Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club

Las Palmeras at Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club is an 18-hole course designed by José Maria Olazábal and opened in 2003 on Spain's southern Atlantic coast near Rota, between Cádiz and the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. The course occupies relatively flat coastal terrain characteristic of this stretch of Andalusian shoreline, where the proximity to the ocean influences both the playing conditions and the landscape character. Olazábal, a two-time Masters champion who has designed several courses in Spain and Portugal, routed the layout through a property that combines native Mediterranean vegetation with strategic water features and bunkering that reflect his experience in both European and American championship golf. The design emphasizes width off the tee but tightens considerably around the greens, where Olazábal's putting surfaces feature subtle contours that reward precise approach play. Water comes into play on several holes, and the bunkering style blends traditional European shaping with more contemporary hazard placement. The course serves as part of a larger resort development along the Costa de la Luz, a region known for its beaches, maritime climate, and growing golf tourism infrastructure. Costa Ballena's location in Rota places it within reach of Jerez, Seville, and the historic port city of Cádiz, making it accessible to both international visitors and Spanish golfers from the interior. The facility caters to resort play and maintains a year-round season thanks to the mild coastal climate.