For most people, Madrid holds connotations of art, football and glorious weather. Golf? Not so much, especially compared to the popular Costa del Sol or Balearic Islands. However, if you’re passionate about swinging a stick, overlooking Spain’s capital is a big mistake.
Of course, you’ll find a plethora of world-class cuisine and culture in this bustling city, officially the continent’s sunniest capital. But it might surprise you to learn that there are also more than 25 golf courses to choose from in the area. There are designs by world-famous stars, venues staging prestigious tournaments, fairways that all-time greats have walked. Masters of the sport have made their mark – as players and as architects – in Madrid.
The quantity and quality of courses is too vast to list here, but one highlight is Golf Santander, designed by national hero Seve Ballesteros in collaboration with American Rees Jones. One of Spain’s longest tracks at almost 7,500 yards, Golf Santander nonetheless offers six tee options to cater for players of all abilities and Seve’s uniquely quirky style is in full swing.
Golf Santander
Real Club La Moraleja, infused with the genius of Jack Nicklaus, is also not to be missed. The Golden Bear himself designed the club’s first and third courses, while the second (under the direction of architectural genius Ron Kirby) and fourth bear the Nicklaus Design name. No. 3 is arguably the pick of the bunch, but tournaments including the World Cup of Golf have been held on the first two.
Another Spanish golfing great – and Masters champion – to lay down a course in Madrid is the inimitable José María Olazábal. Club de Golf Retamares was founded just over 30 years ago and has staged several events on the Ladies European Tour, but you don’t need to be a professional to enjoy its dynamic layout.
It’s not only legendary players who have contributed to the quality of course design in Madrid. Keen golf fans will recognise names like Robert Von Hagge and Javier Arana, too, who earned their places in the architectural hall of fame despite not starring on tour.
Club de Golf Retamares
You’d be forgiven for wondering if the sun-baked climate of central Spain makes it hard to keep playing surfaces in good condition, but advances in modern greenkeeping and irrigation mean this couldn’t be further from the truth. Facilities in the area have also taken a significant leap forward in recent years, while the Madrid region is now home to some of Europe’s most respected golf academies – and whatever your level, there’s something cathartic about honing your skills under the Spanish sun.
As we alluded to, the Madrid experience isn’t over when you drain your final putt. Far from it. For starters, the dining is simply sublime: there are more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants and countless other eateries to cater to all tastes. You won’t be short on places to stay thanks to a stellar line-up of options in the centre of the city (and for miles in all directions). The tally of four or five-star hotels currently stands at more than 125, so there’s guaranteed to be something perfect for you.
LaFinca Golf
Madrid is also celebrated for its history, and no visit is complete without experiencing some of its most famous landmarks and museums. The regal Plaza Mayor at the heart of the city is a must, as is the nearby Royal Palace (still the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy). Masterpieces by everyone from Goya to El Greco can be taken in at the Prado Museum, where the star attraction is the best collection of Spanish art you’ll find anywhere in the country.
If you want to fuse legacy with leisure, though, there are three incredible courses located in UNESCO World Heritage Cities a stone’s throw from central Madrid: Real Club de Golf La Herrería, Golf Aranjuez and El Encin Golf Hotel. The opportunity to play 18 holes in a setting of such cultural significance doesn’t come along very often.
And if – like so many – you’re in town on business, see if you can extend your stay by a night or two and fit in some of these superb golf courses. Not that you’ll need any additional motivation, but the scenery alone is worth staying the extra day.
Be amazed by the magic of Madrid and its world-class golf courses: golfinmadrid.es
