Set among salt marshes, pine trees and the Atlantic, Golf El Rompido’s 36 holes sit in a world of their own. Part of Precise Resort El Rompido, a five-star resort within a protected natural setting, the club offers two very different layouts: the South Course, technical and demanding, where every shot counts, and the North Course, more open and playable.
You’ve gone through quite a significant evolution in recent years. What’s been driving that?
The focus has always been clear: improving the overall experience for the golfer. Not just the course itself, but everything around the visit. We’ve worked on technology, sustainability and the small details that end up making the biggest difference. The idea is that everything runs smoothly and that the surroundings feel like part of it.
Golf El Rompido is part of a wider resort. What does that add to the experience?
We’re part of Precise Resort El Rompido, a resort designed so that every guest can find their own pace, whether travelling as a couple, in a group or with family. The course is at the centre, but the surroundings matter: rooms that open onto the landscape, pool areas, a spa designed for post-round recovery and a food offering rooted in local produce. Everything adds up to an experience that doesn’t begin and end on the fairway.
Technology is becoming part of everyday life at many clubs. How have you approached that at Golf El Rompido?
Very naturally. Technology has allowed us to simplify many aspects of day-to-day operations — from accessing balls at the practice area to real-time club information. We’ve also introduced automation in areas such as the practice facilities and are already working on extending it to other parts of the course. These are advances that improve efficiency without getting in the way of the player’s experience.
You’ve also upgraded the practice facilities. What changes have you made?
We’ve installed a state-of-the-art artificial turf tee line that closely replicates real playing conditions, keeping quality consistent throughout the year while also taking better care of the practice area — a key part of the daily routine for many golfers.
One of the more interesting changes is the new tee system. What was behind that decision?
The traditional model was starting to feel limiting. We now work with distance-based tees, so each player chooses their route according to their game, not a label. It’s a more logical approach, and a more inclusive one. It keeps the game moving and makes it more accessible.
The natural setting at Golf El Rompido puts sustainability front and centre. What steps have you taken?
Here it’s not optional — it’s part of how we operate. In 2023 we developed a naturalisation project alongside a full modernisation of the irrigation system: new sector sprinklers, high-efficiency nozzles and Lynx software, giving us far greater control over water use. The goal is to be more efficient without compromising course quality.
Beyond maintenance, you’ve also made changes to the course itself. Where does the work show most?
In several areas. We’ve spent years on tree management to preserve the original design and improve pace of play. On top of that, we’ve resurfaced pathways on the North Course, improved tees and bunkers — with new sand — and completely overhauled the South driving range, both drainage and turf. These are improvements players notice, even if they can’t always put their finger on exactly why.
All of this requires serious technical resources. How have you strengthened that side of things?
By renewing our machinery. Between 2021 and 2025 we’ve been steadily updating the full fleet to maintain the standards we’re after. And we’re already working on the next phase, focused on improving drainage in specific areas of the course, particularly around the greens.
With all this evolution, how would you describe the experience at Golf El Rompido today?
It’s a course that’s deeply connected to its surroundings. We’re in a natural space with no urban development, surrounded by marshland and pine trees, and that shapes everything.
Our job has been to match that environment with a level of maintenance and service that does it justice. No gimmicks — just done well.
