Sotogrande Region – where golfing quality runs deep

Spain’s golf courses continue to set the standard for Continental European golf, with the 2026 rankings showcasing unprecedented stability at the summit alongside remarkable movement in Madrid's most prestigious clubs. Real Club Valderrama retains its crown for another year, whilst Real Puerta de Hierro's Arriba course surges into the Top 5, and Real Moraleja 2 sees a dramatic rise. The latest Top 100 Golf Courses of Spain rankings reflect deeper panellist coverage across all regions, from Andalusia's resort-lined coastlines to the Basque Country's clifftop layouts. With 27 new entries joining the rankings and significant repositioning throughout, these updated listings provide essential guidance for golfers planning trips to Europe's premier year-round golf destination. Spain's 345 courses serve more than 269,000 registered golfers and attract millions of international visitors annually, generating substantial tourism revenue whilst maintaining world-class playing conditions across diverse landscapes. Check out the Complete Spain Ranking now! See the ranking for the Balearic Islands See the ranking for the Canary Islands See the ranking for Madrid and Central Spain See the ranking for North East Spain See the ranking for Northern Spain, including Basque See the ranking for South East Spain See the ranking for Southern Spain - Costa del Sol 2026 Rankings: The Established Century The 2026 rankings maintain the traditional Top 100 format whilst introducing 27 fresh perspectives that reshape the lower half of the table. Spain's golf infrastructure supports this depth, with courses ranging from Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s 1960s masterpieces to cutting-edge modern designs incorporating the latest agronomy and environmental practices. Beyond the ranked 100, dozens of additional playable courses offer compelling golf experiences across the mainland, Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands. Several courses showing promise for future rankings include developments in Valencia, updates to established Mallorcan venues, and renovations to classic Madrid layouts that could elevate their standing in subsequent editions. 2026 Top 100 At A Glance The Unchanged Summit • Real Club Valderrama - The 1997 Ryder Cup venue remains Spain's #1, maintaining its position through meticulous course conditioning and Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s strategic design mastery • Real Club de Golf Sotogrande - Jones's first European design from the early 1960s holds firm in the runner-up position • El Saler - Javier Arana's Valencia masterpiece inside Albufera Nature Park celebrates over 55 years of excellence in 3rd • Camiral Resort Stadium - The European Tour's flagship course, originally PGA Catalunya, anchors the Top 4 for another edition Madrid's Renaissance • Real Puerta de Hierro Arriba surges into the Top 5 • Real Moraleja 2 achieves historic leap into the Top 40 • Real Moraleja 1 climbs substantially into the Top 40 • LaFinca Madrid debuts in the upper half • Moraleja 4 advances into the Top 15 Andalusian Stability and Movement • La Zagaleta Old rockets into the Top 30 • Real Pineda surges into the Top 50 • Los Naranjos Golf Club climbs into the Top 50 • Aloha Golf Club maintains Top 25 status with minimal movement Catalonian Excellence • Real El Prat Pink rises into the Top 10 • Infinitum Hills advances into the Top 25 • Emporda Forest maintains a strong position in the Top 30 • Fontanals enters the rankings in the mid-table Basque and Northern Quality • Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri climbs into the Top 10 - Javier Arana's clifftop masterpiece near Bilbao • Real Pedreña advances into the Top 15 - Harry Colt design, where Seve Ballesteros learned his craft • Real La Coruña rises into the Top 30 • Larrabea makes debut in Top 40 • Real La Toja enters in the Top 60 South East Developments • La Finca Algorfa surges into the Top 40 • Las Colinas Golf & Country Club advances into the Top 20 • Real La Manga Club South climbs into the Top 20 • Escorpión leaps into the Top 60 New Entries • Infinitum Lakes (31st) • LaFinca Madrid (36th) • Larrabea (40th) • Buenavista (59th) • Real La Toja (60th) • Desert Springs - Indiana (63rd) • Fontanals (64th) • Costa Adeje (66th) • Real Club de Golf La Cerdaña Verde (67th) • Montanya (70th) • Real Club de