Ryder Cup host Valderrama Golf Club on Spain's Costa Del Sol

The jewel of Spain's Costa Del Sol, Valderrama Golf Club is the region's most prestigious golf club and dubbed the "Augusta National of Europe." A bold assertion, but one with some backing. In 1997 it became the first golf course in continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup Matches, and it is a host to the European Tour's Volvo Masters and World Golf Championships as well. Valderrama features course conditions as good as it gets, with fairways like carpet and aprons smooth as glass.

Valderrama's course design has seen its share of tweaks and overhauls. It was originally a municipal course before new ownership bought the club and saw potential in it as Europe's finest course. Robert Trent Jones Jr. returned to turn it into a championship test - and today the course is defended by its tiny, lightening fast greens and narrow fairways framed by cork trees. The par-5 17th hole may be the course's most famous, a result of Tiger's ire - but the signature is the par-5 fourth hole, "La Cascada," for its rocky waterfall tumbling off the tiny, elevated green.

For the traveling golfer, Valderrama has one advantage to Augusta: The club offers limited public play between noon and 2 p.m. daily for 275-300 euros a head. This grants you access to the club and practice grounds 45 minutes prior to your tee time.

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - greens

Valderrama Golf Club's signature trait is its small, raised greens defended by heavy bunkering and cork trees.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - hole 10

No. 10 at Valderrama Golf Club is a long par 4 that is a severe dogleg right to an elevated green.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 2

The par-4 second hole at Valderrama Golf Club features a small green tucked behind cork trees.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 3

Valderrama Golf Club's par-3 third hole, "La Tunel," named for the tunnel you pass through to get to the tee.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - hole 4

Valderrama Golf Club's signature par-5 fourth hole, "La Cascada" features a tiny green perched above a waterfall.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - hole 6

The short, heavily-guarded par-3 sixth hole at Valderrama features a steeply sloped back-to-front green.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 7

No. 7 at Valderrama Golf Club is a long, uphill par 4 that plays as a par 5 for women and amateurs.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 8

The golf course's tightest hole, No. 8 at Valderrama requires precision off the tee.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 11

After 10 holes tightly framed by cork, Valderrama's par-5 11th opens up a bit, and you can even see the Mediterranean Sea beyond the hole.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 17

The famous 17th green at Valderrama features a steep slope in front and to the sides, tightly cut enough that balls will roll back down into the water.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Hole 18

The par-4 18th hole is a long, sharp dogleg left that plays uphill to one of the course's larger greens at Valderrama.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com

Valderrama Golf Club in Spain - Clubhouse

Valderrama's clubhouse and practice facilities are exceptional, what you'd expect from a prestigious members club that hosts the world's top golf events.

Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com