Real Club de Zarauz is Spain's only sand golf course, laid directly across the dunes of Zarautz beach on the Cantabrian coast. Founded in 1916 under the patronage of the Duke of Infantado, with King Edward VII of England among its early champions, it was officially opened by King Alfonso XIII and Queen María Cristina, and remains on the very ground it started on, making it arguably the oldest golf course still in its original location on the Spanish mainland.

The nine-hole, par 68 layout has no water hazards beyond the sea itself, which sits close enough to shape the round throughout. Dunes, tall grass and constant coastal wind do the rest of the work, and José María Olazábal redesigned part of the course around its 2016 centenary, sharpening a layout with genuine history behind every hole. Views stretch out to the Pagoeta and Ernio mountains, framing a round unlike anything else in Spain.

A driving range, locker rooms and putting green are all on site, and for those wanting the full historical experience, the club rents genuine hickory-shafted clubs to play the round as it would have been played a century ago. This is a private club, with visitor green fees available; get in touch and we'll arrange the details. For golfers who want a genuinely unique piece of Spanish golf history, Zarauz stands alone.