Golf Courses at Hotel Princesa Plaza

Golf Santander

Seve and Jones had to move more than five million cubic yards of earth to create the foundations for Golf Santander – part of the site on which the course was built used to be a landfill site – and now the course is a picturesque parkland layout that, in a few years when the 5,000 newly planted trees that line the fairways have matured, could very well be considered for hosting top level golf tournaments, such is the quality and challenge of the layout.

From the back tees, the course stretches to a mammoth 7,500 yards and thanks to strategically placed bunkers and plenty of large, intimidating water hazards, a demanding test is on the cards for even the finest golfers. Handicap golfers should not be put off though, as no less than six tee positions on each hole allow golfers of all abilities to find their comfort zone. Get your ball in play from the tee and the quality of the conditioning shines through, with plenty of scoring opportunities to be taken advantage of along the way.

Centro Nacional de Golf

The course itself at Centro Nacional de Golf is a fantastic layout and provides an excellent challenge for golfers of all abilities. The club is a public course and takes pride in keeping the fairways and greens in immaculate condition.

Those who play a round here will be treated to some excellent risk and reward golf as some of the holes play over lakes, ponds and bunkers. The course requires accuracy both off the tee and in a player’s approach shot to ensure that your ball stays in play, however the short nature of the course means that it is suitable for golfers of all abilities. Arguably the best 3 holes on the course are the closing 3 where landscape creates an incredible natural amphitheatre for guests to play in. Prior to a player’s round Centro Nacional de Golf boasts a number of high quality practice facilities including a driving range for long game and a putting and pitching area where guests can hone their short game skills before heading out the course.

If you wish to have a lesson then the Centro Nacional de Golf also has a handful of coaching professionals that are able to assist you with any swing problems you may have before or after your round. The pro-shop is also a great place for visiting golfers to stop in on their way out onto the course as it stocks a fantastic range of golfing paraphernalia. On the whole, there aren’t many better places to play for a mixed ability group of golfers on a tour of the Spanish Capital.

Club de Golf Retamares

The stunning golf course at Retamares Casino Club de Golf is one of the most famous in all Spain and was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal. The course combines both the natural landscape and creative design in order to produce a challenge for golfers all abilities. The perfectly manicured fairways are lined with over 1,200 trees which adds character and difficulty to the course.

The course has recently seen the addition of 5 lakes which takes the total number of water hazards on the course to 8 which only adds to the already incredible aesthetics of the course. The 6th is arguably the course’s signature hole, with players required to hit over a creek of water with their approach shot. The 2 tiered green is punishing if players are not accurate as ending up on the wrong tie could lead to a potential 3 put.

The green is also well guarded by bunkers and depending on the pin position players could be left with the daunting task of hitting back towards the water. Off the course the resort also features a state of the art driving range which guests are invited to use at their leisure both before and after their round. The 33 covered bays and 45 grass bays are the ideal spot to warm up and hone in your skills before heading on the gorgeous Jose Maria Olazabal golf course.

Visitors can also sharpen up their short game skills as the club also has a great approach shot area, practice bunkers and putting green.