rated 8.8 by 23 golfers (Read reviews of Real Club De Golf Sotogrande)
3 Nights, 2 Rounds
Finca Cortesin is well and truly a modern day monster measuring in at 7,500 yards from the championship tees. However, it is not just the enormous size of the course that poses a threat to the visiting golfer but also its cleverly undulating fairways which if missed lead to penalising rough or water.
Set in the magnificent mountains of the Costa Del Sol, the course has been carved beautifully into the natural landscape which gives it the varying terrain. The course also has European pedigree and has been the host of the Volvo World Matchplay on 3 occasions. For those looking to test the game on one of Europe’s leading courses then be sure to get yourself to Finca Cortesin.e accessible for golfers of all skill levels.
More info on Finca Cortesin >>
Finca Cortesin facts | |
---|---|
Location | Casares |
Length | 7,366 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Cabell Robinson |
Established | 2005 |
Where to stay | Finca Cortesin Hotel |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Malaga
Rated 9.8 by 52 golfers (Read reviews of Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa)
3 Nights, 2 Rounds
Ranked inside Europe’s top 100 golf courses, Golf Son Gual is one of the newest courses on the island is regarded by many as the best. The layout is your classic par 72 championship set up and features cleverly placed water hazards and bunkers throughout. Golfer’s must be accurate off the tee if they intend to score well round here as a trip to the hazards is definitely going to cost you a shot or two.
Providing stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline throughout the course, it is almost impossible to have a bad round at Golf Son Gual (regardless of how you play).
Golf Son Gual facts | |
---|---|
Location | West of Palma, Majorca, Spain |
Length | 7,240 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Thomas Himmel |
Established | 2007 |
Where to stay | Hotel Palma Bellver |
"Impeccable conditioning and a quality layout make Son Gual one of the newest and most desirable courses to play."
Simon (European Team: Handicap 14)
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Simon about playing this course.
Mallorca
Rated 8.8 by 47 golfers (Read reviews of Golf Son Gual)
4 Nights, 3 Rounds
Real Club de Golf El Prat is a prime example that there is more to golf in Spain away from the Costa del Sol. Located just north of Barcelona the course is seen to be one of the most traditional in Spain and in the 90s was a frequent host of the prestigious Spanish Open.
For those looking to enjoy a quintessential Spanish golfing experience full of rich history then this is a must on your tour of Spain.
More info on Real Club De Golf El Prat Barcelona >>
Real Club De Golf El Prat Barcelona facts | |
---|---|
Location | Terrassa, Barcelona |
Length | 7,296 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Alfonso Viador and Greg Norman |
Established | 1912 |
Open de España host | 1978, 1998-99, 2011, 2015 |
Where to stay | Barcelona |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Barcelona
Rated 9 by 6 golfers (Read reviews of Real Club De Golf El Prat Barcelona)
7 Nights, 4 Rounds
The are very few courses in Europe with a golfing portfolio like that of Valderama. The course itself was designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr. who is arguably one of the best golf course architects there has ever been and as a result of his genius it has been a host of both the prestigious Spanish Masters and the 1997 Ryder Cup.
Set in land from the coast, the course winds its way through trees and lakes to test both a golfer’s physical capabilities but also their tactical nouse.
Despite being one of the more difficult courses in the Costa Del Sol, there are a variety of different tees which make the course accessible for golfers of all skill levels.
More info on Valderrama Golf Club >>
Valderrama Golf Club facts | |
---|---|
Location | Sotogrande, Spain |
Length | 6,990 yards |
Par | 71 |
Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Snr. |
Established | 1974 |
Hosted Ryder Cup | 1997 |
Open de España host | 2016 |
Where to stay | NH Sotoagrande Hotel |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Sotogrande
Rated 9.2 by 14 golfers (Read reviews of Real Club Valderrama)
3 Nights, 2 Rounds
Easily one of the regions more well known courses, El Saler sits in the heart of the Albufera Nature reserve and skirts the stunning mediterranean coastline. Having previously hosted the European Tour’s Spanish Open, the course is geared up to test even the best golfers.
Once seen as one of Europe’s best golf courses, the unique nature of its layout (winding through woodland and hugging the coast) creates a fantastic golfing experience for everyone to enjoy.
More info on Parador El Saler >>
Parador El Saler facts | |
---|---|
Location | Valencia, Costa Blanca |
Length | 6,609 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Javier Arana |
Established | 1968 |
Open de España host | 1984, 1989, 2001, 2013 |
Where to stay | Valencia |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Valencia
Rated 8 by 4 golfers (Read reviews of Parador El Saler)
3 Nights, 3 Rounds
Despite not being as well known as some of his other courses in the region, the Robert Trent Jones Snr. designed Las Brisas is one of the Costa Del Sol’s hidden gems.
The course demands players to showcase their ability to hit the ball long and straight whilst also showing some touch around the greens. The course has also played host to the prestigious Spanish Open which was won that year by Sir Nick Faldo. Do not miss your chance to emulate the great Faldo’s win and make Las Brisas a stop on your Costa Del Sol golf trip.