Golf La Peñaza (78th) • La Dehesa (79th) • Real Guadalhorce (81st) • Sherry Golf Jerez (82nd) • Isla Canela Links (84th) • Norba Cáceres (88th) • Las Pinaillas (89th) • Sant Cugat (90th) • Real Zarauz (92nd) • New Sierra (95th) • Saldaña (96th) • San Sebastián (97th) • Isla Valdecañas (98th) • Costa Brava Verde (99th) • Izki Urturi (100th) Check out the Ranking now! Best Golf Courses by Region Southern Spain (Andalusia): 38 Courses (38%) Andalusia maintains its position as Spain's golf heartland, with more than a third of the Top 100 concentrated along the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz. Real Club Valderrama leads the southern contingent, followed by Sotogrande, Las Brisas, La Reserva Club, and Finca Cortesin in the Top 15. The region's dominance reflects decades of golf tourism infrastructure, reliable year-round playing conditions, and architectural contributions from Robert Trent Jones Sr., Pepe Gancedo, and modern designers. South East Spain (Valencia & Murcia): 22 Courses (22%) The Mediterranean coastline from Valencia through Murcia delivers impressive depth, with El Saler leading at 3rd nationally. The region showcases Javier Arana's links-influenced masterpiece alongside Jack Nicklaus's extensive Murcia portfolio, including Alhama, El Valle, and Saurines. Las Colinas and Real La Manga South represent the region strongly in the Top 20, whilst recent improvements at La Finca Algorfa and Escorpión demonstrate the area's evolution. North East Spain (Catalonia): 19 Courses (19%) Catalonia concentrates quality rather than quantity, with Camiral Stadium at 4th and Real El Prat's Pink course at 8th providing world-class golf near Barcelona. The Costa Brava delivers gems like Emporda Forest and the newly-entered Fontanals, whilst inland venues such as Montanya and La Peñaza expand the region's options. The cooler northern climate ensures superb conditioning even during peak summer months. Madrid & Central Spain: 19 Courses (19%) The capital region demonstrates remarkable growth in the 2025 rankings, with Real Puerta de Hierro's two courses both cracking the Top 10. The Real Moraleja complex's extraordinary rise—with three courses now in the Top 40—reflects both improved course conditioning and expanded panellist coverage. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid's Negro course at 11th and LaFinca Madrid's debut at 36th round out Madrid's strengthening golf credentials. Northern Spain (Basque Country & Galicia): 11 Courses (11%) The rugged northern coastline produces characterful layouts that reward creativity over power. Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri at 6th represents Javier Arana's finest clifftop work, whilst Real Pedreña's association with Seve Ballesteros adds historical resonance to Harry Colt's design. Real La Coruña and the newly entered Larrabea and La Toja expand northern options for discerning golfers. Balearic Islands: 8 Courses (8%) Mallorca dominates the island representation with Club de Golf Alcanada at 21st and Son Gual at 26th leading the way. The departure of several Mallorcan venues from the rankings suggests heightened competitive standards, though those remaining demonstrate genuine Top 100 quality. Canary Islands: 10 Courses (10%) The Atlantic archipelago offers year-round golf in volcanic landscapes. Abama on Tenerife at 41st and Tecina on La Gomera at 57th provide resort golf with dramatic elevation changes. New entries Buenavista (59th) and Costa Adeje (66th) expand Tenerife's options. Check out the Ranking now! What the Rankings Tell Us Key Takeaways from 2026 Summit Stability • Top 4 unchanged for the second consecutive edition demonstrates enduring quality • Valderrama's continued dominance reflects ongoing investment and the 1997 Ryder Cup legacy • Sotogrande, El Saler, and Camiral Stadium prove mature designs age gracefully Madrid's Renaissance • Real Puerta de Hierro Arriba's Top 5 entry validates one of Spain's oldest layouts • Real Moraleja complex achieves three courses in Top 40 - unprecedented clustering • LaFinca Madrid debut demonstrates capital region's strengthening golf credentials Architectural Legacy Recognition • Robert Trent Jones Sr. portfolio (Valderrama, Sotogrande, Las Brisas) dominates Andalusia • Javier Arana's genius honoured with El Saler (3rd) and Neguri (6th) in Top 10 • Harry Colt's Pedreña (12th) maintains historical significance