The Alto Golf Club

Water and changing elevations shape the round at The Alto Club, where thoughtful placement matters from the tee and pine woodland closes in around parts of the fairway. The 18 holes run across the Sotogrande hillside beside Los Alcornocales Natural Park, giving the front and back nines distinctly different moods. Several water features influence club selection and approach lines, while the natural rise and fall of the ground asks for control rather than repeated full-blooded drives. Dave Thomas laid out the original course, later refined by Manuel Piñero, and the result is a measured test that rewards sensible decisions into the greens.

Practice can be as purposeful as the main round. The renovated nine-hole Alcornoques course forms the base for The Alto Club Golf Academy, where Suzann Pettersen oversees the coaching programme following her time as a Solheim Cup captain. Covered and open tee bays, Toptracer ball tracking, a custom-fitting centre and short-game areas give you plenty to work with, including after dinner, as the academy stays open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The putting green by the golf reception has several hole locations and a Mediterranean outlook. Afterwards, the Society clubhouse terrace looks across the course towards the sea, with Spanish dishes, salads, pasta and changing daily specials on the menu, alongside a useful Grab & Go option.

SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort sits alongside the course, so there is no need to travel between golf and accommodation. Its 152 rooms and suites come with private balconies or terraces, while seven bars and restaurants draw on Mediterranean and Spanish cooking using local ingredients. The 3,500 square metre spa and wellness area is set among gardens with Mediterranean views, making an easy reset after 18 holes. Gibraltar is around 20 minutes away, with Marbella approximately 30 minutes from the resort.