Real Sotogrande - Southern Spain - Spain

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

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.

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.

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.

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

I had the pleasure of playing this course a few times over the last couple of years with a friend who is a overseas member. This is very much a members club with the staff being very efficient & helpful, the practice rage is first class with either matt or grass to hit off. The course has been having major work done to it over the last year but in my mind it was top notch before that with fairways & greens to rival any top club in the land. The holes are laid out over a great piece of land with the course winding its way through trees & some fantastic homes, I know that some people don’t like this kind of thing when playing golf but I like to see how the other half live!The 7th holes is a real gem with a tee shot that should be hit with a draw to a fairway which drops down steeply then your 2nd shot is to a green with water on the right & bunkers on the left and no real bale out. The par 3’s are very tough with the 17th being an island green if you make par on all of them then you have played very well. You must be hitting the ball well to score here as the ball will not roll out for yards as this place is kept green & lush. All in all if you get the chance to play here I would say give it a go. (Handicap 1)

Wonderful course. Played there in September 2014 and even though unfortunately half of the fairways were completely burned as they were planting new grass, I really enjoyed the experience (even though a little discount would have been appreciated rather than a not really needed complimentary buggy). Definitely more enjoyable than the more famous Valderrama. Many beautiful holes with great villas overlooking the fairways. Don't miss it if you are in the area.

In my top 10 of courses played - old style design but that makes it better. A must play course.

Real Sotogrande is maybe the best Club in the area. Some will say Valderrama, San Roque or Finca cortesin are better courses, I would not surely agree on that. Valderrama has maybe some of the best maintenance in the world, Finca has great views and fantastic greens while San Roque has great tradition, but as a golf course in my opinion this jewel from RTJ is the best of all of them, ormaybe the one I like most to play. The Club is set just meters away from the Sotogrande Bay and shows maybe the highest end members of the country. Once you arrive, despite not being a member, you are treated like one of them, as the Club values its visitors very much. The practice facility ... ufff, some great grass, fast putting green and very wide chipping areas. The course is that course that good golfers will really enjoy: strategy, cleverness, ball striking and good decisions are needed to score, but it is not an impossible course to post a decent round. Some great golf holes like 5th, 7th (my favourite), 11th, 14th, 15th and 18th. But once you finish the round is not over, a good lunch and take a shot at the par 3 course, excellent kept and a lot of fun, with 2 long holes (220 and 250yds) and some great 110-140yds par 3s. A visit that will pay every euro from the minute you arrive. and take a good look at the proshop, the already have the apparel for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Real Sotogrande is one of those Golf Clubs that when visited show you not only a great golf course, a very charming Club House but also a lot of tradition, honor, respect and all those things that make this sport so special. Once in the Club, I was able to see in the boards along the path very famous winners such as Rory, Gonzalo F.Castaño, Sergio Garcia and a lot more that show you what space this Club occupies in the History of golf in Spain. I was invited by the General Manager and after a short meeting I played the venue with a former Club Champion, which is a real priviledge. The course reminds me a lot of Valderrama, taking into account the piece of land is quite similar and the features RT Jones used to have are also shown in this course. There are many great golf holes, strategic shots and a lot of brain to be used if you want to score. Maintenance is at the highest level, fairways were like carpets and greens were rolling really very fast despite having had aireation 2 weeks before. I believe it is a course that if played a second time in the same trip, will give you a really good option to score well. In some holes the unkowledge makes you pay with some strokes, you have to carry the yardage book and think very well before every shot. One more thing: missing the green in the wrong side can cause really high numbers. When thinking of the best holes I have to say 7 and 10 are excellent and challenging, long and with a very tough approach shot ( I bogeyed both of them from the centre of the fairway!). So, if planning a trip to Spain, make sure you dont miss this one!