La Reserva has built a reputation as one of Spain's finest golf courses, so when I visited the resort in July 2026 I was keen to see whether it lived up to the hype. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson and opened in 2003, the course has been carved through the trees and makes superb use of the natural elevation changes across the property. Wide, sweeping fairways, large undulating greens and well-positioned water hazards combine to create a layout that's both visually stunning and enjoyable to play. Add in some outstanding facilities and it's easy to see why La Reserva has become a must-play destination for anyone visiting the south of Spain.
Pre-Round Thoughts
The whole setup at La Reserva is impeccable. From the moment you arrive, the golf team takes your bags and loads them onto your buggy, making for a first-class welcome.
The professional shop is also well worth a visit, with plenty of crested accessories alongside a comprehensive range of equipment, clothing and golfing essentials. It's particularly well stocked for both men and women.
The large driving range features excellent grass hitting areas, complimentary balls and plenty of targets to help you fine-tune your swing before heading out. Before you do, I'd also strongly recommend spending some time around the superb short-game facilities. The chipping green, complete with practice bunkers, and the excellent putting green sitting proudly in front of the glorious clubhouse are both fantastic.
To be honest, even if you're not playing golf, you could easily watch an entire day disappear just enjoying the practice facilities.
Front Nine
The opening hole, a downhill dogleg moving right to left, really sets the tone for what is to follow. Deep fairway bunkers provide a good aiming point at the turn of the fairway before an approach shot played over water into a green that is generous in size but still demands accuracy. Big hitters will fancy their chances of cutting the corner and leaving a much shorter approach, but anything too far left will leave you playing from beneath the trees and off the pine straw. From the tee, the framing of the hole is excellent, with beautiful views of the fairway, surrounding hills and some impressive properties in the distance.
The first par 3 arrives at the 5th and is a stunning short hole played from an elevated tee. The green sits diagonally from front left to back right and is framed beautifully by tall pine trees. With a testing bunker protecting the front, club selection is crucial if you're going to give yourself a realistic birdie chance.
The 6th hole is probably my favourite on the course. A stunning par 5 measuring around 520 yards, the severe drop from tee to fairway creates not only one of the best views on the property but also a fantastic photo opportunity. With the fairway continuing to fall away after landing, a good drive can really shorten the hole. The long, narrow green is protected by a large water hazard down the right-hand side. A second shot favouring the left might seem the sensible option, but stray too far and you'll be left trying to chip back onto a narrow green from a steep bank, with the water waiting just beyond. It's simply a stunning golf hole.
Back Nine
I found the back nine to be a little more strategic from the tee, and the par 4 11th is a perfect example.
The ideal landing area is slightly blind from the tee, so aiming a little further left than you first think is the key. As the hole bends gently from left to right, it's easy to be tempted towards the right-hand side, but once you crest the slightly raised fairway the hole opens up beautifully, revealing a green surrounded by water. Any longer approach has to be precise, as anything left will feed down the run-offs into a watery grave, while the bunker on the right leaves an equally awkward third shot.
As wide as the 11th feels, the 12th is the complete opposite. It feels much tighter from the tee thanks to the trees surrounding the teeing ground, making club selection extremely important. Once again played from a slightly elevated tee, the fairway moves left to right around the trees. For the right-handed golfer, a controlled fade starting off the bunker is ideal, but anything leaking too far right brings the out of bounds firmly into play. The elevated green is protected by two gnarly-looking bunkers short of the putting surface, leaving another challenging recovery if you miss. It's another really well-designed hole.
The par 3 15th is another beauty, with the water that featured on the 11th coming back into play as you head towards home. There's no significant elevation change here to help with club selection, but the combination of water and well-placed bunkers means accuracy is still at a premium.
Another superb par 3 arrives at the 17th, once again from an elevated tee. It's another hole where you'll almost certainly stop for a few photos, or maybe even a quick video, before tackling the demanding closing hole. A solid tee shot up the left-hand side is ideal, using the natural kick of the fairway, before facing a challenging approach into an elevated green. The putting surface is both blind from the fairway and heavily protected by a large, deep bunker guarding the front. Get the club selection right and you'll hopefully give yourself one final birdie opportunity on another excellent green.
Post-Round Thoughts
There is a lot to love about La Reserva Golf Course.
There are five teeing options, ranging from the championship tees at 7,350 yards (67 tees, converted from metres) all the way down to the 51 tees at 5,581 yards, with the 60 tees measuring 6,614 yards and offering an excellent middle ground. It makes the course playable and enjoyable for golfers of all ages and abilities.
There is plenty of elevation change throughout the course, so I'd say walking probably isn't the best option. However, those elevation changes are a huge part of what makes La Reserva so enjoyable, creating some spectacular views across Sotogrande and even out towards the sea. The par 3s, in particular, are exceptional, with dramatic drops from the tee and some incredible backdrops.
The four par 5s all offer genuine birdie opportunities if you choose the right set of tees. For reference, I played from the 60 tees off a handicap index of six, and every par 5 felt just about reachable with two really good shots, which only adds to the enjoyment of the course.
The conditioning is faultless. The fairways are lush, the greens roll beautifully and are a joy to putt on, even if some of the undulations can be quite severe. Combined with the outstanding scenery, it's a course that's a pleasure to play from start to finish.
As I said at the top, there is a lot to love about La Reserva. In fact, there really isn't anything not to like. It's simply a beautiful golf course.
Verdict
I can see exactly why La Reserva ranks among the very best golf courses in Spain. It offers everything you could ask for without ever feeling overly punishing. It's enjoyable throughout, regardless of how you're playing or scoring, and if you're visiting the Sotogrande area, make sure La Reserva is on your itinerary.
