When a golf player is thinking about a perfect vacation for the family
, Spain immediately comes to mind. This is a popular vacation destination for thousands of visitors every year with a number of golf courses, splendid weather and magnificent landscapes. Spain offers more than ideal circumstances for the golf players and as a result the lovers of this sport return year after year after year!
Sunny weather associated with gentle wind speed and great visibility is what every golf player dreams about, but Spain takes it a step further by having this type of weather all year. This ensures that an enjoyable long season of golf can be appreciated; generally the seasons are June-September (low); December-February (low); October-November (high) and March-May (high).
There are an estimated 315 golf courses in Spain. Courses can be found in the cities, in the mountains and on the coasts. These courses can be so varied in characteristics and landscapes that no one game may necessarily be like another and green fees are offered by all the clubs to visiting golf players. Visitors do not require a license from The Royal Spanish Golf Federation; however a valid handicap from the respective home federation or club of the visitor must be presented to the courses in Spain.
The top five golf courses in Spain are as follows:
The Valderrama is located in the Andalusian countryside and is well known for hosting the Volvo Masters in 1989 and the Ryder Cup in 1997.
Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola Club de Campo (North) is located on the outskirts of Madrid and hosted the Madrid Open in 2007 and the Madrid Masters in 2010.
The PGA de Catalunya is located in the Girona Mountains and hosted two World Opens in the years 1999 and 2000.
The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande has truly stood the test of time; the course is over 40 years old and was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is located on Costa del Sol.
Campo de Golf El Saler located in Albufera Nature Park on the Mediterranean shores was designed by Javier Arana and ranks as one of the best course layouts.
With an almost inexhaustible list of golf courses it would seem that Spain has a course for players of all levels and standards; it may be even considered that you have not played golf until you have played in Spain.