Golfing in argentina
What to expect:
What is Argentina Golf?
Comparison between US and AR golf courses:
Many of the courses you will play in Argentina draw comparisons between the United States and Europe. The newer courses more closely resemble those of the United States because of the overall success and size of the industry stateside in the present day, however there are many historic courses in the country that are modeled towards the western european classics.
The most obvious benefit of golf in Argentina outside of the excellent quality of products is the season. Being in the opposite hemisphere, Argentina is the perfect escape from the American off-season because of the switching of seasons. You’ll be leaving during our fall and winter to arrive in Argentina during the spring and summer.
Buenos Aires Courses:
Buenos Aires Golf is the embodiment of pristine maintenance and history with some new flares thrown in. There are several courses first constructed in the 1890’s, and some in the 30’s which are focused on maintaining their tradition of which they have no short supply. There are also some newer more modern course designs that have been introduced in areas that follow the rapid growth of the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
The Jockey Club
- Overview: This traditional course laid out on flat, lightly wooded land uses its appearance to lull you into believing some of the challenge is lost, but with strategic bunkering, tough angles, and a tricky layout, you’ll absolutely be able to feel yourself playing against one of the most historically respected architects of our sport.
- Architect: Alister MacKenzie (architect of Augusta National)
- Configuration: The Jockey Club has two 18 hole courses, the Red Course and the Blue Course.
Red Course: 6,577 yards par 72
Blue Course: 6,378 yards par 72 - Establishment: The Jockey Club course has been open since 1935
- Famous Holes/History:The Red Course has three famous features, first being the 16th hole resembling the 8th at Augusta National, second having its own “Valley of Sins” similar to St. Andrews, and third being the 10th hole resembling the “road hole” at St. Andrews.The Blue course has a famous feature as well, being the 7th hole resembling the 12th at Augusta National.
- Major Tournaments Hosted: The Jockey Club has hosted the 1962 and 1970 Golf World Cup
Olivos Golf Club
- Overview: A prestinely maintained course laid out on naturally uneven terrain, this course is widely considered one of the top 100 courses in the world from organizations such as Golf Digest. Full of dog legs in both directions and hard, firm greens, this is Argentina’s most tournament ready course.
- Architect: Luther Koontz, shaper for Alister MacKenzie
- Configuration: Olivos Golf Club has 27 holes with 18 hole course variations measuring between 6,686 and 6,705 yards both as a par 72.
- Establishment: Olivos Golf Club has been operational since 1931.
- Famous Holes/History: Hole number 6 of the red course is ranked among the top 500 golf holes in the world.
- Major Tournaments Hosted: The annual Argentine Masters tournament is hosted at Olivos.
The Hurlingham Club
- Overview: Visiting the Hurlingham Club is to visit a part of history. Established in 1888, with golf first joining in 1892, this golf course is short and tricky with small fast greens and narrow fairways that will truly challenge your accuracy. Water features, mounds, treelines, and pot bunkers, among other things are all standing in your way of par, but you cannot help but enjoy this one of a kind experience stepping back in time.
- Architect: The Hurlingham Club has several designers, in chronological order they are William Lacey, George Gadd, and Arthur Havers
- Configuration: This historical club has a very manageable course measuring only 6,349 yards over its 18 holes while finishing as a par 71
- Establishment: The first 9 holes of Hurlingham were opened in 1892 with the second 9 being added on in 1922. It was first made an operational golf club upon the addition of the second nine.
- Famous Holes/History: This course is the embodiment of Argentine Golf history and sports club history. British elites and royalty have frequented this club since its inception.
- Major Tournaments Hosted: The Argentine Open has been hosted here in 1950, 1965, 1973, 1988, 2002, and 2008.
Pilara Golf Club
- Overview: This young course is filled with large water features that challenge the careless golfer. Its wide greens full of undulation and movement are the cause of many three putts, and the red course finishes with a uniquely daunting 665 yard par 6.
