Dear Readers,
Greetings from Frank, your golf travel operator based in Bogota. We specialize in arranging captivating golf experiences and journeys across the beautiful landscapes of Colombia.
If you want to dive deeper, check out the links at the end for more information on various golf-related topics in Colombia. We hope you enjoy reading and discovering the wonders of golf in our fascinating country.
Bogotá, the capital city, is not only the hub of diverse recreational and sports activities but also a prime location for golf. It hosts numerous clubs that provide an excellent golfing experience.
Bogotá’s Golf Courses
Bogotá boasts over 20 golf courses, making it the hub for golf enthusiasts across the country. While predominantly private, there are affordable options and public courses accessible to everyone.
Private and Public Golf Courses
Private and public golf clubs can be distinguished by a few characteristics. For instance, private golf clubs in the city are long-established venues created exclusively by and for high-class individuals.
On the other hand, public or low-cost clubs aim to make golf accessible to the broader population who cannot afford a private club membership.
Private Golf Courses in Bogotá
Some of Bogotá’s renowned private clubs include:
Country Club of Bogotá
Website: Country Club de Bogotá
Location: Calle 127 C #15-02
Altitude: 2600 m (8530 ft)
Average Temperature: 8 – 20 ºC (46.4 – 68 ºF)
Travel Time to City Center: 45 minutes by car
The Country Club is part of the Colombian Golf Federation and boasts the highest number of players and rounds played monthly. It features two golf courses: Fundadores and Pacos y Fabios.
Fundadores Course
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Poa
- Greens: Poa
- Length:
- Long: 7,237 yards
- Medium: 6,683 yards
- Short: 6,267 yards
- Designer: John van Kleek
- Caddie / Golf Cart: –
- Rental Equipment: TrackMan service
The Fundadores Course is the oldest and most prestigious golf course in Colombia, known for its classic design, abundant water bodies, and ancient trees.
It hosts the annual Club Colombia Championship, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, attracting top international players, including PGA Tour participants. The tournament sees 145 PGA professionals competing every February.
Pacos y Fabios Course
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Kikuyo
- Greens: Poa
- Length:
- Long: 5,970 yards
- Short: 5,674 yards
- Designer: John van Kleek
- Caddie / Golf Cart: –
- Rental Equipment: –
The Pacos y Fabios course features a green protected by three bunkers.
Bogotá Golf Club
Altitude: 2700 m (8858 ft)
Average Temperature: 14 ºC (57 ºF)
Travel Time to City Center: About an hour by car
This prestigious club in northern Bogotá offers excellent facilities for sports and recreation. It has two 18-hole golf courses, including the highly-rated David Gutiérrez course.
David Gutiérrez Course
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Kikuyo
- Greens: Poa
- Length: 7,488 yards
- Designer: Scott Miller
- Caddie / Golf Cart: 1 caddie per group
- Proshop: Yes
- Rental Equipment: Balls and clubs
The David Gutiérrez Course features a classic design that preserves the natural topography.
Built on a hillside, it offers varied hole designs, from flat to undulating terrain.
The course is renowned for its numerous bunkers near the greens, requiring careful play.
Club Campestre Guaymaral
Website: Club Campestre Guaymaral
Location: Autopista Norte #245 – 01
Altitude: 2600 m (8530 ft)
Average Temperature: 8 – 20 ºC (46.4 – 68 ºF)
Travel Time to City Center: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Recognized as one of the best clubs in Bogotá, Club Campestre Guaymaral offers exclusivity, comfort, and security. It provides a variety of sports for members and guests in a serene setting outside the city’s noise.
The club has two 18-hole golf courses, ranked among the best in the country, and a 9-hole children’s course. Its over 400-yard practice field is the only one with two tees in Colombia. The club has hosted the Colombia Open three times, the last coinciding with its 20th anniversary.
Course No. 1
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Bent Grass
- Greens: Bent Grass
- Length: 6,924 yards
- Designer: Boris Sokoloff and Gary Player Design Company
- Caddie / Golf Cart: –
- Rental Equipment: –
This course features various water zones and four lateral bunkers. It’s favored by beginners for its simpler layout.
Course No. 2
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Poa Annua
- Greens: Poa Annua
- Length: 7,720 yards
- Designer: Floridian Mark Mahannah
- Caddie / Golf Cart: –
- Rental Equipment: –
This is the club’s most challenging and intimidating course. Due to Bogotá’s topography and atmosphere, the 7,720-yard course equates to approximately 6,600 yards at sea level.
Club El Rincón, Cajicá
Website: Club El Rincón
Location: Km. 26 Carretera Central Norte Vía Sopó, Cajicá, Cundinamarca
Altitude: 2700 m (8858 ft)
Average Temperature: 14 ºC (57 ºF)
Travel Time to City Center: 45 to 90 minutes without traffic; 1.5 to 2 hours with traffic
Located north of Bogotá, near Cajicá, Club El Rincón is one of the country’s top clubs. Founded by eight golf enthusiasts in 1957, it features one of Colombia’s most prestigious courses, considered among the world’s top 50. In 1980, it hosted the World Professional Golf Cup, a significant event in the club’s history.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Kikuyo
- Greens: Kikuyo
- Length: The course has four tees or starting marks, each with varying difficulty levels:
- Holly (Ladies): 5,754 yards
- Nogal (Senior Gentlemen): 6,157 yards
- Ciprés (Mid and High Index Gentlemen): 6,626 yards
- Cedro (Low Index Gentlemen): 7,075 yards
- Acacia (Championship Course): 7,464 yards (for competitions or tournaments)
- Designer: Robert Trent Jones
- Caddie / Golf Cart:
- Caddie: Mandatory, cash payment
- Carts: 1 cart, subject to availability
- Proshop: Yes
- Rental Equipment: No
The course offers 4 tees or starting marks. The competition tees (Acacia Course), with their 7,464 yards, have hosted significant national and international tournaments, including the World Professional Golf Cup in 1980, the South American Junior Golf Championship, and currently serves as the venue for the PGA TOUR of the Americas in Colombia.
