Valderrama is Spain’s most iconic golf course and consistently ranked among the world’s best. Set in the hills of Sotogrande, the course is pristine, demanding, and deeply strategic. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed it with tournament golf in mind – every bunker, every tree, every angle has a purpose. Narrow cork tree-lined fairways force precision from the tee. Small, lightning-fast greens test nerves and finesse. The course rewards thinking players who can shape shots and control distance. The par-5 17th is infamous – a water-guarded green that turned Ryder Cup matches and broke many pros’ hearts. Seve Ballesteros helped elevate the course to legend status when it hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup – the first ever held in continental Europe. Valderrama remains the gold standard in Spanish golf, with conditioning that rivals any club on earth. But it’s not forgiving. It’s beautiful and brutal in equal measure.