Open

OPEN COURSE

The Open Course is the most well-known of Real Club de Golf El Prat’s five loops having hosted European Tour and Challenge Tour events – most notably the Spanish Open in 2011 and 2015. Comprising the “Abajo” and “Arriba” nine-hole layouts, it is the most demanding course at our club and visitors will end up in trouble if they have a bad day with their driver.
And that is very evident on the first hole of Abajo with a daunting fairway bunker that runs along much of the right side of this delightful 400-metre par 4.
However, even if your tee shot is good, golfers will find the most important shot on this layout is always the approach as the tricky greens are both very well protected and elevated. It is important to take advantage of the four par-fives – the longest of which is the 10th on the Open Course, or the first on the hillier Arriba measuring 5,321 metres off the tips.
But you must also pay extra attention to the ninth, a par-four stroke index one that is a long and uphill and therefore requiring a powerful drive. A good long iron must follow before reaching the long green that is defended by a bunker on the right and a slight hollow on the left.
The 430-metre par-four 17th hole is equally as testing with a hazard running to the left and a sand trap that catches out many golfers. A semi-blind green approach also calls for precision to avoid more bunkers, while the speed of the greens can catch out even the most confident of putters. Making par is quite a challenge on both of these holes.

Course distance: 6.672 meters

HOLE BY HOLE

Tab Content

Distance Par Handicap
416 4 3
395 4 3
387 4 3
362 4 3
342 4 3
332 4 3
314 4 3
Long par-four requiring a powerful drive, taking care not to go off the fairway to the right as a hazard runs the length of the hole. The second shot requires a long iron to reach a broad green with a large bunker to the left and a waste area to the right. Making par is quite a challenge!

Long par-four requiring a powerful drive, taking care not to go off the fairway to the right as a hazard runs the length of the hole. The second shot requires a long iron to reach a broad green with a large bunker to the left and a waste area to the right. Making par is quite a challenge!

Distance Par Handicap
525 5 13
501 5 13
470 5 13
458 5 13
447 5 13
442 5 13
416 5 13

Uphill par-five, the green can be reached in two shots by hard hitters. Good drive required to get past the waste area to the right, and a good second shot will usually leave players with a blind approach given the huge bunkers on the right side of the green. The green runs diagonally, making for a hard putt if your approach passes the flag.

Distance Par Handicap
188 3 15
172 3 15
155 3 15
140 3 15
122 3 15
105 3 15
93 3 15
A magnificent and difficult par three with a slight downhill slope. A long iron will be needed to reach a huge green, protected to the right by bunkers and to the left by a grove of trees. Make sure your two putts come very close to the flag due to the green’s dimensions.

Distance Par Handicap
402 4 7
378 4 7
356 4 7
335 4 7
328 4 7
312 4 7
304 4 7

Par-four requiring power and accuracy. The tee shot is flanked by bunkers to the right and left, and you need a mid-iron for the second shot to land you in a crosswise green that is protected by an array of bunkers in front and a dense forest behind. But to do so, your approach shot must be high and well-placed for the ball to stay on the green.

Distance Par Handicap
425 4 11
393 4 11
376 4 11
352 4 11
344 4 11
326 4 11
300 4 11
Par four with a slight dogleg to the left. The tee shot must be deep, followed by a mid- or short iron to an elongated green flanked to the right by two bunkers

Distance Par Handicap
428 4 9
412 4 9
387 4 9
365 4 9
357 4 9
339 4 9
328 4 9
One of the course’s hardest par fours. The tee shot is long and downhill, protected by a bunker to the left and thick rough to the right. The approach leads to a slightly upward sloping green flanked by two bunkers to right and left, requiring height and accuracy with a mid- or long iron.

Distance Par Handicap
498 5 5
483 5 5
468 5 5
449 5 5
428 5 5
387 5 5
377 5 5
A great par five, where a good deal of strategy is needed. The tee shot to the right has to avoid the bunker on the left side. The second shot requires a long iron or wood to place the ball 50 or 60 yards from the green in order to approach it from above. The green is defended by bunkers to the front and back, and slopes from back to front.

Distance Par Handicap
146 3 17
141 3 17
126 3 17
119 3 17
106 3 17
98 3 17
90 3 17
Short par three with a broad green, where a good shot with a short iron can help you shave a point from your score. It’s best to not to miss the left on your approach.

