Golf courses are bound to be both plentiful and accessible in a country known for its wide plains and abundance of grassy pastoral land.
Just like the beef and Malbec, golf in Buenos Aires comes at a bargain, with a round for under five bucks (at the Blue dollar rate).
While Japanese businessmen are obliged to pay hundreds of dollars for a round of golf in their densely populated island, Argentineans have the good fortune to be able to enjoy 18 holes for bargain prices, fright in the city of Buenos Aires.
In the late 1800s the British brought golf to Argentina, along with trains, horse racing and later, Harrods Buenos Aires.
The grassy pampas make the perfect terrain and mild weather means golf is played year-round.
Today the country has more than 300 courses, 100,000 registered players and 60,000 handicaps — more than any country in Latin America.
“It’s the only capital city in the Latin America that has two public golf courses, says Argentine historian and golf enthusiast, Eduardo Masollorens.
“We have the luxury of 40 hectares of golf right inside the city, which is something that is quite rare.”
Public Fairways in Buenos Aires
He’s referring to the City of Buenos Aires Public Golf Course (Campo de Golf de la Ciudad).
The 18 holes in the heart of the Palermo neighborhood and is considered one of the best public golf courses in Latin America.
The tree-lined fairways with coarse grass dotted with small ponds and sand traps lacks the luster it once enjoyed, but affordable, good golfing is par for the course.
On weekdays, after 2 p.m., visitors 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.
Dress Code & Golf Customs on the Golf Course
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 Golf 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 at a Buenos Aires cafe.
Campo de Golf de la Cuidad de Buenos Aires
Avenida Torquist 6397
Palermo
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Reservations: 4774-9158
Golf in Private Country Clubs
There are nearly150 golf courses in and around Buenos Aires, in addition to those around the country designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Alister MacKenzie.
Most of the courses in the metropolitan area are attached to fairly exclusive country clubs.
To play on 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.
Pilar Golf Club
The town of Pilar’s golf club is a 40 minute drive from downtown Buenos Aires.
It’s the headquarters of the Argentine Golf Association, the R&A governing body of golf in the world and the BlueDotPutt Golf Academy.
The 27-hole course here was designed by the Ronald Fream Plan Design Group of the United States.
The course here has a wide layout and fairways, generous and undulating greens, abundant bunkers and water mirrors.
The course in known to be a challenge for even the experienced player.
Golfers can stay at the Hilton Pilar Hotel (affiliate link) and have full use of the course or, if living in Argentina, try and get invited by a local.
The complex also has six tennis courts, a gymnasium with a pool, a spa, an ‘English style’ clubhouse and lovely rooms with balcony views of the greens.
The Jockey Club
Av. Bernabé Márquez 1702, San Isidro, Provincia de Buenos Aires
Hours: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.
Phone: 011 4006-2811
The Jockey Club of Buenos Aires has courses designed by famed golf architect Alister MacKenzie, in 1930.
The nicely manicured courses have many old trees and there is a beautiful clubhouse.
Located in Martinez, San Isidro, north of Buenos Aires, this is the city’s most exclusive club.
There are with more than 7500 members from Buenos Aires’ most well-to-do aristocratic families.
To highlight how difficult it it is to get in here; after 121 years of a ‘men only’ policy, the Jockey Club finally allowed women to become members in 2021.
Olivos Golf Club
Francisco Borges 1998, Olivos, Provincia de Buenos Aires
Hours: 9 a.m. — 7 p.m.
Phone: 4587-1132
The Olivos Golf Club is lovely sport club that is more accessible to foreigners than the Jockey Club.
Founded in 1926, the suburban golf club originally had an 18-hole British style course in the heart of Olivos.
Due to increased urbanization, they had to relocate to the current headquarters.
The members then constructed another 18 holes at the new location, designed by Mr. Luther Koontz.
Another nine holes, designed by Emilio Serra were added later.
The golf courses are accessible and well-manicured, so there is no need to use a golf cart.
They charge foreigners a daily tee fee of US$150.
Those who arrive with a member pay the peso equivalent of not even US-$15
It’s closed Sundays and Mondays.
Other Country Clubs
Aside from the main golf courses listed above, there a dozens of others including the Martindale Country Club, San Andres Golf Club, the Cañuelas Golf Club, Estancia Golf Club, and the Nordelta course in the island town of Tigre, and many more.
Private golf clubs vary in their exclusivity and membership requirements.
Accessibility for non-members may depend on factors like location, prestige, and demand for membership.
Building relationships within the golfing community and demonstrating genuine interest in the club can increase your chances of receiving an invitation.
Book a Golf Lesson in Buenos Aires
One thing golfers can do if they don’t have an invitation or even clubs and balls, is book a golf lesson with an English-speaking local who teaches in the PGA.
Golf Lessons in Buenos Aires
Sport lovers also shouldn’t miss a world class soccer or polo game in Buenos Aires.
➡ Read about Argentina’s most famous soccer teams before choosing your team for life and check out upcoming games.