How difficult is Valderrama? How does it compare with other courses in Sotogrande?
Overall course difficulty rankings and data for scratch & bogey golfers.
Explanation of terms used:
Course Rating™
Playing difficulty for scratch golfers; likely strokes taken
Scratch Golfer
Scratch golfer has a handicap of 0
Bogey Rating™
Playing difficulty for bogey golfers; likely strokes taken
Bogey Golfer
Bogey male golfer has a handicap of 20, female 24
Slope Rating®
Relative playing difficulty for bogey v scratch golfers
Minimum slope = 55, maximum = 155, average = 113
The higher the slope the more difficult the course for bogey golfers
Terms trademarked by USGA (www.usga.org)
Full explanation of terms here
Overall course difficulty
- Overall course difficulty is measured by Slope Rating which, simply put, shows how much harder the course plays for bogey (regular) golfers rather than scratch golfers.
- Courses are ranked by Slope Rating.
Yellow tee
| Course | Slope Rating |
|---|---|
| Sotogrande | 138 |
| San Roque Old | 136 |
| Finca Cortesin | 136 |
| Valderrama | 136 |
| La Reserva | 133 |
| Almenara – Pinos & Alcornoques | 133 |
| Almenara – Lagos & Pinos | 132 |
| San Roque New | 131 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 130 |
| Almenara – Alcornoques & Lagos | 130 |
| La Canada | 128 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 128 |
Red tee
| Course | Slope Rating |
|---|---|
| Sotogrande | 136 |
| Valderrama | 133 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 131 |
| San Roque Old | 130 |
| La Canada | 129 |
| Almenara – Lagos & Pinos | 129 |
| Almenara – Alcornoques & Lagos | 129 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 128 |
| San Roque New | 128 |
| Almenara – Pinos & Alcornoques | 128 |
| La Reserva | 126 |
| Finca Cortesin | 124 |
Overall course difficulty v length
- This graph shows how courses compare based on their difficulty and their length.
- Difficulty is measured by Slope Rating.
Yellow tee
Red tee
- Sotogrande and Valderrama stand out as being not only the oldest courses in the area but the two most difficult too.
- Notice how length doesn’t automatically equate with difficulty. Valderrama is as difficult as San Roque Old even though it measures 624m less off yellows; that’s 35m and several clubs less each hole!
- We offer significant discounts on our Finest 5 package which includes play at Valderrama together with four of Sotogrande’s finest courses – Sotogrande, San Roque Old, Finca Cortesin and La Reserva. Off yellows, see how you will be challenging yourself against the top 5 most difficult courses in the area
- San Roque New is a fine example of a long course designed to be as playable for the regular golfer as the expert. See the below-average difficulty rating despite its considerable length. A great course for a golf vacation
- Off the reds, La Reserva, Finca Cortesin and Alcaidesa Heathland all offer below-average difficulty for their length.
What are you likely to score on any of these courses?
For the likely score to par based on YOUR handicap, for all courses in the Sotogrande area, take a look at our simple score prediction tool here
Difficulty for Scratch Golfers
- Course difficulty for scratch golfers is measured by Course Rating.
- Courses are ranked by the likely score to par for a scratch golfer, measured by Course Rating minus par for the course.