More info on Real Club de Golf Las Brisas >>
Real Club de Golf Las Brisas facts | |
---|---|
Location | Marbella |
Length | 7,069 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Robert Trent Jones Snr. |
Established | 1968 |
Open de España host | 1983, 1987 |
Where to stay | Marbella |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Malaga
Our Golf Experts are available to provide full details of all deals at Real Club De Golf Las Brisas - call now for an instant quote!
La Reserva is one of the region’s youngest courses having only opened in 2003 but has already risen to the top of the Spanish golfing ranks and is viewed by many who have played it as one of the country’s leading courses.
The generous fairways maybe easy to hit from the tee but it is the clever designed greens that flow over the naturally undulating terrain that make this course a real test. Providing golfers with stunning views of both the dramatic mountains and stunning Mediterranean Sea, La Reserva is a truly outstanding place to play golf.
More info on La Reserva Golf Club >>
La Reserva Golf Club facts | |
---|---|
Location | Sotogrande |
Length | 7,049 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Cabell Robinson |
Established | 2003 |
Where to stay | NH Sotoagrande Hotel) |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Sotogrande
Rated 9.6 by 39 golfers (Read reviews of La Reserva Golf Club)
7 Nights, 5 Rounds
Golf Santander is truly the perfect pair as it is situated just 10 minutes from the capital and designed by the legendary Seve Ballesteros. Spain’s most famous golfing son has turned an old landfill site into a parkland masterpiece.
Having planted 5,000 new trees and littered the course with hazards, golfers are treated to a true test of their ability. For those looking to play golf in Madrid then look no further as Golf Santander has everything a player could want.
More info on Golf Santander >>
Golf Santander facts | |
---|---|
Location | Madrid |
Length | 7,500 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Rees Jones and Seve Ballesteros |
Established | 2005 |
Where to stay | Madrid |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Madrid
3 Nights, 2 Rounds
Course | Score out of | 10 |
---|---|---|
PGA Catalunya Tour Course | : | 9.6 |
PGA Catalunya Stadium Course | : | 9.5 |
La Finca Golf Course | : | 9.2 |
Golf Torrequebrada | : | 9.2 |
Valle Romano Golf Course | : | 9.2 |
Course | Score out of | 10 |
---|---|---|
La Cala America Course | : | 9.1 |
Golf Las Americas | : | 9.0 |
Santana Golf Club | : | 8.9 |
Golf Costa Adeje | : | 8.9 |
El Rompido South Course | : | 8.9 |
Valderrama Golf Club in the Costa del Sol has been ranked as the best golf course in Spain. It also features within the Top 5 golf courses in Europe and within the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. As a regular feature on The European Tour and host of The 1997 Ryder Cup, Valderrama is considered to be one of the toughest examinations in golf. The cork tree-lined fairways and fast running greens make it a golf course that makes ball striking and accuracy off the tee paramount in trying to play to your handicap around here. Valderrama is also one of Europe's most expensive places to play, a round of golf costs a minimum of 400 euros with an additional fee for a forecaddie. Other courses which feature within the top-ranked in Spain include modern masterpieces such as PGA Golf de Catalunya in Girona, Finca Cortesin near Marbella and La Reserva in Sotograde.
Some of the courses in Spain are built in the mountains which make forced carries and are very tricky for any wayward tee-shots. Whilst this is very enjoyable for those with a handicap of 20 or less, they might be a bit less fun for a beginner. Therefore, playing a course that is a bit friendlier such as those found at Mijas on the Costa del Sol, La Hacienda Heathland near Gibraltar or The Poniente Golf Course at Melia Villaitana overlooking Benidorm.
There are many golf courses in Spain which have golf tuition and academies on offer to provide help improving your game while on holiday. These include La Manga in Murcia, La Cala in the Costa del Sol and PGA Golf de Catalunya near Girona.
According to Your Golf Travel customers, both of the golf courses at PGA Catalunya (Tour and Stadium) receive the best ratings, receiving an average ranking of 9.64 and 9.57 out of 10 each. Other courses which score well with customers include La Finca Golf Course just south of Alicante where golfers have given it a rating of 9.29 out of 10. La Cala Resort is one of the most visited in all of Europe by golf holidaymakers and it's America Course is top-ranked amongst its 3 courses receiving 9.1 out of 10.
Most golf courses, even the best ones in Spain do allow limited visitors, however, the likes of La Zagaleta, Aloha Golf Club, Royal Puerta de Hierro and Las Brisas have very limited tee-times which are normally restricted simply for members and their guests.
Handicap: 1
Favourite Course: Valderrama
My 'Expert' areas: Portugal, Spain, France & Turkey
Best trip I've done: Valderrama, Finca Cortesin & Real Club de Sotogrande
Where my next trip is to: La Manga
Give Ian a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.
European Golf Expert