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Which are the Best Golf Courses in Madrid?

Spain’s capital city, Madrid, is a busy metropolis, where beautiful architecture, fascinating museums and endless attractions mingle with numerous high-quality golf courses. The city offers many possibilities for the dedicated golf traveller, as it has more golf courses within a 25km district than any other capital in Europe.

It is the perfect location to play golf, as many of the clubs are open to guest golfers and don’t have a “members only” policy. The courses are superb, which is hardly surprising, since several were designed by some of the world’s most famous golfers, including the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

It’s a well-known fact that for a lot of golf lovers, the game’s social aspects are as important as the game itself. Visitors to Madrid who want to get to know people often join a prestigious golf club in order to meet fellow golfers of a similar mindset to socialise and enjoy playing.

We’ve chosen a selection of stunning venues that we believe represent the very best of Madrid’s golfing experience.

Real Club La Moraleja

Real Club La Moraleja

Located in the urban area of La Moraleja, Alcobendas, Real Club La Moraleja is one of Spain’s most respected golf clubs. It is also one of Spain’s largest golf clubs and is the biggest inner-city club in Europe. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it was founded in 1973 and boasts four 18-hole golf courses.

They have different layouts, with Moraleja 1 short and narrow, with very technical aspects, while Moraleja 2 is longer and is designed to host spectators, as it has wider and less lavishly planted holes. Moraleja 3 is a classical, long, parkland-type course with massive lakes and Moraleja 4 has an innovative design with undulating terrain, water hazards and isles of vegetation.

ARCHITECT: Jack Nicklaus

LOCATION: La Moraleja, Alcobendas

LENGTH: 6,550 yards (Moraleja 1)

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: 72

Real Sociedad Hipica

The Real Sociedad Hipica has two 18-hole courses, designed by Robert von Hagge, a par-three course, a driving range and putting greens. The two courses, North and South, were both laid out by the American architect in liaison with his business partner, Rick Baril.

The North Course was redesigned in 1997 and boasts gently undulating, tree-lined fairways. Water comes into play at several holes, including on the fourth, where a creek runs diagonally across the fairway, providing an interesting round.

ARCHITECT: Robert von Hagge, Rick Baril

LOCATION: San Sebastián de los Reyes

LENGTH: 7,162 yards (North Course)

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: 72

El Encin

El Encin

The El Encin Golf Hotel first opened in 2011 and became a favourite among discerning golfers from the outset. It is considered to be one of Madrid’s best golf courses. Designed by the renowned Robert von Hagge and Rick Barilas, the 18-hole course, Par 72, has wide fairways, a few large and unique greens and very well situated bunkers.

The Encín Golf Hotel is a luxurious four-star hotel equipped with the latest facilities, where golfers can rest and relax after a round of golf on the chill out terrace or at the swimming pool, which can be booked for private parties.

ARCHITECT: Robert von Hagge, Rick Baril

LOCATION: El Encin Golf Hotel, Alcalá de Henares

LENGTH: 5,400 yards

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: Par 72

Club de Golf Retamares

Club de Golf Retamares is located 30 minutes north of Madrid, near the A1 Madrid to Burgos motorway. The 18-hole golf course is set in more than 720,000 square metres of land, with breathtaking views of the mountains. Both experienced golfers and beginners mingle on the course.

The club provides social and multisport activities for all the family, including a racquets club (including tennis and squash courts) for people of all ages. The club also has a restaurant, a cafeteria, two large swimming pools, a gym, a nursery and a summer camp. The Golf School is for people of all ages too, providing a complete all-round experience for everyone in your party.

ARCHITECT: Jose Maria Olazabal

LOCATION: Calle Aldebarán, Alalpardo

LENGTH: 6,856 yards

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: 72

Golf Santander

The Golf Santander course, created by the Santander Group, was designed by Rees Jones, who is known as the “Open Doctor”, as he has worked on many golf courses that have hosted the US Open. Golf Santander is a spectacular 18-hole golf course, which opened in 2005.

Considered one of the best courses in Europe, it features a TaylorMade Performance Lab, where players can receive full professional guidance. It also is home to the Jim McLean golf school, considered by many to be the world’s number one golf school. The other facilities include a multi-purpose hall, restaurant and changing rooms.

ARCHITECT: Rees Jones

LOCATION: Av de Ciudad de Santander, Boadilla del Monte,

LENGTH: 7,500 yards

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: 72

Club de Campo Villa de Madrid

The famous golf club, Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, is located on the outskirts of Madrid on a site that measures alost 200 hectares. It is one of Europe’s biggest sports complexes. The club boasts a spectacular record of major competitions, including hosting eight Madrid Opens, the Joy Cup, six Spain Professional Championships, seven Spanish Opens, a Professionals’ World Cup and a European Clubs Cup.

Aside from golf, there is everything a sports fan could want under one roof, including tennis, hockey, swimming, horse riding and more. There are two 18-hole golf courses, both designed by Javier Arana and Severiano Ballesteros respectively. There is also a nine hole course of par three holes.

ARCHITECT: Javier Arana, Severiano Ballesteros

LOCATION: Ctra Castilla

LENGTH: 6,970 yards

TOTAL HOLES: 18

PAR: 71

Although it is often associated with football, Madrid has lots to offer golfers too, both on and off the course. This is why it’s beloved by golfers all over the world. Enjoy city golf at its finest when you visit the Spanish capital.

As one of the best-known capital cities in Europe, Madrid has all the hallmarks of a great golfing holiday destination. It offers a perfect mix of high-quality championship golf courses while being home to some of Europe’s most notable and important cultural and historic sites.