El Encin Golf Course

El Encin Golf Course opened in 2011 in Alcalá de Henares, designed by Von Hagge, Smelek & Baril — the firm behind Le Golf National and Les Bordes — and made its mark immediately by hosting the European Tour's Madrid Masters that same year. What began as a purpose-built golf resort has matured into exactly that: an 18-hole course paired with a genuine 4-star hotel, restaurant, and golf school, all part of the same development from the outset.

The course plays long and demanding, stretching well past 7,000 yards from the back tees with five sets of markers bringing it back down to a manageable length for less powerful players. Wide fairways give plenty of room off the tee, but well-placed bunkers and large, undulating greens punish anything careless, and water comes into play across several holes, most notably at the par-three 16th, where a long carry over water tests nerve as much as swing. Views open out towards the Los Santos de la Humosa hills through the round.

The practice facilities are among the most complete in the region, with a driving range built for over 100 players at once alongside dedicated chipping and putting areas. Between the course, the hotel, and the practice ground, this is a proper golf resort rather than a stop-off round — worth building a stay around rather than just a tee time.