Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro, Madrid



Madrid's stellar course, one of Spain's oldest and certainly its most exclusive, is set in a beautiful oak forest, just outside the city. Established in 1895, the challenging Par 72 course, which includes the old 18-hole Arriba Course and the new 18-hole Abaja Course, is deservedly very popular on weekends.

Sloping, well maintained greens and long fairways edged by trees, include many bunkers and water hazards. There is a pitching green, and a putting green. Other facilities include a pro shop, golf tuition, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and horse riding, while the clubhouse features a bar, restaurant and sauna.

Alicante, Costa Blanca

Seve Ballesteros designed this 18-hole, Par 72 course, with its contoured greens, long fairways, and well-positioned bunkers, set among various housing estates. The picturesque ruins of a Roman Villa is located near the 15th green. The course, set next to a beach, features many holes with water hazards and strategically located bunkers. The 6 Par 5s, Par 4s and Par 3s, cover flat fairways.

The final hole tees off over water, and includes numerous fairway bunkers, while making the green involves more lake hopping. Alicante requires a buggy, which comes with the playing fee, and there is a practice ground, a caf?/restaurant, and a well-stocked pro shop.

Desert Springs, Almeria

Europe's first desert course, opened in 2002, the prestigious and challenging 18-hole Desert Springs is modelled on courses in Arizona and California. Year-round golfing is possible, and a high-tech golf academy, featuring computer video analysis, holds private and group classes.

Fortunately the course is suitable for both amateurs and professionals, and dry riverbeds, water channels, rocks and a variety of xerophytic plants, along with surrounding mountains make for a dramatic setting. The desert terrain is an interesting change from Spain's more typical lush, coastal golf courses. Desert Springs includes a pitching green, putting green, and driving range.

Club de Golf Valderrama

Regarded as Spains's best golf course, Valderrama, on Costa del Sol, has long Par 5s, plentiful water hazards, and greens that are bunker protected. There are spectacular views towards Gibraltar and the North African coastline, and lush, tree-lined fairways and spick and span elevated greens give this course the great reputation it deserves.

Valderrama's famed, tough 17th hole, the location for many dramatic world championship matches, requires a perfect third shot over water to make the green. But don't just turn up expecting a game ? you must book months in advance to play here.

Montecastillo, Cadiz

This marvellous golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, features 18 holes, and covers 160 hectares. It is part of the Montecastillo resort complex, which includes hotels, restaurants, a pool and health centre.

Well-tended fairways and greens, and a full range of practice facilities include 75 covered bays at the driving range, grass practice tees, and putting and chipping greens. The reasonably flat course, with undulating fairways, has expansive lakes, many bunkers and top quality greens. From the 18th hole tee are spectacular views towards Jerez.