as Seve's home course • European Tour's Camiral Stadium design proves championship pedigrees endure • Modern architects like Pepe Gancedo ("Picasso of Golf") gain recognition Regional Dynamics • Andalusia maintains 38% share - Costa del Sol remains Spain's golf heartland • South East Spain (22%) demonstrates Valencia/Murcia depth with a strong Nicklaus portfolio • Catalonia (19%) concentrates quality over quantity near Barcelona • Madrid/Central (19%) achieves parity with Catalonia through dramatic climbs • Northern Spain punches above its weight with Arana and Colt masterpieces • 27 new entries reflect expanded panellist coverage across all regions Resort Course Validation • La Finca Algorfa and Escorpión prove modern resort layouts compete with private clubs • Improved conditioning and strategic management elevate previously overlooked venues • Year-round playing conditions increasingly valued by international panellists Check out the Ranking now! A Decade of Evolution: 2014-2023 Spain's Rankings Journey 2014-2016: The PGA Catalunya Era During this period, the Stadium course at PGA Catalunya (now Camiral Stadium) dominated Spanish golf rankings, holding the #1 position through multiple cycles. The European Tour's flagship course rivalled the PGA Tour's TPC Sawgrass in tournament pedigree, having hosted the Spanish Open on multiple occasions. Real Club Valderrama was granted Royal status in 2014, adding prestige to its already considerable championship credentials from hosting the 1997 Ryder Cup and annual Volvo Masters events. The mid-2010s saw Spain's golf industry navigating post-financial crisis recovery, with some resort courses struggling whilst established private clubs maintained standards. The rankings reflected this bifurcation, with traditional venues holding strong positions whilst newer resort tracks sought to establish reputations. Anfi Tauro's entry into the rankings at this time signalled growing recognition of Canary Islands golf beyond purely resort-style offerings. 2018: Dramatic Movements and New Perspectives The 2018 rankings marked a turning point, with significant repositioning across the entire table. PGA Catalunya Stadium retained the #1 spot, but emerging challengers demonstrated Spain's deepening quality. Anfi Tauro surged dramatically into the Top 20, Las Colinas made a substantial leap upward, and Rio Real achieved a remarkable climb. These movements reflected both course improvements and expanded panellist coverage providing fresh perspectives. La Finca in Algorfa entered the rankings for the first time, with reviewers praising Pepe Gancedo's design as worthy of the "Picasso of Golf" moniker. The Golf Quara group's properties began receiving recognition, with La Finca joining sister courses Las Ramblas and Villamartin in the Top 100. This period emphasised that Spain's golf scene extended well beyond traditional Andalusian strongholds into Valencia, Murcia, and the Costa Blanca. 2020: Valderrama Ascends The 2020 rankings witnessed Real Club Valderrama's rise to #1 after remaining at #4 since 2012. This ascension reflected both the course's timeless quality and renewed appreciation for its strategic demands. A reviewer noted it as "a step away from heaven... from the moment you arrive, you feel as if you are in a golfing paradise," capturing the venue's ability to blend championship pedigree with aesthetic beauty. El Saler climbed to #2. The links-influenced Valencia layout benefited from celebrating 50 years of operation in 2018, with reviewers rediscovering Javier Arana's genius for blending inland and seaside holes. Nine new entries joined the rankings in 2020, including Costa Teguise in Lanzarote, Lopesan Meloneras in Gran Canaria, and Real Club de Golf de La Coruña at #35. These additions demonstrated expanded geographical coverage across Spain's Atlantic islands and northern coastline. 2023: Panel Expansion and Radical Transformation 2023 saw an enlarged panel providing diverse perspectives across all Spanish regions. Valderrama retained its #1 position, having risen there in 2020, whilst the Top 10 remained relatively stable. However, the lower half underwent radical transformation, with 25 courses departing and 24 new entries or re-entries fundamentally reshaping the table's composition. La Hacienda Links made a dramatic climb following its cliff-top Links course's rediscovery by panellists. San Roque Old leapt substantially after completing a total makeover, including bunker refurbishment, bent grass greens, Bermuda fairways, and new practice facilities. Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri rose into the Top 15, approaching a first Top 10 appearance. Harry Colt-designed Real Pedreña advanced into the Top 15, reinforcing northern Spain's architectural contributions. The 2023 rankings emphasised that Spain's golf scene remained dynamic, with course conditioning, architectural pedigree, and overall experience differentiating elite venues from the merely good. 2026: Spain’s Coming of Age Ranking The 2026 Top 100 Golf Courses of Spain rankings reflect a mature, diverse golf market offering world-class experiences across multiple regions and architectural styles. From Valderrama's strategic brilliance to El Saler's links-influenced routing and Madrid's private club excellence, Spain delivers golf worth travelling for across all skill levels and playing preferences. Check out the Complete Spain Ranking now! See the ranking for the Balearic Islands See the rankings for the Canary Islands See the rankings for Madrid and Central Spain See the ranking for North East Spain See the ranking for Northern Spain See the ranking for South East Spain See the ranking for Southern Spain - Costa del Sol

This time last year we published an article about golf in Madrid, when we visited several courses affiliated to the city’s golf association. We’ve now just returned from a similar European Golf and Travel Media Association trip to Barcelona, where six of the local golf clubs are members of Barcelona Golf Destination, an organisation that promotes these venues located around the Catalan capital. The best – and most cost effective – way to organize your golf trip is to purchase a “Golf Pass BCN” for three, four or five of the seven courses available (Real El Prat has two designated 18-hole layouts). This works out at a very reasonable 71 euros per course which is great value for the quality of golf that’s on offer. No two courses are the same and this rich variety is what makes Barcelona such an attractive place to play the game. You might be surprised to know there are actually more than a dozen golf clubs positioned in and about a city renowned for its vibrant culture, world-class restaurants, and historic landmarks, as well as its beautiful beaches and scenic surroundings. You might also be unaware of Barcelona’s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for wine tourism so there’s lots to see and do apart from golf if you visit here with your clubs. We certainly combined golf and wine on this trip, along with a little sight-seeing, but – to be honest – you really need at least a week to do proper justice to the region. Nonetheless, here’s an account of what we got up to during our short stay in Barcelona and hopefully this will provide food for thought if you’re maybe thinking of an alternative golf break in Spain, away from the crowded costas and busy islands. Following lunch and a BCN Golf Destination presentation at Real Club de Golf El Prat on Day 1 of the visit, journalists were taken to the nearby town of Terrassa, an hour’s drive north of Barcelona, to enjoy an early-evening cultural tour of the city then dinner at Hotel Don Cándido, courtesy of Consell Comarcal Del Vallès Occidental. We then returned to our overnight accommodation in the grounds of the Real El Prat Golf Club at Campus La Mola, a very modern hotel equipped with 185 guest rooms – and a free, self-service bar in the reception area! Needless to say, with such generous hospitality on offer, there weren’t many early retirals among the journalists that night, even after a long day travelling… Remember to click on any of the seven golf course links below for course reviews. El Prat Located in the heart of the Sant Llorenç del Munt natural park in the Bonvilar Country estate, Real Club de Golf El Prat moved to its current location in the late 1990s, when the expansion of the airport at Barcelona forced the club to relinquish its Javier Arana-designed layout and decamp 30 kilometres north, to a beautiful property that sits between Terrassa and Sabadell. The Greg Norman Golf Course Design firm set out a new 45-hole complex for the club, resulting in the creation of two 18-hole layouts (Yellow pictured above, Pink pictured below) and another 9-hole course which is laid out on