BARCELONA GOLF CLUB REVIEWS
Our recommended golf courses for Barcelona golfbreaks.
Real Club de Golf El Prat
Real El Prat is the oldest Club in town, founded in 1912 near the airport, which then expanded, entailing a move to higher ground in the late 90s. There are now four loops of nine (Abajo, Arriba, Piscina, Bosque) which are paired into four combinations: Open, Azul, Amarillo, Rosa; seemingly at the Greenkeeper's whim. So it's hard to predict exactly what layout you will play on any given day: suffice to say all four loops are excellent.
P.S. The four loops and four courses have Catalan names as well - just to (over)complicate matters further!
Real El Prat - Open (Abajo & Arriba) Architect: G. Norman (1997). 18 holes: 6,372m: par 72.
The hillier pair of the four nines at El Prat combine to create an almost 'adventure-golf' course that is thrilling to look at and enthralling to play. Mr. Norman is not afraid of gently pushing the golfing design boundaries!
Real El Prat - Azul (Piscina & Bosque) Architect: G. Norman (1997). 18 holes: 6,187m: par 72.
The flatter two of the four nines combine to create a stylish modern layout through tall pines where huge bunkers form the main obstacle in your quest to reach the large rolling Greens.
Vallromanes Architect: F. Hawtree (1968). 18 holes: 6,044m: par 72.
The most hidden of golfing gems, Vallromanes is an ancient beauty secreted away in the forests northeast of Barcelona. Classical golfing around a majestic 400 year-old Clubhouse: simply sumptuous. Enjoy your round and plan to stay for lunch!
Sant Cugat Architect: H.S. Colt (1914). 18 holes: 5,050m: par 69.
A traditional parkland layout in amongst the rather nice houses of one of Barcelona's most exclusive suburbs. A limited supply of golfing land forced Harry Colt's hand into a shortish design where twists and turns play more of a role than pure, unbridled distance: a course for the thoughtful golfer. Neverthless, St. Cugat has twice hosted the Spanish Open, albeit in days of yore: interestingly, they also gave Seve his first job as a Pro (handy for the Club quiz night).
La Roca
Architect: A. Viador (2006). 18 holes: 6,000m: par 71.
An unashamedly commercial Club (next door to the La Roca Outlet Shopping Village) rightly proud of its highly entertaining golf course on easy-going terrain that straddles the Vallfornés river, which is brought into play here and there. Great value golf close to the Catalonian capital with a small, modern Clubhouse that extends a big welcome for visitors!
Masia Bach
Architect: J-M. Olazabal (1990). 18 holes: 6,271m: par 72.
A grand residential scheme with a huge course (buggies available) that swoops and climbs around the hillsides with some stunning holes and views. Currently a little short on investment but worthy of a game nevertheless.
Montanya (El Bruell) Architect: D. Thomas (1989). 18 holes: 6,053m: par 72.
Away to the North of Barcelona in the foothills of the Montserrat mountains hidden the National Park the challenging Montanya golf course is well worth seeking out. A wild stretch of woodland that started life as an intricate nine-hole course weaving its way between the pines and oaks: somewhat later, an additional nine holes were added that are much longer and (thankfully) slightly broader. Thus it offers a very contrasting game of golf that overall is sure to appeal to all levels of golfer somewhere in the quiet of the forest: sure to provoke much post-match discussion in the enormous castle of a Clubhouse.
Llavaneras Architect: F. Hawtree (1945). 18 holes: 5,024m: par 70.
Along the coastline northeast of Barcelona, Mr. Hawtree has done his best with some tricky land by terracing many holes into the hillside above the town and coast. This means that the individual holes are fairly level, however miss a Fairway and you will be literally scrambling!