Pitch & Putt at Meaztegi Golf Club

The Pitch & Putt at Meaztegi Golf Club in Ortuella represents Severiano Ballesteros's design work in the Basque Country, situated in the industrial and hilly terrain near Bilbao. Ballesteros, who transitioned to course architecture after his playing career, brought his understanding of the short game to this compact layout. The facility serves the densely populated greater Bilbao area, where space for full-length courses is limited by the region's topography and urban development.

The course occupies terrain characteristic of the Basque landscape, with elevation changes and natural contours that provide variety within a small footprint. Pitch and putt layouts typically feature holes ranging from approximately 60 to 90 meters, emphasizing approach play and putting while requiring minimal land. Ballesteros's design philosophy, informed by his own creative shot-making and touch around greens, likely influenced the green complexes and strategic elements despite the abbreviated distances.

Meaztegi serves both as an introduction to golf for beginners and as a practice venue for experienced players working on their short game. The Basque Country has a modest but growing golf culture, and facilities like this one provide accessible entry points in a region better known for its cuisine, industrial heritage, and proximity to the Cantabrian coast. The club operates in a community where golf competes with football and traditional Basque sports for recreational attention.