Distance Par Handicap
426 4 1
409 4 1
386 4 1
372 4 1
347 4 1
323 4 1
301 4 1
Tremendous par four to finish. Perhaps the hardest hole in the course. The long, uphill hole requires a strong drive hugging the right side of the fairway, then a long iron to approach the long, crosswise green defended by a bunker on the right and a slight hollow on the left. Making par is quite a challenge!

Distance Par Handicap
532 5 4
519 5 4
505 5 4
424 5 4
407 5 4
371 5 4
352 5 4
The beauty of this spectacular par five with a dogleg to the right is exceptional. From the tee on high, players must cross a riverbed and then, depending on the tee shot, get over or around a huge pine tree on their second shot. The approach to the green involves a steep incline that players must bear in mind to avoid getting trapped in one of the many deep bunkers along the way.

Distance Par Handicap
166 3 16
157 3 16
149 3 16
133 3 16
126 3 16
121 3 16
100 3 16
Magnificent par three demanding a strong, high tee shot to pass the front bunker defending the narrow green, set slightly higher and in diagonal to the tee.

Distance Par Handicap
337 4 8
333 4 8
311 4 8
309 4 8
293 4 8
271 4 8
236 4 8
Course designer Greg Norman’s preferred hole. A demanding uphill par four with a dogleg to the left, where players need to be on their game to avoid the seven bunkers that surround both tee and green. The tee shot must search the fairway taking into account the steep right-left slope, and the second shot has to combine the adequate line and distance to reach the green. Recovering from failure to reach the green is quite a challenge.

Distance Par Handicap
204 3 12
187 3 12
179 3 12
166 3 12
146 3 12
136 3 12
126 3 12
This long par three requires a long, accurate tee shot to avoid the bunkers that line the long green. No half-measures here, but veer too far away from the centre line and you will be hard put to save par.

Distance Par Handicap
352 4 10
330 4 10
301 4 10
283 4 10
275 4 10
258 4 10
250 4 10
This par four (dogleg left) enters the wooded section of the course. The tee shot requires more accuracy than distance, the main goal being to avoid the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Once you reach the fairway, the approach shot to the green is tense because of hazards on either side, but with a short iron you should have a good chance to trim down your score.

Distance Par Handicap
304 4 18
291 4 18
278 4 18
253 4 18
240 4 18
227 4 18
214 4 18
This par four has one of the course’s toughest opening shots. The forest and bunkers on both sides of the narrow fairway (dogleg right) make it essential to choose your shot and club very carefully. After a successful tee shot, the approach to the high, narrow green that spreads diagonally has to be very accurate despite the short distance.

Distance Par Handicap
430 4 6
409 4 6
382 4 6
361 4 6
352 4 6
325 4 6
318 4 6
The tee shot is of the essence on this par four. If you reach the steep downward sloping section of the fairway, the second shot has to be very short. Otherwise the distance will be considerable, and a highly accurate shot will be needed, bearing in mind the array of bunkers and the lake to the right that defend its dual-platform green.

Distance Par Handicap
397 4 2
374 4 2
365 4 2
356 4 2
349 4 2
323 4 2
296 4 2
Tough uphill par four where the tee shot once again is key. The bunker on the right of the drive’s descent is one of the most frequented areas of the course as players are forced to avoid the hazard running along the entire left side of the hole. The semi-blind green approach requires a high, well-directed flight to avoid the bunkers at the front and rear of the green, leaving a long putt on its fast surface.

Distance Par Handicap
496 5 14
488 5 14
474 5 14
468 5 14
442 5 14
433 5 14
413 5 14
This par five is a hole where orderly play has its reward, but any mistakes, particularly on the left side, can create havoc. The setback of the tees calls for great care on the opening shot, while the second shot presents a wealth of bunkers to the right of a narrowing fairway and a hazard to the left. The narrow, elevated green requires precision to avoid having the ball roll off. Heavy hitters can reach the green in two.

