Golf enthusiasts will find some of South America’s finest golf courses in Argentina. The country is the continent’s largest golfing nation with over 300 registered courses and host to over 30 official golf competitions. And with Argentina’s great diversity of landscapes, golfers are sure to find numerous courses throughout the country to inspire and challenge their game. Following is an overview of some of Argentina’s top courses.

Greater Buenos Aires
Olivos Golf Club – Home to what many golfers believe to be the best hole in Argentina– the 15th hole – which is included in the book 1001 Golf holes to play before you die, Olivos Golf Club is a great 27-hole facility with the feel of an old-world classic golf course. It was shortlisted by the American PGA to host the 2000 World Cup and has hosted numerous other championships including the Argentine Masters Tournament, the World Amateur Championship, and the Argentine Open, among others.

Jockey Club (Red Course) – One of the most classic golf courses in greater Buenos Aires, the history of the exclusive Jockey Club dates back to 1882. Located in the elegant Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro, the Jockey Club is also an important center for horse racing and polo in addition to being an exclusive golf club. Designed by Alister MacKenzie who was considered one of the finest golf architects of the early 20th century, the Jockey Club’s Red Course was also host to the Golf World Cup in 1970.

Buenos Aires Golf Club – This 27-hole course designed by Robert von Hagge is considered one of the best in South America because of its difficulty, including numerous water hazards, and fast greens but is suitable to players of all levels. In contrast to some of the more classic old-world style courses found in greater Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Golf Club displays an American design with nine lakes spread across 110 acres. The club hosted the EMC World Cup in 2000 where Tiger Woods won the championship. It has also hosted every well-known national and regional tournament and is the permanent home to the Argentine Mid-Amateur Championship.

Atlantic Coast
Mar del Plata Golf Club - A popular course on Argentina’s Atlantic coast, 250 miles south of Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata Golf Club is a favorite of many golfers for its 18 sea view holes and Scottish style links. The greens and fairways are well protected, but the strong winds and speed of the greens make this a challenging course. Mar del Plata Golf Club hosts Argentina’s oldest regional event, the South Open, played by the best professional and amateur local golfers and has also hosted the Argentine Open, and the South American Amateur Team Championship (the Andes Cup).

Northern Argentina
Termas de Rio Hondo Golf Club – Located in the spa resort town of Termas de Río Hondo popular for its hot springs, in the northern province of Santiago del Estero, 700 miles NW of Buenos Aires, this 235-acre golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Córdoba
El Potrerillo de Larreta - Formerly a farming estate that was part of the Jesuit Block, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in the picturesque mountain town of Alta Gracia at the foothills of the Sierras in Argentina’s central Córdoba province, about a 45-minute drive from the city of Córdoba. The property was converted into a challenging 18-hole golf course in the late 1990s. The Argentine Golf federation holds numerous tournaments here.

Patagonia
Chapelco Golf – Framed by the most majestic Patagonian landscapes and with great views of the Andes Chapelco Golf is an 18-hole Par 72 course located close to the picturesque town of San Martín de los Andes in the province of Neuquén. It was the first course in South America to be designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son Jackie and was built to USGA standards. It was inaugurated in 2006. It is a great course for players of all levels.

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