- Architect: This newer course was designed by The Ronald Fream Plan Design Group
- Configuration: Pilar Golf Club has 3 18 hole configurations divided into color coded courses.
Blue/White is 7,212 yards and a par 72, White/Red is 7,320 yards and a par 73, and Blue/Red is 7,358 yards and a par 73 as well.
- Establishment: Pilar Golf Club has been open since 1992
- Major Tournaments Hosted: The Argentine Professional Championship were hosted on this course in 2002 and 2003.
San Andres Golf Club
- Overview: Created by Scottish pro Mungo park Jr. this course took the name of St. Andrews Golf Club of Scotland, this is due to the stylistic similarities and name of the local railway station that was created for British elites to frequent the club. It is the oldest Golf Club in Argentina being organized and containing a full 18 hole course in 1902. The course itself is respected for its tradition and difficulty with fearsome rough and challenging greenside bunkering. The variety of hole design will keep you on your toes.
- Architect: Mungo Park Jr.
- Configuration: 18 holes covering 6,472 yards classified as a par 72
- Establishment: San Andres has been an operational golf club since 1902.-Major Tournaments Hosted: 21 years of the Argentine Open
Buenos Aires Golf Club
- Overview: This penally designed course is full of challenging bordering, bunkering, and water feature placement making it a true challenge. The course is excellently maintained and each hole is unique and full of opportunities at challenging/exciting golf shots. Go into this round expecting a unique style of play and off of scoring and you’ll have a blast.
- Architect: Robert Von Hagge
- Configuration: 27 holes in three configurations, Green, Yellow, and Blue. Averaging 6,860 yards and all being par 72.-Major Tournaments Hosted: All Argentine Major tournaments have been hosted here at some point.
Patagonia Courses:
Golfing in Patagonia is all about the surrounding views and environment. Patagonia’s Llao Llao Golf Resort, for instance, is located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, one of the world’s first established national parks, with its enormous crystal-blue lake and a diversity of flora and fauna that’ll knock your soft spikes off. Followed closely by Chapelco Golf Club designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, these courses are sure to leave an everlasting impression on you.
Llao Llao Golf Resort
- Overview: Located in a wooden peninsula on the Nahuel Huapi lake, this course is short and simple with excellent views and challenging greens. This property is an experience in itself and is set in an atmosphere that is so impressive that you have to do your best to keep your focus on golf.
- Architect: the first nine holes were designed by Luther Koontz in 1940, with the second nine designed by Emilio Serra in 1994.
- Configuration: The Llao Llao Golf Course stands a short 5,913 yards over 18 holes as a par 70.
- Establishment: The first nine holes were opened for play in 1940.-Major Tournaments Hosted: This course has hosted the Argentinian PGA Match Play Tournament in 1999,2 2000, and 2001
Chapelco Golf & Resort:
- Overview: The first Nicklaus course in Argentina, Chapelco Golf Course, is a wonderful connection to nature. The purpose of its design is to modify the surrounding environment the least amount possible with the result being a course that truly blends into the landscape surrounding it. This property is an excellent way to experience the mountains, streams, and native flora and fauna of Northern Patagonia.
- Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- Configuration: This gorgeous course spans 7,168 yards over its 18 holes, a relatively long but exciting par 72-Establishment: This course first opened in 2006 as part of a large resort development
Desafio Golf Course
- Overview: Currently only a 9-hole course, this track is widely touted as being a shoe in for the best course in the country once the back 9 are finished. The course is challenging, and your score will take a hit with thin winds and clever design, but you’ll be too busy taking in your surroundings to care. No two holes on this course face the same direction and each poses its own unique and picturesque view . With only 10 golf cars available at a time and its remote location lying up on the mountains, this course is an exclusive experience incomparable to others.
- Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- Configuration: This 9-hole track is a par 36 measuring 3,391 yards long. Containing five par 4s, two par 3s, and two par 5s, you get a little bit of everything after starting with four straight par 4s.