Golfing Around Madrid

Here are four courses perfect for finessing your swing within striking distance of the Spanish capital

- Minty Clinch

CENTRO NACIONAL DE GOLF

WHERE IS IT? Six miles north of Madrid.

WHAT ’S IT LIKE? This state-owned facility is built on a landfill site, the same concept as Paris National, the venue for Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last year. The home of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, it opened in 2006 as an all-comer’s pay and play. It’s tight for an 18-hole layout, but architect Dave Thomas used judicious landscaping to create a course worthy of the 2018 Spanish Open.

To everyone’s delight, the Open was won by Jon Rahm, Spain’s world number eight. The 24-year-old Basque was among the first pupils to establish his credentials at the Centro Nacional Academy, which has as its mission providing young golf talent from all over the country with the ingredients for success. The course is designed to encourage rather than hinder at every level of expertise. The rough is natural, which means fairly sparse during long, dry summers. Fairways are contoured to draw in balls as they run off the slopes. Water features attract flocks of large brown birds from the moorhen family, known locally as swamp chickens. Other fauna are also present, including wild boar, although these are generally unseen.

CONTACT Arroyo del Monte 5, 28036 Madrid; tel [phone]; centronacionalgolf.com

PRICES Visitors $90; Spanish Federation members $45$56. Cart $39; club rental $39.

CLUB HOURS From 8:00 AM summer, 8.30 AM winter; driving range floodlit until 11:00 PM. Maximum handicap of 36 recommended. Foreign guests are required to have a handicap at home, but the course doesn’t usually request certificates.

FACILITIES 18-hole championship course, 7,113 yards, par 72. Center of excellence for the Spanish national team, with extensive pitching/putting areas and floodlit driving range.