the other side of the railway line that cuts through the southern part of the property. The Yellow course is the longer and flatter of the two main 18-hole courses at Real El Prat and it underwent a significant bunker renovation during covid when more than forty sand hazards were removed. Comparing scorecards, the Pink course isn’t quite as tough as the Yellow but there’s a lot more movement in the land, making it a more attractive layout for the ordinary golfer. When golf and lunch was over at the clubhouse on Day 2, our group was transported closer to the coast, to the Bouquet D’Allela winery which is situated within one of five designations of origin for wine in the Barcelona region. This small winery is operated by the 14th generation of the Bouquet family, maintaining an estate from a 15th century farmhouse, with vineyards cultivated using ecological techniques across 14 hectares in four local municipalities.  Following a short tour and tasting session at the winery in Allela, it was on to dinner at the Nuus Restaurant in the Hotel Atenea Port in Mataró, on the Costa del Maresme, courtesy of El Maresme County Council. Llavaneras The course at Club de Golf Llavaneras is reckoned to be the 4th oldest private Catalonian golf club, dating back to 1945. Peter Gannon set out a 9-hole course originally and this was later extended by Fred Hawtree then Ramón Espinosa when more land became available. Still, with only around 85 acres in play, it’s a short track that’s fun to play, featuring tight, tree-lined fairways and small greens. As soon as lunch was finished at the Llavaneras clubhouse, there was a half-hour transfer arranged to take us to La Roca Village – one of eleven global shopping destinations under the Village brand – which is a pedestrianised, open-air collection of more than 150 boutiques, set amongst spacious tree-shaded squares and walkways. We then headed to our final port of call at the 150-bedroom Hotel Barcelona Golf Resort next to Club de Golf Barcelona, where our group enjoyed dinner in the clubhouse. Barcelona Founded as Masia Bach Golf Club in 1990, Club de Golf Barcelona operates a 9-hole executive course and a full 18-hole layout named Masia Bach. Designed by José María Olazábal, the course occupies a hilly property that must have required quite a bit of effort to construct over thirty years ago – it’s thought more than two million cubic metres of soil was shifted to fashion the fairways back then. Immediately after the morning round on Day 4 of the visit, the EGTMA group was whisked off to another nearby winery at Finca ca n’Estella which is owned and managed by the Rabetllat and Vidal family. In 1992, Mercè Rabetllat and her husband, Jaume Vidal, resumed wine making on the estate and their family still runs the business, along with a team of external professionals. After a tour of the production facilities, a leisurely tapas and wine tasting lunch rounded off the trip nicely before delegates were scheduled to be taken back to the airport. That wasn’t the end for us, however, as there were still a few other places to be checked out in the area, not least of which were the other three members of the Barcelona Golf Destination group. The next couple of days were then spent exploring these other golfing options. Montanyà The course at Golf Montanyà lies 60 kilometres north of Barcelona so it’s the furthest of the six clubs in the consortium from the city centre – however, it’s worth every minute of the 1-hour drive it takes to reach this golf club situated in the hills of the El Brull municipality. Set within the Montseny Natural Park, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve extending to more than 30,000 hectares, the 18-hole layout is a late-1980s Dave Thomas design that packs a punch, attracting a slope index of 136 from back tees which can stretch to almost 6,200 metres in overall length. Vallromanes Situated halfway between Real Club de Golf El Prat and Club de Golf Llavaneras to the northeast of Barcelona, the course at Club de Golf Vallromanes is a Fred Hawtree design from the early 1970s which has holes laid out in two distinct compartments, with the 11th to 16th routed up and down a narrow valley. The club hosted the Spanish Open in 1985, when Seve Ballesteros won by four shots from Gordon Brand Jr. Terramar Club de Golf Terramar lies 40 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, outside the