HOLES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IDA 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 VTA TOT V.C. V.S.
Negro 416 525 188 402 425 428 498 146 426 3454 532 166 337 204 352 304 430 397 496 3218 6672 76.00 134
Blanco 395 501 172 378 393 412 483 141 409 3284 519 157 333 187 330 291 409 374 488 3088 6372 75.00 135
Amarillo 387 470 155 356 376 387 468 126 386 3111 505 149 311 179 301 278 382 365 474 2944 6055 72.80 130
Naranja 362 458 140 335 352 365 449 119 372 2952 424 133 309 166 283 253 361 356 468 2753 5705 71.20 126
Azul 342 447 122 328 344 357 428 106 347 2821 407 126 293 146 275 240 352 349 442 2630 5451 75.50 133
Rojo 332 422 105 312 326 339 387 98 323 2644 371 121 271 136 258 227 325 323 433 2465 5109 73.40 128
Rosa 314 416 93 304 300 328 377 90 301 2523 352 100 236 126 250 214 318 296 413 2305 4828 71.30 126
Par 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 5 3 4 3 4 4 4 4 5 36 72
HCP 6 16 14 10 12 2 8 18 4 3 11 9 7 15 17 5 1 13

Tab Content

1

Distance Par Handicap
416 4 3
395 4 3
387 4 3
362 4 3
342 4 3
332 4 3
314 4 3
Long par-four requiring a powerful drive, taking care not to go off the fairway to the right as a hazard runs the length of the hole. The second shot requires a long iron to reach a broad green with a large bunker to the left and a waste area to the right. Making par is quite a challenge!

2

Distance Par Handicap
525 5 13
501 5 13
470 5 13
458 5 13
447 5 13
442 5 13
416 5 13

Uphill par-five, the green can be reached in two shots by hard hitters. Good drive required to get past the waste area to the right, and a good second shot will usually leave players with a blind approach given the huge bunkers on the right side of the green. The green runs diagonally, making for a hard putt if your approach passes the flag.

3

Distance Par Handicap
188 3 15
172 3 15
155 3 15
140 3 15
122 3 15
105 3 15
93 3 15
A magnificent and difficult par three with a slight downhill slope. A long iron will be needed to reach a huge green, protected to the right by bunkers and to the left by a grove of trees. Make sure your two putts come very close to the flag due to the green’s dimensions.

4

Distance Par Handicap
402 4 7
378 4 7
356 4 7
335 4 7
328 4 7
312 4 7
304 4 7

Par-four requiring power and accuracy. The tee shot is flanked by bunkers to the right and left, and you need a mid-iron for the second shot to land you in a crosswise green that is protected by an array of bunkers in front and a dense forest behind. But to do so, your approach shot must be high and well-placed for the ball to stay on the green.

5

Distance Par Handicap
425 4 11
393 4 11
376 4 11
352 4 11
344 4 11
326 4 11
300 4 11
Par four with a slight dogleg to the left. The tee shot must be deep, followed by a mid- or short iron to an elongated green flanked to the right by two bunkers

6

Distance Par Handicap
428 4 9
412 4 9
387 4 9
365 4 9
357 4 9
339 4 9
328 4 9
One of the course’s hardest par fours. The tee shot is long and downhill, protected by a bunker to the left and thick rough to the right. The approach leads to a slightly upward sloping green flanked by two bunkers to right and left, requiring height and accuracy with a mid- or long iron.

7

Distance Par Handicap
498 5 5
483 5 5
468 5 5
449 5 5
428 5 5
387 5 5
377 5 5
A great par five, where a good deal of strategy is needed. The tee shot to the right has to avoid the bunker on the left side. The second shot requires a long iron or wood to place the ball 50 or 60 yards from the green in order to approach it from above. The green is defended by bunkers to the front and back, and slopes from back to front.

8

Distance Par Handicap
146 3 17
141 3 17
126 3 17
119 3 17
106 3 17
98 3 17
90 3 17
Short par three with a broad green, where a good shot with a short iron can help you shave a point from your score. It’s best to not to miss the left on your approach.

9

Distance Par Handicap
426 4 1
409 4 1
386 4 1
372 4 1
347 4 1
323 4 1
301 4 1
Tremendous par four to finish. Perhaps the hardest hole in the course. The long, uphill hole requires a strong drive hugging the right side of the fairway, then a long iron to approach the long, crosswise green defended by a bunker on the right and a slight hollow on the left. Making par is quite a challenge!

10

Distance Par Handicap
532 5 4
519 5 4
505 5 4
424 5 4
407 5 4
371 5 4
352 5 4
The beauty of this spectacular par five with a dogleg to the right is exceptional. From the tee on high, players must cross a riverbed and then, depending on the tee shot, get over or around a huge pine tree on their second shot. The approach to the green involves a steep incline that players must bear in mind to avoid getting trapped in one of the many deep bunkers along the way.

