Sotogrande
The Costa del Sol was continental Europe’s first golfing playground, bursting onto the scene 60 years ago. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year on average, the climate here is temperate in winter, while in the height of summer it is very warm with little rain.
Almost at the point where Europe crosses over to Africa, Sotogrande is a tranquil and beautiful haven offering a refined escape from the lively and cosmopolitan attractions just up the coast in Marbella.
At its heart, the SO/ Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort is the perfect base for a trip that takes in the destination’s four outstanding championship venues: Real Sotogrande, La Reserva Club, San Roque and Real Valderrama. Indeed, with its spa, health club, sporting facilities and restaurants, and with several other very enjoyable golf courses right on the doorstep, Sotogrande is simply one of the very best golfing destinations in mainland Europe.
La Reserva Club
One of Sotogrande’s real stars is La Reserva Club, right next door to Real Valderrama. Despite their proximity, the two could hardly be more different. Cabell Robinson’s La Reserva is a little more forgiving and certainly more undulating, while offering spectacular, far-reaching views. It opened back in 2004 and continues to grow in stature, having hosted events on both the men’s and ladies’ European tours.
The course features an enthralling blend of risk and reward, drama, variety and, most of all, fun. One of the great joys is that no two holes are the same, with the golfer constantly changing direction. Water comes into play on six or seven holes, evenly placed throughout the round. Nowhere is this more the case than on the 15th and 17th, where anything right of the green will end up submerged in the agua.
By contrast, the two par 3s on the front nine have water to the left, so questions are asked not simply of those who hit it left to right.
Real Club Sotogrande
Sotogrande, the region’s very first course, opened in 1964 and earned royal status 30 years later. It was Robert Trent Jones Senior’s first course in Europe, and was the first on the continent to feature new types of grass and a fully automated watering system. It enjoyed a comprehensive upgrade in 2015/16, and some consider it a worthy rival to Real Valderrama. It’s not too demanding off the tee, with its main defence the elevated and sloping greens that mean choosing the best line in is key.