If you’re a beginner at golf, have the family in tow or you’re a golf addict on vacation who needs a fix, the Costa Salguero Golf Center and Pitch ‘n’ Putt in Palermo can be a lot of fun.

With the various facilities available, it’s not hard to spend a whole morning or afternoon enjoying the different activities, but be forewarned: the cost does tend to add up.

You could start by hitting 50 balls on the driving range, then work on your putting on the practice green, and finish by playing a round of 9 holes on the little Pitch and Putt course.

To make it more interesting, why not play a game of Skins? Whoever wins the hole outright gets one point, but if there’s no clear winner, the point carries over to the next hole.  This can be fun if you have players of different levels, since everyone is in with a chance.

While at the driving range, you can check out the pro shop,  get a golf lesson or go hang out at the bar. Serious golfer may also want to check out the Campo de Golf, Buenos Aires’ 18-hole public golf course.

Costa Salguero Driving Range and Pitch ‘n’ Putt
(Costanera y Jerónimo Salguero)
Palermo
Tel: 4805-4732/4

• Hours:
Mondays; 12 am- 9:30
Tuesdays—Fridays: 8:30 am – 9:30pm
Weekends: 8 am-8:30pm

• Credit cards accepted

Private Country Clubs

Greater Buenos Aires has plenty of lovely golf courses, most of them attached to fairly exclusive country clubs. To play these courses, you may require membership, or be expected to hand over a fairly hefty green fee.

Some clubs are a little finicky about requiring an official accreditation and handicap to play and most will want each player to have their own set of clubs. Although these rules are sometimes relaxed a little for foreigners, the best way to play one of these courses without spending Japan-class money is to meet some locals and get yourself invited by someone who is already a member.

Public Fairways

If you don’t have a local to act as a host, try the City of Buenos Aires Public Golf Course (Campo de  Golf de la Ciudad). It’s very accessible and considered one of the best public gold courses in Latin America.

On weekdays, after 2pm, you can play a round of 18 holes for mere pocket change and just a little more on weekends.

It is necessary to book a tee-time seven days in advance. This can be accomplished by calling the numbers below if you can handle the Argentine Spanish or online at the link below.

The usual rules about bringing your own clubs, dress codes of shirts and slacks apply, but they are not always enforced, especially in the case of foreigners.

The course is generally well-maintained with plenty of challenging holes. Despite being within the metropolitan area, it is of a substantial length.

The only indication that the metropolitan course is a little limited for space is the proximity of some of the fairways to each other, and the slightly dangerous positioning of some tee boxes.

This means visitors have to be somewhat vigilant of wayward golf balls, especially since many Argentine players don’t follow the established custom of yelling, “FORE!” but instead try to warn you with a loud grunt or a yip.

Founded in 1905 by the Gold Club of Argentina, Buenos Aires’ city golf course is a great value and convenient. As one New Yorker pointed out, it’s like being able to play a round of golf in Central Park for the cost of a coffee.

Campo de Golf de la Cuidad de Buenos Aires
Avenida Torquist 6397
Palermo
Tel: 4772-7261/7576
Reservations: 4774-9158