The Old Course and the New Course are two separate golf courses in San Roque, near Sotogrande, and they belong to two different clubs. The Old Course is part of The San Roque Club. The New Course is the course at San Roque Golf & Resort, an 18-hole layout designed by Perry Dye with Seve Ballesteros. Each club has its own website, its own booking system and its own team.
The Old Course vs New Course question comes up often, and the mix-up is easy to make: both carry the San Roque name, both sit in the same municipality, and many golf guides still present them together. This article explains who runs each course, how to book without any confusion and what to expect at the New Course.
Old Course vs New Course: what is the difference?
The main difference is not the layout but who runs it. If you book the New Course, your tee time, your green fee and your welcome at the course all come from San Roque Golf & Resort. If you book the Old Course, they come from The San Roque Club. They are separate businesses, with their own entrances, rates and booking channels.
This table sets out the essentials of each, using details published by each club:
| New Course | Old Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Club | San Roque Golf & Resort | The San Roque Club |
| Holes and par | 18 holes, par 72 (36 + 36) | 18 holes, par 72 (36 + 36) |
| Design | Perry Dye with Seve Ballesteros | See the club’s website |
| Tournament history | Spanish Open 2006 | Spanish Open 2005 and 15 consecutive European Tour Schools (1993-2007) |
| Address | Ctra. N-340 Km 127, 11360 San Roque | A7 km 1098, San Roque |
| Bookings | Book the New Course online | The San Roque Club website |
Why are the two San Roque courses so often confused?
There is a simple explanation. In golf directories and travel guides, the New Course often appears as “The San Roque Club – New Course”, a name that is still in circulation even though it no longer reflects who runs the course. That is why a quick search can mix up photographs, phone numbers and addresses from the two clubs.
The name of the town adds to it. San Roque is also the municipality, so any mention of “golf in San Roque” could point to either course. The safest check is the name of the club on your booking confirmation, not just the name of the course.
What is the New Course at San Roque Golf & Resort like?
The New Course is an 18-hole, par 72 golf course set across some 45 hectares near Sotogrande. It measures 6,079 metres from the longest tees, with two closely matched nines of 3,041 and 3,038 metres. It carries the signatures of Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros, and that shared authorship shows in the way each shot asks you to think.
Its great tournament moment came in April 2006, when it hosted the Andalucía Open de España Valle Romano. Sweden’s Niclas Fasth won on 270 (−18), in a play-off against England’s John Bickerton.
A course among cork oaks and water
The setting is the Mediterranean landscape of this corner of Spain: cork oaks, open fairways and water in play. If you want the full picture, the New Course hole-by-hole guide lists the par, the distance and the key to each hole, and it is well worth reading before your first round.
A slope rating for different abilities
The current table shows slope ratings from 121 to 137 for men and from 127 to 134 for ladies, depending on the tees. That range gives both the mid-handicap golfer and the more demanding player a round to suit them. You can see the full table and the official PDFs on the New Course slope rating page.
Services for your day
At San Roque Golf & Resort you will find buggies, trolleys, club hire and a pro shop, as well as La Criolla, an Argentine grill to round off the day. The local rules set a pace of play of 4 hours 25 minutes, with buggies on the 90-degree rule and restricted to the path on the par 3s.
One practical detail: the distance markers on the New Course show metres to the front of the green, which is worth remembering if you usually play in yards.
Which course should you play on a golf break near Sotogrande?
There is no single answer, and you do not have to choose only one. They are two independent bookings, so you can play both on the same trip if you arrange each round with its club. These questions will help you decide where to start:
- Drawn to the Seve legacy? The New Course is the layout on which Ballesteros worked with Perry Dye.
- Comparing courses in the area? Our guide to golf in Sotogrande puts the New Course in context.
- Travelling as a group? Check availability well in advance and confirm the whole group’s tee times with the club.
- Playing regularly? Have a look at the membership options at the New Course.
How to book the New Course without any mix-ups
To avoid surprises, follow these four steps before you set off for the course:
- Book through the official channel. The New Course is booked through the San Roque Golf & Resort booking engine. Check live availability there.
- Look at the rates. The green fees and rates page covers the 18-hole, 9-hole, early bird and twilight options.
- Check the club’s name. Your confirmation should say San Roque Golf & Resort. If it shows another name, your tee time is at another course.
- Use the right address. In your satnav, enter San Roque Golf & Resort, Ctra. N-340 Km 127. If in doubt, call +34 956 921 924 or email proshop@sanroquegolfresort.com.
Frequently asked questions about the Old Course and the New Course
Do the Old Course and the New Course belong to the same club?
No. The Old Course belongs to The San Roque Club and the New Course to San Roque Golf & Resort. They are two separate clubs, with independent bookings and rates.
Who designed the New Course at San Roque?
The New Course carries the signatures of Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros. It is an 18-hole, par 72 layout measuring 6,079 metres from the longest tees.
Can I play both courses on one booking?
No. Each course is booked through its own channel. If you would like to play both on the same trip, you need to arrange a round with each club.
Where do I book the New Course?
Through the San Roque Golf & Resort online booking engine at open.teeone.golf. You can also call +34 956 921 924 or email proshop@sanroquegolfresort.com.
Which major tournament has been played on the New Course?
The New Course hosted the Andalucía Open de España Valle Romano in April 2006. Niclas Fasth won on 270 (−18), after a play-off against John Bickerton.
Come and play the New Course
If you are ready to play the Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros layout, the next step is simple. Check availability for your dates, or visit the contact and directions page to plan your visit.