Real Sotogrande - Southern Spain - Spain
Paseo del Parque,
11310 Sotogrande,
Cádiz,
Spain
+34 (0)956 785 014
20km from Gibraltar
Contact in advance
Agustin Mazarrasa
Manuel Ocaña
It is very rare to find a golf course on the Spanish Costa del Sol that was constructed more than 50 years ago and even rarer, that after five decades, it still provides a stern test to even the best golfers. Both are true of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. Back in 1964, Sotogrande was a largely uninhabited area just north of Gibraltar, with only a few pockets of population located in a few country estates. An American citizen, Joseph McMicking, who lived in the Philippines, visited the area and could see the land's great potential, with its excellent weather, wonderful mix of countryside and proximity to the stunning coastline. In that same year he initiated what is now regarded as one of the best developed residential and tourism areas in Europe and its first golf course: Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. Opened in 1964, the course was designed by Robert Trent Jones. It was his first European course, and it is a credit to the man and his design that the par 72, 6,224-metre layout is still enthralling players after all these years. Sotogrande is a private members' club, which maintains an air of calm and restrained sophistication, whilst at the same time providing a warm welcome to visitors. The clubhouse is well designed and elegant, the food and drink excellent and well presented, and the changing rooms large with showers to die for. Between 1998 and 2001, Sotogrande was used for European Tour Qualifying Finals and its class, quality and reputation are recognised globally. In Sotogrande's 30th year, it was awarded royal status. The challenge that awaits every golfer at Sotogrande was well summed up by the designer, Trent Jones, when he once described a golf course as a battleground: players attack the course and it is the architect's obligation to defend it. This he has achieved wonderfully at this Spanish masterpiece. Every hole requires the player to plan his attack with care and execute the shots successfully to escape the many strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. The fairways appear wide and the semi-rough is Augusta-like in its appearance, but stray from the short stuff and the wonderful cork, eucalyptus, pine, oak and palm trees – which line almost every fairway – will make life and making par very difficult. Only when the ball drops into the hole will the golfer be able to relax. The putting surfaces are expertly shaped and contoured and they are all wonderfully maintained, making them fast and true all year round. Holes to look out for include the 4th, a wonderfully difficult 202-metre par three with a wickedly sloping green. The 7th is a cracking par four measuring 381 metres with a narrow green and water guarding the right side so it's a tough proposition. Holes 12 to 14 and 16 to 18 are all tough, featuring well-placed water hazards. It's quite a finishing stretch. To help the golfer at Sotogrande, always remember that most of the greens are elevated and that a lot of the slopes in the fairways are very subtle but not insignificant, so make sure to take enough club for the distance, and then take one more. The course underwent a massive upgrade in 2015-16 which was completed by Roger Rulewich and David Fleury in two stages to allow members the use of one nine at all times. Putting surfaces had grown by up to 40% of their original size over time so green shapes were fully recovered, with sub air systems installed to ensure their optimum performance. Fairways and tees were also reconstructed, using 41,000 kilometres of drainage, 71,000 tonnes of sand and 37 hectares of Bermuda grass. |
Reviews for Real Sotogrande
There’s an understated elegance about Real Sotogrande that’s evident from the moment you arrive at the clubhouse. Even the small scorecard you are given at the starter’s hut is rather plain and unfussy, providing the requisite information needed in terms of yardages, stoke indices and local rules, along with a club logo on the front – but there’s no photo, sponsorship logos or any other “clutter” that doesn’t need to be there!
It was my second time playing here in three years and this time was as enjoyable as the previous visit, even though it was even earlier in the season than in 2017. I get the feeling near-perfect conditioning is what happens here 365 days a year, regardless of weather or any other outside influences. It also helps when you get away first in a 2-ball just after sunrise as you can pretty much set your own pace and get round without undue delay.
Both par threes on the front nine at #4 and #8 are sensational short holes, with raised greens demanding a precise tee shot to large putting surfaces. Likewise, the two doglegged par fives at #2 and #6 are brilliantly bunkered three-shot holes that won’t yield too many birdies as they’re long, tough holes. Once again, the downhill 7th was my favourite hole on the outward half, the water hazard to the front right of the green hinting of further aquatic exploits to come on the back nine.
There are no returning nines at Real Sotogrande so the inward half begins at the furthest point from the clubhouse, swooping downhill then sharply right and up to the green. The sequence of holes from #12 to #14 then #16 to #18 follows a somewhat similar pattern, with the first (very wide) fairway in either trio leading to a green that’s threatened by water to the front right side. These holes are followed by a par three (at #13 and #17) where water again comes into play around the green, before the next hole is played to a heavily sand-protected elevated green.