Yellow tee
| Course | Par | Course Rating | Likely score to par |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Roque Old | 72 | 73.7 | +2 |
| Valderrama | 71 | 71.4 | 0 |
| San Roque New | 72 | 72.3 | 0 |
| Sotogrande | 72 | 71.9 | 0 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 72 | 71.8 | 0 |
| Finca Cortesin | 72 | 71.4 | -1 |
| La Reserva | 72 | 71.4 | -1 |
| La Canada | 71 | 70.3 | -1 |
| Almenara-Pinos & Alcornoques | 72 | 70.8 | -1 |
| Almenara-Lagos & Pinos | 72 | 70.8 | -1 |
| Almenara-Alcornoques & Lagos | 72 | 70.5 | -2 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 72 | 69.9 | -2 |
Red tee
| Course | Par | Course Rating | Likely score to par |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valderrama | 71 | 73.2 | +2 |
| San Roque Old | 72 | 73.9 | +2 |
| La Canada | 71 | 72.2 | +1 |
| San Roque New | 72 | 72.9 | +1 |
| Sotogrande | 72 | 72.5 | +1 |
| La Reserva | 72 | 71.9 | 0 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 72 | 71.8 | 0 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 72 | 71.8 | 0 |
| Almenara – Alcornoques & Lagos | 72 | 71.7 | 0 |
| Almenara-Lagos & Pinos | 72 | 71.4 | -1 |
| Finca Cortesin | 72 | 71 | -1 |
| Almenara – Pinos & Alcornoques | 72 | 70.8 | -1 |
- For expert golfers off yellows and reds, San Roque Old offers the biggest challenge overall to shoot par or below. Check out our San Roque Old offers
- Despite their modest length, scratch golfers are unlikely to go under par at Valderrama and Sotogrande
- With its relatively modest green fee and high difficulty, San Roque New is the best course overall for scratch golfers seeking a great value golfing challenge. Check out our San Roque New offers
- Taking the Sotogrande courses as a whole, for expert golfers, the red tees are more challenging than the yellows
- Off reds only, La Canada offers a high degree of difficulty combined with exceptional value
What are you likely to score on any of these courses?
For the likely score to par based on YOUR handicap, for all courses in the Sotogrande area, take a look at our simple score prediction tool here
Difficulty for Bogey Golfers
- Course difficulty for bogey golfers is measured by Bogey Rating.
- Courses are ranked by likely score to par for a bogey golfer, measured by Bogey Rating minus par for the course.
Yellow tee
| Course | Par | Course Rating | Likely score to par |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Roque Old | 72 | 99.0 | +27 |
| Valderrama | 71 | 96.7 | +26 |
| Sotogrande | 72 | 97.5 | +26 |
| Finca Cortesin | 72 | 96.7 | +25 |
| San Roque New | 72 | 96.6 | +25 |
| La Reserva | 72 | 96.1 | +24 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 72 | 96.0 | +24 |
| Almenara – Pinos & Alcornoques | 72 | 95.5 | +24 |
| Almenara-Lagos & Pinos | 72 | 95.3 | +23 |
| La Canada | 71 | 94.1 | +23 |
| Almenara – Alcornoques & Lagos | 72 | 94.7 | +23 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 72 | 93.7 | +22 |
Red tee
| Course | Par | Course Rating | Likely score to par |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valderrama | 71 | 104.6 | +34 |
| Sotogrande | 72 | 104.6 | +33 |
| San Roque Old | 72 | 104.6 | +33 |
| La Canada | 71 | 102.6 | +32 |
| San Roque New | 72 | 103.1 | +31 |
| Alcaidesa Links | 72 | 102.7 | +31 |
| Almenara – Alcornoques & Lagos | 72 | 102.1 | +30 |
| Alcaidesa Heathland | 72 | 102.0 | +30 |
| Almenara-Lagos & Pinos | 72 | 101.8 | +30 |
| La Reserva | 72 | 101.6 | +30 |
| Almenara – Pinos & Alcornoques | 72 | 101.0 | +29 |
| Finca Cortesin | 72 | 100.2 | +28 |
- For bogey (or regular) golfers off both yellows and reds, the ‘golden triangle’ of Valderrama, Sotogrande and San Roque Old represents the hardest golfing challenge in the area. Play them as part of our Finest 5 package
- Just as for expert golfers, Valderrama and Sotogrande are 2 of the most challenging courses for average golfers, despite being the oldest and shortest courses in the area
- With its relatively modest green fee and top 5 difficulty, San Roque New is the best course overall for regular golfers off yellows and reds seeking a great value golfing challenge. Check out our San Roque New offers
- With the combination of modest course difficulty and high service levels, players off reds should look no further than Finca Cortesin and La Reserva. With a variety of tee boxes and clever Cabell Robinson design, players of all abilities will feel right at home on these courses. Simply put, an exceptional golfing experience awaits at both courses
- Off reds only, La Canada offers the regular golfer a high degree of difficulty combined with exceptional value
What are you likely to score on any of these courses?
For the likely score to par based on YOUR handicap, for all courses in the Sotogrande area, take a look at our simple score prediction tool here