Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

Sotogrande, founded in 1964, this refined and traditional club remained part of the stylish urbanization until 1979, the year in which the members acquired the course giving rise to a private members’ club which is considered nowadays as one of the best in Europe.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, his first in Europe and typical of his philosophy – a course perfectly integrated with the natural surroundings which is a great challenge to the better players, but accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Quality practice facilities. There is a driving range with natural grass for up to 30 places, along with magnificent short game area with an impeccable maintenance. It has three bunkers, pitching green with different pin positions and a putting green.

A relatively flat course but beautifully manicured. Wide, lush fairways framed by mature cork oaks, eucalyptus, pine and palm.

Rather than length off the tee, the layout requires strategic thinking and ball striking of the highest order.

Although not a hilly course, greens are elevated and each approach requires extra care in club selection and execution. Firm and fast greens with subtle contouring are possibly the course’s greatest defence, along with the bunkering – 69 of the 100 or so bunkers are placed around the greens.

Unusually the hardest hole is a par 3, and comes early in the round. 208m off Whites the 4th hole features a green which is 5m higher than the tee and slopes from back to front. So club selection is all.

Typical of RTJ designs of the time, the finishing holes are tough with water very much to the fore.

Starting in 2014, the course underwent a major restoration with the construction of a new drainage system, the replacement of all grass and the reconstruction of all greens, bunkers and tees. In addition, the original contours of greens and bunkers which Trent Jones originally devised were recovered. For such an extensive and sensitive restoration, the club contracted the services Roger Rulewich who worked with Trent Jones for more than 35 years.

With wider than average fairways, and subtle greenside challenges, consider playing Sotogrande at the start of your vacation. Scoring well is a different matter – based on Slope rating it’s the most difficult course in the area!