Valderrama Golf Club: Spain's Ryder Cup host and most famous course

SOTOGRANDE, Spain -- Located in Spain's sunny Costa Del Sol is Valderrama Golf Club, one of continental Europe's most prestigious golf courses. It hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup, the 1999 and 2000 WGC-American Express Championship and is also a host of the European Tour's Volvo Masters.

Located in the hills of Sotogrande, Valderrama was constructed in 1974 and was originally named "Sotogrande New." A new owner, Jaime Ortiz-Patino, bought the club in 1984 and further enhanced the design to make it what it is today. The course is famous for its narrow fairways and small greens playing through a cork forest.

The par-5 17th hole, with a shallow green guarded by a shaved bank rolling down to water, is one of the most infamous, as Tiger Woods spun his ball off the green in the Ryder Cup. But that's probably not the best par 5. That honor would go to the fourth hole, "Fontana," which has a tiny, elevated green guarded by waterfalls.

While a private club, Valderrama does offer limited public play on a daily basis.

Valderrama Golf Club - hole 10

The par-4 10th at Valderrama Golf Club is a left-to-right dogleg and one of the most interesting holes on the course.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 11

From the 11th green at Valderrama Golf Club you get a panoramic view of Spain's south coast. This long, uphill par 5 is a brilliant hole.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 14

The par-4 14th at Valderrama Golf Club is played uphill and is well protected by bunkers on the short side. Picking the right club is very difficult.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 15

The stunning par-3 15th at Valderrama Golf Club is a real test of your ball-striking skills as it requires an accurate and powerful blow with a long iron.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 15

The par-3 15th at Valderrama Golf Club is one of the course's signature holes. It's also one of the best.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 17

The green on the famous par-5 17th at Valderrama Golf Club is shaved at the front, so anything landing short will end up in the water.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 1

The par-4 first hole at Valderrama Golf Club represents a birdie chance, but only if you're in ideal position off the tee.

Joe Whitley/TravelGolf

Valderrama Golf Club - hole 2

The entrance to the green on the par-4 second typifies Valderrama Golf Club. You must be on the correct side of the fairway or else you will be blocked out by the overhanging cork trees.

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Valderrama Golf Club - hole 3

The short par-3 third at Valderrama Golf Club seems straightforward on paper, but the green is small and there is plenty of trouble both left and right.

Joe Whitley/TravelGolf

Valderrama Golf Club - hole 5

The green on the par-4 fifth at Valderrama Golf Club is well protected, and only the longest of hitters can reach the green off the tee.

Joe Whitley/TravelGolf