coastal town of Sitges. The golf course is actually a hundred years old, dating back to when Tom Simpson (no less) set out the original holes. Jim Fazio redesigned the layout in the 1990s and Martin Ebert has spent time upgrading the layout recently, resulting in quite a few modifications on the back nine. Postscript We found the quality of the golf product in Barcelona (both on and off the course) to be very good and very affordable so for anybody looking to combine golf with local culture on a future Spanish golf trip then serious consideration should be given to flying into the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport for an exceptional Catalonian golfing adventure. The Barcelona Golf Destination website offers a number of attractive stay and play packages. Sincere thanks to everybody who made this such an enjoyable short trip but particular thanks to: Veronika Schöbel (Sales Manager at Club de Golf Llavaneras) Enrique Gómez (Director of Golf at Club de Golf Barcelona) Quim Vizcaino (Gerència de Serveis de Turisme with the local tourist office) Marcello della Vechia (Int. Director of Sales & Marketing at Real Club de Golf El Prat) all of whom were heavily involved in organizing the programme of events whilst the EGTMA group was in the Barcelona region – apologies if we’ve missed anybody who should be mentioned. Transportation and accommodation during the press trip was provided by Diputació de Barcelona, the Barcelona Provincial Council. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses

More resorts along the Spanish Costas Around this time last year, we published an article entitled Resort Golf in the Spanish Costas, where we featured some of the top golf facilities located along the east and south coast of mainland Spain. We’ve decided to revisit this geographical area again, starting with Peralada on the Costa Brava and finishing with La Hacienda Alcaidesa on the Costa del Sol. In between those two resorts, we’ll highlight several others that are worth consideration as affordable stay and play golfing options. Peralada We begin with Golf Peralada in the province of Girona, near the border with France in the northeast corner of Spain. The 18-hole layout here is an early 1990s creation from Jordi Soler i Peix, with holes routed around the hotel and a few small clusters of residential housing. Extending to just over 6,000 metres from the back tees, this par 71 layout is laid out as two returning nines, each of which end with approach shots to water-protected greens. There’s also a 9-hole pitch and putt course beside the driving range, with holes measuring between 53 and 108 metres. The hotel comprises 54 guest rooms (32-35 square metres) and 10 suites which vary in size – from a Garden Suite at 45 square metres to the Presidential Suite at 90 square metres. One and a half kilometres from the club, next to the 14th century Castell de Peralada, you’ll find the Peralada Wine Spa with its range of treatments and massages. Close by, the new Peralada Winery merits a visit to find out of it fulfils its stated aim to “provide visitors with a unique and sensory experience”. El Prat Positioned 30 kilometres north of Barcelona city centre, Real Club de Golf El Prat moved to its current premises at the end of the 1990s when expansion plans for the airport resulted in the club losing its former Javier Arana-designed layout. A total of forty-five holes were fashioned here by Greg Norman’s design firm, with the Pink (Bosque and Arriba nines) and Yellow (Piscina and Abajo nines) promoted as the two premier 18-hole configurations. Accommodation is supplied by Hotel La Mola, which is set in the nearby Sant Llorenç del Munt nature reserve. There are 185 guest rooms in the hotel and 22 fully equipped meeting rooms. For big events, the adjacent 17th-century Mas Bonvilar manor house can be used as a reception hall for up to 700 people. There’s also a buggy shuttle available between the clubhouse and the hotel. El Saler Another Javier Arana design that thankfully still survives is the architect’s masterpiece at Parador de El Saler in the Albufera Nature Park to the south of Valencia. Unveiled in the late 1960s, the course weaves in and out of a pine forest beside the Playa de la Devesa, where tree-lined inland holes alternate with links holes next to the sandy strand that runs along the coast. Many agree that it’s one of the best golfing layouts