Bucket list cheat code: how to get a round at Valderrama and Real Club Sotogrande – Golf365

Spain has long been the hotspot (literally) for European golf.

While Scotland and Ireland offer the majesty of links golf, no other European nation has produced a comprehensive warm weather product quite like Spain – there are lots of resorts, lots of courses and lots of great restaurants and bars.

Other nations have come close to matching Spain but one reason they remain in the peloton chasing the pacesetter is that the Iberian peninsula country has two gems that are not only the country’s finest golfing tests – they are also continental Europe’s greatest, too.

Valderrama and Real Club Sotogrande are the layouts in question and they have unquestionable class.

Both were designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior in the mid-20th century when golf spread across the Mediterranean coast – but few courses have ever come close to capturing the brilliance of these early efforts.

The quality of Valderrama was rubber-stamped when it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup – a match that will forever be associated with the captain Seve Ballesteros.

Since then Valderrama (the 15th is picture above) has been a regular host for European and then DP World Tour events.

It is a sensationally tough test, one that sneaks between cork trees, the narrow fairways leading to lightning fast greens.

Real Club Sotogrande is just down the road, closer to the ocean itself and features many similar holes to its neighbour as the course winds through cork trees to magnificent putting surfaces.

But it also has a series of holes around the turn, and at the start and end of the round, which are flatter and more resort-like (the 16th is below). It, too, has been a regular venue for high class tour events.

Valderrama is often called the “Augusta of Europe” while Real Club is acknowledged as just that – a royal course at the far tip of Europe that is fit for kings and queens.

What both these clubs share are genuinely superb courses, sensational conditioning, wonderful weather and magnificent Spanish hospitality.

There are two other shared features, as well.

The first is that the pair sit at the top of any bucket list of European golfing experiences.

The second is that getting to play them can be difficult. Very difficult.

They are both private member clubs but that isn’t entirely the problem because you can pay a green fee. The real difficulty is getting one of the few tee times on offer.

But there is a cheat code.

SO/ Sotogrande is a hotel spa situated just up the hill from the two courses and staying there is the key to finding yourself walking up to the first tee at Valderrama and Real Club.

It’s no guest house either. In fact, it’s a lovely spot. A tremendous place to spend a few days with a reception that instantly puts you at ease, a beautifully manicured property, terrific restaurants and bars, a bird’s eye view across the Mediterranean towards Morocco, it’s own fantastic golf course to keep the swing well-oiled, a relaxing spa, tasteful rooms and luxurious beds that guarantee a good night’s sleep.

The ideal location for your attack on Valderrama and Real Club – and if this is your plan the hotel will tailor a schedule.

The importance of this cannot be exaggerated because without their assistance you need a world class contacts book.

The rounds won’t be cheap but the hotel is great value so the all round package really is bucket list level.

This is great news for European golf fans but also for Americans because Sotogrande is fast becoming one of the favourite vacations for U.S. golfers.

They love the weather, admire the high quality golf on offer, adore the food and appreciate the lavish welcome.

READ MORE: How would an average golfer fare playing Real Club Sotogrande – home of the Andalucia Masters?