The vast regions and diversity of Spain presents a tremendous range of golf experiences for keen travellers to choose from, but what can be sampled within Andalucia, to the south, on the Costa del Sol, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, could well be the finest destination of the lot.
Should you be searching for a base to explore this area, then we can heartily recommend the Inmood San Roque Hotel, which is right in the centre of where you want to be.
Part of the exclusive Sotogrande development, tucked away within the municipality of San Roque, Cadiz, this is a venue surrounded by superb golf courses, including the famed Real Club Valderrama, which unforgettably staged the Ryder Cup in 1997.
You may not be aware of this fact, but both teams that year - captained by Seve Ballesteros and Tom Kite respectively - stayed in this hotel, which was their official base for the week, meaning that the likes of Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie walked the hallways and spent their nights away from the course inside the buildings.
That heritage provides Inmood San Roque with a distinctive flavour, but there is a considerable amount beyond that reputation to make this a golf trip that you will remember fondly.
Let's take a glance at what you can expect from a golf break here.
The Golf Courses
Formerly a host of the Spanish Open and past longtime home of the European Tour's Q-School, the San Roque Old Course is a spectacular layout to play, visually stimulating and presenting an undeniably invigorating challenge to any golfer.
Dave Thomas and Tony Jacklin - both Ryder Cup stalwarts - were the brains behind the design, which opened in 1990, before the great Seve Ballesteros himself made some later alterations to the bunkering.
Having been completely revamped in works undertaken from 2019, which saw the nines reversed and both bent grass and Bermuda grass introduced to its playing surfaces, the Old Course is now better than ever.
Similarly, the San Roque New Course, crafted by Perry Dye (son of the legendary Pete), is another beautiful and testing layout that has become a favourite with golfers who have ventured to Sotogrande.
Valderrama, which has been part of the golfing landscape for decades and stands as one of Europe's fiercest courses, is somewhere that does reside on many a bucket list and can be found just a short distance away from the Inmood San Roque Hotel.
La Hacienda Alcaidesa Links Golf Resort is another Dave Thomas creation, undulating and highly memorable with several striking holes, that is another jewel in this golfing hotspot, but we'd love to bring to your attention a pair of nearby places that were recently played by Golfshake's Matt Holbrook.
Considered to be an equal to the finest Spanish courses, La Reserva was a design that he was thrilled to discover genuinely lived up to the hype, writing in this review: "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. 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."
You may not know much about The Alto Club, which offers a different style of test to many of its famous neighbours, but it's a very good one, as Matt wrote: "The Alto is a really, really good golf course. With such contrasting front and back nines, you never feel like you're playing the same hole twice. In fact, I'd say it's the variety that makes this course so much fun. The Alto Club is a course that every golfer visiting Sotogrande should seriously consider playing. The facilities are first class, the golf is varied and enjoyable from start to finish, and the SoCiety clubhouse is the perfect place to relax afterwards."
Well, that all sounds rather splendid to us.
The Hotel
Looking across the San Roque Old Course and surrounded by the wider resort, there is a sense of place to Inmood, you know exactly where you are, and that is somewhere truly special. Despite being at the heart of things, this is a hotel that is peaceful and relaxing. The rooms here are immaculately presented and designed, combining elegance with comfort, while there are numerous facilities for you to enjoy during what is sure to be a tremendous stay.
If you are looking to unwind after your round of golf, the hotel boasts a large swimming pool, while there is a Mediterranean restaurant, a rooftop bar, a lobby bar, and a pool bar on the site, meaning that there is something for everyone so you can reflect on the experiences of the day with your companions.
But we would also encourage you to explore the small but cultural town of San Roque that is full of character. Here you will spot charming buildings and cobbled streets, while nearby Gibraltar (just a short drive away) is worthwhile exploring too, as there are many restaurants and dining options to choose from, offering traditional dishes, while the beach and its soft sand is merely yards away. You can see the famous Rock and take in the delights of the marina and the shimmering blue water that surrounds it.
This is a destination to savour.
How to Get Here
Inmood San Roque - and all the fantastic golf courses that are situated around it - is positioned little more than 45 minutes away from Malaga Airport, while it's even closer, 20 minutes or so, from Gibraltar Airport, making it highly accessible for golfers making there way here from the UK and all throughout Europe.
Should you be feeling inspired to explore San Roque, Sotogrande, and the wider Costa del Sol region within Andalucia, then we can point you towards Golfbreaks, where you will find the best deals and packages.
If a golf trip to Spain is next on your list - this may well be the perfect answer.
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