There can be little doubt about the scale and the quality of the golf product at Real Sotogrande – and to think that a large proportion of the recent infrastructure investment can’t actually be seen as it’s underground in the network of drainage and irrigation pipes that help to keep the layout in top condition. Then again, I suppose that’s what separates the good from the great and this course most definitely falls into the latter category.
Jim McCann
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I came back to Real Sotogrande more than 6 years after my second visit as I had played it 2012 & 2013. The course went on an entire renovation with some small redesigns on greens and they re did completely the short par 3 course which is one of the best features of the Club.
The invite to play come by the GM and included playing 18 holes with spanish bomber Alvaro Quiros which was a great motivation. Instead of the driving range I used the short course to warm up and I can say it might be the best decision of the day. The course was restored and improved during the renovation project and it is excellent, for sure a must play after the main 18 and lunch to gamble with friends. 2 short par 4s and seven par 3s with a wide range of yardages from 70yds to 180yds on hole 9th.
And then then main round with Alvaro where we played a fun match but the best part was listening to all he had to say about the modern era, the courses, yardage, club fitting, the ball, physical training, his best friends on Tour and a lot more. Only that was well worth the round!
And then the resoration made Real Sotogrande a much more better course and for sure amust play in a trip to Andalucía. I had never played in August, when most of the Madrid Members are there, and the course was in pristine shape, greens rolling perfect and fairways were carpets. Course has not changed that much but the quality has gone higher than ever. And sharing it with a Tour Pro, can’t ask for more.
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This was my first time back to Sotogrande since the 2001 European Tour School. From what I remember it was a fine course with fast undulating greens…..and that it was freezing! The view from the clubhouse down the first fairway whets the appetite with its open fairway this hole is a nice introduction to the course. I believe the strength in Sotogrande comes from hole 2 through to hole 7 especially holes 3,5 and 7. The third is a great short par 4 doglegging from right to left to an elevated green which slopes from left to right. Hole 5 starts with a semi blind tee shot which leaves the player a short to mid iron to an angled green. I really like the way this green sits and club selection is vital for successful outcome. In my opinion hole 7 is the best on Sotogrande. If you manage to get your tee shot in play from the elevated tee you are left with a perilous approach to a long thin green which is flanked by water on the right and bunkers on the left! Hole 11 (Pictured) is cracking short par four to a raised green which is a recurring theme throughout Sotogrande. The course then disappoints a little for the next three holes giving more of a Floridian feel to the holes. Holes 15 - 18 are decent enough but do not quite reach the heights of the front 9. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my re visit to Sotogrande and with its variety of holes and generous fairways golfers of all levels will enjoy their game here.
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Didn't realize it was 9 years since I came here first. My opinion this time around is even better. What a classy place! Really understated and not at all "in your face" as I found in Finca Cortesin. Greens are exceptionnal. The whole course rather flat for the area (compared to silly slopes in Finca for example). A real members club that truly deserves its status. Favorite hole was number 7.
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As it was the first European design of Robert Trent Jones back in the mid-1960s, Sotogrande enjoys an undeniable architectural significance. The course is laid out on a massive scale, with fairways routed in an old-fashioned out and back style and water in play at most of the holes on the back nine – indeed, there’s more than a hint of Florida on these palm-fringed holes which occupy rather uninspiring, flatter terrain.
The recurring raised green theme with bunkers either side of the putting surface might wear you down after a while, especially if you find yourself in the greenside sand too often, because recovery shots from these hazards to greens stimping around the 12 mark certainly test your short game to the very limits.
The downhill par four 7th is probably the best hole on the front nine, the approach shot played downhill to a green that’s protected by a pond all along its right side, with bunkers in front and to the left of the putting surface. Trees also circle the back left portion of the greensite, making this one of the most photogenic holes on the card (pictured here).
The short par four 11th was my favourite on the back nine, playing sharply uphill to a back to front tilted green, before the routing drops holes down to level ground at the 12th, where water then dominates on half a dozen of the remaining holes, bringing a cape tee shot (at the 14th) and peninsula greens (at the 13th and 17th) right into play.
There’s no doubt the recent multi-million-euro renovation of this course has breathed new life into a layout that should now be fit for purpose for at least another fifty years. With nearby Valderrama also undergoing a recent Kyle Phillips upgrade and a second course planned for that particular venue, these are exciting times for golf facilities in this upmarket part of the Costa del Sol.
Jim McCann
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