Real Golf de Pedreña

My 900th review on Leading Courses is one of my favourites: Real Golf de Pedreña. This Harry Colt design, opened in 1928, ranks among his best in my view. Having played 40+ Colt courses, this is firmly near the top. The setting is a major part of the experience. Pedreña sits on a peninsula in the Bay of Santander, where the tides shift dramatically from water to exposed sand during the round. Towering Monterey pines, imported from California, frame several holes and, combined with azaleas in bloom, create an almost Augusta-like atmosphere. Conditioning was very good overall; the greens had recently been aerated but still rolled true, albeit slightly slower than usual. Due to the busy Easter period, we started on the Nuevo course (designed by Seve Ballesteros), which I’ve reviewed separately. With limited daylight, we then played the original Colt routing (holes 1–7, 17 & 18). The opening hole is a classic Colt par 4: relatively short and generous off the tee, but with a subtle, well-defended green. The 2nd is a long par 3 with water right and bunkers on both sides, bogey felt like a good result. The 4th (SI 1) is a demanding uphill dogleg right. The 5th appears tighter than it is; a controlled 3-wood sets up a good approach and birdie chance. The 6th features an elevated tee shot played across the 5th hole, less intimidating in practice than it sounds. The 7th is a penal par 3 that plays longer than it looks; anything left or short is punished. We then moved to 17, a sharp dogleg right where a lay-up after a solid drive is the sensible play. Long hitters may be tempted to cut the corner, but it doesn’t meaningfully shorten the hole. A well-positioned tee shot left offers a realistic GIR and two-putt par. The 18th is an inviting driving hole but finishes on a tricky green with a pronounced false front, club selection on approach is critical. Back at the clubhouse, the atmosphere is formal and traditional, with staff in white uniforms and brass buttons giving it a distinct nautical feel. The layout is practical, with easy locker room access, and there is a dedicated room honoring Seve Ballesteros, who started here as a caddie and returned as a Major champion and course designer.

To get on Pedreña during Easter week can be challenging as I found out. This members' club is open to visitors but it really depends on what day. The days I wanted to play Thursday or Friday before Easter was definitely a day that was for the members. When I showed up, despite several mails and whatsapp's there was no sign of my name in any system and the lady at the pro-shop did not speak any language except Spanish. Luckily one of the members showed up who wanted to play with his son, his first round as a member. They spoke perfect English and invited me to join them. We played the 9 holes Nuevo course first, designed by Seve Ballesteros. It is a shorter nine holes course with 2 par 5's. 3 par 3's and 4 par 4's. The course is quite different from the Harry Colt 18 holes championship course above and is sort of laid around the big course. That's why I have made two seperate reviews for this course and the Colt course. The terrain is quite tilted, set along the slopes of the peninsula, and several holes play narrow. Accuracy off the tee is essential, anything offline is either lost or leaves a very difficult recovery. The setting is outstanding, with several greens sitting above the sea; depending on the tide, the waterline can dramatically shift to exposed sand. It works well as a warm-up for the Colt course, which feels noticeably wider by comparison. Conditioning is solid, though the focus of the greenkeeping team is clearly on the championship course. The locker rooms are traditional, clean, and well maintained.

Precioso campo de golf que respira historia y leyenda. El campo de Seve, un parkland en un enclave maravilloso en la montaña frente a la bahia de Santander. Greenes rapidisimos y calles perfectas con roughs muy duros y difíciles de jugar. Magnifica jardineria y un estado del campo impecable. El personal del club es fantastico y el restaurante tiene un aire especial de club añejo con muchos recuerdos de su historia.

GF 350, drivng range 8, tee offs 8, roughs 7, fairways 7, bunkers 8, greens 9, course design 8, course difficulty 8, pro shop 6, locker rooms 7

Dit is een hele chique club, dat begint als de poort opengaat en je over de oprijlaan naar het clubhuis rijdt. Een golfbaan uit 1929. Ik zou met de manager spelen, maar die was door zijn rug gegaan. En hoewel in gezelschap spelen het leukste is, heb ik met volle teugen vanaf moment één genoten. Je valt van de ene verbazing in de andere. De baan is als een prachtige vrouw waar je je ogen niet vanaf kunt houden. Ze nodigt uit om zich eindeloos te laten fotograferen. Bij de start waren mijn eerste gedachten, die zijn geen gewone bomen, dit zijn gracieuze oude dennebomen. Een paar holes verder kijk je uit over de Atlantische oceaan, Even later kijk je uit op het delta gebied, van de Cubas rivier, of je ziet de stad Santander liggen, met zijn majesteuze Palacio de la Magdalena op de punt. De indrukken zijn eindeloos. En dan de slagen naar de green, wat een genot. Ze zijn visueel zo ontworpen, je wilt gewoon een goede bal slaan en die pin aanvallen. Pedrena is een oude baan en is naar huidige maatstaven niet lang. In de jaren 90 hebben ze exrtra grond kunnen aankopen maar nu zitten ze toch echt aan hun taks. De baan gespeeld in juni, is in topconditie. Je betaald de hoofdprijs, maar de baan is het dubbel en dwars waard.