Rustic courses: the most environmentally-friendly way to play golf

Would you like play golf a new way? Then discover Spain’s rustic courses. They are an alternative that adapts to natural environmental elements, with minimum impact on the landscape. Their eco-friendly character is just part of the attraction.

More natural, almost impossible. The route is designed by mother nature herself. The greens are not green, they are made of sand. In the rough there are thickets and the grass is only irrigated by rainwater. Rustic golf courses are a sporting solution with a clear philosophy: sustainability and respect for the environment. Here, the course fits the terrain, respecting and making use of natural elements of the landscape. All the autochthonous trees and vegetation and maintained, while irregularities on the course are those of the meadowland itself, while the paths are country trails… If you decide to play on one of them, you will enjoy a highly original experience.

There are currently 17 official rustic courses in Spain. The majority are in inland Spain, in Regions such as Castile-León, Castile-La Mancha and Madrid; nevertheless, there are some in other areas like Huelva and Barcelona. While there are some 18-hole courses, most are 9-hole. However, they tend to have more starting tees, making the course more interesting. The fees are another bonus, as rustic courses are very affordable.

A course that changes with the seasons

Playing golf on this type of course is demanding because players must adapt their technique and strategy according to the time of year. You will find that their particular characteristics mean that course conditions change a great deal with each passing season: in summer, for example, the ground is harder, making the ball roll further and bounce higher. The ability and skills sometimes required mean that rustic clubs are especially suitable for learning or starting out in the sport.

Furthermore, peace and calm will be your playing companions. As they are completely integrated in their natural environment, you will be surrounded by a peaceful landscape, only interrupted by the Club House or the odd house belonging to a sleepy village nearby. After you play there are also plenty of options, as these courses are often located quite near to tourist destinations.

For example, eight kilometres from Ávila is the Casino Abulense Country Club; less than 20 kilometres from Cuenca is La Vereda Golf Club, and 36 kilometres from Segovia you will find El Espinar Golf Club. These three cities all have UNESCO World Heritage monuments. There are also two rustic courses not far from the Spanish capital, Madrid: Pozuelo Golf Club and Quijorna Golf. Another particularly interesting location is Corta Atalaya Golf Club, located close to the Riotinto Mines in Huelva, famous for their strange, multicolour landscape.

Come on: get your clubs ready and set off for some new experiences. Spain’s rustic golf courses will leave you pleasantly surprised.