Valderrama Golf Club

There is not much that can be said about Valderrama Golf Club that is not already known! Ranked at the very top of Golf World Magazine’s Top 100 Courses of Continental Europe for the past 20 consecutive years, Valderrama happens to be the most exclusive private golf club in all of Europe.

The members, under their energetic and determined president, Jaime Ortiz Patino, have spared no expense in building and maintaining an immaculate course, an extravagantly impressive clubhouse and a club that respects the traditional values of golf like no other outside of the inner sanctum of the most traditional British club. Valderrama is a golfing shrine and every golfer should make the pilgrimage. Perhaps the most famous course in Europe it is said to be Andalucia’s answer to the famous Augusta Course. The care lavished upon the course has resulted in a perfect coupling of natural attributes enhanced by man. Valderrama has been host to some of golf’s finest tournaments including the Ryder Cup, Volvo Masters and the American Express Championships.

At first glance, Valderrama gives the appearance of being a gentle, rather agreeable course – nothing could be further from reality. As every player discovers, this is a stern test for even the best, with a level of difficulty enough to shatter the nerves of the calmest. Carefully thought out fairways, nearly 100 bunkers, elevated greens protected by encroaching cork oaks and a generous helping of water hazards thrown in for good measure, this is a thinking man’s layout where accuracy and careful course management means everything.

With the reputation Valderrama has built for itself, golfers the world over chomp at the bit to play it for themselves. But this remains a very private club and the members want to keep it that way. Despite this, they also recognize that in many ways they have built a national monument and recognize their responsibility to allow others to share in their treasure. A very limited number of visitor times, just 9 a day, are offered between the hours of 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. with starting times at 15 minute intervals. There is a very strict dress code and maximum handicap requirements to be complied with together with a respect for the history, traditions and etiquette of the Royal and Ancient game.

And for any who have the privilege of playing here, take time to visit the palatial clubhouse. It’s like no other you may have seen before and includes an outstanding collection of golfing memorabilia, each piece personally selected by Mr. Patino. There are items here that are the envy of even The British Golf Museum.

Valderrama's Clubhouse offers great views over the golf course. The outside of the building is traditional Andalucian, but the inside has been redesigned to an elegant and convenient layout. The elegant dining room offers excellent food at reasonable prices in a relaxed environment surrounded with regalia of the course. There are many areas offering great open views of the course, and you can even dine al fresco. The staff have almost all held positions at noted hotels and restaurants on a global scale, and as such, can cater perfectly to Andalucian cuisine as well as more international tastes.

Directions: From both Marbella or Algeciras turn off the N-340 at Km 131 exit marked Sotogrande-Guadiaro-Castellar.