11

Distance Par Handicap
166 3 16
157 3 16
149 3 16
133 3 16
126 3 16
121 3 16
100 3 16
Magnificent par three demanding a strong, high tee shot to pass the front bunker defending the narrow green, set slightly higher and in diagonal to the tee.

12

Distance Par Handicap
337 4 8
333 4 8
311 4 8
309 4 8
293 4 8
271 4 8
236 4 8
Course designer Greg Norman’s preferred hole. A demanding uphill par four with a dogleg to the left, where players need to be on their game to avoid the seven bunkers that surround both tee and green. The tee shot must search the fairway taking into account the steep right-left slope, and the second shot has to combine the adequate line and distance to reach the green. Recovering from failure to reach the green is quite a challenge.

13

Distance Par Handicap
204 3 12
187 3 12
179 3 12
166 3 12
146 3 12
136 3 12
126 3 12
This long par three requires a long, accurate tee shot to avoid the bunkers that line the long green. No half-measures here, but veer too far away from the centre line and you will be hard put to save par.

14

Distance Par Handicap
352 4 10
330 4 10
301 4 10
283 4 10
275 4 10
258 4 10
250 4 10
This par four (dogleg left) enters the wooded section of the course. The tee shot requires more accuracy than distance, the main goal being to avoid the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Once you reach the fairway, the approach shot to the green is tense because of hazards on either side, but with a short iron you should have a good chance to trim down your score.

15

Distance Par Handicap
304 4 18
291 4 18
278 4 18
253 4 18
240 4 18
227 4 18
214 4 18
This par four has one of the course’s toughest opening shots. The forest and bunkers on both sides of the narrow fairway (dogleg right) make it essential to choose your shot and club very carefully. After a successful tee shot, the approach to the high, narrow green that spreads diagonally has to be very accurate despite the short distance.

16

Distance Par Handicap
430 4 6
409 4 6
382 4 6
361 4 6
352 4 6
325 4 6
318 4 6
The tee shot is of the essence on this par four. If you reach the steep downward sloping section of the fairway, the second shot has to be very short. Otherwise the distance will be considerable, and a highly accurate shot will be needed, bearing in mind the array of bunkers and the lake to the right that defend its dual-platform green.

17

Distance Par Handicap
397 4 2
374 4 2
365 4 2
356 4 2
349 4 2
323 4 2
296 4 2
Tough uphill par four where the tee shot once again is key. The bunker on the right of the drive’s descent is one of the most frequented areas of the course as players are forced to avoid the hazard running along the entire left side of the hole. The semi-blind green approach requires a high, well-directed flight to avoid the bunkers at the front and rear of the green, leaving a long putt on its fast surface.

18

Distance Par Handicap
496 5 14
488 5 14
474 5 14
468 5 14
442 5 14
433 5 14
413 5 14
This par five is a hole where orderly play has its reward, but any mistakes, particularly on the left side, can create havoc. The setback of the tees calls for great care on the opening shot, while the second shot presents a wealth of bunkers to the right of a narrowing fairway and a hazard to the left. The narrow, elevated green requires precision to avoid having the ball roll off. Heavy hitters can reach the green in two.

ScoreCard

HOLES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IDA 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 VTA TOT V.C. V.S.
Negro 416 525 188 402 425 428 498 146 426 3454 532 166 337 204 352 304 430 397 496 3218 6672 76.00 134
Blanco 395 501 172 378 393 412 483 141 409 3284 519 157 333 187 330 291 409 374 488 3088 6372 75.00 135
Amarillo 387 470 155 356 376 387 468 126 386 3111 505 149 311 179 301 278 382 365 474 2944 6055 72.80 130
Naranja 362 458 140 335 352 365 449 119 372 2952 424 133 309 166 283 253 361 356 468 2753 5705 71.20 126
Azul 342 447 122 328 344 357 428 106 347 2821 407 126 293 146 275 240 352 349 442 2630 5451 75.50 133
Rojo 332 422 105 312 326 339 387 98 323 2644 371 121 271 136 258 227 325 323 433 2465 5109 73.40 128
Rosa 314 416 93 304 300 328 377 90 301 2523 352 100 236 126 250 214 318 296 413 2305 4828 71.30 126
Par 4 5 3 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 5 3 4 3 4 4 4 4 5 36 72
HCP 6 16 14 10 12 2 8 18 4 3 11 9 7 15 17 5 1 13