Real Club de Sotogrande, Spain

Founded in 1964, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is located on prime golfing land close to the beachfront between the river Guadiaro and Sotogrande marina in Cadiz, Spain. First European course designed by Robert Trent Jones and rated among the 100 best courses in the world since its foundation, the course championship distance is 6224 meters, par 72 on its longest distance.

“Sotogrande Old”, as it is called by the locals, boasts mature vegetation with pine, cork oaks, eucalyptus and giant palm trees enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings. The greens are large and the tees are very long, some would say excessively so, but they allow for variations in pin placement and the length of hole. There are also plenty of water hazards, particularly at the seventh, the twelfth, the thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth and par-3 seventeenth. These lakes, together with the strong winds create a challenge for all levels.

The contours of the greens are typical Trent Jones and the bunkers were the first in Europe to be filled with brilliant white crushed marble. Another “first” at Sotogrande was the use of Bermuda grass on fairways. Real Club de Golf Sotogrande it is a private club, although green fee paying visitors are welcome, they are advised to book in advance.