DESTINATION GOLF SPAIN 2025
Real Club La Moraleja
The Real Club La Moraleja is a unique club in Spain and Europe, with five magnificent golf courses, four of them 18 holes, designed by Jack Nicklaus, located in the metropolitan area of a large city and with excellent complementary facilities.
Course 1
A true gem of strategic golf, Course 1 at Real Club La Moraleja demands precision and planning. Though play began in 1975, its official inauguration came in 1976 with a showcase match featuring legends Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Tom Weiskopf, and Valentín Barrios. This was the first European course designed by Jack Nicklaus— one of golf’ s greatest players and most respected course architects.
The layout is short, narrow, and technically challenging, featuring fast, undulating greens, dense tree cover, lakes, and out-of-bounds areas that require smart shot selection. Strategy is essential throughout the round. The course has hosted top-tier international tournaments, including the Open de España, the Johnnie Walker Classic( 1981 and 1984), and the Oki Pro-Am.
Its signature hole is the 18th— a short par 5 with out-of-bounds on both sides and a lake guarding the green. Attempting to reach the green in two is risky, as it’ s narrow, sharply sloped toward the water, and protected by bunkers.
Course 1
Supporting facilities include a driving range, putting green, and short game practice area, making Course 1 not just a historical venue but also a complete golfing destination.
Course 2
Course 2 at Real Club La Moraleja was designed by Nicklaus Design under architect Ron Kirby and lies adjacent to Course 1 in the La Moraleja development. Unlike the shorter, more technical Course 1, Course 2 places greater emphasis on distance. Originally a barren expanse, it has evolved into a long, wooded, and demanding layout with large, undulating greens and four lakes that influence play on six holes.
Recent efforts have focused on sustainability, including the introduction of low-maintenance grass species and converting unused areas into gravel zones with native vegetation. These changes have enhanced the course’ s unique character and visual appeal.
The signature hole is the 16th, a moderately long par 5 with a right dog-leg and a striking peninsula-shaped green. Course 2 has hosted major international events, including the 1992 World Cup— won by Davis Love III and Fred Couples— which marked the course’ s official opening. It also held the Spanish Open( 2000) and the Oki Pro-Am, played across both courses. Comprehensive practice facilities for both long and short games round out this challenging and beautifully developed course.
Course 2
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