El Encin is the most central of all the Spanish venues on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list. Its location is just outside the capital city of Madrid, and the resort features a stunning 18-hole championship golf course, incredible practice facilities and a wonderful hotel to enjoy a stay in.

It is the only resort in Spain to make our list that is not within a half-hour drive of the coastline, but that should not deter people from visiting it. The golf course is incredible. Designed by Robert von Hegge, Michael Smelek and Richard Baril, it has become one of the longest courses in the world, measuring at more than 7,600 yards. The last hole is a tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros, whose passing coincided with the opening of El Encin.

Not only is the golf course stunning, but the practice facilities are second to none. 100 golfers can use the driving range facility at any one time, with tees on two levels in (and on) the building. There is also a row of grass tees in front of the lower level, while there are target flags to dial in the distances. A putting green, chipping green and more feature in the resort’s short game area. 

Sercotel is the brand that runs the hotel, the Encin Golf Hotel. There are 39 wonderfully decorated rooms that are designed for guests to relax and enjoy. From Classic Rooms up to Junior Suites with their own private balcony, there is something for everyone in terms of accommodation. The hotel also has a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, while the clubhouse for the golf course is also located within the hotel building.

Yes it’s one of the longest golf courses in the world, but El Encin can provide the perfect stay for a golfing holiday. The facilities are sublime and the hotel ensures a good night’s sleep!

 

Visit El Encin’s website here.

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The golf course at El Encin is one of the newer ones on our list, having only been opened in 2011. Robert von Hegge, Michael Smelek and Richard Baril were the three men behind the design of the course, which is split into two loops. The front nine occupies the southwest side of the resort, with the back nine on the northeastern side of the property. 

The course features wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers, a key to the usual von Hagge design. There are also undulating greens, while the course was placed beautifully around a pair of water hazards, which come into play most on the final few holes of the golf course. It is also one of the longest courses on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, coming in at a whopping 7,673 yards from the black tees.

The course’s opening coincided with the death of the great Seve Ballesteros. In his honour, the 18th hole is a tribute to the major champion. It is a wonderful closing hole as well. At 626 yards from the back tees, and winding its way around one of those aforementioned water hazards, it provides a stunning finish to an incredible round of golf. 

Shortly after opening, the course played host to the Bankia Madrid Masters on the DP World Tour. England’s Lee Slattery was the man to be victorious but the tournament only lasted for a single edition. 

Not only is Encin home to one of the longest courses in Europe, but it is also the home to one of the most spectacular practice facilities on our list of the best European resorts as well. The driving range itself has the ability to hold 100 golfers, thanks to having matted tees across two levels, with some of those being on the roof of the driving range building.

There is also a row of grass tees in front of the lower level of the driving range, with the turf being the same kind of turf that you will see out on the golf course. Behind the driving range is a glorious short game area, with both putting and chipping greens, while the range itself has a number of target greens to aim at and to dial in the distances. 

The Encin Golf School runs out of these practice facilities, with a team of qualified professionals that are all certified by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation. There are both individual and group lessons available, for adults and children, and for golfers of all abilities. 

Situated at the northern part of the resort, and with views over the golf course, the Sercotel Encin Golf Hotel provides the resort’s accommodation offering. The hotel, which is run by the Sercotel brand, has 39 rooms which are spacious and comfortable, and the perfect place for a stay for a golf holiday.

The Classic Room is the standard offering at the Sercotel Encin Golf Hotel, and they come equipped with a double bed and a stunning bathroom, along with Wi-Fi and a TV. Those services are available in all rooms, which move up to Superior Rooms and Family Rooms, while the Junior Suite is the highest level of luxury afforded to guests. These have a spacious bedroom and separate living room, along with a private balcony to watch over the golf courses.

The Sercotel Encin Golf Hotel also features a range of services and amenities. There is a lovely swimming pool which is open throughout the summer months, while there are beautiful restaurants and bars inside. The hotel has its own fitness centre with some of the latest gym equipment as well. There are also meeting and conference rooms for companies to use.

Where is El Encin located? 
El Encin is situated in the very centre of Spain, and on the outskirts of the nation’s capital, Madrid. It is located between the A-2 and the R-2, which are the two main roads out of the city heading northeast.

What is the nearest airport to El Encin? 
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, the international airport which services Spain’s capital, is the closest to El Encin. The resort is just 20 miles from the airport, which operates several daily flights to the majority of European countries, including a number of destinations in the United Kingdom. 

What golf facilities does El Encin offer? 
The facilities at El Encin are second to none. The driving range has the capacity for 100 players at once, with a two-tiered matted range, while there is also a row of grass tees situated in front of the lower level of the driving range. The short game area, which sits behind the range, has both a putting and chipping green, to allow players to hone their around the green play before taking to the course. 

There is also a stunning three-storey clubhouse that is a part of the Encin Golf Hotel. The changing rooms and buggy storage is on the bottom floor, which is somewhat below ground level. There is also a restaurant and bar, along with a terrace to enjoy watching others finish their rounds. 

Does El Encin offer golf lessons? 
The team of professionals at the Encin Golf School are all certified by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and are trained to coach and advise golfers of all levels. There are both group and individual lessons available to golfers of all ages and abilities. 

What are the green fees at El Encin? 
El Encin is one of the cheapest resorts on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, with a round during the week only costing €50. On the weekends, those prices rise to €65. To play just 9 holes, those prices come down to €30 and €40, respectively. 

What accommodation is on offer at El Encin? 
Sercotel is the brand that provides the accommodation at the Encin Golf Hotel, which is one of more than 80 locations that are across Spain and Andorra. There are Classic, Superior and Family Rooms, along with a number of Junior Suites for that properly luxurious stay at Encin.

What other resorts are nearby? 
El Encin is the only Spanish venue on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list that is not within a half hour drive from the coastline. The nearest resort that also makes our list is El Saler, but that is a four-hour drive to the east. 

There are a number of golf courses in the region around Madrid. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, an Open de Espana venue, is one of those, along with the likes of El Robledal, Illescas Manor, La Moraleja and Olivar de la Hinojosa.

Visit El Encin’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.