on the continent of Europe. The on-site Parador hotel extends over two floors to 63 spacious and comfortable air-conditioned rooms, along with a couple of suites. Guests can also enjoy the relaxing spa with treatment room, an outdoor swimming pool and a grass soccer field. For large events, the "Vela Latina" convention room can hold gatherings of up to 400 people. La Finca Situated around 150 kilometres south of El Saler as the crow flies, the 18-hole layout at the La Finca Resort on the Costa Blanca is an early new millennium offering from Pepe Gancedo, who journalist Peter Dobereiner once dubbed “the Picasso of golf” for his artful design work. Set out as two returning nines, the course extends to 6,400 metres from the back tees, with water coming into play at holes 5 to 7 on the outward half then at holes 16 and 17 on the inward half. There are 120 modern guest rooms within the La Finca Hotel and they’re a mix of 74 deluxe rooms, 20 Club View rooms and 20 recently refurbished Club Superior rooms, together with six Junior and Royal Suites (each with a generous 58 square metre configuration). The Spa offers guests the use of a wonderful water circuit, outdoor pool and a range of beauty treatments and massages. La Quinta We move now to the south coast of Spain and the Costa del Sol, where La Quinta Golf & Country Club first appeared in the late 1980s with an 18-hole layout that has since been extended to twenty-seven holes. It lies just off the AP-7 main highway, in the Benahavis golf valley between the Sierra Blanc mountains and Puerto Banus on the Mediterranean coast, with the A and C loops regarded as the 18-hole layout of first choice. The on-site Westin hotel affords 170 accommodation options, consisting of 163 guest rooms, three Junior Suites, three Executive Suites, and the Presidential Suite. Each Classic Room has either a king-size bed or two twin beds, with a Deluxe Room having a larger living area. Executive Suites can connect to a Deluxe Room, while the Presidential Suite has a 155 square metre terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi. Villa Padierna Venue for the LET’s season-ending Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España a few months ago, Villa Padierna Golf Club is a 54-hole complex with three 18-hole layouts: the original Flamingos course (unveiled in 2001), the championship-standard Alferini course (inaugurated in 2007 and host to a recent LET professional ladies’ event), and the par 63 Tramores course, with ten par threes and only one par five on the scorecard. The Villa Padierna Palace hotel provides 132 guest rooms in total, split between Superior and Deluxe Rooms (19-42 square metres), Suites (43-250 square metres) and Villas (one of which in the past hosted First Lady Michelle Obama and is spread across three storeys). The Antanara Spa retreat has 10 treatment rooms, saunas, heated swimming pool, cold plunge pool and a floatarium. Alcaidesa Head half an hour along the AP-7 from Villa Padierna towards Gibraltar and you’ll arrive at La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort in San Roque, one of 28 golf facilities in membership of the prestigious European Tour Destinations network. Both the Links and Heathland 18-hole layouts were designed by Dave Thomas but it’s the recent extensive renovation conducted by former Nicklaus Design architect Kurtis Bowman – with every single hole substantially remodelled – that has elevated this course into the upper echelons of golf in Spain. At the moment, the main accommodation provider for the resort is the nearby all-inclusive 4-star Aldiana Costa del Sol hotel which has 334 guest rooms assigned across different buildings of up to three floors, from family rooms to superior suites with 80 square metres of living space and a separate living room. The hotel’s spacious spa also contains saunas, a whirlpool, and a large indoor pool. Additionally, the new Fairmont La Hacienda Hotel is due to open by Easter 2024, offering more than 300 guest rooms and suites either within the hotel or in the accompanying villas. This complex will also feature five restaurants and bars (including a pool bar and a beach restaurant) along with a spa, swimming pools and fitness centre. If you have any comment to make on the above article then please use the “WRITE A RESPONSE” link at the bottom of this page. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses