Address: Av. los Cortijos, s/n, 11310 Sotogrande, Cádiz, Spain
Website: https://www.valderrama.com/
Tucked into the leafy enclave of Sotogrande in Cádiz, Real Club Valderrama isn’t just Europe’s top-ranked golf course—it’s a full-blown legacy. Originally designed in 1974 by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. and known as Las Aves, it was reborn in the mid-80s under the vision of Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, who turned it into a European golf icon. By 1988, it was already hosting the Volvo Masters, and the rest is history.
Valderrama made headlines in 1997 as the first Ryder Cup venue outside the UK—a dramatic showdown captained by the late Seve Ballesteros that sealed its mythic status. It went on to host Tiger Woods (who won here in ’99), the World Golf Championships, and the Andalucía Masters, and in 2023 welcomed LIV Golf Andalucía. Even if you’ve never picked up a club, the prestige here is tangible. This isn’t just a golf course—it’s a cultural landmark in Spain’s sporting story.
This course is featured in our Best Golf Courses in Marbella and around Andalucía — check out the guide for more great places!