The other 4 tees present a challenge for players of various skill levels. This well-designed course is always in top condition, ensuring a fun and challenging experience for golfers. It’s easy to see why the country’s best players prefer this course, thanks to its design and impeccable conditions.
San Andrés Golf Club, Funza
Website: San Andrés Golf Club
Location: Calle 15 #24 – 11, Funza, Cundinamarca
Altitude: 2,548 m (8,359 ft)
Average Temperature: 6 – 20 ºC (42.8 – 68 ºF)
Travel Time to City Center: 50 minutes from Parque de la 93.
Located west of Bogotá, San Andrés Golf Club features Scottish architecture and is one of Colombia’s oldest golf courses.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Grass Type:
- Fairways: Kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum)
- Greens: Poa annua
- Length: 7,145 yards
- Designer: Thompson & Jones
- Caddie / Golf Cart:
- First, second, and third category caddies available
- 1 golf cart (subject to availability)
- Rental Equipment: Golf bags (subject to availability)
Designed in 1946, this course is rated the best in the country by The Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses. It features wide fairways on flat terrain, bordered by towering trees. Inspired by The Old Course at St Andrews, it was constructed with seeds imported from Canada and framed by the Gualí wetland and trees over 20 meters tall.
San Andrés also offers a short 9-hole course with two tees per hole, designed for practicing precise shots to small, narrow greens surrounded by deep bunkers.
How Do Private Golf Courses Work?
To play at these clubs, you need a membership, which requires regular payments—monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Membership costs vary based on the club’s services and amenities. Options include individual or family memberships.
Public Golf Courses in Bogotá
The only public places for golf in Bogotá are:
- Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR): An initiative by the Colombian Golf Federation, it offers a 9-hole practice course and private lessons.
- Club de Golf La Cima: This public club draws inspiration from courses in the United States with fewer participation restrictions. Given its high altitude, preparation measures for weather are essential.
These venues operate on rentals and reservations, commonly referred to as ‘green fees.’ Rental prices depend on each club and may cover a day, three days a week, an entire week, or even a month. Payment options include individual or group rates and equipment such as high-quality balls and clubs are available for rent, making golf accessible to the public.
How Can I Play at a Private Golf Course in Bogotá?
- The easiest way to play golf in Colombia is to contact us directly. We are a tour operator in Bogota, specialized in playing golf in Colombia.
- It is also possible to play golf as a guest of a club member. Or through acquaintances who know someone who is a club member.
- Some golf courses have associated hotels. As a guest, you can play golf there. There are also destinations where city hotels have an agreement with surrounding golf courses.
- Some golfers try it on their own and write emails or call the respective golf clubs. In my experience, none of these attempts have been successful so far. The private golf clubs in Colombia do not accept individual golfers. Emails are rarely answered and without a good knowledge of Spanish, you can also avoid a phone call.
Some clubs require a player’s handicap. So, make sure to have this information readily available. Similarly, if you are interested in participating in a tournament in the country, the Colombian Golf Federation requires proof of handicap and club affiliation in your home country.
Factors to choose a hotel to play golf in Bogota
When selecting a golf course to play, it’s essential to consider the distance between your accommodation and the club. Many of these venues are situated near major, congested roads in the city, making travel occasionally tiresome. Furthermore, Bogotá contends with heavy traffic, ranking among the world’s busiest cities.
A smart approach is to recognize Bogotá’s localities, which serve as organizational sectors within the city. Most golf courses are located in the northern part of Bogotá, in areas like Usaquén and Suba, or on the outskirts, such as Club La Cima in La Calera.
For example, if you plan to play at the Country Club in Usaquén or Los Lagartos Club in Suba, it’s advisable to seek accommodation in the same locality to avoid traffic issues and detours.
Dressing Appropriately for Golf in Bogotá
When playing golf in Bogotá, it’s important to consider a few guidelines for appropriate attire.
Firstly, understand the nature of some clubs. Private clubs often have specific dress codes that align with general golf etiquette. In Bogotá, the style tends to be traditional.
Another factor is Bogotá’s climate, which is temperate but can get chilly. Therefore, it’s advisable to wear long pants and sweaters while adhering to the club’s dress code.
More about Golf in Colombia
Find out everything you need to know about golf in Colombia in our blogs.
- How, When, Why And Where To Play Golf In Colombia?
- Colombia’s 22 Greatest Golf Courses
- The History of Golf in Colombia
- Golf Associations in Colombia – A comprehensive cultural and sporting experience
- Everything About Senior Golf in Colombia
- Women’s Golf in Colombia and Around the World
- The 13 Best Colombian Golfers of All Time
- 9 Golf Tournaments You Can Play in Colombia
- Everything You Need to Know About Golf Carts in Colombia
- How to Dress Appropriately for Playing Golf in Colombia
- Playing Golf at Extreme Altitudes in Colombia – A Guide
- Playing Golf in Bogota, Colombia – A Guide
- Playing Golf in Medellin, Colombia – A Guide
- Playing Golf in Cali, Colombia – A Guide
- Playing Golf in Cartagena – A Guide
- Native Animals you Can See in Colombia Golf Courses
- 6 Hotels in Colombia with Golf Courses You Should Know About
